Spurs reach agreement with Jeff Pendergraph (Report: 2 Year, ~$4 million)

[DPG21920]

The spurs only addition last summer was Nando de colo and things went pretty well. Of course when a rumor like AK got thrown out there we all got excited, and it's naturally a letdown. We're likely still the class of the west

Sure, when the dust settles, Spurs can reasonably be argued to be atop the West at the moment. However, that does not make the off season a success. No matter how you slice, Spurs spent some money on redundant players where they already had depth and it makes little sense at the moment. Also, Spurs are the team in the West with the least margin for error by far. They will be relying on Manu, who is always injured and whom still has a sizable deal, to stay healthy. They have to hope a 37 year old Duncan can have the type of year he did with no injuries as well. They have to win games by limiting minutes to the extreme because of their health issues and if anything goes wrong it can derail a season quite quickly which is why it was important to do as much as possible to insulate the team from those risks.

But, again, when it's all said and done, Spurs should be right in the mix for the WCF.

[tesseractive]

This is not like any other off season because the spurs really had a legit chance of cementing themselves in the west. Paying a scrub 2 Million dollars. :td

I guess this means we're running Kawhi Leonard to the ground. Hope his knees are ok. The spurs still is the best team in the west anyway. We just gotta hope Green develops a somewhat sufficient dribble game enough to score a floater, Splitter learns to board against smaller defender and Cojo develop as a good back-up.

4/10 offseason considering the chances.

I don't think anyone is cliff jumping here. They could still win the championship even with the current squad, that doesn't take away the fact that it was a bad offseason.

A year ago, the Spurs ran out of gas in the WCFs and had chances to get better and really contend. Instead, all we did was resign Danny and Boris and bring over Nando. So what happened? We got even better, because we kept developing our young players.

The front office is once again betting on our young guys. They're gambling that CoJo or Nando will step up and own the backup point position. They're being on Kawhi, Danny, and Tiago to continue making further strides. They're betting on Ginobili being able to rein things in next time, and on Tim and Tony holding it together for a couple more years.And they've brought in a couple of young players that they think can grow into roles.

I'd still like to see us make another move for a forward, but we have useful contracts (starting with Bonner's) that should continue to give us options up to the trade deadline. So I can't say I feel too terrible about this off-season.

[TheGoldStandard]

I really wonder what the front office will do when the inevitable happens and Tim/Manu walks away. I know Kawhi will be there and Tony will be getting up there in age, wonder if there draft strategy changes and there FO changes how they do business or they continue to underwhelm.

The reason why these lackluster off season moves don't seem like a big deal is because Parker, Tim and Manu. With these guys there they can mask any situation and make players better. All of our role players wouldn't have this success on other teams.

[Floyd Pacquiao]

Pendergraph is a good Blair replacement but I still would have wanted the Spurs to blow their cash on a true SF back up that can D up.

[stephen jackson]

so who would we go after in 2015?

[TheGoldStandard]

Sure, when the dust settles, Spurs can reasonably be argued to be atop the West at the moment. However, that does not make the off season a success. No matter how you slice, Spurs spent some money on redundant players where they already had depth and it makes little sense at the moment. Also, Spurs are the team in the West with the least margin for error by far. They will be relying on Manu, who is always injured and whom still has a sizable deal, to stay healthy. They have to hope a 37 year old Duncan can have the type of year he did with no injuries as well. They have to win games by limiting minutes to the extreme because of their health issues and if anything goes wrong it can derail a season quite quickly which is why it was important to do as much as possible to insulate the team from those risks.

But, again, when it's all said and done, Spurs should be right in the mix for the WCF.

No plan B

[SanDiegoSpursFan]

I have some faith in Splitter, I think he can play better and perform at that level in the playoffs if given the minutes. This was his first year starting and he helped turn the defense around, he started wearing down because he wasn't used to the minutes and the gruelling NBA season.

So while it was kind of disappointing that the Spurs couldn't land a big free agent, I don't think the Spurs will take a big step back next season. Kawhi is emerging. Belli is a bigger, younger, and worse shooting version of Neal. Pendergraph isn't a 6'6 center. I'm pretty excited.

[TheGoldStandard]

so who would we go after in 2015?

Someone foreign

[Vic Petro]

so who would we go after in 2015?

I'd think Hibbert or Kevin Love (if he's in one piece) would be near the top of the list.

[TheGoldStandard]

I have some faith in Splitter, I think he can play better and perform at that level in the playoffs if given the minutes. This was his first year starting and he helped turn the defense around, he started wearing down because he wasn't used to the minutes and the gruelling NBA season.

So while it was kind of disappointing that the Spurs couldn't land a big free agent, I don't think the Spurs will take a big step back next season. Kawhi is emerging. Belli is a bigger, younger, and worse shooting version of Neal. Pendergraph isn't a 6'6 center. I'm pretty excited.

Splitter averaged 20 minutes in the playoffs which was less than his regular season bid of 25. They're still going to keep it around 24/25 especially with all the bigs we're carrying. Unless he develops a post game he's useless on the offensive end and he needs to get stronger.

[SpursSerb]

My 2 wishes were: a big who could take some preassure of Tim's back and a true sf to back up Kawhi.Guess no one of this will happen.

[coyotes_geek]

I wonder how much having maximum cap space possible in '15 played into their decision to just split the MLE between 2-3 lesser role players. I hope not a lot, since the Spurs have a 2 year window, but I recall a predraft interview where RC was very upfront about (paraphrasing) "realizing this is all going to end someday" and finally making some decisions with a nod toward that day.

Its possible that conversations with outside free agents just didn't progress once there was a demand for more than 2 years which would disqualify AK, Ellis, Jack, or whoever else.

If the Spurs are holding the line that nobody besides Splitter (and Leonard next year) gets a contract that eats into 2015 capspace, then that certainly would take the Spurs out of the running for guys like AK. All signs thus far certainly point to that being the case.

[callo1]

So 4 Million to a guy who'll maybe play in 20 games? Spurs don't play a deep bench, Baynes was limited last year so I expect him to get some minutes.. not a lot of minutes to go around with 7 guards on the floor, 6 bigs and only 2 small forwards.. Ugh, this reeks.

Baynes wasn't an off-season addition, he had no training camp.

[DPG21920]

A year ago, the Spurs ran out of gas in the WCFs and had chances to get better and really contend. Instead, all we did was resign Danny and Boris and bring over Nando. So what happened? We got even better, because we kept developing our young players.

The front office is once again betting on our young guys. They're gambling that CoJo or Nando will step up and own the backup point position. They're being on Kawhi, Danny, and Tiago to continue making further strides. They're betting on Ginobili being able to rein things in next time, and on Tim and Tony holding it together for a couple more years.And they've brought in a couple of young players that they think can grow into roles.

I'd still like to see us make another move for a forward, but we have useful contracts (starting with Bonner's) that should continue to give us options up to the trade deadline. So I can't say I feel too terrible about this off-season.

That's not really true. What really happened is Duncan out of no where turned back the clock, stayed healthy and turned out one of the most unexpected seasons ever in the NBA.

Not only that, TP did something that most people don't do: Got better with age. He had what was close to, if not, his best season ever in the NBA.

Sure the young guys helped, but the real reason for success (on top of some other good fortunes) was what I mentioned in addition to Pop finally starting Tiago Splitter and that coming up aces.

[BackHome]

Don't know why people think we are going to get a huge free agent we never do.............:(

[DPG21920]

A year ago, the Spurs ran out of gas in the WCFs and had chances to get better and really contend. Instead, all we did was resign Danny and Boris and bring over Nando. So what happened? We got even better, because we kept developing our young players.

The front office is once again betting on our young guys. They're gambling that CoJo or Nando will step up and own the backup point position. They're being on Kawhi, Danny, and Tiago to continue making further strides. They're betting on Ginobili being able to rein things in next time, and on Tim and Tony holding it together for a couple more years.And they've brought in a couple of young players that they think can grow into roles.

I'd still like to see us make another move for a forward, but we have useful contracts (starting with Bonner's) that should continue to give us options up to the trade deadline. So I can't say I feel too terrible about this off-season.

Also, no matter what you think, I highly doubt the Spur see Pendergraph as "growing into a role" next season. He is in fact the 6th big on the depth chart with Bonner still in the fold. May he jump up in the rotation later? Sure he could. But for right now, he is the 6th big on the depth chart.

If Nando/CJ make jumps like you say the Spurs believe too, that even pushes Belinelli further back and makes that signing even more redundant.

[TheGoldStandard]

Baynes wasn't an off-season addition, he had no training camp.

Yes, true but that means Baynes will be eating up minutes now.

[TheGoldStandard]

Also, no matter what you think, I highly doubt the Spur see Pendergraph as "growing into a role" next season. He is in fact the 6th big on the depth chart with Bonner still in the fold. May he jump up in the rotation later? Sure he could. But for right now, he is the 6th big on the depth chart.

If Nando/CJ make jumps like you say the Spurs believe too, that even pushes Belinelli further back and makes that signing even more redundant.

This

[Vic Petro]

Don't know why people think we are going to get a huge free agent we never do.............:(

Never really had money to burn on this level though. The Kidd chase was the closest thing. Also many teams will blow their load in '14.

[Hoops Czar]

LOL!!!! The Spurs made the Finals and Western Conference Finals the past two seasons, clown. Our front office is the envy of the entire sports world and their skill at evaluating and bringing in the right championship talent has been proven and well chronicled over the past 15 years.

The Spurs got lucky in the draft. If that's something to envy, then by all means, have at it. I think any smart shit would say that the Spurs were trying to win championships, not find ways to lose them. You must think the NBA just picks up where it left off last season like some reality tv show, other teams won't improve in the offseason, the Spurs health and depth won't be an issue with an aging core, Ginobili will return to form, and rebounding won't be an issue because the Spurs will shoot lights out. I think someone's living in a fantasy world. You can take this same approach every offseason but at some point, teams are going to make adjustments and sure up weaknessess and If you're not up for a little change, then at some point, you'll be left in the dust.

[DPG21920]

The Spurs got lucky in the draft. If that's something to envy, then by all means, have at it. I think any smart shit would say that the Spurs were trying to win championships, not find ways to lose them. You must think the NBA just picks up where it left off last season like some reality tv show, other teams won't improve in the offseason, the Spurs health and depth won't be an issue with an aging core, Ginobili will return to form, and rebounding won't be an issue because the Spurs will shoot lights out. I think someone's living in a fantasy world. You can take this same approach every offseason but at some point, teams are going to make adjustments and sure up weaknessess and If you're not up for a little change, then at some point, you'll be left in the dust.

That's just dumb, no offense.

[DPG21920]

If the Spurs are holding the line that nobody besides Splitter (and Leonard next year) gets a contract that eats into 2015 capspace, then that certainly would take the Spurs out of the running for guys like AK. All signs thus far certainly point to that being the case.

Which makes sense, and like many have said the good news is that if healthy the Spurs are still a top team in the West so it's not terrible. Just evaluating this off season by itself though has made little sense outside of the strategy above being mentioned.

Everything else has made very, very little sense.

[TheGoldStandard]

The Spurs got lucky in the draft. If that's something to envy, then by all means, have at it. I think any smart shit would say that the Spurs were trying to win championships, not find ways to lose them. You must think the NBA just picks up where it left off last season like some reality tv show, other teams won't improve in the offseason, the Spurs health and depth won't be an issue with an aging core, Ginobili will return to form, and rebounding won't be an issue because the Spurs will shoot lights out. I think someone's living in a fantasy world. You can take this same approach every offseason but at some point, teams are going to make adjustments and sure up weaknessess and If you're not up for a little change, then at some point, you'll be left in the dust.

Tiago is developing his version of the Dream Shake as we type

[Mel_13]

Which makes sense, and like many have said the good news is that if healthy the Spurs are still a top team in the West so it's not terrible. Just evaluating this off season by itself though has made little sense outside of the strategy above being mentioned.

Everything else has made very, very little sense.

You really answered all your questions in this post. We really don't know the organization's priorities and self-imposed limitations.

[DPG21920]

If the Spurs are holding the line that nobody besides Splitter (and Leonard next year) gets a contract that eats into 2015 capspace, then that certainly would take the Spurs out of the running for guys like AK. All signs thus far certainly point to that being the case.

One thing on this though: Do you really think the Spurs, with how much it means to TD/TP to win another title, would sacrifice a legit shot at bettering themselves in order to win during TD's last years just for future cap space? Especially if the moves could be made without paying Luxury Tax?

It will be interesting to hear their mindset over the course of the next weeks.

[Hoops Czar]

That poster predicted the Heat would be a failure and wouldn't win a title..he thought the Nuggets were a better team than the Spurs last year..he isn't known for his predictions, or even his takes, tbh..

Harlem couldn't find that post because it doesn't exist. Here's one though..... Harlem said the Spurs would win game 7 or he'd be out of here til October. The Spurs lost and he's still posting. You have next to no creditability and your kiss ass takes are underwhelming to say the least. Continue to welch, it's what you do best, TBH.

