Mills and Diaw - will they stay?

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Both players have had superb years, and I'm pretty sure we'll see big things from them in the playoffs. Will the Spurs be able to keep them? I certainly hope so!

I'm thinking Mills has probably earned at least a 4 yr $20mil contract, although some team might throw $6-7mil per at him. If we assume that TD/Manu/Pop ride into the sunset after next season, and TP requests and gets a trade to a contender, then Mills becomes the starter on a very good contract. I wonder what Patty wants to do?

As for Diaw, another 2 years in the $5mil/season range would be fine with me, although I wonder if some team in need of one last piece might throw a little more at him. I don't think we can let him walk as he has become our stretch 4, with the added bonus of a low post game and superb passing. Personally, I've been a huge fan of Diaw's since his days with the Suns, and I really hope we find a way to keep him as he fits our system perfectly.

What do you think?

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

PS When you look at our the salary cap ( http://hoopshype.com/salaries/san_antonio.htm ) you realise that we should be able to sign both players pretty easily to contracts around $5mil. And then in 2016 we will still have massive capspace.

[hsxvvd]

Diaw isnt going anywhere.

Mills has earned a pay day, just hope the spurs can give him a good enough offer to keep him.

it shouldnt just be about the money for him if hes smart, he could fade away elsewhere a few more years of development in the Spurs system could earn him am evem bigger pay day in a few years.

They both seem to love being here too.... Diaw has been unhappy in the past, no price on happiness is why he'll stay.

We also have a front office that has shown itself to very loyal to those who fit the system and embrace the team.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Diaw isnt going anywhere.

Mills has earned a pay day, just hope the spurs can give him a good enough offer to keep him.

it shouldnt just be about the money for him if hes smart, he could fade away elsewhere a few more years of development in the Spurs system could earn him am evem bigger pay day in a few years.

They both seem to love being here too.

Yep, agree with all of that.

How goes the trip? Are you writing this from SA or Oz?

[hsxvvd]

I'm in Houston as I type. Waiting for tomorrow nights rockets game.

Its been the trip of a life time.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

I'm in Houston as I type. Waiting for tomorrow nights rockets game.

Its been the trip of a life time.

Great to hear! And I know what you mean - I spent a month in SA in 2003 and 2 weeks in 2007, and both will always stay with me as some of the best times in my life. :)

[spurs1990]

What they bring in terms of chemistry and character inflate whatever their on-court value may be, and I believe the Spurs should be aggressive in retaining them, especially if Duncan/Ginobili gear up for a 2015 run.

Don't know what Bonner's status is for '15 but I can see the FO staying the course and bringing back all 12 players. And why not tbh.

[spurraider21]

my gut is that Diaw stays and Mills goes. I know Mills love San Antonio and playing for the Spurs, but he's lining himself up for a nice payday. Jarrett Jack got 4 years 25 mil from Cleveland, I wouldn't be surprised to see Mills command 5-6 mil per year himself. I doubt the Spurs would or should pony up that kind of money for Mills. Diaw will be 32... most teams with money to spend won't be contenders, and those teams wouldn't throw money at a player like Diaw anyway.

[sexinthatsx]

I think both of you guys are overrating what teams are willing to pay for Patty Mills. He is a scoring PG with very limited passing skills or a short SG. Jarret Jack has been shown to be a great passer, especially during the time Stephen Curry was injured. I don't think Mills will command a 6-7 mil/year contract, but I expect more towards the 3-4 mil/year range.

Additionally, this league is a stat driven payoff league - Jarret Jack put up some huge numbers during his stint with the Warriors; and while Patty Mills has put up some great numbers, many teams will just look at his averages this season and might write him off.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

my gut is that Diaw stays and Mills goes. I know Mills love San Antonio and playing for the Spurs, but he's lining himself up for a nice payday. Jarrett Jack got 4 years 25 mil from Cleveland, I wouldn't be surprised to see Mills command 5-6 mil per year himself. I doubt the Spurs would or should pony up that kind of money for Mills. Diaw will be 32... most teams with money to spend won't be contenders, and those teams wouldn't throw money at a player like Diaw anyway.


I think both of you guys are overrating what teams are willing to pay for Patty Mills. He is a scoring PG with very limited passing skills or a short SG. Jarret Jack has been shown to be a great passer, especially during the time Stephen Curry was injured. I don't think Mills will command a 6-7 mil/year contract, but I expect more towards the 3-4 mil/year range.

