Yahoo: Spurs to use amnesty on RJ!

[Dex]

Is no one else just really shocked they amnestied RJ?

Not really. Despite all the perfectly valid reasons of why it made fiscal sense to keep him, the Amnesty still had his name written all over it. They might as well have called it the "Jefferson Clause".

Holt will take a hit in the wallet, but sometimes thats the way the cards fall. They gambled, and they lost. Time to move on to the next hand.

[ace3g]

AlexKennedyNBA Alex Kennedy
After using the amnesty clause on Richard Jefferson, don't be surprised if the Spurs sign Shane Battier. There's mutual interest.

[DPG21920]

Not really. Despite all the perfectly valid reasons of why it made fiscal sense to keep him, the Amnesty still had his name written all over it. They might as well have called it the "Jefferson Clause".

Holt will take a hit in the wallet, but sometimes thats the way the cards fall. They gambled, and they lost. Time to move on to the next hand.

I think it's pretty damn surprising for a FO to admit a mistake, swallow a large financial pill when they are claiming how tough it is to make money & after they spearhead the charge (per reports) on being able to use the amnesty in later years.

Maybe it's just me, but I really didn't think this was a legit option this year.

[slick'81]

Is no one else just really shocked they amnestied RJ? Anyways, with him gone, even with no other additions I feel the Spurs can be better off than they were last year (not necessarily with regular season wins, but better shot at a playoff series win). I feel this way because it will force Pop to play someone with energy and hustle at the SF spot and that is what they need. I also am hoping Tiago plays because they will be better defensively because of it. Those things right there will make them better, even if it's not nearly enough to truly contend.


indeed its not like he was there even when he was on the floor

[Nathan89]

AlexKennedyNBA Alex Kennedy
After using the amnesty clause on Richard Jefferson, don't be surprised if the Spurs sign Shane Battier. There's mutual interest.

I'll still take shane battier. I don't care if people say he lost a step. If anything he can be a great mentor to kawhi.

[GSH]

Okay... in the corporate world, after a serious screw-up there is often a "lessons learned" meeting. It's where they discuss ways to keep bad things from happening again. A lot of times there is discussion about how the problem could have been recognized earlier, so that the eject button could have been pressed sooner.


Exactly when did you know it was time to pull the plug on RJ, and why?

[Mel_13]

Richard Jefferson generating interest from several teams, source says. Most waiting for Jefferson to clear waivers before talking offer.

http://twitter.com/ChrisMannixSI

[objective]

he might be so bad that nobody bids on him because no one wants him at 3 years, no matter how cheap. Sad.

[slick'81]

Richard Jefferson generating interest from several teams, source says. Most waiting for Jefferson to clear waivers before talking offer.

http://twitter.com/ChrisMannixSI


of course after he clears waivers for the right price hed be ok but for 40 million after sucking it up?!?! gl rj wherever u go

[DPG21920]

Son of a b*tch

[DPG21920]

If there is truly interest, one would think a team would bid and try to prevent the risk of losing him over a minimal investment (say 3M per year for 3 years).

[Mel_13]

If there is truly interest, one would think a team would bid and try to prevent the risk of losing him over a minimal investment (say 3M per year for 3 years).

Teams over the cap will have to hope he clears waivers to have a shot.

[DesignatedT]

Doubt the Spurs would have Amnestied RJ if they didn't have a good idea where he would land and for what price. I'm sure they know exactly how much they are going to save in this deal.

[DPG21920]

Teams over the cap will have to hope he clears waivers to have a shot.

For sure, and I'm just assuming a team with cap space is probably interested enough to bid something.

[analyzed]

Question : this is thinking out of the box, but what about getting Denver's chandler, I know he is stuck in China until March, but maybe it's worth the wait. I'd rather be patient than get dud. The absence of a veterna SF might increase leaonards and Anderson learning curve as well, they have to swim or else sink so to speak. Afterall I don't see a new veteran making an impact in the 1st 3 months anyway.

[Mel_13]

For sure, and I'm just assuming a team with cap space is probably interested enough to bid something.