[TheGoldStandard]

One thing on this though: Do you really think the Spurs, with how much it means to TD/TP to win another title, would sacrifice a legit shot at bettering themselves in order to win during TD's last years just for future cap space? Especially if the moves could be made without paying Luxury Tax?

It will be interesting to hear their mindset over the course of the next weeks.

Bonner is still on this team

[MannyIsGod]

Yeah, it was a stretch to think a young big would sign for the minimum before seeing how the dominoes fell.


Eh, disagree. It doesn't make sense to eat Bonner's $4 million to sign a player that is worth a few million. They'd basically have to pay double for whoever they'd want in that range ... and that's not going to happen. There's no $3-5M player out there worth $7-9M.

PG: Parker, Joseph, De Colo, Mills
SG: Green, Ginobili, Belinelli, De Colo, Mills
SF: Leonard, Ginobili, Green, Diaw
PF: Duncan, Diaw, Bonner, Leonard, Pendergraph
C: Splitter, Duncan, Baynes, Pendergraph

Need good growth from Leonard and CJ -- and probably one more surprise player to emerge -- but fine.

You probably do end up paying double but Bonner isn't going to have much of a role on this team. Diaw probably needs to play more and I don't think this team should carry 5 bigs after paying for Splitter (he needs to play more). I don't see the point in Having Bonner on this team. I just don't.

If the Spurs really want to sell out for these last 2 years if they're really planning on blowing it up afterwards. A couple of million more shouldn't even look like a roadblock. It does depend on who they can get though.

Honestly, after watching this play out I have a much bigger problem with Manu's contract now. 2 million per year less might have been the difference in Pendergraph or an actual impact player. Disappointing.

[MannyIsGod]

Also LOL @ people complaining about 4 million over 2 years for Pendergraph. Not exactly a break the bank contract for a bench big.

[kobyz]

why front office why! why Pop why! why Manu why! why Pop why!!

[TheWriter]

Also LOL @ people complaining about 4 million over 2 years for Pendergraph. Not exactly a break the bank contract for a bench big.

I think there more upset that is means they used the MLE which in turn means no AK.

[Bruno]

Spurs started this season with a late first round pick and very good financial flexibility. They are now at a stage where they can only offer min contracts and what they have done is basically standing pat with Belinelli replacing Neal and Pendergraph replacing Blair. Jackson/McGrady hasn't been replaced for the moment.

You can spin it as much as you want with saying that Spurs should be fine next season, which is true, and that they will have tons of cap space in 2015, which is also true but the bottom line is that Spurs of season has been a big disappointment. They had an opportunity to get really better and they did nothing.

[MannyIsGod]

The problem is, just because Spurs fans want a player to be signed and the Spurs have the cap flexibity, that does not make it a reality.

Some of you are rather fucking stupid.

I understand GNSF not getting this, but people who have been here and seen what capspace gets the Spurs for the past 10 years should know better. The Spurs never make splashy signings that work out well. Never.

[MannyIsGod]

Spurs started this season with a late first round pick and very good financial flexibility. They are now at a stage where they can only offer min contracts and what they have done is basically standing pat with Belinelli replacing Neal and Pendergraph replacing Blair. Jackson/McGrady hasn't been replaced for the moment.

You can spin it as much as you want with saying that Spurs should be fine next season, which is true, and that they will have tons of cap space in 2015, which is also true but the bottom line is that Spurs of season has been a big disappointment. They had an opportunity to get really better and they did nothing.

Which free agent that has signed would you have liked the Spurs to have gotten? I get why people are disappointed but I'm not exactly upset that the Spurs didn't sign anyone who was an actual free agent this off season other than Kirelenko but I'm not sure he was ever a real possibility for what the Spurs had under the cap. I certainly wasn't a fan of anyone else they were linked to. I think the Spurs had to pay a bit too much to retain their own free agents in order to really make a huge impact this off season.

[DPG21920]

You probably do end up paying double but Bonner isn't going to have much of a role on this team. Diaw probably needs to play more and I don't think this team should carry 5 bigs after paying for Splitter (he needs to play more). I don't see the point in Having Bonner on this team. I just don't.

If the Spurs really want to sell out for these last 2 years if they're really planning on blowing it up afterwards. A couple of million more shouldn't even look like a roadblock. It does depend on who they can get though.

Honestly, after watching this play out I have a much bigger problem with Manu's contract now. 2 million per year less might have been the difference in Pendergraph or an actual impact player. Disappointing.

Agreed. Especially of spending a few extra mil does not result in a luxury tax payment to improve the team.

[MannyIsGod]

I do think that if the Spurs keep Bonner signing Pendergraph was a fairly stupid move. Doesn't make sense to carry 5 bigs in a league that is increasily going toward small ball. Especially when Kawhi or Boris will end up playing significant minutes at the 4. I'm assuming the Spurs dump him and make a move for a backup swingman.

[DPG21920]

Which free agent that has signed would you have liked the Spurs to have gotten? I get why people are disappointed but I'm not exactly upset that the Spurs didn't sign anyone who was an actual free agent this off season other than Kirelenko but I'm not sure he was ever a real possibility for what the Spurs had under the cap. I certainly wasn't a fan of anyone else they were linked to. I think the Spurs had to pay a bit too much to retain their own free agents in order to really make a huge impact this off season.

So, if we see AK47 take a 3 year, 21-24M or 4 year, 28-32M contract, will you change your stance? Also, the Pendergraph contract by itself is not a big deal. But this is a guy who has not stuck with any team, blown out his knee and is the 6th big on the depth charts. Why just hand out money, in conjunction with the other moves, if it makes very little sense?

[Bruno]

Which free agent that has signed would you have liked the Spurs to have gotten? I get why people are disappointed but I'm not exactly upset that the Spurs didn't sign anyone who was an actual free agent this off season other than Kirelenko but I'm not sure he was ever a real possibility for what the Spurs had under the cap. I certainly wasn't a fan of anyone else they were linked to. I think the Spurs had to pay a bit too much to retain their own free agents in order to really make a huge impact this off season.

Millsap would have been nice and he signed for $19M/2 years with Atlanta.

[Ocotillo]

I am just hoping Pendergraph is more of a Danny Green type find rather than a Marcus Haislip type signing. I hope the speculation that the assistant coach we hired saw something in Pendergraph turns out well.

[DPG21920]

While it may be somewhat of a stretch because at the moment we "don't have 100% proof", it seems like there is a decent probability that Manu taking 7M per year might have changed the course of action for the Spurs. They still could have maneuvered to get flexibility, but it made it a lot more difficult.

[MannyIsGod]

So, if we see AK47 take a 3 year, 21-24M or 4 year, 28-32M contract, will you change your stance? Also, the Pendergraph contract by itself is not a big deal. But this is a guy who has not stuck with any team, blown out his knee and is the 6th big on the depth charts. Why just hand out money, in conjunction with the other moves, if it makes very little sense?

Yeah if AK takes a 3 year 21-24m contract then I will probably change my stance. 4 year then probably not since the Spurs obviously have plans on 2015 to blow things up. An expiring deal would have been easy for them to move that year.

I agree with you about Pendergraph as well. Only makes sense to me if they move Bonner.

[DesignatedT]

Pop better have the ball in Leonards hands a lot more next year and Manu's hands a lot less.

[TheGoldStandard]

I am just hoping Pendergraph is more of a Danny Green type find rather than a Marcus Haislip type signing. I hope the speculation that the assistant coach we hired saw something in Pendergraph turns out well.

Let's hope Pop saw something in him or RC, would rather someone who knows the system evaluate a guy and want to bring him in then some new guy

[MannyIsGod]

Millsap would have been nice and he signed for $19M/2 years with Atlanta.

Millsap wouldn't have been bad but I'm not so sure its a move that really improves the Spurs all that much. I think if they hadn't retained Tiago then a move for Millsap would have made sense but I'm not sure what Millsap gives you off the bench really makes the Spurs a better team with the way they're built now.

[DPG21920]

Yeah if AK takes a 3 year 21-24m contract then I will probably change my stance. 4 year then probably not since the Spurs obviously have plans on 2015 to blow things up. An expiring deal would have been easy for them to move that year.

I agree with you about Pendergraph as well. Only makes sense to me if they move Bonner.

I probably agree about the 4 year deal, although the part that hangs me up about that line of thought is: Do we really think the Spurs, if they believed AK would really improve their chances the next two years, would really balk at 2 extra years assuming they would still have plenty of cap space, not pay luxury tax and we have seen how even the worst contracts can be traded?

You would have to really be stuck on that 2015 cap space plan (and that is assuming TD will actually retire then, TP will walk?..)

[Vic Petro]

Pop better have the ball in Leonards hands a lot more next year and Manu's hands a lot less.

This. Specifically less Ginobili p&r and more Kawhi in the post.

[MannyIsGod]

Just so I'm clear - I'm not saying this is the way I wanted the offseason to play out. Obviously I wasn't waiting in anticipation for Jeff Pendergraph (I do like Bellineli though) but I also don't see this as the end of the world. Its a meh offseason. The truth is that if Duncan and Manu really do regress over the next season then we're done as contenders anyway. At this point I can see why the Spurs would want to pin their hopes on Tim and Manu playing well over the next two years over gambling in free agency.

[DPG21920]

Best case is the Spurs do a trade and expiring contracts are enough to get it done. Bonner/Boris combined can bring back a player making over 8M. If you add in Nando or Mills, you can easily get close to 10M back in a trade.

[TD 21]

Also, no matter what you think, I highly doubt the Spur see Pendergraph as "growing into a role" next season. He is in fact the 6th big on the depth chart with Bonner still in the fold. May he jump up in the rotation later? Sure he could. But for right now, he is the 6th big on the depth chart.

If Nando/CJ make jumps like you say the Spurs believe too, that even pushes Belinelli further back and makes that signing even more redundant.

They didn't pay Pendergraph $2M to be inactive; he will be the fifth big and the opportunity that I alluded to a few weeks back that I said Baynes was going to get (when they inevitably go away from Bonner for a while, just to see what they have and to have a viable backup center, so that they don't have to overextend Duncan and Splitter), will now be going to Pendergraph.

I knew it was for more than the minimum, but now that they're officially out on Kirilenko (if they were ever in . . . maybe not, but at least there was a scenario where it was financially feasible), I don't get the Belinelli signing. They spent $9.6-10M for Ginobili, Ginobili insurance and a second babysitter for their minimal backup PG's and in the process more than likely ruled out bringing in a rotation caliber SF, despite the fact that they have a grand total of one.

[MannyIsGod]

I probably agree about the 4 year deal, although the part that hangs me up about that line of thought is: Do we really think the Spurs, if they believed AK would really improve their chances the next two years, would really balk at 2 extra years assuming they would still have plenty of cap space, not pay luxury tax and we have seen how even the worst contracts can be traded?

You would have to really be stuck on that 2015 cap space plan (and that is assuming TD will actually retire then, TP will walk?..)

From where we sit now - and this is super speculation seeing as we don't know what will happen tomorrow much less 2 years from now - but I doubt TP walks and I still think that if Duncan is a servicable big he sticks around. I think they rebuild around Kawhi and Tony then, though. I really hope they extend the same courtesy to Tony that they have to Manu and allow him to retire a Spur.

[kobyz]

i tolt you, that last finals experience ruin everything, messed up everyone that part of Spurs organization... this off season they had a unique chance to bring great addition and much needed upgrade to the team to give Timmy a must support for possibly his last run for a title... instead Spurs screw all up and miss amazing opportunity that they had in their hands, but i guss it was expected and we should used to it after the finals and game 6...

[slick'81]

Milsap was there but he was probably the only realistic option spurs choose to go with size.neal,jax and Blair will b gone I'm just not sold yet on belli and this pendegraph kid being upgrades but I hope I'm wrong .

[MannyIsGod]

Best case is the Spurs do a trade and expiring contracts are enough to get it done. Bonner/Boris combined can bring back a player making over 8M. If you add in Nando or Mills, you can easily get close to 10M back in a trade.

Come February some team will be looking for expiring deals to unload a player. The Spurs may be planning on going that route.

[Bruno]

Even if it has something like a 1% odds of happening, the last hope for Spurs to do something significant this summer would be that Spurs had pushed Bonner guaranteed deadline and use him in a trade. With his contract partially guaranteed, Spurs being far from the luxury tax and the new CBA allowing teams to take 150%+$100K, Spurs could eat up a lot of salaries.

To me, that scenario is way more remote than Spurs signing a player with cap space created by a Bonner amnesty, so I'm just talking about because it's theoretically possible.

[AFBlue]

Which free agent that has signed would you have liked the Spurs to have gotten? I get why people are disappointed but I'm not exactly upset that the Spurs didn't sign anyone who was an actual free agent this off season other than Kirelenko but I'm not sure he was ever a real possibility for what the Spurs had under the cap. I certainly wasn't a fan of anyone else they were linked to. I think the Spurs had to pay a bit too much to retain their own free agents in order to really make a huge impact this off season.