Additionally, this league is a stat driven payoff league - Jarret Jack put up some huge numbers during his stint with the Warriors; and while Patty Mills has put up some great numbers, many teams will just look at his averages this season and might write him off.

Yep, both fair comments.

My hope is that the Spurs offer Mills in the $5mil range over 4 years and he jumps at it knowing that he will be TP's heir. I think his court vision and ability to run the team have improved markedly this year, along with his pull-up and in-between game, which he has clearly honed from tutelage from TP.

As for Diaw, I think you're right - we will pay him fairly and he will stay, because he hasn't had nearly as much fun playing ball since the run'n'gun Suns of the mid-2000s, and his man Tony is still here. :D

[jkid12456]

he needs to stay in san antonio if he is smart. but the thing with mills is that he doesnt need a system to be good. he can get hot on whatever team.

i think playing in within a confined role likein the spurs, kinda inhibits his potential. he gets hot whenever he has his freedom to shine.

[scanry]

You're kidding yourself if you don't think Brett Brown will snatch him away to the 76ers.

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

You're kidding yourself if you don't think Brett Brown will snatch him away to the 76ers.

That is the one thing I fear. He and Brett go way back being that Brett was Australia's coach for many a years before Patty even came to the Spurs. But I think the Spurs pay him 5-6 mil. Pop already said that Patty was the new 6th man on this team (which he isnt but Pop suggesting that he is the heir apparent to Manu).

Patty has been ballin'. But I don't see too many teams throwing more than the Mid-level exception at Patty. I see the Spurs matching if that is the case.

[BillMc]

If Patty remains a Spur his salary will be about 3 million per year, maybe 4 at most.

[Brazil]

Boris is staying IMHO, spurs are playing the bb he loves and He has a great chemistry with everybody. Parker is one of the main reason he signed for the spurs, the two would surely love to play together the longest possible.

for Patty he could have the Neal kind of trajectory unless spurs see him as the future starting pg.

[exstatic]

If Patty remains a Spur his salary will be about 3 million per year, maybe 4 at most.

Current Spurs role players under contract
Diaw $4.7M
Bonner $3.9M
Danny $3.7M
Marco $2.7M

If you look at what they DO pay, you can get a pretty good idea of what they WILL pay. Marco is the most I remember them paying without an audition on the cheap. Danny, Bonner, and Boris all came in at or near minimum like Patty did.

[Texas_Ranger]

Fuck Diaw and Mills. Spurs need Bonner back!!!

[benfti]

I think he will stay a Spur, Patty that is, im not sure if anyone saw this but this was a recent article posted in Australia.


Gaze wants Mills to stick with Spurs

By Jonathan Healy Updated 8 apr
Australian basketball legend Andrew Gaze is hopeful that Patty Mills will show some loyalty and re-sign with the San Antonio Spurs at the end of the season.

Mills comes out of contract at the end of the current campaign and has already indicated that he won't be making any decisions on his future until the Spurs' season has concluded.

The 25-year-old is likely to receive tempting offers to join a rival franchise, but Gaze would like to see him stay in San Antonio and continue his career under the watchful eye of veteran coach Gregg Popovich.

"I am hopeful that he (Mills) can find a way to stay with the Spurs," Gaze, who won an NBA Championship at San Antonio under Popovich in 1999, said.

"The Spurs have meant a lot to Patty and they have been really patient with him for a period with his development.

"He isn't in a program that is looking for a quick fix and he is playing well which indicates that he is very comfortable."

Mills is currently having his best season in the NBA, having increased his output to average over 10 points a game while receiving more than 18 minutes of court time behind veteran point-guard Tony Parker.

It that kind of form that has caught the eye of rival clubs and has Mills facing a huge dilemma at the end of the season when he weighs up his future.

"I am not sure of the exact technicalities of his contract, but he has options to consider in the off-season," Gaze added.

"I would like think that he has found himself an unbelievable organisation with one of the all-time great coaches, but having said that I don't think anyone is going to begrudge him if someone comes out with a godfather offer to at least have the right to consider those other offers if they are on the table."

Gaze said he has been impressed with Mills' performances this campaign and a lot of that success could be attributed to the fitness work he did during the off-season.

