Mid-Level Exception Options

[FutureMan]

Seems like a lot of people are in agreement of using the mid-level on a certain kind of player.
This poll is to see who the site is leaning more towards.

[SpurPadre]

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSMYXGKjdKShjJ9qOanjiNL9x9-MLxhUA4543NWUv1f2JfGXXVo

[TimDunkem]

How about another midget, or old, busted up vet?

[venitian navigator]

i'd like more youger prospects that could be in line with our young guys...also if they are risky...but a mid level or a split mid level for 3/4 years on some people with good potential could be worth the risk.

I see more, for example, Stanley Johnson/Hezonja as small forwards and Bender/Cauley Stein as bigs...aka talented guys (all top ten draft picks) with problems on their development...

[Dejounte]

i'd like more youger prospects that could be in line with our young guys...also if they are risky...but a mid level or a split mid level for 3/4 years on some people with good potential could be worth the risk.

I see more, for example, Stanley Johnson/Hezonja as small forwards and Bender/Cauley Stein as bigs...aka talented guys (all top ten draft picks) with problems on their development...

I think its time for vets. Positive locker room guys. Fans undervalue those since it doesn't show up on any stat sheets. We have too many young players now. You arent going to get any real good prospects anyway with the mle.

[Dejounte]

Key things for a vet:
1: championship experience is valuable
2. Not old as dirt
3. Chemistry guy
4. Young players could look up to them

How i would rank the free agents in tiers. I really dont know how any of these guys are healthwise. So going by stats and how i remember they play

Tier 1
Marcus Morris (plays with heart, can come in and provide toughness)
Taj Gibson (effective post player)
Nikola Mirotic (3 pt shooter, with all the ball handlers we have we need players to provide spacing)

Tier 2
DeMar Carroll
Aminu

Tier 3
Chandler
Bullock
Ariza

[duncan2150]

Don’t forget mulitinov. Not for the full mle but a part of it.

[Dverde]

Jamychal Green should be added to the poll.

[slick'81]

Don’t forget mulitinov. Not for the full mle but a part of it.


I wonder if theres any chance mulitnov ever comes

[FutureMan]

Jamychal Green should be added to the poll.

I was going to but it only let me put 10 choices.

[CGD]

Murray Mills.
White Bryn. Marco
DDR Walker. Rookie 2
LMA. Gay. Rookie 1
Jakob. Bert. Metu


Damn, I can see a scenario where the spurs do nothing, and roll with this roster. Ugh.

[tonight...you]

Murray Mills.
White Bryn. Marco
DDR Walker. Rookie 2
LMA. Gay. Rookie 1
Jakob. Bert. Metu


Damn, I can see a scenario where the spurs do nothing, and roll with this roster. Ugh.
Kind of grabs you by the po-po, doesn't it?

[RC_Drunkford]

Marcus Morris cause he checks all boxes. The player you need should be a:

- veteran, but not too old that he's on the decline (under 32)
- good defender
- good 3-point shooter
- combo forward who can play 3 and 4
- do the dirty work
- bring some toughness to the team

I expect him to cost slightly more than the MLE like 10-13 million

[DesignatedT]

Thad Young

[Truth4sale$]

I think before the Spurs use the mid level exception, the roster has to balance itself. Belineli is the most likely to go because he has some trade value throughout the league. Likely afterthe big dominoes fall in free agency. Then other teams will look to fill needs that they missed out on.
If roster restrictions were not a issue I would love to see the Spurs bring Mulitonov over, and add Stanley Johnson for his length on defense alone makes him valuable.

[ceperez]

Jamychal Green should be added to the poll.

I think Jamychal Green is within the realm of something that can happen.

[MoSpur02]

Thaddeus Young or JaMychal Green

[buttsR4rebounding]

I think its time for vets. Positive locker room guys. Fans undervalue those since it doesn't show up on any stat sheets. We have too many young players now. You arent going to get any real good prospects anyway with the mle.

You also can't have all young guys because if they all are hitting their prime at the same time you can't afford to keep them. You need a mixture.