Would rather Millsap for two than Splitter for four years at basically the same cost tbh

[MannyIsGod]

The draft and stash doesn't bother me either. There wasn't anyone in the draft at that point that I really felt would give the Spurs a good player outside of - and god it paints me to say this - possibly Jamal Franklin. This draft does feel a like going after Mahimni though.

[DesignatedT]

So is there definitely no chance the Spurs match an offer to Neal? I mean Woj said in his initial article that the Spurs would still like to keep him. It doesn't make much sense but yeah.

[Chinook]

Spurs started this season with a late first round pick and very good financial flexibility. They are now at a stage where they can only offer min contracts and what they have done is basically standing pat with Belinelli replacing Neal and Pendergraph replacing Blair. Jackson/McGrady hasn't been replaced for the moment.

You can spin it as much as you want with saying that Spurs should be fine next season, which is true, and that they will have tons of cap space in 2015, which is also true but the bottom line is that Spurs of season has been a big disappointment. They had an opportunity to get really better and they did nothing.

Entirely right. This could have been a great off-season to add at least one impact player without blowing up the team, but as far as we know, that didn't happen. I felt the team was caught between going under the cap and staying over it, and they made a couple of strange moves as a result.

If they planned to go over the cap, they should have waived Bonner and tried to get Ginobili to take less by having a free agent waiting to sign with the new cap space. If Ginobili refused, they could have unloaded De Colo or Mills to make more room.

If they wanted to stay over the cap, they should have tried to trade Bonner for the best deal they could have gotten or at least drafted a player they could have used this season.

So now I'm not sure what they plan to do. They certainly have the financial flexibility to acquire some good players still, but they'll probably just stand pat save adding a 15th player. I agree with bringing back the same team for the most part, but the back end of the roster could have really been transformed without hurting the main rotation players. I'm disappointed, but I'm also curious to see what they do now. There's still the summer league to look forward to, and I won't consider free agency over until after those players get signed.

[MannyIsGod]

Would rather Millsap for two than Splitter for four years at basically the same cost tbh

I'm not a huge fan of Splitter but honestly next to Duncan I'd rather have Splitter starting.

[DesignatedT]

The Spurs needed another PF that could score. I mean Duncan is fucking 38 next season. Think about that.

[MannyIsGod]

Not waiving Bonner was probably the biggest mistake this off season so far. Keeping him and then making these moves really doesn't make sense to me. I don't want to shit on Manu but I'm starting to buy DPG's theory.

[MannyIsGod]

The Spurs needed another PF that could score. I mean Duncan is fucking 38 next season. Think about that.

If Duncan falls off then we're done anyway. Gonna ride that horse till he can't go anymore. No one expected last season from him. Maybe lightning strikes twice.

[MannyIsGod]

So is there definitely no chance the Spurs match an offer to Neal? I mean Woj said in his initial article that the Spurs would still like to keep him. It doesn't make much sense but yeah.

We already have a billion guards but if they prefer Neal to DeColo and Mills and Neal's offer is small then I think there's a chance they keep him and move the other two. Assuming they can go over the cap to match. Not sure how that would work.

[DesignatedT]

Well the Spurs better ride Leonard all season long and pray he can handle it. No more of this go sit in the corner bullshit. Dude needs to get up 15+ shot attempts per game.

[AFBlue]

Just so I'm clear - I'm not saying this is the way I wanted the offseason to play out. Obviously I wasn't waiting in anticipation for Jeff Pendergraph (I do like Bellineli though) but I also don't see this as the end of the world. Its a meh offseason. The truth is that if Duncan and Manu really do regress over the next season then we're done as contenders anyway. At this point I can see why the Spurs would want to pin their hopes on Tim and Manu playing well over the next two years over gambling in free agency.

Not that you're speaking directly to me, but you just basically said you were disappointed. I think that's where most of the rest of us are...opportunity lost. It's not that a repeat of last year CAN'T happen...just that it likely won't with the same core.

[MannyIsGod]

Not that you're speaking directly to me, but you just basically said you were disappointed. I think that's where most of the rest of us are...opportunity lost. It's not that a repeat of last year CAN'T happen...just that it likely won't with the same core.

I guess I just never really expect the Spurs to make a big move regarding free agents. Whens the last time that happened?

[objective]

Terrible offseason and a bad contract for Pendergraph.

They're not paying him double to have to compete with Baynes for the 5th big spot, they're giving it to him. Which means no Baynes opportunity, someone who sure looked like he could play and could have helped the Spurs.

And that money could have been useful as the market dries up more and other players get desperate for more than the minimum. Blowing it on a non-factor like Pendergraph to not even be in the rotation this early in free agency doesn't make sense.

About the offseason: this nonsense about the Spurs doing great after offseasons where they made few moves is straight garbage.

Summer 2007 was like this. Coming off a Finals win, what did they do? Refuse to improve. Trade Scola away when he would have been a very cost efficient way to improve. And they just had to re-sign Oberto and Vaughn. They were so determined to be the same that they completely forgot the rest of the league would try to improve. And were caught with their pants down when the Lakers colluded to get Pau.

Last year the change came from Splitter finally allowed to be a starter. There are no more tricks like that to pull with this roster.

What has changed that makes them better than the team that lost to Miami? Nothing.

[playblair]

The Spurs needed another PF that could score. I mean Duncan is fucking 38 next season. Think about that.

CbTKxQJ2sh0

[SpursSerb]

Fans see Bonner as a scrub that needs to be get rid off.Pop sees him differently,obviously.He will probably get a new contract next summer.

[DPG21920]

To summarize: Spurs all in all are in good shape, and as we all know many things can happen over the course of the season. The Spurs still have some wiggle room to make moves throughout the year. Having said that, their moves and players they are going to sign have made very little sense in the context of the picture as we see it and we just have to see how it shakes out. Oh, and Manu took a lot of money and didn't really do the Spurs any favors despite being a massive let down in the finals and missing a ton of games last year. Again.

[TheGoldStandard]

Fans see Bonner as a scrub that needs to be get rid off.Pop sees him differently,obviously.He will probably get a new contract next summer.

Bonner will be apart of another project and will probably see minutes at the 3.

[Texas_Ranger]

Fans see Bonner as a scrub that needs to be get rid off.Pop sees him differently,obviously.He will probably get a new contract next summer.

99% he will.

[G-Dawgg]

I like this signing. Pendergraph will be more valuable than blair was, he adds toughness to our soft frontcourt, he seems to have a decent midrange jumper, and draftexpress acurately lists him as 6-10 in shoes. That size will help

[DesignatedT]

Manu is probably good for 40 games next year. I wouldn't object to the Spurs matching Neal's contract (given it's a reasonable one) and getting rid of Mills + De Colo.

Gives us a shitload of guards who obviously all want to play but we can spread out the minutes to keep everyone happy. Plus, if something bad happens to Manu (somewhat likely) at least we have proven and capable guards to pick up the slack.

[slick'81]

To summarize: Spurs all in all are in good shape, and as we all know many things can happen over the course of the season. The Spurs still have some wiggle room to make moves throughout the year. Having said that, their moves and players they are going to sign have made very little sense in the context of the picture as we see it and we just have to see how it shakes out. Oh, and Manu took a lot of money and didn't really do the Spurs any favors despite being a massive let down in the finals and missing a ton of games last year. Again.

That's what makes me nervous about ginobili spurs had to keep him but now he's gotta do more then he did last season or its wasted $$ tbh.I don't think this long playoff run is gonna do him any favors heading into another 82 game season .

[TheGoldStandard]

That's what makes me nervous about ginobili spurs had to keep him but now he's gotta do more then he did last season or its wasted $$ tbh.I don't think this long playoff run is gonna do him any favors heading into another 82 game season .

I agree with a few posts above, Manu will play about 40 games this season. Not enough games for his price.

[Texas_Ranger]

40 games averaging 20 minutes is definitely worth 7M!!

[Libri]

And what can be expected from those 40 games? His point production is going down while the TOs are going up.

[DPG21920]

Manu is probably good for 40 games next year. I wouldn't object to the Spurs matching Neal's contract (given it's a reasonable one) and getting rid of Mills + De Colo.

Gives us a shitload of guards who obviously all want to play but we can spread out the minutes to keep everyone happy. Plus, if something bad happens to Manu (somewhat likely) at least we have proven and capable guards to pick up the slack.

I hope not, because if you factor in 40 games only a season combined with the fact he gets his minutes heavily managed just to make that amount of games, you are talking about a lot of money for not very much basketball (20-24MPG for only 40 games per season = to about one quarter of a season).

[DesignatedT]

I hope not, because if you factor in 40 games only a season combined with the fact he gets his minutes heavily managed just to make that amount of games, you are talking about a lot of money for not very much basketball (20-24MPG for only 40 games per season = to about one quarter of a season).

Manu is getting payed too much. His rapid decline is only going to continue IMHO, especially if he's continued to be asked to do too much.

[TheGoldStandard]

Manu is getting payed too much. His rapid decline is only going to continue IMHO, especially if he's continued to be asked to do too much.

Factor in he's going to see minutes at Small Forward behind Kawhi

[G-Dawgg]

I like this signing. Pendergraph will be more valuable that blair was, he adds toughness to our soft frontcourt, he seems to have a decent midrange jumper, and draftexpress acurately lists him as 6-10 in shoes. That size will help

[Johnny RIngo]

Manu is getting payed too much. His rapid decline is only going to continue IMHO, especially if he's continued to be asked to do too much.

What's funny it that the piece of shit still wants to play for Argentina. No shame at all for the embarrassing season he gave us last year.

[tesseractive]

That's not really true. What really happened is Duncan out of no where turned back the clock, stayed healthy and turned out one of the most unexpected seasons ever in the NBA.

Not only that, TP did something that most people don't do: Got better with age. He had what was close to, if not, his best season ever in the NBA.

Sure the young guys helped, but the real reason for success (on top of some other good fortunes) was what I mentioned in addition to Pop finally starting Tiago Splitter and that coming up aces.
Both players started their Renaissance the year before. IMO, the biggest reason that Duncan improved again in '12-13 is that he had Splitter starting next to him, and he didn't always have to bang with opposing centers. And the biggest reason Parker has been improving is that the offense has been structured around him, and he's adapting better and better to the new role. Well, that and having better options to pass to.

But Splitter going into a starting role is huge, Danny continuing to improve and coming up big through almost all of the playoffs was vital, and Kawhi is developing into a beast. None of those things is as obvious as Duncan and Parker, I'll grant you, but they were all crucial to the effectiveness of the team as a whole.

[Baam]

The biggest reason Duncan improved is that he lost a ton of weight...

[callo1]

Yes, true but that means Baynes will be eating up minutes now.

How many people expected Danny to become an integral part of the team 2 years ago?

There is no way of knowing until things play out.

[TheGoldStandard]

How many people expected Danny to become an integral part of the team 2 years ago?

There is no way of knowing until things play out.
They didn't bring Baynes over last season for no reason, he hasn't had time to go through any off season and has 1 year of actually learning the system plus Diaw, Bonner, Tiago Tim are on the team.. tough to split minutes between 5 other guys and see meaningful minutes.

[spursnatic]

CbTKxQJ2sh0Nice Video..I have always liked Blair myself, just very under-used..You see what he can do by watching your Video, given the opportunity

[Leetonidas]

Blair fucking sucks, get the fuck over it already, he's not coming back

(not directed at the poster above me) :lol

[tesseractive]

Also, no matter what you think, I highly doubt the Spur see Pendergraph as "growing into a role" next season. He is in fact the 6th big on the depth chart with Bonner still in the fold. May he jump up in the rotation later? Sure he could. But for right now, he is the 6th big on the depth chart.

If Nando/CJ make jumps like you say the Spurs believe too, that even pushes Belinelli further back and makes that signing even more redundant.
My guess is that Baynes's role is to be a purely situational player when facing big lineups, and Pendergraph is more llike the 5th big against most opponents. Blair couldn't get off the bench because he couldn't defend and he couldn't shoot even a midrange shot. Pendergraph can do both of those things, and there's every reason to think he can be a better defender than Bonner. I'd say that, barring injuries, his best-case scenario is displacing Bonner as the 4th big, and possibly freeing up Bonner either for a midseason trade or to not be resigned.

My guess is that Belinelli comes in as the 4th wing in a 4-man rotation -- that or the 5th or 6th perimeter player in a general 6-man rotation. Given Manu's injury history, though, I expect he'll get chances to show he can be more than that. But given that the front office already has two candidates for backup point guard on the roster and hasn't made any obvious attempts to upgrade, I strongly suspect they're betting on one of them stepping up in that role next year.

[anakha]

To summarize: Spurs all in all are in good shape, and as we all know many things can happen over the course of the season. The Spurs still have some wiggle room to make moves throughout the year. Having said that, their moves and players they are going to sign have made very little sense in the context of the picture as we see it and we just have to see how it shakes out. Oh, and Manu took a lot of money and didn't really do the Spurs any favors despite being a massive let down in the finals and missing a ton of games last year. Again.