"He has shown glimpses over the last couple of years, he just hasn’t been able to establish himself in the rotation," Gaze said.

"This year he is well and truly entrenched and he is getting quality minutes and putting up some massive numbers.

"He has always been in shape, but now he has just got himself into that elite level shape.

"A lot of his success can be attributed to conditioning and the shape he has got himself into and it is full credit to him."

[beallionaire]

Fuck Diaw and Mills. Spurs need Bonner back!!!

Bonner is the only reason we are 1 seed tbh...

[exstatic]

Glad to see Gazey still has such fondness for the Spurs. Hard to believe it has been 15 year since he played here.

[benfti]

Glad to see Gazey still has such fondness for the Spurs. Hard to believe it has been 15 year since he played here.

Such a shame he didnt enter the league earlier, when he did he was well past his prime and just a wily international veteran. Still, having known the guy for for nearly 20 years he would not have traded his year with the spurs for more time at any other franchise.

[Mel_13]

I'm thinking Mills has probably earned at least a 4 yr $20mil contract, although some team might throw $6-7mil per at him.

4/20 may very well represent Mills' potential value in the open market, but I don't see much chance that he will get that sort of money from the Spurs. For the Spurs to offer that sort of money to Patty, you have to imagine a massive overhaul of the roster that includes trading Parker and making Mills the starting PG, IMO.

In the absence of major changes this summer, I believe that he'll have to be willing to accept something on the order of 3yrs/9M if he wants to remain with the Spurs.

Edit: There was also a recent thread that covered much of the same ground. You may find it interesting:

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=230999

[maverick1948]

Fuck Diaw and Mills. Spurs need Bonner back!!!


He will be back but he will be sitting next to Pop, wearing a suit. He will be holding the clip board.

[look_at_g_shred]

If mills leaves, we should sign Wesley Johnson.

[Leetonidas]

Spurs paid Bonner to be a scrub, I'm sure the Spurs will make an offer to Mills but he will most likely see a more generous offer from a shitty team that's desperate imo

[sexinthatsx]

Guys lets not forget that Patty Mills chose to re-sign with the Spurs when he was a mere towel waver. Granted he didn't have enough playing time to showcase his abilities, I think we need to give him some extra loyalty points unlike Gary Neal.

[yavozerb]

Diaw- cannot see him going any where and would expect a contract in the 3 yr /12 mil range.
Mills- This is going to be tricky cause he will no doubt get some teams looking at him who will throw more $ at him than the spurs. I expect him back as well with a contract of 3 yr/ 9-12 mil range.

Another name which may come up this summer is Green. He will be in the last year of his contract and owed 4 mil. Is he the kind of player you could do a "hill" like swap come draft time or is he a player who you invest in for the new generation spurs coming after TD leaves?

[AFBlue]

Recommend someone sticky this thread, because it's about the third or fourth iteration of the same conversation. And the truth is it's probably the only storyline Spurs fan has to look forward to this offseason, outside of what Euro will be draft-n-stashed and what Euro (if any) will come across the pond.

[benstanfield]

Mills isn't worth more than 3-4m a year tbh. If I'm RC I offer him 2.5 per on a long term deal, and if he doesn't want that let him burn out somewhere else and be out of the league after his next contract.

[superbigtime]

At first paying 5 mill/year to a 10ppg player seems ridiculous ... then one recalls Tiago's contract. Worst contracts for the Spurs though are Bonner and Ayres. That's a lot of dough wrapped up there.

[LongtimeSpursFan]

Mills isn't worth more than 3-4m a year tbh. If I'm RC I offer him 2.5 per on a long term deal, and if he doesn't want that let him burn out somewhere else and be out of the league after his next contract.

I agree. Mills is comparable to Nate Robinson and Nate only made about 2 million this year.

[LongtimeSpursFan]

Boris Diaw is comparable to Channing Frye in terms of what they do on the court. Frye has a little better numbers in rebounds and points. Frye has a salary of 6.4 million this year.

[rmt]

Diaw probably will stay because of TP. Can't see the Spurs offering Mills more than 3-4 mil per year. Green gets 4.7 and he plays defense and can get as hot as Patty. Do the Spurs have bird rights? Is he an restricted free agent? Can't the Spurs just match whatever another team offers?

