Spurs 2015 Incumbent Free Agent: Marco Belinelli

[Chinook]

The Spurs have 10 pending free agents on their roster now, but the chances that most of the valuable ones are in a different uniform next season are pretty slim. Tim and Manu may retire. Ayres and Williams may not be brought back, but no one really cares. Cory, Aron and especially Kawhi are RFAs who don't control their own destinies. Bonner is Bonner. Really, the only two UFAs the team has that will be coveted at all are Danny Green and Marco Belinelli. While Danny's free agency has been talked about a lot on these boards (and will continue to be a hot topic for the next two months), Beli has gone under the radar, which is a shame, because his situation is much more interesting.

Whereas Green wants to be back and the Spurs has the means to offer Danny the most lucrative contract, neither of those things are the case with Marco. I saw reports from an Italian paper that Beli considered his return a long shot. He already got his ring and now wants to secure his future financially. It's very unlikely that the Spurs will offer Beli the best contract, because unlike in Green's case, they do not have the means under the CBA to do so. Because he only spent two seasons in San Antonio, Belinelli is an Early Bird Free Agent. That means the Spurs only have an exception big enough to offer him an MLE deal (about $23M/4). He's likely to get something in the Kevin Martin range ($30M/4) from another team that needs his shooting.

I have a feeling that Green was referring mainly to Beli, along with perhaps Ayres (socially) and Joseph when he was talking about players leaving, rather than the Big Three. While most of us were under the assumption that the Spurs may not want to bring Beli back if they plan to chase a big free agent, it doesn't look like it will be there decision. Also, this likely takes out the idea of a Beli S&T, since the Spurs can't offer him any more money than any team with the full MLE can.

[RD2191]

Marco was solid and we probably would of won the series if he had played more. Looks like he picked it up defensively. Hope the Spurs can somehow keep him.

[TXstbobcat]

If it's going to take that much to sign Marco than I wish him luck elsewhere.

[cjw]

If any team offers Beli more than the MLE :lol

He had a good run but to get the top guy they need in FA while keeping room for Danny (keeping his rights), it likely means renouncing Marco's rights.

[benefactor]

Pop always has to have a gunner off the bench and Beli is it. He's a solid ball handler too. They will pay him and keep him...and rightly so. With the Spurs transitioning into the post Big 3 era, it's much easier to pay a player like Beli who is a known commodity on your team than it is to find an upgrade for him at the same price.

[SpursFan86]

I'm all for keeping him, but not if it means spending $5+ million a year on him...especially not on a 3 or 4 year deal.

[Chinook]

Pop always has to have a gunner off the bench and Beli is it. He's a solid ball handler too. They will pay him and keep him...and rightly so. With the Spurs transitioning into the post Big 3 era, it's much easier to pay a player like Beli who is a known commodity on your team than it is to find an upgrade for him at the same price.

Well, that was the point of the second paragraph. The Spurs CAN'T pay him what another team can, because they don't have full Bird rights. It's like with Green three years ago if you recall. Difference is that Danny wasn't an established player, so there wasn't any real danger of another team offering more than the MLE. I think it's a near certainty with Beli, though. And if they do, there's nothing the Spurs can do to match it.

[intlspurshk]

Let use the monies saved from manu, beli, and bonner to sign a useful SG like Lou William type player who can create score by himself

[Mugen]

Bye Beli, we had a good time together.

[benefactor]

Well, that was the point of the second paragraph. The Spurs CAN'T pay him what another team can, because they don't have full Bird rights. It's like with Green three years ago if you recall. Difference is that Danny wasn't an established player, so there wasn't any real danger of another team offering more than the MLE. I think it's a near certainty with Beli, though. And if they do, there's nothing the Spurs can do to match it.
Got it.:tu

Well we will see if he still feels the same about the Spurs as he did when he signed with them initially. He left money on the table before because he really wanted to be here. Hopefully his time here has only solidified that feeling.

[Mugen]

Got it.:tu

Well we will see if he still feels the same about the Spurs as he did when he signed with them initially. He left money on the table before because he really wanted to be here. Hopefully his time here has only solidified that feeling.