Sticky this entire post to the top of the Spurs forum - maybe some of the bitching will lessen.


...oh, who am I kidding? :lol

[BackHome]

I guess that means we will keep TMac for a backup SF.

[spurraider21]

20 page thread on jeff pendergraph :lol

love spurstalk

[callo1]

20 page thread on jeff pendergraph :lol

love spurstalk

Actually, 15 pages are about how dead in the water the spurs are because they didn't sign a top name free agent...same old thing every year. "Were screwed", "Holting pattern", "Everyone else is getting better, and as usual, the Spurs FO does nothing" etc.

We have more GM's on this thread alone, than exist in the entire NBA.


Truth is:

Kawhi is turning into the beast Pop expected him to become, and his performance in the Finals will only give him more confidence next year.

Tiago, despite the moment clearly being too big for him in the Finals this season, will have his second real training camp as a Spur, and has the chance to improve greatly next year like Danny Green did.

Belinelli is a better defender than Neal.

Cojo will likely continue to improve over the summer and be better next year.

This whole team can taste a championship, and will have noting on their mind than redemption next year.

No, no, the pissers and moaners want to focus on not getting AK47:)

[Twisted_Dawg]

I really wonder what the front office will do when the inevitable happens and Tim/Manu walks away. I know Kawhi will be there and Tony will be getting up there in age, wonder if there draft strategy changes and there FO changes how they do business or they continue to underwhelm.

The reason why these lackluster off season moves don't seem like a big deal is because Parker, Tim and Manu. With these guys there they can mask any situation and make players better. All of our role players wouldn't have this success on other teams.

You wonder what the front office will do??? You better wonder what Kawhi will do when this team is devoid of talent and his contract is up.

[TXstbobcat]

You wonder what the front office will do??? You better wonder what Kawhi will do when this team is devoid of talent and his contract is up.

As a restricted free agent at that point I think the spurs have to match any offer and give Kawhi what ever he wants.

[coyotes_geek]

You wonder what the front office will do??? You better wonder what Kawhi will do when this team is devoid of talent and his contract is up.

Fortunately for the Spurs they have the opportunity to lock up Kawhi Leonard to an extension before the team is devoid of talent, i.e. next offseason.

[Tuddy]

Pendegraph gives us a big who can rebound and Belinelli is a similar shooter with better handles and vision than Neal. Good signings.

[AFBlue]

Actually, 15 pages are about how dead in the water the spurs are because they didn't sign a top name free agent...same old thing every year. "Were screwed", "Holting pattern", "Everyone else is getting better, and as usual, the Spurs FO does nothing" etc.

We have more GM's on this thread alone, than exist in the entire NBA.


Truth is:

Kawhi is turning into the beast Pop expected him to become, and his performance in the Finals will only give him more confidence next year.

Tiago, despite the moment clearly being too big for him in the Finals this season, will have his second real training camp as a Spur, and has the chance to improve greatly next year like Danny Green did.

Belinelli is a better defender than Neal.

Cojo will likely continue to improve over the summer and be better next year.

This whole team can taste a championship, and will have noting on their mind than redemption next year.

No, no, the pissers and moaners want to focus on not getting AK47:)

This is a blatantly "glass-half-full" post, which completely ignores Ginobili's extreme regression, counts on last year's Duncan/Parker performance as status quo, and assumes player development for various players (including a 29yr old with a dozen years of professional experience).

Don't be a naive homer...Spurs had opportunity to change the status quo and put some different pieces in place, but they consciously chose not to do so. Would it have made them better? Fair question...but honestly the status quo has as many or more.

[spurman123]

They overpaid everyone it seems...maybe it's inflation?

[Sean Cagney]

Actually, 15 pages are about how dead in the water the spurs are because they didn't sign a top name free agent...same old thing every year. "Were screwed", "Holting pattern", "Everyone else is getting better, and as usual, the Spurs FO does nothing" etc.

We have more GM's on this thread alone, than exist in the entire NBA.


Truth is:

Kawhi is turning into the beast Pop expected him to become, and his performance in the Finals will only give him more confidence next year.

Tiago, despite the moment clearly being too big for him in the Finals this season, will have his second real training camp as a Spur, and has the chance to improve greatly next year like Danny Green did.

Belinelli is a better defender than Neal.

Cojo will likely continue to improve over the summer and be better next year.

This whole team can taste a championship, and will have noting on their mind than redemption next year.

No, no, the pissers and moaners want to focus on not getting AK47:)
They should be good but there is a FEW IFS for next year.

[callo1]

This is a blatantly "glass-half-full" post, which completely ignores Ginobili's extreme regression, counts on last year's Duncan/Parker performance as status quo, and assumes player development for various players (including a 29yr old with a dozen years of professional experience).

Don't be a naive homer...Spurs had opportunity to change the status quo and put some different pieces in place, but they consciously chose not to do so. Would it have made them better? Fair question...but honestly the status quo has as many or more.

I mentioned this on another thread but:

I have to believe that Manu being the competitor that he has always been, he will change his game to fit his aging body. If you know NBA history, all of the greats had to go through the process of changing their games to fir their age...Barkley, Timmy, Jordan, Malone etc.

Miami took away the fast break, and in effect took Manu even further out of his game. Manu must redefine his gameplay or the same thing will happen again in the playoffs.

Some people on this forum are acting like Manu didn't "own" his failure in the Finals...that is pure nonsense, as he stated that his poor play lost game 6. Manu is too good of a teammate and competitor to sit by this summer without improving himself. He will never be the "old Manu", except in flashes, but that by no means says he can't be effective.

The Spurs can still make a move this summer, or at the trade deadline possibly.

Bottom line is that this team was one shot away for winning another title.

[Russ]

Here is the player profile from the 2009 draft:

http://www.nbadraft.net/players/jeff-pendergraph

[coachmac87]

He has a high release like a helicopter on his jumper...and a sky hook like Kareem.

The kid has mad game...

[Darkwaters]

I mentioned this on another thread but:

I have to believe that Manu being the competitor that he has always been, he will change his game to fit his aging body. If you know NBA history, all of the greats had to go through the process of changing their games to fir their age...Barkley, Timmy, Jordan, Malone etc.

Miami took away the fast break, and in effect took Manu even further out of his game. Manu must redefine his gameplay or the same thing will happen again in the playoffs.

Some people on this forum are acting like Manu didn't "own" his failure in the Finals...that is pure nonsense, as he stated that his poor play lost game 6. Manu is too good of a teammate and competitor to sit by this summer without improving himself. He will never be the "old Manu", except in flashes, but that by no means says he can't be effective.

The Spurs can still make a move this summer, or at the trade deadline possibly.

Bottom line is that this team was one shot away for winning another title.

Well said

[dg7md]

I don't know a thing about this guy but it reeks of CIA Pop bringing in someone who will go hard for us out of nowhere in the most unexpected way. I like the signing.

[Russo21]

Bringing in Bellinelli and Pendegraph are Lateral moves considering the people they will replace.
For you talking about in-house improvement, mainly of Green,Leonard and Splitter is all fine and well and I expect them to improve to. But…

Parker is over 30 and slowing down
Duncan is a year older and even though he’s a freak of nature he may slow down.
Manu will get worse and worse (I’ll predict he’ll have more turnovers then made field goals in 2013-14)
Pop is getting dementia before our very eyes.

So with little improvement to the roster will the expected improvement of Green leonard and Splitter be enough to offset the decline in Tim (we may get 2011 Tim instead of 2013 Tim) Manu and Tony and Pop? IMO the expected improvements may not offset the suspected decline of others. Failed offseason so far especially for the amount of $ they threw Manu and Tiago's direction.

[mosdef17]

Manu will get worse and worse (I’ll predict he’ll have more turnovers then made field goals in 2013-14)
Pop is getting dementia before our very eyes.

Bit stupid, he had 229 field goals and 132 turnovers in 2012/13 season. He needs 50 less field goals and 50 more turnovers.

[Russo21]

Bit stupid, he had 229 field goals and 132 turnovers in 2012/13 season. He needs 50 less field goals and 50 more turnovers. And in the finals he had 26 field goals to 22 turnovers. That's astronomical. So no he's not that far off from having more turnovers to made field goals.

[K-State Spur]

This is a blatantly "glass-half-full" post, which completely ignores Ginobili's extreme regression, counts on last year's Duncan/Parker performance as status quo, and assumes player development for various players (including a 29yr old with a dozen years of professional experience).

It was a bit homerish of a post. That said:

1) Ginobili's "extreme" regression is based almost completely on his game 6 performance. Otherwise, he was 19 PER for the season and 16.5 PER for the playoffs. Now, that's a definite regression from where we're accustomed to seeing Manu, but nothing "extreme" about above average numbers overall in both rights. And, while Manu's ability to create off the dribble & defend should continue to drop - it's very conceivable that his jumpshot could come back to 2008-2011 levels, mitigating that a bit.

2) Parker's hitting the end of his prime, but he should still have a year or two left of it. Duncan could fall off at any moment - but it's not worth worrying about. If Duncan regresses much next year, Spurs aren't winning anything anyways (regardless of who they signed, save Howard - which wasn't happening).

[rmt]

It was a bit homerish of a post. That said:

1) Ginobili's "extreme" regression is based almost completely on his game 6 performance. Otherwise, he was 19 PER for the season and 16.5 PER for the playoffs. Now, that's a definite regression from where we're accustomed to seeing Manu, but nothing "extreme" about above average numbers overall in both rights. And, while Manu's ability to create off the dribble & defend should continue to drop - it's very conceivable that his jumpshot could come back to 2008-2011 levels, mitigating that a bit.

2) Parker's hitting the end of his prime, but he should still have a year or two left of it. Duncan could fall off at any moment - but it's not worth worrying about. If Duncan regresses much next year, Spurs aren't winning anything anyways (regardless of who they signed, save Howard - which wasn't happening).

Why would you think that his jumpshot could come back when even his free-throw has gone to the dogs.

[K-State Spur]

Why would you think that his jumpshot could come back when even his free-throw has gone to the dogs.

Because unlike ability to drive the rim and play defense, the jumper is one of the last things to go with age. It's more likely Manu's shooting issues this year were an aberration, some bad luck after having a pretty "lucky" shooting season in 2012. I fully expect his shooting numbers to go back into the more consistent range that they were from 2008-2011 prior to the high & low fluctuations the past 2 seasons. (Now, whether he can still have offense run through him at age 36 next season is a completely different matter...)

[Raven]

So who's the Spurs backup SF?

i'm guessing green and diaw

[cd98]

It was a bit homerish of a post. That said:

1) Ginobili's "extreme" regression is based almost completely on his game 6 performance. Otherwise, he was 19 PER for the season and 16.5 PER for the playoffs. Now, that's a definite regression from where we're accustomed to seeing Manu, but nothing "extreme" about above average numbers overall in both rights. And, while Manu's ability to create off the dribble & defend should continue to drop - it's very conceivable that his jumpshot could come back to 2008-2011 levels, mitigating that a bit.

2) Parker's hitting the end of his prime, but he should still have a year or two left of it. Duncan could fall off at any moment - but it's not worth worrying about. If Duncan regresses much next year, Spurs aren't winning anything anyways (regardless of who they signed, save Howard - which wasn't happening).

Disagree. Ginoboli wasn't bad in just game 6. He had a number of bad or below average games in the playoffs and plenty of them in the regular season. While I still think the guy is capable of giving the Spurs a lot next season, there is no question he is in decline and considerably less reliable. We used to pencil Ginoboli in for a solid 30 points after a bad playoff performance, but he can't do that kind of stuff anymore.

[T Park]

This is a blatantly "glass-half-full" post, which completely ignores Ginobili's extreme regression, counts on last year's Duncan/Parker performance as status quo, and assumes player development for various players (including a 29yr old with a dozen years of professional experience).

Don't be a naive homer...Spurs had opportunity to change the status quo and put some different pieces in place, but they consciously chose not to do so. Would it have made them better? Fair question...but honestly the status quo has as many or more.


A typical fantasy basketball fan that wants change every year just for the sake of change.

[T Park]

it would defintiely have to be a trade at this point

Don't have the assets. Players like that are rare.

[tuncaboylu]

4M is too much for 2 yearss. He's basically a minimum wage player, why are we spending so much of our MLE?

[Raven]

so who would we go after in 2015?

max for Leonard? resign Green?

[Vash StampedE]

Some people on this forum are acting like Manu didn't "own" his failure in the Finals...that is pure nonsense, as he stated that his poor play lost game 6. Manu is too good of a teammate and competitor to sit by this summer without improving himself. He will never be the "old Manu", except in flashes, but that by no means says he can't be effective.