Yep, any team waiting for him to clear waivers doesn't have cap space. A team with cap space and interest would at least make a bid equivalent to the vet minimum.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

Surprising news. Holt appears to be really going all in again, perhaps they still believe they have a chance at a championship run.

That said, I don't like the Butler link, no fan at all, not a good fit, did his knee last season, it's a recipe for disaster. Hope it's a smokescreen. What the Spurs need much more is another competent big, but I guess their view is that such a big would not be available in free agency, only through trade. Hopefully they have a deal for Dice's contract and don't mind spending a bit more.

[baseline bum]

So does Jefferson go down as the all-time worst Spur? $54 million for two years for a guy so bad that he was benched in the closing games of the playoffs each year? I used to think it was ridiculous what they paid Charles Smith, but it's nothing compared to Jefferson. By failure Charles Smith I mean the 90s Charles Smith who got blocked four times at the rim vs Chicago, not the badass perimeter guy who lit Jordan up on TNT in 2002.

[DMC]

So does Jefferson go down as the all-time worst Spur? $54 million for two years for a guy so bad that he was benched in the closing games of the playoffs each year? I used to think it was ridiculous what they paid Charles Smith, but it's nothing compared to Jefferson. By failure Charles Smith I mean the 90s Charles Smith who got blocked four times at the rim vs Chicago, not the badass perimeter guy who lit Jordan up on TNT in 2002.
I don't think so.

The money isn't his fault, has nothing to do with him. He's a decent player, mid level at best but could contribute on some teams.

I would say it might be the worst investment in a player.

[timtonymanu]

Well Richard Jefferson actually made me almost miss Michael Finley. ALMOST.

That's how bad RJ was.

[ElNono]

So does Jefferson go down as the all-time worst Spur? $54 million for two years for a guy so bad that he was benched in the closing games of the playoffs each year? I used to think it was ridiculous what they paid Charles Smith, but it's nothing compared to Jefferson. By failure Charles Smith I mean the 90s Charles Smith who got blocked four times at the rim vs Chicago, not the badass perimeter guy who lit Jordan up on TNT in 2002.

Probably as far as giving him chances, talent/return ratio and pay. There's been worse, like Nick Van Exel, but he didn't last anywhere near as much or paid as much.

[objective]

RJ is like Bonner in his own special category in that he got another deal after he was such an established failure.

Charles Smith was never given a second contract, in fact I think they might have just cut his last year and paid him to go away. I believe Smith also swore that he'd be back in the NBA and make the Spurs regret it.

Other failures never had their second contractual chance. Carl Herrera, Hedo, Rasho, Mason, and so on.

[SenorSpur]

So does Jefferson go down as the all-time worst Spur? $54 million for two years for a guy so bad that he was benched in the closing games of the playoffs each year? I used to think it was ridiculous what they paid Charles Smith, but it's nothing compared to Jefferson. By failure Charles Smith I mean the 90s Charles Smith who got blocked four times at the rim vs Chicago, not the badass perimeter guy who lit Jordan up on TNT in 2002.

I dunno, but it's a good question. The only thing that saves RJ is that he's not a bad player. I just believe he was miscast onto a team, whose style didn't fit his skills. Combine that with the fact that he has a horrendous contract, this lead to unreasonable expectations of him. Now don't get me wrong. The boy doesn't have much heart and is somewhat of a mental midget, so that's his fault. However, the NBA is filled with overpaid, underachievers who have no heart. It's just unlike the Spurs to acquire them.

For the record, Charles Smith was on the decline when he arrived in S.A. He didn't make the ridiculous money that RJ made, but he was often disappeared and played like he had rigor mortis most times - like RJ.

[baseline bum]

Probably as far as giving him chances, talent/return ratio and pay. There's been worse, like Nick Van Exel, but he didn't last anywhere near as much or paid as much.

Van Exel and Jefferson were pretty comparable I thought. Both were spectacular failures in their roles and were so bad they couldn't see floor time when the games really mattered. At least Van Exel had a valid reason with his knees being shot. I guess if we go strictly by on the floor performance no one will ever take Alfrederick the Great's crown though.