[Dverde]

I was going to but it only let me put 10 choices.

Aminu is not a realistic MLE target. PATFO are not signing a Morris brother. There are two you can remove.

[lmbebo]

RHJ?

[exstatic]

RHJ?

That would be my choice.

[r0drig0lac]

Aminu is the better player on this list (which makes it unable to acquire it)

[SpurPadre]

RHJ?

Richard Hoe Jefferson is retired, tbh.

[slick'81]

RHJ?


horrible shooter but he can play 3/4

[lmbebo]

Richard Hoe Jefferson is retired, tbh.

Rhondae Hollis Jefferson

[RC_Drunkford]

if it ain't Morris it should be Thad Young

[SpurPadre]

Rhondae Hollis Jefferson

It's hard for me to trust any R. Jeffersons, tbh.

[SPURt]

Why is Jimmer not on this list?

[XDT76]

Darius Miller, Bobby Portis, Dedman

[Keepin' it real]

I wonder if theres any chance mulitnov ever comes

Why wouldn't he?

[slick'81]

Why wouldn't he?

This should be the year.whens the deadline to buy him out this summer?

[Hoops Czar]

They'll end up splitting the MLE and signing two scrubs for the price of one.

[DC23]

Carroll and Ariza are over the hill.

Aminu is a solid defender but has zero offensive ability. Can't create his own shot and a poor 3 point shooter. I think his flaws became apparent in the playoffs.

I like Morris but am not sure whether he is 'Pop guy' and I think he overachieved last year tbh.

Of the names listed above I think Mirotic is the best fit. Can help spread the floor and hit 3s which is what is probably the Spurs biggest need.

[venitian navigator]

Carroll and Ariza are over the hill.

Aminu is a solid defender but has zero offensive ability. Can't create his own shot and a poor 3 point shooter. I think his flaws became apparent in the playoffs.

I like Morris but am not sure whether he is 'Pop guy' and I think he overachieved last year tbh.

Of the names listed above I think Mirotic is the best fit. Can help spread the floor and hit 3s which is what is probably the Spurs biggest need.

I agree in the sense these are the three names on the list that make the most sense and that Mirotic could be the best fit being the best shooter and having no character issues...also if Aminu's strenght (perimeter defense) could be what this team needs more...

[thekingrobert]

No Cousins?

[cd021]

No Cousins?
I think he lost a bunch of money for how poorly he played in the finals, it was pretty bad.

[Chinook]

A bit out of left field, but what about Chris Singleton? Dude is 6-9 and 240 pounds. That's great size for a modern-day power-forward, and over the years, he's grown into a decent three-and-D player at that position. He shot 49 percent from three on 3.6 attempts a game and averaged a block and a steal per-36. If the Spurs do bring Milutinov over and only have part of the MLE to offer, I think it makes a lot of sense to bring over Singleton, who can compete against Samanic for minutes while not really being a long-term threat to Luka (Chris is 29). I certainly understand wanting Aminu or RHJ, but it seems like Al-Foruq might not want to leave Portland for the MLE, and RHJ should get more than the remainder of the MLE unless he's not worth a shit. Singleton has three years of stats in Europe to suggest he's turned the corner. He's worth a flier on a two-year deal between $6 Million and $11 Million total. Maybe make the second year a team option.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiTBjQEtpM4

https://www.basketball-reference.com/international/players/chris-singleton-1.html

[bdictjames]

I know we need a small forward, but word is, Cauley-Stein is set to hit restricted free agency. Could pairing him up with LaMarcus work?

[Chinook]

I know we need a small forward, but word is, Cauley-Stein is set to hit restricted free agency. Could pairing him up with LaMarcus work?

No need with Poeltl.

[slick'81]

I know we need a small forward, but word is, Cauley-Stein is set to hit restricted free agency. Could pairing him up with LaMarcus work?


We have poodle power! though

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

Marcus Morris would be fantastic but he'll probably get significantly more than the MLE and he's also a Klutch client, so very unlikely.

I like Jeremy Lamb, although he too might get more.