Sure he admitted of his poor play but you can't ignore the fact that his contract, and Splitter's, took a big lump of the Spurs' available money that could have been used to sign a key free agent. I just wished he could have sacrificed more by accepting lesser money, i.e. Ray Allen in Miami. Nevertheless, I have same expectations from him. I hope that Pop does give him a lesser role next season - less penetration, less playmaking, more spot-up/corner 3 shots - which I'm pretty sure he'll not have a problem with.

[Chinook]

max for Leonard? resign Green?

I don't think Leonard will get the max. I think he'll sign and extension in the Curry range ($50M/4-$60M/5) next off-season. Provided Green continues to improve, he'll probably get offered a contract, but the team may not fight for him too hard if the window is fully closed by then. If the Spurs try to build around Parker and Leonard, he may stay on a $6-7 Million per year deal. Joseph may get offered a smart extension next off-season as well if he looks like he can be a legitimate backup.

This is how I think the salaries on the team could look in 2015-2016:

Leonard $11M
Parker $10M
Splitter $9M
Green $6.5M
Joseph $3.5M

So those four deals put the Spurs in about the $40 Million range. Seeing as the cap will probably be about $64 Million by then, they should have enough money to go for some good free agents.

[Raven]

I don't think Leonard will get the max. I think he'll sign and extension in the Curry range ($50M/4-$60M/5) next off-season. Provided Green continues to improve, he'll probably get offered a contract, but the team may not fight for him too hard if the window is fully closed by then. If the Spurs try to build around Parker and Leonard, he may stay on a $6-7 Million per year deal. Joseph may get offered a smart extension next off-season as well if he looks like he can be a legitimate backup.

This is how I think the salaries on the team could look in 2015-2016:

Leonard $11M
Parker $10M
Splitter $9M
Green $6.5M
Joseph $3.5M

So those four deals put the Spurs in about the $40 Million range. Seeing as the cap will probably be about $64 Million by then, they should have enough money to go for some good free agents.

that's more of a best case scenario, i see it more like leonard 14, green 8, joseph 4.5-5 .. in any case you need to count the bench too.

[Chinook]

that's more of a best case scenario, i see it more like leonard 14, green 8, joseph 4.5-5 .. in any case you need to count the bench too.

I don't think so Leonard will get more than Harden's getting now unless the Spurs go deep into the playoffs and Leonard makes the All-Star team. Most players of his caliber get contracts in the $12 Million a year range, especially off extensions.

I'm looking at the contracts for free-agent two-guards when estimating Green's value. A $6.5 Million starting salary extends out to a $29M/4 deal, which seems like a good deal if Green can develop a legitimate inside game. If he doesn't, he may not see a very big raise from his $4 Million salary in 2014-2015 salary at all.

I could see Joseph getting more if he really blows up. But most back-up point-guards don't get very big deals. Only if they thought Cory could take over for Tony would they give him $5 Million (which stretches out to $22M/4).

You're right, though. With inflation in the cap, the salaries definitely could increase by a couple million each, though.

[dbestpro]

Manu had no problem attacking the basket and getting the proper elevation. It was not his age that was the problem. It was his decision making. What is a worry is his constant desire to make an outstanding play verses the right play. He has gotten worse in this regards with age. He needs to stop being the playmaker and go back to being the scorer.

[Mel_13]

I don't think Leonard will get the max.

He definitely won't get the max if his signs an extension next summer. He'll have to give back something for the security of getting the deal a year early. A Curry level deal, as you suggest, seems appropriate.

If it goes to 2015 and restricted free agency, it's way too early to make a good guess.

[Raven]

I don't think so Leonard will get more than Harden's getting now unless the Spurs go deep into the playoffs and Leonard makes the All-Star team. Most players of his caliber get contracts in the $12 Million a year range, especially off extensions.

I'm looking at the contracts for free-agent two-guards when estimating Green's value. A $6.5 Million starting salary extends out to a $29M/4 deal, which seems like a good deal if Green can develop a legitimate inside game. If he doesn't, he may not see a very big raise from his $4 Million salary in 2014-2015 salary at all.

I could see Joseph getting more if he really blows up. But most back-up point-guards don't get very big deals. Only if they thought Cory could take over for Tony would they give him $5 Million (which stretches out to $22M/4).

You're right, though. With inflation in the cap, the salaries definitely could increase by a couple million each, though.

tbh we really have no leverage against him, any decent agent would get the max from us, anyone knows he is the future of the franchise, i'm sure there are other franchises that would offer him the max, if nothing else just to make us worse. I don't think Leonard is a douche, but when it's business ... Harden was the sixth man in okc and just came out of a chokejob in the finals..

[Interrohater]

This is a blatantly "glass-half-full" post, which completely ignores Ginobili's extreme regression, counts on last year's Duncan/Parker performance as status quo, and assumes player development for various players (including a 29yr old with a dozen years of professional experience).

Don't be a naive homer...Spurs had opportunity to change the status quo and put some different pieces in place, but they consciously chose not to do so. Would it have made them better? Fair question...but honestly the status quo has as many or more.
This is a blatantly "glass-half-empty" post, which completely ignores that Ginobili had already regressed last season and the team still got to game 7 of the Finals. Parker is in his prime and will, more than likely, retain his skills (I don't see him dropping off a cliff). Timmy is in incredible shape and has progressed in his last couple of seasons. Even if he does regress slightly, he's still better than most bigs in the post. It's his lack of athleticism and his intelligence on how to overcome it that has contributed to his renaissance.

Why do you so badly want to blow the team up when they only needed a couple of tweaks here or there to win it all? You cannot deny that one rebound, one better pass, one more made basket would have made all the difference. Why destroy half the team for an UNKNOWN variable, when you already have is pretty damn good?

Don't be a cynical Spurfan, they're not done winning basketball games yet.

[Chinook]

tbh we really have no leverage against him, any decent agent would get the max from us, anyone knows he is the future of the franchise, i'm sure there are other franchises that would offer him the max, if nothing else just to make us worse. I don't think Leonard is a douche, but when it's business ... Harden was the sixth man in okc and just came out of a chokejob in the finals..

Leonard's not the future of the franchise until he improves enough to be worthy of that title. He's in the same boat as Evans and Curry are, and not in the boat with Rose and Westbrook. I know people love talking about how Leonard is a star, but until he shows the ability to be the guy, he won't get paid like he is. As far as what other teams will pay, that's not likely to matter, as the Spurs will extend him a year early. As Mel_13 said above your post, players VERY rarely get extended for the max, as the security of getting big money guaranteed earlier almost always reduces the amount of money the player gets.

I'm not saying Leonard can't have a good enough year to get a max extension (hell, he might even be able to get a Rose extension if he blows up), but I am saying that he's not very proven and isn't on track yet to get it.

[DPG21920]

Leonard's not the future of the franchise until he improves enough to be worthy of that title. He's in the same boat as Evans and Curry are, and not in the boat with Rose and Westbrook. I know people love talking about how Leonard is a star, but until he shows the ability to be the guy, he won't get paid like he is. As far as what other teams will pay, that's not likely to matter, as the Spurs will extend him a year early. As Mel_13 said above your post, players VERY rarely get extended for the max, as the security of getting big money guaranteed earlier almost always reduces the amount of money the player gets.

I'm not saying Leonard can't have a good enough year to get a max extension (hell, he might even be able to get a Rose extension if he blows up), but I am saying that he's not very proven and isn't on track yet to get it.

One thing to consider is the Spurs system. It mutes many players. Its about what they likely can get in the market place a la Tiago. Tiago is not the man, not relied on offensively and only plays 25MPG and he got a bigger contract than ASIK who is asked to be a main cog for HOU. The reason is because of the system. Spurs know he would be asked to do that for other teams, but they don't need him to, so they cant argue a discount based on the role on the Spurs if that makes sense. Just something to consider.

[Chinook]

One thing to consider is the Spurs system. It mutes many players. Its about what they likely can get in the market place a la Tiago. Tiago is not the man, not relied on offensively and only plays 25MPG and he got a bigger contract than ASIK who is asked to be a main cog for HOU. The reason is because of the system. Spurs know he would be asked to do that for other teams, but they don't need him to, so they cant argue a discount based on the role on the Spurs if that makes sense. Just something to consider.

Two things: We're talking extensions here, and those have a different formula to value than re-signings do, since the latter is actually on the open market. Had Splitter been extendable, he'd probably have gotten something in the neighborhood of $6-7 Million a year. Even if Leonard is worth a max contract, he probably won't get a max extension. Those are actually pretty rare when compared to max free-agent signings.

Also I don't think Splitter's and Leonard's contract situations are all that similar. The difference between the value for bigs and the value for smalls played a bigger part in Splitter's contract than did the idea of Splitter being a role-player. Spliiter also has the advanced stats to suggest he'd be useful in an expanded role. While Leonard has those, too, he doesn't show much to warrant consideration as a premiere player. Kawhi has to show he can be the guy to earn a max deal (which, by the way, would be twice the size of Splitter's), not just that he has the stats to handle more minutes.

[dylankerouac]

Is Pendergraph going to be on the summer league team? He's been in the league too long, correct?

[Mel_13]

Is Pendergraph going to be on the summer league team? He's been in the league too long, correct?

4yr pro. No SL for Pendergraph.

[TheGoldStandard]

Kawhi is 21 and has taken leaps and bound strides in the 2 seasons he's played as a Spur, so yeah he's going to warrant near max money or max money and if we don't extend him to something like that or else we'll lose him if we go to free agency. Kawhi will have another great year and the spurs better start thinking about the future of that rather than think they can plug someone else into his role. Splitter in an expanded role will just be foolish, he's a cog in the wheel, gets his stats because he plays next to Tim Duncan. His averages are not far off from 11-12 to 12-13, most of his stuff is put backs and pick and roll with Manu. If Tiago is worth 4/36 then Kawhi is going to be 4/56 kinda cash.

[Baam]

The bottom line is Splitter got signed to a terrible contract, shouldn't be compared to Kawhi or anyone else on the team really... The only hope is to trade him well next summer or the summer after that.

[Mel_13]

Kawhi is 21 and has taken leaps and bound strides in the 2 seasons he's played as a Spur, so yeah he's going to warrant near max money or max money and if we don't extend him to something like that or else we'll lose him if we go to free agency. Kawhi will have another great year and the spurs better start thinking about the future of that rather than think they can plug someone else into his role. Splitter in an expanded role will just be foolish, he's a cog in the wheel, gets his stats because he plays next to Tim Duncan. His averages are not far off from 11-12 to 12-13, most of his stuff is put backs and pick and roll with Manu. If Tiago is worth 4/36 then Kawhi is going to be 4/56 kinda cash.

They won't lose him in restricted free agency.

[Chinook]

Kawhi is 21 and has taken leaps and bound strides in the 2 seasons he's played as a Spur, so yeah he's going to warrant near max money or max money and if we don't extend him to something like that or else we'll lose him if we go to free agency. Kawhi will have another great year and the spurs better start thinking about the future of that rather than think they can plug someone else into his role. Splitter in an expanded role will just be foolish, he's a cog in the wheel, gets his stats because he plays next to Tim Duncan. His averages are not far off from 11-12 to 12-13, most of his stuff is put backs and pick and roll with Manu. If Tiago is worth 4/36 then Kawhi is going to be 4/56 kinda cash.

See, this is the kind of mentality that leads people to be surprised at the contracts players get. Splitter has great per-minute numbers (16 and 10 per 36) and really good advanced stats (18.7 PER and .188 WS/48). Leonard has no where near that level of production yet (13 and 7 per 36 and a PER of 16.5 and .168 WS/48). The Spurs have every reason to think Splitter will excel in an expanded role, especially to the extent needed to be worthy of his contract. (He was great off the bench when Ginobili was healthy.) But outside some flashes that get massively overrated on this board, Leonard hasn't shown he can be a max player. If he does that next year, great. But it's going to take more than just remaining on this improvement curve to justify giving him more than $12-13 Million a year.

[Darkwaters]

Is Pendergraph going to be on the summer league team? He's been in the league too long, correct?

I don't think time in the league matters. Basically anyone can play.

I remember Amare Stoudemire playing the SL after his ACL injury (2007?). The guy was like a 5 or 6 year vet at that point. And considered a superstar no less. But he played SL to help with his rehab. Frankly, it wasn't a bad idea to help him get in the groove of 5x5 basketball again.

[cd98]

See, this is the kind of mentality that leads people to be surprised at the contracts players get. Splitter has great per-minute numbers (16 and 10 per 36) and really good advanced stats (18.7 PER and .188 WS/48). Leonard has no where near that level of production yet (13 and 7 per 36 and a PER of 16.5 and .168 WS/48). The Spurs have every reason to think Splitter will excel in an expanded role, especially to the extent needed to be worthy of his contract. (He was great off the bench when Ginobili was healthy.) But outside some flashes that get massively overrated on this board, Leonard hasn't shown he can be a max player. If he does that next year, great. But it's going to take more than just remaining on this improvement curve to justify giving him more than $12-13 Million a year.