[objective]

Smith did have some legit excuse: his knees and ankles were a wreck. Almost voided the trade, Spurs kept Smith out of the first half of his debut game so that they could void the trade before they got extra considerations from the Knicks, iirc.

I remember he had ankle surgery after the playoff loss to Utah.

[210Max]

richard jefferson>jackie butler

and uh, whatever happened to the good charles smith? He was in that kerr/ad trade and then like never got a job in the NBA again. He still plays in Europe, but I remember him lighting the Kings up with like 30 points in the year they shoulda won the championship

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

So does Jefferson go down as the all-time worst Spur? $54 million for two years for a guy so bad that he was benched in the closing games of the playoffs each year? I used to think it was ridiculous what they paid Charles Smith, but it's nothing compared to Jefferson. By failure Charles Smith I mean the 90s Charles Smith who got blocked four times at the rim vs Chicago, not the badass perimeter guy who lit Jordan up on TNT in 2002.

RJ has to be close... what was Failure Charles paid? BTW, I still have fond memories of other Charles, the 6'4" SG with 7'0" wingspan who I thought had great potential but ended up not blossoming (due to a heart condition? or lack of talent?).


I dunno, but it's a good question. The only thing that saves RJ is that he's not a bad player. I just believe he was miscast onto a team, whose style didn't fit his skills. Combine that with the fact that he has a horrendous contract, this lead to unreasonable expectations of him. Now don't get me wrong. The boy doesn't have much heart and is somewhat of a mental midget, so that's his fault. However, the NBA is filled with overpaid, underachievers who have no heart. It's just unlike the Spurs to acquire them.

For the record, Charles Smith was on the decline when he arrived in S.A. He didn't make the ridiculous money that RJ made, but he was often disappeared and played like he had rigor mortis most times - like RJ.

All fair comments.

As for Nasty Nick, the thing that saves him from the title is that we didn't pay him $40mil!

[ivanfromwestwood]

RJ has to be close... what was Failure Charles paid? BTW, I still have fond memories of other Charles, the 6'4" SG with 7'0" wingspan who I thought had great potential but ended up not blossoming (due to a heart condition? or lack of talent?). spiderman?

[eric365]

Teams under the cap that will be able to bid for Jefferson's services:

1. Washington: $34.4 million
2. Denver: $33 million
3. Indiana: $28.5 million
4. Sacramento: $26.2 million
5. New Jersey: $23.1 million
6. Toronto: $17.7 million
7. Golden State: $16 million
8. Detroit: $14-$19 million
9. L.A. Clippers: $13.1 million
10. Charlotte: $13 million
11. New Orleans: $12.6 million
12. Milwaukee: $12.2 million
13. Minnesota: $11.4 million
14. Houston: $6.8 million
15. Memphis: $5.1 million
16. Phoenix: $3.25 million
17. Oklahoma City: $3.1 million
18. Philly: 2.65 million

As you can see many teams are very well under the cap, which was probably the reason for the Spurs' decision-- Jefferson should and will be bidded on.

Theses numbers are after theses teams use amensty clause.
And there was an article lately on Washington not sure using the amnesty clause this year on Lewis.
Why should they use it this year and being forced to overpay the few good player on the market ? In the new CBA you have to use 85% of the Cap
They better keep Lewis and use the amnesty next year

Same can be said for other teams in your list

[mattyc]

Astute move. Good luck to RJ, but better for both us and him that he departs.

[jiggy_55]

Wojanrowski reports that the Bulls still lead the pack for Caron Butler.. The article also mentions that he is the Spurs' primary target, but team officials have met with Josh Howard and inquired about Mike Dunleavy too.

Why haven't the Spurs contacted Tayshaun, Battier, Hill, etc?

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AidxB3ZdaHI6HC6KSK52gJm8vLYF?slug=ys-nba_free_agent_buzz_120811

[Bruno]

Huge props to the Spurs organization for not telling RJ they will waive him before media spread the news.

A classy move from a classy team...

[mystargtr34]

Its probably a smoke screen... if the Spurs are willingly 'interested' in Butler.. it probly means they want someone else who hasnt been mentioned.

[Redshadows]

Its probably a smoke screen... if the Spurs are willingly 'interested' in Butler.. it probly means they want someone else who hasnt been mentioned.
so the one is finley.