[vavvi]

I'd prefer Morris like most but I don't see it happening. RHJ is much more realistic.

[r0drig0lac]

A bit out of left field, but what about Chris Singleton? Dude is 6-9 and 240 pounds. That's great size for a modern-day power-forward, and over the years, he's grown into a decent three-and-D player at that position. He shot 49 percent from three on 3.6 attempts a game and averaged a block and a steal per-36. If the Spurs do bring Milutinov over and only have part of the MLE to offer, I think it makes a lot of sense to bring over Singleton, who can compete against Samanic for minutes while not really being a long-term threat to Luka (Chris is 29). I certainly understand wanting Aminu or RHJ, but it seems like Al-Foruq might not want to leave Portland for the MLE, and RHJ should get more than the remainder of the MLE unless he's not worth a shit. Singleton has three years of stats in Europe to suggest he's turned the corner. He's worth a flier on a two-year deal between $6 Million and $11 Million total. Maybe make the second year a team option.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiTBjQEtpM4

https://www.basketball-reference.com/international/players/chris-singleton-1.html
this was the guy I wanted in the last free agency.

[picnroll]

Too bad Spurs didn’t grab Cabocolo last season.

[Philthemage]

Any way we can get DeAndre Jordan, Robin Lopez or Joakim Noah? We still can use another big man with a veteran presence in the locker room.

Might be a bit of a stretch for DJ as he's probably commanding more. But he wasn't that great of a locker room presence in Dallas last season. I m a bit impressed about his passing and court vision.

Robin Lopez still looks solid and can really anchor the defense.

Joakim Noah had a bit of a resurgence with the Grizz near the end of last season.

[Dverde]

Noah wouldn’t be bad I guess. Spurs really needed another capable big man against Denver last year. Gortat probably can be signed for the vet min, but I heard he is terrible nowadays.

[talkspurs]

this was the guy I wanted in the last free agency.

I wanted him several years ago when he went overseas as coming out of college people were debating if he or Kawhi was better. I dont know what he has done recently but not to old to get a few seasons out of. I thought it would have been awesome to have him kawhi start and then him come off the bench. we would have locked down that position.

[r0drig0lac]

I wanted him several years ago when he went overseas as coming out of college people were debating if he or Kawhi was better. I dont know what he has done recently but not to old to get a few seasons out of. I thought it would have been awesome to have him kawhi start and then him come off the bench. we would have locked down that position.

agree

[kobyz]

Don’t forget mulitinov. Not for the full mle but a part of it.

He doesn't deserve more than standard rookie scale deal!
Who he is to ask for part of the mle?

[cd021]

He doesn't deserve more than standard rookie scale deal!
Who he is to ask for part of the mle?
He's not bound by rookie scale anymore, he and his agent would be stupid not to ask four at least quadruple his starting rookie scale or else it's not worth it for him.

[pad300]

He doesn't deserve more than standard rookie scale deal!
Who he is to ask for part of the mle?

He's a guy who's going to get more than the rookie scale in europe if he stays, that's who he is to ask for part of the MLE. He's not a slave; he's not required to come play for us in the NBA.

[duncan2150]

He's not bound by rookie scale anymore, he and his agent would be stupid not to ask four at least quadruple his starting rookie scale or else it's not worth it for him.

He is a top 3 center in euroleague, with is way better than NCAA.

i’m not sure he will succeed in the nba but he is a capable back up and as pad300 tell you he has a 3 millions per year offer from Barcelona so he will not come here for less.

[cd021]

He is a top 3 center in euroleague, with is way better than NCAA.

i’m not sure he will succeed in the nba but he is a capable back up and as pad300 tell you he has a 3 millions per year offer from Barcelona so he will not come here for less.

I was thinking that he would want something starting at about $5 million over 3 years that is an overpay from the perspective that Centers are a dime a dozen but he could fill a role as a backup center going forward.

[pad300]

He is a top 3 center in euroleague, with is way better than NCAA.

i’m not sure he will succeed in the nba but he is a capable back up and as pad300 tell you he has a 3 millions per year offer from Barcelona so he will not come here for less.