I don't know about his advanced stats, but I saw Leonard getting big rebounds and scoring big buckets and playing stellar defense in every playoff series this past year. Can't say the same about Tiago. But I'm sure that is why people won't complain if Leonard gets the max.

[Darkwaters]

The bottom line is Splitter got signed to a terrible contract, shouldn't be compared to Kawhi or anyone else on the team really... The only hope is to trade him well next summer or the summer after that.

Not really. Bigmen are always overpaid. "You can't teach size" and you pay a premium for it.

Please have a look at Ian Mahinmi and Zaza Pachulia's contracts and tell me you're still pissed off about Splitter. Bigs are expensive, it's just how it is.


The only hope is to trade him well next summer or the summer after that.

Now that is legitimate crazy talk.

AG7LjVCj50Y

[Chinook]

I don't know about his advanced stats, but I saw Leonard getting big rebounds and scoring big buckets and playing stellar defense in every playoff series this past year. Can't say the same about Tiago. But I'm sure that is why people won't complain if Leonard gets the max.

That's not the way basketball teams are run, which is why people are going to be surprised if Leonard doesn't get the max. He was great in the WCSF and the Finals, but he wasn't the star people think he was. He did have a great playoff PER, though 18.9, compared to a 13.5 PER for Splitter. That was an abnormally low year for Splitter, (he had PERs of 21.1 and 16.6 before that) but hopefully, a borderline-All-Star PER is what we can come to expect in the playoffs for Leonard (he had a 15.1 his rookie year).

[Darkwaters]

Still think we got ripped off with the Splitter signing?


Wolves Make Offer To Pekovic Believed To Be $12M Annually

Jul 08, 2013 8:42 AM EDT

The Minnesota Timberwolves have made a formal offer to Nikola Pekovic believed to be worth $12 million or more annually.

Pekovic is a restricted free agent.

Pekovic is not believed to have been offered a deal by a rival team and the number of teams with sufficient cap space has decreased to one or two.

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/228730/Wolves-Make-Offer-To-Pekovic-Believed-To-Be-$12M-Annually

[elec99]

Any thoughts to the notion that Jeff IS the backup3, not a blair replacement?
He moves more like a 4 but who knows...

[dbestpro]

That's not the way basketball teams are run, which is why people are going to be surprised if Leonard doesn't get the max. He was great in the WCSF and the Finals, but he wasn't the star people think he was. He did have a great playoff PER, though 18.9, compared to a 13.5 PER for Splitter. That was an abnormally low year for Splitter, (he had PERs of 21.1 and 16.6 before that) but hopefully, a borderline-All-Star PER is what we can come to expect in the playoffs for Leonard (he had a 15.1 his rookie year).

Leonard's future depends upon how he performs when he now, and in particular, has plays called for him.

[Chinook]

Leonard's future depends upon how he performs when he now, and in particular, has plays called for him.

Exactly. He has to prove he can be the man in order to be paid like he is.

[Mel_13]

Any thoughts to the notion that Jeff IS the backup3, not a blair replacement?
He moves more like a 4 but who knows...

That was a bad notion. He's a 4/5, not a 3/4.

[Spurs9]

Still think we got ripped off with the Splitter signing?


Wolves Make Offer To Pekovic Believed To Be $12M Annually

Jul 08, 2013 8:42 AM EDT

The Minnesota Timberwolves have made a formal offer to Nikola Pekovic believed to be worth $12 million or more annually.

Pekovic is a restricted free agent.

Pekovic is not believed to have been offered a deal by a rival team and the number of teams with sufficient cap space has decreased to one or two.

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/228730/Wolves-Make-Offer-To-Pekovic-Believed-To-Be-$12M-Annually
:wow

[Spur|n|Austin]

Exactly. He has to prove he can be the man in order to be paid like he is.

And this will be the season that hopefully happens. It's crazy to think not one play was called through him this past season, and he still managed to perform the way he did. Gotta love the kid.

[Darkwaters]

Any thoughts to the notion that Jeff IS the backup3, not a blair replacement?
He moves more like a 4 but who knows...

No.

Everyone that supports this idea is pulling pre-draft measurables and video. The guy has had ACL surgery since then. Any chance that this might have been true died when he had surgery a couple years ago.

[Baam]

Not really. Bigmen are always overpaid. "You can't teach size" and you pay a premium for it.

Please have a look at Ian Mahinmi and Zaza Pachulia's contracts and tell me you're still pissed off about Splitter. Bigs are expensive, it's just how it is.



Now that is legitimate crazy talk.

AG7LjVCj50Y

Who cares if he's a bigman since he can't rebound and has been shit in the POs for his first 3 years... Thank god for Kawhi being such a beast on the boards...

Look at Robin Lopez, Gortat, Asik, JJ Hickson's contracts and tell me you're fine with Splitter's contract...

[apalisoc_9]

That's not the way basketball teams are run, which is why people are going to be surprised if Leonard doesn't get the max. He was great in the WCSF and the Finals, but he wasn't the star people think he was. He did have a great playoff PER, though 18.9, compared to a 13.5 PER for Splitter. That was an abnormally low year for Splitter, (he had PERs of 21.1 and 16.6 before that) but hopefully, a borderline-All-Star PER is what we can come to expect in the playoffs for Leonard (he had a 15.1 his rookie year).

It is to early to tell if kawhi will get the max or not. For the most part, his new contract or his extension would be evaluated next season when he moves in as a legit 2-3 option. I trust the spurs to make the right decision, but you can bet money that a handful of teams would have evaluated his worth for what he did in the post season and possibly give him the max..It does not matter though since he is a RFA.

Solely based on his importance and playoff experience, kawhi is worth 11-13 million dollars a year IMO.

[Chinook]

:wow

He put up almost the exact same per-minute stats as Splitter did.

[Juan]

What were Splitter's per minute stats in the playoffs? You know, the only time it really matters...

[Darkwaters]

It is to early to tell if kawhi will get the max or not. For the most part, his new contract or his extension would be evaluated next season when he moves in as a legit 2-3 option. I trust the spurs to make the right decision, but you can bet money that a handful of teams would have evaluated his worth for what he did in the post season and possibly give him the max..It does not matter though since he is a RFA.

Solely based on his importance and playoff experience, kawhi is worth 11-13 million dollars a year IMO.

The truth about the NBA is that most GM's are seriously worried about their jobs, and don't know year to year if they'll have a job. The same is true for head coaches. So as a result these GM's are often willing to "make a splash" in free agency in the hopes of striking gold. If they instead hit a dud, well, the future be damned. They won't be around the organization to deal with the aftermath anyways. As a result you get crazy shit like the Hornets giving an old worn out Peja Stojakovic 64M over 5 years in order to entice him to leave Indiana. Crazy.

So yea, the likelihood of some GM throwing out some crazy big money is very real. But is the player worth it? I'm thinking Kawhi will get there, but he definitely doesn't rate it yet.

[Drom John]

What were Splitter's per minute stats in the playoffs? You know, the only time it really matters...

What were Pekovic's stats in the playoffs?

[Juan]

What were Pekovic's stats in the playoffs?

Since Pekovic gets to play with Tony, Tim, Manu and Pop right? Lol

Guarantee you he wouldn't log 4 minutes in a game 7 NBA Final.

[Darkwaters]

What were Pekovic's stats in the playoffs?

:lol

Stab to the heart of all T-Wolves fans who might happen to be cruising through at this moment.

The Timberwolves haven't made the playoffs since 04-05. The dude hasn't logged a single post-season minute.

[SenorSpur]

I thought this was a thread about Jeff Pendergraph.

[TheGoldStandard]

See, this is the kind of mentality that leads people to be surprised at the contracts players get. Splitter has great per-minute numbers (16 and 10 per 36) and really good advanced stats (18.7 PER and .188 WS/48). Leonard has no where near that level of production yet (13 and 7 per 36 and a PER of 16.5 and .168 WS/48). The Spurs have every reason to think Splitter will excel in an expanded role, especially to the extent needed to be worthy of his contract. (He was great off the bench when Ginobili was healthy.) But outside some flashes that get massively overrated on this board, Leonard hasn't shown he can be a max player. If he does that next year, great. But it's going to take more than just remaining on this improvement curve to justify giving him more than $12-13 Million a year.

PER doesn't tell the whole story because there are a lot of players who have high numbers but are completely worthless as players. Kawhi is the future face of this franchise, Tim Duncan has hinted at this and I think Pop is going to start using him more in the offense which I see him taking big strides in as well. If we look at the small improvements that Tiago has made and then look at how much more of a complete player Kawhi is becoming over the least 2 seasons I think it's perfectly reasonable to see Kawhi getting offered a lot of money to play elsewhere. I know he's restricted but once we put that qualifying offer in someone can offer some huge ass contract and we'd have to match. If Kawhi decides to take an extension we should be so fortunate that he likes this city and it's people to play for the amount that's offered.

[AFBlue]

This is a blatantly "glass-half-empty" post, which completely ignores that Ginobili had already regressed last season and the team still got to game 7 of the Finals. Parker is in his prime and will, more than likely, retain his skills (I don't see him dropping off a cliff). Timmy is in incredible shape and has progressed in his last couple of seasons. Even if he does regress slightly, he's still better than most bigs in the post. It's his lack of athleticism and his intelligence on how to overcome it that has contributed to his renaissance.

Why do you so badly want to blow the team up when they only needed a couple of tweaks here or there to win it all? You cannot deny that one rebound, one better pass, one more made basket would have made all the difference. Why destroy half the team for an UNKNOWN variable, when you already have is pretty damn good?

Don't be a cynical Spurfan, they're not done winning basketball games yet.

I didn't deny anything that was stated from the "glass half full" post, simply provided the counter-argument. I understand the argument that the Spurs were a rebound, made free throw or missed three away from winning the title. That still doesn't mean Manu @ $7M, Splitter @ $9M for four years, and replacement-level players in minor roles is the best possible outcome to keep the Spurs in contention.

"Blow it up" is the wrong phrase to describe what I was advocating. It's more like retooling on more prominent roles. As one example...I'd rather have Millsap @ $10M for two years next to Duncan than four of Splitter at close to the same cost. Disagree of you want, but don't dismiss the validity in my supposedly "glass half empty" post as cynical.

Oh and T Park, you can :stfu with your bullshit generalizations.

[Chinook]

PER doesn't tell the whole story because there are a lot of players who have high numbers but are completely worthless as players. Kawhi is the future face of this franchise, Tim Duncan has hinted at this and I think Pop is going to start using him more in the offense which I see him taking big strides in as well. If we look at the small improvements that Tiago has made and then look at how much more of a complete player Kawhi is becoming over the least 2 seasons I think it's perfectly reasonable to see Kawhi getting offered a lot of money to play elsewhere. I know he's restricted but once we put that qualifying offer in someone can offer some huge ass contract and we'd have to match. If Kawhi decides to take an extension we should be so fortunate that he likes this city and it's people to play for the amount that's offered.

Leonard is not going to even get to restricted free agency. He's going to get an extension next off-season. There will not be a market for him, because he won't be on the market. He can't just go by what he thinks he'll be worth the next season, because seasons are really unpredictable. That's a major reason why players on rookie deals ALMOST NEVER get max extensions: They can rarely leverage it. Leonard, for a much as people are pumping him up, has nowhere near that amount of leverage needed to do that. That's not an insult to him. Only players like Rose, Durant and Lebron get that leverage.

Could Leonard refuse to accept a sub-max extension and play his deal out? Sure. But that's taking a very big risk, one which he wouldn't be wise to take.

[TheGoldStandard]

Leonard is not going to even get to restricted free agency. He's going to get an extension next off-season. There will not be a market for him, because he won't be on the market. He can't just go by what he thinks he'll be worth the next season, because seasons are really unpredictable. That's a major reason why players on rookie deals ALMOST NEVER get max extensions: They can rarely leverage it. Leonard, for a much as people are pumping him up, has nowhere near that amount of leverage needed to do that. That's not an insult to him. Only players like Rose, Durant and Lebron get that leverage.

Could Leonard refuse to accept a sub-max extension and play his deal out? Sure. But that's taking a very big risk, one which he wouldn't be wise to take.

I understand the reasoning but at the same time Tim/Manu will be just about done and if he has a pretty solid season you don't think fan support will usher in those kinds of talk being a future star? I'd hate to think that they'd go out and overpay some FA and not pay Leonard a deal when he looks like he might be the next big player on this roster.

[Baam]

JJ Hickson has a superior PER and he's getting 5M*3years... Much younger as well...

Sure he's a weak defender right now but still there's a lot more upside... With Hickson at 5M and Kawhi you get every single rebound you can get basically and you have money to throw at AK47...

[TheGoldStandard]

JJ Hickson has a superior PER and he's getting 5M*3years... Much younger as well...

Sure he's a weak defender right now but still there's a lot more upside... With Hickson at 5M and Kawhi you get every single rebound you can get basically and you have money to throw at AK47...