Tiago is a big man, and Portland was willing to pay him the big bucks. Can TD opt out of his contract and let the Spurs pay Diaw and Mills, then take what's left? I imagine TD wants to play more - he's still going strong despite his age. Wish Belli would get out of his funk for the playoffs.

[jARS mEsH sEt]

Both players have had superb years, and I'm pretty sure we'll see big things from them in the playoffs. Will the Spurs be able to keep them? I certainly hope so!

I'm thinking Mills has probably earned at least a 4 yr $20mil contract, although some team might throw $6-7mil per at him. If we assume that TD/Manu/Pop ride into the sunset after next season, and TP requests and gets a trade to a contender, then Mills becomes the starter on a very good contract. I wonder what Patty wants to do?

As for Diaw, another 2 years in the $5mil/season range would be fine with me, although I wonder if some team in need of one last piece might throw a little more at him. I don't think we can let him walk as he has become our stretch 4, with the added bonus of a low post game and superb passing. Personally, I've been a huge fan of Diaw's since his days with the Suns, and I really hope we find a way to keep him as he fits our system perfectly.

What do you think?


That's like the first reasonable figure anyone has thrown out. Most STers think Mills is worth $5 million over 2 years or something.

[Em-City]

Boris Diaw is comparable to Channing Frye in terms of what they do on the court. Frye has a little better numbers in rebounds and points. Frye has a salary of 6.4 million this year.

Not true at all. boris can guard big SFs, boris is a much better passer, can put the ball on the floor, and has a much better post game. He can also create for himself and his teammates - something frye has never been able to do.

Frye on the other hand is truly a stretch big, who shoots the 3 at a much better clip than boris, and is a better shot-blocker, even though he's a worse overall defender.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

You're kidding yourself if you don't think Brett Brown will snatch him away to the 76ers.

Yup, that is a distinct possibility. Brown played a big hand in getting Patty to the Spurs, and he has coached him for years on the national team.


I think he will stay a Spur, Patty that is, im not sure if anyone saw this but this was a recent article posted in Australia.

Thanks for the article! :tu


4/20 may very well represent Mills' potential value in the open market, but I don't see much chance that he will get that sort of money from the Spurs. For the Spurs to offer that sort of money to Patty, you have to imagine a massive overhaul of the roster that includes trading Parker and making Mills the starting PG, IMO.

In the absence of major changes this summer, I believe that he'll have to be willing to accept something on the order of 3yrs/9M if he wants to remain with the Spurs.

Edit: There was also a recent thread that covered much of the same ground. You may find it interesting:

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=230999

Thanks. And yes, I envisage a scenario where this team plays one more year together then TD/Manu/Pop ride off into the sunset, TP requests a trade, and we go forward with a core of Mills/Green/Leonard/Splitter(/Diaw/Joseph/Bellinelli/Baynes) and whatever we can land for TP.


At first paying 5 mill/year to a 10ppg player seems ridiculous ... then one recalls Tiago's contract. Worst contracts for the Spurs though are Bonner and Ayres. That's a lot of dough wrapped up there.

I see Mills taking over from TP in 2016 after TD/Manu/Pop retire and TP requests a trade. In that scenario, 5mil a year for a rapidly improving scoring PG just going into his prime would be a steal IMHO.


I agree. Mills is comparable to Nate Robinson and Nate only made about 2 million this year.

You haven't been watching him very closely then. He has grown a lot this year and is not just a scorer.

[outmap]

I think Mills, Diaw and (gasp!) Bonner will stay. Mills will get what Bonner and Danny got, a three year $10M deal. Diaw will get similar to what he's getting now or maybe with a little raise, most probably a two year deal worth around $5M/year. Bonner will get a pay cut but will stay, 2yr $4-5M deal (%2-2.5M/annual).
Daye and James won't be here, Ayres will be traded.

[Nero5]

good grief what does bonner do to get the money?

[spurspokesman]

Would love to see both stay but mills will get an offer from a drunk GM that he cant refuse

[exstatic]

good grief what does bonner do to get the money?

Shoot 3 pointers at a elite rate for someone taller than 6'8". He doesn't even make the average NBA salary.

[exstatic]

I think Mills, Diaw and (gasp!) Bonner will stay. Mills will get what Bonner and Danny got, a three year $10M deal. Diaw will get similar to what he's getting now or maybe with a little raise, most probably a two year deal worth around $5M/year. Bonner will get a pay cut but will stay, 2yr $4-5M deal (%2-2.5M/annual).
Daye and James won't be here, Ayres will be traded.