I was thinking that he would want something starting at about $5 million over 3 years that is an overpay from the perspective that Centers are a dime a dozen but he could fill a role as a backup center going forward.

Remember that Euro contracts are typically given in post-tax dollars, which is to say 3M/ year is ~ 5M/year in the NBA. Which might be a overpay for what he brings to the table... but maybe the Spurs see something more?

[JeffDuncan]

I was thinking that he would want something starting at about $5 million over 3 years that is an overpay from the perspective that Centers are a dime a dozen but he could fill a role as a backup center going forward.

His best role is as a slug in Europe going forward.

[Chinook]

He's not bound by rookie scale anymore, he and his agent would be stupid not to ask four at least quadruple his starting rookie scale or else it's not worth it for him.

Huh? That's more than $8 Million a season. That's way, way more than he's ever likely to make in Europe.

[kobyz]

He's not bound by rookie scale anymore, he and his agent would be stupid not to ask four at least quadruple his starting rookie scale or else it's not worth it for him.


He's a guy who's going to get more than the rookie scale in europe if he stays, that's who he is to ask for part of the MLE. He's not a slave; he's not required to come play for us in the NBA.

i don't care about what he's bound or not bound, he is a limited and role player in europ, not some big talent, if he just about the money and dosen't have passion to come to nba to earn first rookie scale contract and prove himself spurs should tell him fuck off!

[Trueblood]

He doesn't make sense for us. He's duplicating services of Jakob and we shouldn't be paying him more than Jakob for what he'll be offering us. It doesn't seem like he's a great fit right now and by the time we're ready it'll be to late. Maybe we should explore trading his rights away to a team who needs his skills and has the cap room for him. Better to get something for him while we still can...

[cd021]

Huh? That's more than $8 Million a season. That's way, way more than he's ever likely to make in Europe.

I was actually referring to his cap hold of $1.4 million that would be $5.5 million. I think he'd ask for $5.0-$5.5 million to start if he were to come over.

[cd021]

i don't care about what he's bound or not bound, he is a limited and role player in europ, not some big talent, if he just about the money and dosen't have passion to come to nba to earn first rookie scale contract and prove himself spurs should tell him fuck off!

Most jobs are just about the money tbh, he's 24 and you want him to sign a 4 year deal that would take him to the age of 28 before he hits RFA. No way he does that, and he shouldn't be blamed for not doing that. He is a good starter on an decent team, he has reasons to want that much.

[Chinook]

I was actually referring to his cap hold of $1.4 million that would be $5.5 million. I think he'd ask for $5.0-$5.5 million to start if he were to come over.

I'm thinking $4 Million per year. He might make more over the next three years in Europe, but that's very close to his cap there. If he plays well after three years in the NBA and has access to the full market, he may get more than that.

[RC_Drunkford]

I don't think Milutinov is the solution. With Poeltl and Aldridge in place you'd want a stretch 5 as the 3rd guy. Somebody who can knock down 3-pointers to give the team more versatility like a Kaminsky

[Dejounte]

I don't think Milutinov is the solution. With Poeltl and Aldridge in place you'd want a stretch 5 as the 3rd guy. Somebody who can knock down 3-pointers to give the team more versatility like a Kaminsky

Exactly. We dont need more strict centers. Probably Nikola Mirotic is available too

[pad300]

Exactly. We dont need more strict centers. Probably Nikola Mirotic is available too

I suspect he gets more than the MLE...

[kobyz]

Most jobs are just about the money tbh, he's 24 and you want him to sign a 4 year deal that would take him to the age of 28 before he hits RFA. No way he does that, and he shouldn't be blamed for not doing that. He is a good starter on an decent team, he has reasons to want that much.
He is not worth for us to not using the rookie scale on him, spurs should also not be blame he didn't want to come over before the age of 24 and he just not special enough to deserve more, so the ball is in his side, if he has aspiration to come over and prove himself at that level take a discount if that what it is...