Perdergraph FTW

[Chinook]

I understand the reasoning but at the same time Tim/Manu will be just about done and if he has a pretty solid season you don't think fan support will usher in those kinds of talk being a future star? I'd hate to think that they'd go out and overpay some FA and not pay Leonard a deal when he looks like he might be the next big player on this roster.

$60M/5 is a "future" star contract. It's just not an "established star" deal, which is what a max contract signifies. The closest example to Leonard's potential rise would be Rondo a couple of seasons ago. He had been a key role-player to a ring, and he quickly becoming the star of the franchise. He got a $55M/5 extension. It looks like a steal now (well maybe not NOW, but you know what I mean), but it was a very reasonable contract for both sides when he signed it.

[mosdef17]

And in the finals he had 26 field goals to 22 turnovers. That's astronomical. So no he's not that far off from having more turnovers to made field goals.

Is he going to face LeBron and Wade every night during the regular season and be forced to do that much ball handling? Regular season is a walk in the park compared to the NBA Finals. My sample size is 60+ games against the whole league, your sample size is 7 of the most intense physical games and against some of the leagues best defenders...

[BackHome]

You know we were saying in the beginning of the season that we wanted a backup PG and people were saying that if we didn't it would bite us on our butt..IT DID...........I understand the hate for Manu but put it on RC and Pop for making players play in positions that they should not be playing........He is a SG keep him at that role and get a freaking backup PG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[therealtruth]

Pekovic probably owes Splitter 3M.

[Marcus Bryant]

Spurs started this season with a late first round pick and very good financial flexibility. They are now at a stage where they can only offer min contracts and what they have done is basically standing pat with Belinelli replacing Neal and Pendergraph replacing Blair. Jackson/McGrady hasn't been replaced for the moment.

You can spin it as much as you want with saying that Spurs should be fine next season, which is true, and that they will have tons of cap space in 2015, which is also true but the bottom line is that Spurs of season has been a big disappointment. They had an opportunity to get really better and they did nothing.

No spin, it's the reality of what they had to do. They were at risk of losing two rotational players, including their starting 5 (or having his price driven up significantly) if they didn't commit early. Ginobili I grant you was in part a loyalty signing, at least as far as him getting $7MM per instead of the MLE.

Had they the flexibility without that uncertainty, then sure, they could've played the market more and attempted to use their cap flexibility to participate in some trades as a 3rd party, or to take a player from a team that didn't want his contract in a salary dump.

[Marcus Bryant]

Spurs have had max cap room numerous times before and the biggest free agent signings have ended up being their own. It's the reality of being a small market team in the NBA free agent market.

[DesignatedT]

I agree. The Spurs likely had ideas and interest elsewhere but they weren't willing in taking the risk at losing what they had because they were chasing other players. They played the Splitter situation right by not letting Dallas and others have time to even think about getting an offer ready.

I do think the Spurs could have played the salary game better though. I'm not talking about Tiago and Manu's contracts but they had a chance to shed $3M with Bonner and didn't take the chance and other opportunities to get under the cap and create a good amount of cap space to spend even after the Tiago and Manu signings.

[TheGoldStandard]

I agree. The Spurs likely had ideas and interest elsewhere but they weren't willing in taking the risk at losing what they had because they were chasing other players. They played the Splitter situation right by not letting Dallas and others have time to even think about getting an offer ready.

I do think the Spurs could have played the salary game better though. I'm not talking about Tiago and Manu's contracts but they had a chance to shed $3M with Bonner and didn't take the chance and other opportunities to get under the cap and have a good amount of $ to spend even after the Tiago and Manu signings.

Bonner makes little sense after they signed Pendergraph.. You spend an extra 2 Mil on a guy who we don't know will fit the system and going off of "potential" when the other moves look like they're going for broke over the next 2 seasons.

[Marcus Bryant]

If we jokers can figure out the Spurs flexibility under the cap and what is possible, they certainly know it and they know which free agents actually have an interest in signing as well as which teams will deal with them and who will not.

The Spurs have built their team through savvy drafting, some luck, and finding low cost decent value free agents who fit their system. It is what it is. We don't have a Trader Bob in the front office anymore.

[TheGoldStandard]

If we jokers can figure out the Spurs flexibility under the cap and what is possible, they certainly know it and they know which free agents actually have an interest in signing as well as which teams will deal with them and who will not.

The Spurs have built their team through savvy drafting, some luck, and finding low cost decent value free agents who fit their system. It is what it is. We don't have a Trader Bob in the front office anymore.

I just don't get some of the decisions for a roster this season, very little makes sense trying to convert guys into a particular position. The weaknesses that we experienced last year that we were exposed on did not get fixed. Plus some of these salaries.. just don't get it.

[DesignatedT]

If we jokers can figure out the Spurs flexibility under the cap and what is possible, they certainly know it and they know which free agents actually have an interest in signing as well as which teams will deal with them and who will not.

The Spurs have built their team through savvy drafting, some luck, and finding low cost decent value free agents who fit their system. It is what it is. We don't have a Trader Bob in the front office anymore.

I trust the Spurs and what they are doing. Still think they could have played it a different way. They seem attached to Bonner though, I mean were going on 8 years here. Incredible.

[TheGoldStandard]

I trust the Spurs and what they are doing. Still think they could have played it a different way. They seem attached to Bonner though, I mean were going on 8 years here. It's rafter talk time

This.. I've never seen him do something that another player couldn't do. He's never won ball games for us, put us in a position to win games, or done anything that another cog couldn't do.

[DesignatedT]

I'm not slamming Bonner. I don't dislike the guy or his game. Just think the Spurs could get another player that could really be a difference maker.

Another thing is the 2015 situation. The Spurs might be unwilling to give out any contract past 2015 (with Splitter being the exception) and that's why they have decided to virtually do nothing. People may not agree with it but they must want flexibility that year.

[DesignatedT]

The Spurs like Bonner's shooting and his durability but they are probably the online franchise willing to pay a player $4M a year for 8 years strictly for regular season minutes. I mean they know he isn't going to do shit in the playoffs when it really matters.

[TheGoldStandard]

I'm not slamming Bonner. I don't dislike the guy or his game. Just think the Spurs could get another player that could really be a difference maker.

Another thing is the 2015 situation. The Spurs might be unwilling to give out any contract past 2015 (with Splitter being the exception) and that's why they have decided to virtually do nothing. People may not agree with it but they must want flexibility that year.

They're gonna need it. At that point you need to evaluate how much you're paying Kawhi to stay, if Tiago is worth keeping, who else they can bring in and of course paying TP his loyalty money

[Chinook]

No spin, it's the reality of what they had to do. They were at risk of losing two rotational players, including their starting 5 (or having his price driven up significantly) if they didn't commit early. Ginobili I grant you was in part a loyalty signing, at least as far as him getting $7MM per instead of the MLE.

Had they the flexibility without that uncertainty, then sure, they could've played the market more and attempted to use their cap flexibility to participate in some trades as a 3rd party, or to take a player from a team that didn't want his contract in a salary dump.

Re-signing Splitter didn't really affect cap space, as his hold already accounted for his cap space. With the way the moratorium works, Splitter costing $1.5 Million more than his hold didn't mean anything. Signing Ginobili to so much hurt, but it wasn't as bad as people are making it out to be. The Spurs could have just salary-dumped Mill or De Colo to make room. The team also could have just re-signed Neal, which wouldn't have hurt their cap space much, no matter how much he made.

The real problem was keeping Bonner. Had they gotten rid of him, the team could have freed up enough cap room to sign an MLE-caliber player while still getting Pendergraph. But they moved on Belinelli assuming Neal was going elsewhere, which ate into their MLE. Now they still may re-sign him while they already have seven guards of the roster. That little "snafu" (assuming having both wasn't part of the plan) took away the team's flexibility in addition to creating a log-jam needlessly.

This off-season went from being hopeful, to being expected, to being disappointing, to currently being confusing.

[ElNono]

great offseason, IMO. Were able to retain our top guys, and also bring a couple of new faces to keep us intrigued. Would've preferred to drop Matty, but considering how much playing time he had last season, I don't really think it's that urgent anymore.

[T Park]

We honestly have no clue their intentions, nor do we know what happened behind the scenes for the offseason to play out like it did.

[Marcus Bryant]

Last, McDonald believes he will sign for $4MM...assumes he has a source for that.

[Sean Cagney]

great offseason, IMO. Were able to retain our top guys, and also bring a couple of new faces to keep us intrigued. Would've preferred to drop Matty, but considering how much playing time he had last season, I don't really think it's that urgent anymore.I hope you are right, we surely did not get worse when you think of it! Good way to think of it there.

[BackHome]

So at this point if Neal signs that is pretty much our team we can't bring anyone else on?

[dallasmaverickslose]

What if Pendergraph just breaks out and turns out to be a huge asset for us this season? Am I the only one whos guts is feeling this?

[look_at_g_shred]

What if Pendergraph just breaks out and turns out to be a huge asset for us this season? Am I the only one whos guts is feeling this?

If pop lets him play.

[TheGoldStandard]

Not many minutes to go around and if he does play doesn't mean he'll play in the playoffs when it really matters. There is almost no doubt the Spurs get to the playoffs but outside of Marco getting signed Pendergraph doesn't touch the court during playoffs unless we're up by 20 with 2 minutes to play.

[MannyIsGod]

great offseason, IMO. Were able to retain our top guys, and also bring a couple of new faces to keep us intrigued. Would've preferred to drop Matty, but considering how much playing time he had last season, I don't really think it's that urgent anymore.

This is either a troll or EN has gone full retard.

[ChumpDumper]

It's pretty clear the Spurs went from a signing strategy to a trading strategy. spurfan gets upset because he doesn't know what their process is exactly. Understandable.

[ElNono]

This is either a troll or EN has gone full retard.

why? I loved last season team. I'm glad they were able to bring (most) everyone back.

I really don't give two shits about the AK mirage. If it happens good, if it doesn't so be it.

[Darkwaters]

why? I loved last season team. I'm glad they were able to bring (most) everyone back.

I really don't give two shits about the AK mirage. If it happens good, if it doesn't so be it.

I definitely care. If it happens it makes us better for certain. But I think we're still very much in the mix even if it totally falls through.

[MannyIsGod]

You can say the offseason is fine but saying its a "great" offseason is laughable.

[Drom John]

I'm in the off-season has been a push camp, but ...

"5. What has been the most surprising move of the offseason thus far?

Poulard: The Thunder's lack of transactions is as perplexing as it gets. The Spurs, Rockets and Clippers all got better. And yet OKC has not yet made any move to ensure it maintains control of the West if healthy. It's tough to definitively say the Thunder are still the best team in their conference at the moment, and that's shocking."

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/page/5-on-5-130710/best-worst-nba-offseason-far

[ElNono]

You can say the offseason is fine but saying its a "great" offseason is laughable.

Laugh away.

I don't take for granted that they were able to retain Manu and Tiago, and that guys like Diaw decided to stay. I personally think it's great. Feel free to disagree.

[monkeypunk]

Laugh away.

I don't take for granted that they were able to retain Manu and Tiago, and that guys like Diaw decided to stay. I personally think it's great. Feel free to disagree.

i agree that Diaw is a crucial piece and that we had to do what we did with Manu / Tiago but the rest of the moves have been perplexing. Obviously, the Spurs have a plan and none of us are privy to it but hopefully the big picture will make sense once all the dominoes have fallen.

I think they have a few moves left to make but until the dust settles, this offseason is a wash.

[temujin]

For the time being it's an OK off season, not great.
Splitter, way too much money, and he will be what he is now, no improvement.
Manu will be playing 15/20'.
You can hope Duncan will be back as spry as this year, but at one point in the future this is not going to happen.
Parker and Diaw will be OK (they will play with their NT after a loooong season though) and I expect Baynes to develop a bit.

Improved production could come from Leonard and maybe Green.
Beli could be a big plus.

The key point, though is that they still did not address the biggest need: an experienced backup PG.
This is what was really missing in the Miami series.

Unless Joseph shows some spectacular improvements, that hole will be still there.
Mills and decolo, I am not sure what they will be doing.

[monkeypunk]

The key point, though is that they still did not address the biggest need: an experienced backup PG.
This is what was really missing in the Miami series.


Man, if only TJ Ford had stayed healthy. Pass first backup point is exactly what we needed and still need.

Fate can be a real mean bitch...

[temujin]

Man, if only TJ Ford had stayed healthy. Pass first backup point is exactly what we needed and still need.

Fate can be a real mean bitch...

TJ ford and it's 5 titles, yes.
Automatic.

[monkeypunk]

TJ ford and it's 5 titles, yes.
Automatic.

I wouldn't go as far as to say automatic, not sure if you forgot the blue font tbh, but it would have made us more competitive in the OKC series, pushing the ball ahead of defenders. And for sure, in the Finals.

[temujin]

I wouldn't go as far as to say automatic, not sure if you forgot the blue font tbh, but it would have made us more competitive in the OKC series, pushing the ball ahead of defenders. And for sure, in the Finals.

not last year, Stern blocked the way.