[G-Dawgg]

I really hope the reason RJ is getting waived is because we are getting Butler. Butler is a 2 way player. He is a much better scorer than RJ and is actually a really good defender.... I'm optimistic. Butler can pick up the slack offensively that we've been losing from Duncan for the past couple of years. As for RJ: good riddance.

[jiggy_55]

Huge props to the Spurs organization for not telling RJ they will waive him before media spread the news.

A classy move from a classy team...

LOL. The RJ twitter account seems to be a fake. So little followers and not even verified. Doesn't look like an official twitter account IMO.

[stxspurs]

Ri don't think the spurs are gonna do it till Butler commits...which I doubt he does. Hope there's a trade

[DPG21920]

Huge props to the Spurs organization for not telling RJ they will waive him before media spread the news.

A classy move from a classy team...

If this is based on the Twiiter account it's a fake Twitter account. The Spurs may not have told RJ about using the amnesty on him before the media reported it, but it's not confirmed just because of a fake Twitter account.

[Fireball]

If this is based on the Twiiter account it's a fake Twitter account. The Spurs may not have told RJ about using the amnesty on him before the media reported it, but it's not confirmed just because of a fake Twitter account.

I think that if the Spurs actually will use the amnesty rule on RJ then they have told him. I guess Pop even invited him personally, sat him on a bench (:lol) and told him "you're not even good enough for that anymore".

[I Heart Ginobili]

Christmas came early this year!

VGu0B6kL9eM&feature=youtu.be&t=1m16s

hMqfBlMjU0A

[Dex]

If this is based on the Twiiter account it's a fake Twitter account. The Spurs may not have told RJ about using the amnesty on him before the media reported it, but it's not confirmed just because of a fake Twitter account.

timvp said that was RJ's real account.

[Bruno]

If this is based on the Twiiter account it's a fake Twitter account. The Spurs may not have told RJ about using the amnesty on him before the media reported it, but it's not confirmed just because of a fake Twitter account.

Yeah, it's based on the twitter account. If he's fake, I got fooled.

[Brazil]

Butler won't come to SA. If the report is correct and Clips and Nets offer more money, why Butler would choose to play for the spurs ? Nets and Clips are very appealing destination and hard to resist to Clips attraction, more money and a fun team with a great future to play with.


The Nets are appealing? How so? Because they're moving to Brooklyn? Because they sure as hell havent delivered on the court in awhile. And other than Blake Griffin being with the Clippers, they havent done much either....


Just stick to not posting.


Superior offer? It's two million more and no one knows how many years any team is asking for.

The Clippers are a franchise that will pretty much always be a team always fighting for a playoff birth and the Nets are a Williams departure from being a bottom of the eastern conference team.


lol

[stephen jackson]

i think i wanna keep him now. im kinda depressed not gettin butler

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Good. Can't stand RJ anymore.

[Bruno]

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/12/08/uncertainty-reigns-as-spurs%E2%80%99-camp-begins/


Though Jefferson has informed multiple teammates of the Spurs’ intention to waive him, the team could rethink that plan if no better option presents itself.

[benefactor]

God. Please. No.

[Mel_13]

Keeping RJ at this point would be the worst possible outcome.

[Texas_Ranger]

:smchode:

[Xevious]

The Spurs are kind of fucked right now. They either blow the amnesty on RJ and hope that the rookie shapes up to be starting material... or keep RJ and have him phone in the season. Who wants to play for a team that already made its plans to cut you public?

[CGD]

In any event, it doesn't make sense to waive RJ until you've lock up a replacement. Even if the Spurs do find a new SF, as a planning matter, it doesn't make sense for the Spurs to waive RJ until most other SF in the market have found new homes. It makes it more likely to heighten the bidding for RJ, and more probable that another team will assume part of the salary of his existing contract.

That said, I do hope we can include him in a trade for a big instead of waiving him...

[Mel_13]

Has anyone seen anything from the final version of the CBA that sets the deadline to file for amnesty?

[The_Worlds_finest]

Gents,
Lets not get bent out of shape. Spurs want RJ gone period. A trade would be better, but the dude is gone.