I don't see Bonner staying, at all, in a Spurs uniform. He's getting the same minutes choke that Bowen did in his last year in SA, minutes at the beginning, tapering off, and then choked off almost completely at the end of the season.

[99 Problems]

With Nate, what you see is what you get, a good player. Millsy however, no one in this world knows for example can he improve as much again in the next 12mths. Where did the effort on D come from, the pull up jumper, the steals, some getting to the glass and that ability to impact games in the 3rd & 4th quarters. Perhaps it's just getting fit, maybe Spur system or even just Pop? I'd at least like to see him after another 12mths with Pop. He is w/o doubt one of the most improved players in the league. I've mentioned before that he has played about the same amount of NBA as Kawhi.

I'm not sure about a 4yr deal, maybe, if so RC will make 4th a team option. I do not think there is any need for Spurs to rush in so to speak. My gut says RC will put 3ys, 3rd a player option on the table. That gives both sides some flex while some certainty also. The money will not spin heads but it will be driven by post season impact to a degree so it's tricky to spec at this moment. Maybe after the 2nd Millsy lets the market set his value. This will be during a time of change for the Spurs. KL will lead a side consisting of Bertans & LJC. Jaiteh in the middle?

[Brazil]

I'm not sure tbh we will get Boris at a bargain price like 4M a year 2/3 years

His versatility is unique skill set in the nba, he can shoot 3, he is a solid scorer at the rim, he can pass the ball, drible, guard SFs etc... dude gonna get paid imo

[99 Problems]

I'm not sure tbh we will get Boris at a bargain price like 4M a year 2/3 years

His versatility is unique skill set in the nba, he can shoot 3, he is a solid scorer at the rim, he can pass the ball, drible, guard SFs etc... dude gonna get paid imo


Agree. Just hope he's happy to hang with TP etc. Often in those photos with Spurs foreign legion. There's not many 6' 9 guys with PG handles around. Gives Spurs great versatility. RC needs to find a couple extra mil.

[exstatic]

I'm not sure tbh we will get Boris at a bargain price like 4M a year 2/3 years

His versatility is unique skill set in the nba, he can shoot 3, he is a solid scorer at the rim, he can pass the ball, drible, guard SFs etc... dude gonna get paid imo

Most NBA GM's are colossally stupid. They just look at 9pts/4reb/3asst. They pay for scoring. The ones that ARE actually smart run good teams, and don't normally have a lot of cap room.

[Spursfanfromafar]

Most NBA GM's are colossally stupid. They just look at 9pts/4reb/3asst. They pay for scoring. The ones that ARE actually smart run good teams, and don't normally have a lot of cap room.

I think the average IQ of NBA GMs has grown in leaps & bounds in the past couple of years (although the NY teams have tried hard to drag it down). There is no David Kahn anymore now. Will be more difficult for the Spurs to get those regular heists done as before. That said, when the collective IQ gets higher, you won't find ridiculous contracts to half-decent players and a more efficient allocation of talent across the player market; something that should suit the Spurs. As it did when Marco Belinelli was made available for a relative song.

[exstatic]

I think the average IQ of NBA GMs has grown in leaps & bounds in the past couple of years (although the NY teams have tried hard to drag it down). There is no David Kahn anymore now. Will be more difficult for the Spurs to get those regular heists done as before. That said, when the collective IQ gets higher, you won't find ridiculous contracts to half-decent players and a more efficient allocation of talent across the player market; something that should suit the Spurs. As it did when Marco Belinelli was made available for a relative song.

Yeah, but owners are still stupid, and the GM still has to answer the question "you paid HOW much for a 9 point scorer?". The reality is that Diaw is a niche player who really only helps a good team. Good teams usually don't have gobs of cap room.

[T Park]

Diaw stays Patty Mills is gone.

[Spursfanfromafar]

Diaw and Mills are paid $4 mill * 2/ $4 * 4 respectively and they stay with the Spurs.

[TheWriter]

They'll both resign. Party will take less than market rate to resign, just watch.

[Venti Quattro]

Diaw will have nowhere to go but San Antonio. He's old and fat and no other team will take him.

Patty Mills has more incentive to look around but I doubt that's gonna happen