This year, TJ Ford and TOs are down, and that's all it would have taken to get a title.

[TheGoldStandard]

Don't worry Parker will just another MVP like season and Duncan is taking a trip to the Cocoon pool to get rejuvenated.

[Bruno]

Per RealGM trade checker:
Starting salary of $1.76M.
Second year between $1.68M and $1.84M.
Total contract between $3.44M and $3.6M

Spurs have $650K left on their MLE which is enough to sign a rookie.

[DPG21920]

Pendergraph over AK :lmao. With an assist from Manu (at least he's assisting again..)

[Sean Cagney]

Per RealGM trade checker:
Starting salary of $1.76M.
Second year between $1.68M and $1.84M.
Total contract between $3.44M and $3.6M

Spurs have $650K left on their MLE which is enough to sign a rookie.Our rookies are not ready yet though for the game IMO.

[spurraider21]

Pendergraph over AK :lmao. With an assist from Manu (at least he's assisting again..)

there's a good chance AK doesn't sign with us for 3.1 million

[DPG21920]

there's a good chance AK doesn't sign with us for 3.1 million

That's not the point. With no Pendergraph, there was flexibility to offer AK much, much more than 3.1M (assuming some moves were made that were not all that difficult).

[xmas1997]

AK was never going to sign here, lets not fool ourselves anymore, please. It was all a Russian ruse!

[T Park]

That's not the point. With no Pendergraph, there was flexibility to offer AK much, much more than 3.1M (assuming some moves were made that were not all that difficult).


If you think he's making 3.1 with Brooklyn, ha.

[DPG21920]

If you think he's making 3.1 with Brooklyn, ha.

FML

[coachmac87]

That's not the point. With no Pendergraph, there was flexibility to offer AK much, much more than 3.1M (assuming some moves were made that were not all that difficult).

That wasn't the spurs thinking by any means...

[rascal]

Won't see enough court time to make any type of difference.

[TheGoldStandard]

Won't see enough court time to make any type of difference.

Yup, he'll play in garbage time and if he does sniff the floor Pop will sit his ass down after his first missed assignment. This is not project time with the Spurs, it's time to win.. Don't understand spending that money for a project.

[K-State Spur]

Yup, he'll play in garbage time and if he does sniff the floor Pop will sit his ass down after his first missed assignment. This is not project time with the Spurs, it's time to win.. Don't understand spending that money for a project.

Because "known qualities" won't play for less than half of the MLE. The only quality bigs you can get for that rate are past-their-prime ring chasers (unfortunately, there wasn't a PJ Brown in this year's FA class) or unproven risks with some upside (see: Pendergraph). The "proven" bigs available for 2-3M are proven crap.

[kolko]

Pendergraph said that the Pacers did offer him the minimum ($916,099), which surprised him. With a wife and new child, he didn’t want to see his salary of the past two years cut in half.

The Spurs offer was really good, according to Pendergraph, and it was another great organization where he could learn a lot.

http://www.nba.com/pacers/news/pendergraph-wanted-return-offer-wasnt-right

[Baam]

The Pacers got Copeland instead...

[ace3g]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BPVLJABCQAEVLe-.jpg:large

NPMendoza (https://twitter.com/NPMendoza) Nicholas Mendoza 26m (https://twitter.com/NPMendoza/status/357274363436875776)
New @spurs (https://twitter.com/spurs) forward Jeff Pendergraph dropped in on Sendek at Weatherup center at #ASU (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23ASU&src=hash) today... pic.twitter.com/F9V5UcaCjT

Pendergraph dropped into Sendek’s media gathering. After spending the last two seasons with the Indiana Pacers, the 6-foot-9 forward recently signed a two-year deal with the San Antonio Spurs.

“It’s a great feeling to have somebody that wants you,’’ Pendergraph said. “Free agency is always so uncertain and nerve-wracking every time it comes around, and to have a franchise like the Spurs reach out and tell me they want me to join their team and be a part of (their) history, it’s a great feeling. And it’s nice to know that all my hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed.”

http://www.azcentral.com/insiders/doughaller/2013/07/16/asu-to-honor-jersey-of-former-star-house/

(http://t.co/F9V5UcaCjT)

[Budkin]

Wonder if he'll even play next season.

[benefactor]

Wonder if he'll even play next season.
RC talked like he would. Sounded pretty high on the kid.

[chrhawk]

I'm pretty excited to see what Pendergraph will bring to the table next season. Hopefully he can off-set Splitter and Diaw's rebounding deficiencies.

[TheGoldStandard]

Would have been a better move about 3 to 4 seasons ago when we were short of PF/C's

[ace3g]

Pendergraph Wanted to Return, But Offer Wasn’t Right
Later, he learned that Jim Boylen was leaving the Pacers’ coaching staff to work under Gregg Popovich. That made San Antonio even more appealing.



“That was definitely a pro,” he said. “He was one of the coaches that I was really close with and I was working out with him all the time. Now with him in San Antonio too, things won’t be so strange or different. It’ll be a little bit more familiar.



In San Antonio, his specific role hasn’t been discussed. Because of his versatility, he could see himself playing in a number of rotations beside Tim Duncan, or Tiago Splitter, or Boris Diaw, or Matt Bonner. Pendergraph said that Coach Popovich did tell him to “Come in, work hard, work your butt off and everything will work out how it’s supposed to work out.

“I’m going to get in there and learn as much as I can as fast as I can and just try to contribute in any way I can. Hopefully eventually that leads to playing time, real minutes. What I earn, instead of just being a good practice player and teammate.”

And just like with the Pacers, he’s fortunate to be going into a situation where the team is comprised of winners and competing for a championship.

“They’re all stacked, too,” he said. “If you’re playing behind Tim Duncan, he’s Tim Duncan. How crazy is that to go from David West to Tim Duncan. One of the best power forwards in the NBA to the arguably the best power forward ever. Man, just the ability to learn, it’s going to be awesome. I can’t wait to get there, pick people’s brains and get into practice and start playing against everybody and getting my butt kicked.”

http://www.nba.com/pacers/news/pendergraph-wanted-return-offer-wasnt-right

[Chinook]

Great attitude. Let's see if he can learn a thing or two and give the team an option at power-forward in a couple of seasons.

[fleggy2k2]

not sure if this was posted in this thread but:

http://aggbot.com/San-Antonio-Spurs-News/article/20001926

"Pendergraph Discusses Why He Chose San Antonio and More.

Scott Agness of IndianaPacers.com recently wrote a one-on-one piece with one of the newest members of the San Antonio Spurs, Jeff Pendergraph. In the article, Pendergraph revealed to Agness why he chose San Antonio, what he expects to do, and how he is looking forward to learning and thriving with the Spurs.
Pendergraph says he and his wife wanted to return to Indiana, but he was disappointed the Pacers were only offering the minimum while they were out looking for other free agents.
He said he had discussions with the New Orleans Pelicans, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Denver Nuggets, but the Spurs’ offer was just too good to pass up. One main reason he chose San Antonio, was because the Spurs also brought in Jim Boylen, a former assistant coach with the Pacers."

more from the article in link

[Baam]

So Pop sees him as the backup PF?

C Tim Baynes
PF Tiago Pendergraph

And Boris slides to the 3? or do they go with a 5 man rotation?

I don't get this signing tbh, like Belinelli to me it doesn't fill a real need, feels like they blew the MLE on random players they liked.

[timtonymanu]

Patty's got the towel. He's got the huddles.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za9ZuqiKAUY

[LakerHater]

357566973107904513 (https://twitter.com/PaulGarciaPS/status/357566973107904513)

[DPG21920]

Is that a bad sign that a team that has him only thought enough of him to offer the min & that he couldn't best out Ian or Tyler Hans for PT?

[coyotes_geek]

Is that a bad sign that a team that has him only thought enough of him to offer the min & that he couldn't best out Ian or Tyler Hans for PT?

I'd say it's definitely a sign that they didn't think Pends could play center. As for Hansbrough, hard to say. Could be they didn't think he was better than Tyler, could be they felt compelled to play Tyler given the draft pick they used on him and the decision about Tyler's QO they had to make.

[Dunc n Dave]

So Boylen singing his praises was the main reason the Spurs went after Pendergraph, huh? Hope it pans out better for us than Jackie Butler did after being highly recommended by Larry Brown.

[slick'81]

hope that jumper earns him some minutes or else he's just more of a 4th or 5th emergency big

[Johnny RIngo]

So Boylen singing his praises was the main reason the Spurs went after Pendergraph, huh? Hope it pans out better for us than Jackie Butler did after being highly recommended by Larry Brown.

Hollinger was also a big Jackie Butler fan IIRC

[milkyway21]

Pendergraph & Pop have one thing in common : they're not fans of Flo rida :lol

Pendergraph was ejected in a game vs Miami bec of Florida & Co.

Pop rejected Florida (& his manager) near the Spurs bench in game 6.

[Jwash_1986]

Patty's got the towel. He's got the huddles.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za9ZuqiKAUY
Look at young Patty Mills in the back at 1:04 on the vid.

[CaptainLate]

Actually, 15 pages are about how dead in the water the spurs are because they didn't sign a top name free agent...same old thing every year. "Were screwed", "Holting pattern", "Everyone else is getting better, and as usual, the Spurs FO does nothing" etc.

We have more GM's on this thread alone, than exist in the entire NBA.

"Are you not entertained?"

[ace3g]

http://www.pros2preps.com/2013/07/jeff-pendergraph-been-dreaming-about-playing-with-spurs/

Jeff Pendergraph Been “Dreaming” About Playing With Spurs (http://www.pros2preps.com/2013/07/jeff-pendergraph-been-dreaming-about-playing-with-spurs/)

[timtonymanu]

Fuck the haters. I'm excited to see Jeff Pendergraph.

[xmas1997]

I'm excited to see what both the new guys are going to do.

[ace3g]

He was 2/4 from 3 last season, hit a 3 in that video, maybe Spurs envision him as a stretch 4 eventually to replace Bonner, but with better rebounding.

[Sean Cagney]

I see Reach agreement with on right side, click on the link to bring me in here and see this crap! What a great teaser that was :(. Slow offseason when you see this at the top.

[DesignatedT]

Seems like he has a great head on his shoulders. I don't know what to expect but his versatility at the 4/5 spots seems like a nice fit. Hopefully Boylen is right.

[ace3g]

Seems like he has a great head on his shoulders. I don't know what to expect but his versatility at the 4/5 spots seems like a nice fit. Hopefully Boylen is right.

Seems like the type of player that could have success with Manu in PnR due to his midrange game.

[Aremid]

The question you need to be asking is this: will this guy be able to come off the bench IN THE PLAYOFFS and provide Timmy rest? If so then this is a great signing. If not RC should be fired for spending dough on a bench warmer.

[SpursRock20]

Hope this guy doesn't rot at the end of the bench. He deserves an opportunity to slowly overtake all of Bonner's minutes as the season progresses and get a chance for a spot in the rotation come playoff time.

[hater]

hope he's not as soft as vagina Splitter

[ace3g]

Sweet Package of Energy and IQ
The offseason for the San Antonio Spurs wasn't a huge splash. The team resigned core players (Manu Ginobili, Tiago Splitter), signed guard Marco Belinelli and Jeff Pendergraph. Aside from those moves, it's been relatively quiet for San Antonio.

http://www.nba.com/spurs/features/130813_pendergraph

[Hoops Czar]

Fluff piece.... Indiana thought so highly of his intangibles and basketball IQ that they placed him behind Mahimni on the depth chart.

[ace3g]

Jeff McDonald @JMcDonald_SAEN
(http://twitter.com/JMcDonald_SAEN)Jeff Pendergraph signed with the Spurs in July, but no player by that name will appear in an NBA game this season. Next link will explain:

Jeff McDonald @JMcDonald_SAEN
(http://twitter.com/JMcDonald_SAEN)Jeff Pendergraph has legally changed his name to Jeff Ayres. It's his biological father's surname. expressnews.com/news/local/art… (http://t.co/XBnsn10y4g)

[Skull-1]

hope he's not as soft as vagina Splitter

[DesignatedT]

I was wondering while when I toured the lockerrooms last month that there was a "Ayres" spot in there.

[tbdog]

Lets not have another one of these.

But for comedy relief, a quick browse, my two favourites are


Why the fuck should you worry?

C - Tiago/Baynes
PF - Timmy/Diaw/Pendergraph

no more Bonner


20 page thread on jeff pendergraph :lol

love spurstalk

[SAGirl]

Lets not have another one of these.

But for comedy relief, a quick browse, my two favourites are
With so many young guys in the roster at least a couple will bust eventually, by that I mean Ayers and Daye bust. It's,just the odds. I hope it's not Dejonte but we won't know for a couple of seasons bc he's too young. The possible Daye/Ayers are the older guys. We don't have many on this roster, but those older guys are really unable to improve. Just arbitrarily, about 26-27 yrs old those two were pretty much what they were as players, and that was practice room end of the bench guys.