[spursince#99]

DIDN'T I TELL YOU IT WASN'T FINAL lol I TOLD YOU

[elemento]

Welcome back Dick ! :lmao

[Spursfanfromafar]

This seems to be the bleakest season beginning for a Spurs fan in a while. Who would have thought that Richard Jefferson would have been such a poison after being attained for a set of old retiring veterans (Kurt Thomas, Bruce Bowen and Fabricio Oberto). The idea was that we were trading for youth and giving up on gutsy old age. Instead we traded out guts by bringing in a chump who has never lived upto his USP.

At this moment, the Spurs' best option remaining is a signing of Grant Hill for major portions of the MLE and the possible leveraging of McDyess' expiring [today] for a sign and trade with New Orleans for Carl Landry or a veteran minimum's signing of someone like Nenad Krstic or a Jeff Foster (if they aren't already taken).

[spursince#99]

This seems to be the bleakest season beginning for a Spurs fan in a while. Who would have thought that Richard Jefferson would have been such a poison after being attained for a set of old retiring veterans (Kurt Thomas, Bruce Bowen and Fabricio Oberto). The idea was that we were trading for youth and giving up on gutsy old age. Instead we traded out guts by bringing in a chump who has never lived upto his USP.

At this moment, the Spurs' best option remaining is a signing of Grant Hill for major portions of the MLE and the possible leveraging of McDyess' expiring [today] for a sign and trade with New Orleans for Carl Landry or a veteran minimum's signing of someone like Nenad Krstic or a Jeff Foster (if they aren't already taken).

[spursince#99]

This seems to be the bleakest season beginning for a Spurs fan in a while. Who would have thought that Richard Jefferson would have been such a poison after being attained for a set of old retiring veterans (Kurt Thomas, Bruce Bowen and Fabricio Oberto). The idea was that we were trading for youth and giving up on gutsy old age. Instead we traded out guts by bringing in a chump who has never lived upto his USP.

At this moment, the Spurs' best option remaining is a signing of Grant Hill for major portions of the MLE and the possible leveraging of McDyess' expiring [today] for a sign and trade with New Orleans for Carl Landry or a veteran minimum's signing of someone like Nenad Krstic or a Jeff Foster (if they aren't already taken).



stop posting for a while

[Mel_13]

At this moment, the Spurs' best option remaining is a signing of Grant Hill for major portions of the MLE and the possible leveraging of McDyess' expiring [today] for a sign and trade with New Orleans for Carl Landry or a veteran minimum's signing of someone like Nenad Krstic or a Jeff Foster (if they aren't already taken).

S&T for Landry is an original and realistic proposal.

Krstic signed a two-year deal in Russia. I don't think he'll be playing in the NBA this season and he'll cost much more than the minimum when he does.

[Spursfanfromafar]

stop posting for a while

Don't like what you read. Shut up and shift your gaze elsewhere. Keep your ordering shit to yourself.

[tdunk21]

@JMcDonald_SAEN
Jeff McDonald
Spurs haven't amnestied RJ yet.

[tuncaboylu]

We will keep him, because none of free agents accepted Spurs' offer.

[spurspokesman]

Much rather have Butler than RJ. His wouldn't be that hard to move after a couple years if it didn't work out either.

The label of a "ball stopper" that Caron has might be true at times but I think having somebody else that can create their own shot would be a huge plus for this team. Manu isn't getting any younger and he's pretty much the only one on our roster who can do what Caron can do with the ball.

He also isn't a mental midget like RJ and brings an attitude and toughness this locker-room would benefit to have. He might not be the ideal choice but I like this idea of him in a Spurs uniform.

Agreed. He brings some swagger to this team. We need some bbackbone. To many nice guys.

[benefactor]

First preseason game is less than five days away. This Spurs need to get this shit done.

[AFBlue]

First preseason game is less than five days away. This Spurs need to get this shit done.

Probably contingent on a Howard acceptance.

[benefactor]

I don't care if anyone comes. I just want him to go away.

[slick'81]

I don't care if anyone comes. I just want him to go away.


if spurs stay pat cut rj and develop anderson/cowhigh