He made the right decision too. Got himself a ring and probably another nice contract this offseason. The only cost was getting that terrible tattoo tbh.

[DPG21920]

Great thread, OP :tu. I don't think he should be paid more than the MLE, but with his shooting this playoffs I would not be surprised if he got a bigger contract. But the level of detail you provided is great as to the "why". Thanks for this and your other work in the Think Tank.

[K...]

I am grateful that Marco came here cheap, so no hate i he chases money. We got Mills as the number one bench offense, so we don't need Marco, but its nice if he comes back. If Marco can approximate the 6xth man role to score and distribute then maybe he's worth market rate to retain, but it think if we do pay for manu replacement we go for a younger player.

[hater]

Ferrari is what he is a Ferrari. You need the $ and the superstars to win with Ferrari

Obviously spurs have neither.

Hope he goes to a true contender and wins again. He's all balls

[Raven]

he was stronger than the big three, stronger than anybody. None could destroy this team, none could send them into retirement, yet he made it. Got thanked for it too.

[ElNono]

I thought it was a relationship that was mutually beneficial, tbh... he took less for a chance at a ring, and he did get the ring...

Marco is close to be on the wrong side of 30, so he should go chase the almighty dollar. I would love him back, just like any former Spurs that gave us a ring, but in his situation, he should do what's best for him.

[hater]

I thought it was a relationship that was mutually beneficial, tbh... he took less for a chance at a ring, and he did get the ring...

Marco is close to be on the wrong side of 30, so he should go chase the almighty dollar. I would love him back, just like any former Spurs that gave us a ring, but in his situation, he should do what's best for him.

Ferraris game matures like the best of wines. Niga barely breaks a sweat :lol

He will be a useful piece to a contender for a looking time

[MultiTroll]

Marco was solid and we probably would of won the series if he had played more. Looks like he picked it up defensively. Hope the Spurs can somehow keep him.
This marked the third time CIA Craterface has jacked a phenomenal 3 point shooting performance by a role player into nothing.
Neal and Green in 2013 and now Beli.

[wildchild]

He had a nice round, even his effort on the defensive end passed the eye test.

I'm not sure about how many teams are willing to offer him more than the MLE but I'd like if he can get that deal with another team.

[Malik Hairston]

Jodie Meeks got 6 mil/year last off-season, shooting is always at a premium for teams, as flawed as Marco is, he's a great shooter that can make shots on the move, along with being a good passer..as others have said, it'll be his last payday, considering his age, which would make it surprising if he returns IMO..

As Elnono said, it was beneficial for both parties..while he didn't contribute much in the 2014 playoff run, he did play a huge part during the regular season(and did make a few key shots in the playoffs, to be fair), it was a win-win for both parties, considering his low salary..

I haven't looked up which teams have cap space, but a bunch of teams could use more shooters: Hornets(where shooters go to die), Bulls, Pistons, Pacers, Clippers, Grizzlies, Heat(desperately), Bucks, Thunder, Magic, Kings, Jazz..

[lmbebo]

I'd bring him back at a reasonable salary, but I think he's looking for more money than he's worth to us.

He's gonna chase the $$$.

[Mugen]

He's just too much of a minus defender to bring back at this point.

With Manu likely gone, the Spurs just can't have too many of those types of players on the team especially with one of the biggest minus players in the league starting at PG tbh....

[therealtruth]

He helped us get that ring. Can't forget his big 3 in game 3 of the Finals. Actually had a knack for hitting timely 3's.

[Malik Hairston]

I don't really want him back, tbh, but I appreciate his contribution..as Mugen said, I'd rather get another 2-way wing, the defensive drop-off when Green and Leonard aren't on the floor is evident..

It's tough, because it's extremely difficult to find top-tier 3&D players in the NBA..it has always been difficult..you have a lot of shooters that can't play defense, and a lot of defenders that can't shoot..in today's league, it's imperative that they do both IMO..look at a team like the Warriors, even if guys like Harrison Barnes aren't great defenders and a guy like Iguodala isn't consistently good on offense, none of their rotation wings are liabilities on either end(excluding Barbosa)..

[Raven]

he's a despicable individual, destroyed everything that was good. The ultimate cancer. We won the playoffs by kicking his ass out of the rotation, would have been eliminated in the 1st round otherwise, as has happened this year.

[spurraider21]

i'd like him back, but i dont think the spurs will make him the most lucrative offer

[TXstbobcat]

Some GM will over pay for him and Marco will take the money and run.

[FkLA]

Appreciate his big three against Miami and his play this series vs the Clips, but I don't think I could take another year of Belli defense. One traffic cone in the rotation (Rique) is more than enough. If Manu retires, I'd like to go after Afflalo. Maybe look at Linsanity to replace Manu's playmaking if we can get him cheap.

[Holden_Caulfield]

id like him back. hes been huge in the playoffs for us

[PingPong]

Spurs need a replacement if Manu retires.










Get rid of Bellinelli and get someone competent.

[BatManu20]

594982171128897536

[spurraider21]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5dz5DCjrUM

[Mugen]

:cry

[ChumpDumper]

594982171128897536Definitely does not read SpursTalk.

[DMC]

We need more Boris Diaw type guys (there aren't many). We need a legit center as well. The ghost of Tim Duncan (playing as well as any center in the league) is about to ascend into HOF heaven, and Tiago Splitter can't remain healthy long enough to trust he'll be there in the playoffs. Aaron Baynes is a big guy, but he's go too many fundamental issues to be effective. We need a Marc Gasol or someone like that. We need to get younger and faster, and obviously we need a real PG. How you get anyone ahead of that pork fest is beyond me, Kobe lite.

[BatManu20]

594982171128897536


He was reacting to this, I'm assuming.

594998946696597504

[TheGoldStandard]

I dunno, he might come back with the Spurs for a more reasonable amount as long as the Spurs keep paying him when he gets up there in age for having that loyalty.

[TheGreatYacht]

Ferrari is what he is a Ferrari. You need the $ and the superstars to win with Ferrari

Obviously spurs have neither.

Hope he goes to a true contender and wins again. He's all balls
:lol

[100%duncan]

It's bittersweet but I'd let him go. He probably hit the biggest shot of the series last finals with that 3. And he was a top 4-5 spur player in the Clips series but his defense the whole year is just difficult to cover up. Don't get me wrong I'd like him back but with the financial situation it's better for him to go. Win-win for both sides. Since he would definitely want to cash in.

[UZER]

Pop wasted his game 6 leaving his ass on the bench.

[TDomination]

If we don't get him back, does that mean we get Gary Neal

[jesterbobman]

I can't see him staying. He doesn't fit as a starter, and it's not worth using his cap hold to keep him if you have a good FA coming. It's a little more awkward if Duncan stays for a year (If the Spurs decide Beli + MLE is better than some $7m a year player). I don't think it's an issue of him getting 30m - He's not as good as Kevin Martin, and while he might get overpaid a bit with the new TV deal coming, I don't think it pushes towards 30m/4 years. The Early Bird deal should be enough if that's what the Spurs want.


I don't think they'll keep him (The Kawhi contract is the big hint that they'll try to use cap space for the first time in forever). SG is thin around the league, though there are other options - Gerald Green can be a space cadet, but he can shoot. Wayne Ellington can shoot and has decent size. Then there's the draft.

[kobyz]

Replace him with Rodney Stucky please! Patty and Rodney as combo guards of the bench will be great...

[-21-]

He came here for less because he wanted a ring and he got it. I'd love to have him back but I would understand if he leaves for more $. I'll always appreciate his contributions to the team. He's always delivered when we needed him most. The man has balls. Thank you Beli!

If Beli doesn't return and Manu retires, we need to replace them with a playmaker. Mills can't run an offense, Diaw would be our only playmaker of the bench.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

Spurs likely can't afford to keep him, besides they may want to give some minutes to Anderson next season. He's got his ring, time to get his payday now, so good luck to Beli.

[100%duncan]

I dread at the moment when we all realize that Kyle Anderson will be a rotation player next year. I had my hopes up but dude is slow as fuck.