[duncan2150]

I don't think Milutinov is the solution. With Poeltl and Aldridge in place you'd want a stretch 5 as the 3rd guy. Somebody who can knock down 3-pointers to give the team more versatility like a Kaminsky

I may agree with you about mulitinov but I wish we had someone who can also protect the rim, hustle for rebounds... not just a guy who is a threat outside.

[mo7888]

I may agree with you about mulitinov but I wish we had someone who can also protect the rim, hustle for rebounds... not just a guy who is a threat outside.

Willie Reed?

[ace3g]

Could this be the year Adam Hanga comes over?

[Degoat]

It’s been pretty quiet on the free agency front for the spurs usually there’s all kinds of rumors that the spurs are interested in this guy and this guy etc.

[lmbebo]

Spurs may not make a move in FA and just go forward. Preserving the MLE for any buyouts later on.

[bluebellmaniac]

I thought the Nikola in the pool was ours. Didn't realize it was the FA one.

[DAF86]

Marcus Morris option 1

If not, one of Carroll, Ariza or Aminu.

[GreekSpursfan]

RHJ used to be an underrated option but he regressed to garbage status and he's not that much of an option any more. Thaddeus Young is a very good defender but awful beyong belief offensively. If Morris wasn't a tool i would go with him. Mirotic is another guy but he's a 4. I don't see any realistic option for the mle thats worth considering for the 3 spot. I don't like some of the guys in the poll and the rest of them are not realistic.

[ZeusWillJudge]

I don't think Milutinov is the solution. With Poeltl and Aldridge in place you'd want a stretch 5 as the 3rd guy. Somebody who can knock down 3-pointers to give the team more versatility like a Kaminsky


I don't think there's a single "solution". It's important to have an inside presence, and a few big enough bodies to defend the monsters. I think they have to have one more. Milutinov is a terrible shooter outside the low blocks, but he's a pretty good roll man, decent rebounder, and gets a lot of points around the basket. All useful stuff, if he's used right.

Kaminsky is an interesting example, because he's almost the exact opposite. He doesn't rebound for shit, couldn't post up Bryn Forbes, and doesn't seem interested in the PnR. But he can shoot. I know he shot 38% from 3P this year, but that's way better than he ever shot it before. If he reverts to 32%-33%, that's not enough to keep defenders honest - except maybe on the nights he's especially hot. He's a big who's not a big, and a 3P shooter who wouldn't be considered a 3P shooter if he wasn't a big.

I think the Spurs need two players (big insurance and a 3&D wing), and they don't have two roster spots. So it looks to me like they're going to have to trade either Bertans or Belli and throw in one of their young prospects to sweeten the deal. That 2-for-1 trade would open up a roster spot.



They can't afford a top tier player in his prime, so they either have to take an aging vet who isn't what he used to be, or try to find someone they think is going to overachieve on a new team. Mirotic is out of their price range. Ariza is well past his prime. Off that list above, maybe Reggie Bullock checks enough boxes, is young, and might be available for the MLE.

[RC_Drunkford]

Kaminsky was just an example. If I say a 3-point shooting C that doesn't mean that that is his only skill. You obviously want somebody who can do all the other things a Center has to do, but the budget is limited

[ZeusWillJudge]

Kaminsky was just an example. If I say a 3-point shooting C that doesn't mean that that is his only skill. You obviously want somebody who can do all the other things a Center has to do, but the budget is limited


No, I understand that you can't get a do-it-all C on the MLE. That's what I was saying - those two are opposite ends of the spectrum. And if I have to choose, I'd rather have a C who can play in the middle and not be tall Bryn Forbes. Worse, tall Bryn Forbes with a much worse 3P%. I get your point, though. As important as 3P shooting has become, and Milutinov can't shoot shit from distance. That's just fact.

[Em-City]

No, I understand that you can't get a do-it-all C on the MLE. That's what I was saying - those two are opposite ends of the spectrum. And if I have to choose, I'd rather have a C who can play in the middle and not be tall Bryn Forbes. Worse, tall Bryn Forbes with a much worse 3P%. I get your point, though. As important as 3P shooting has become, and Milutinov can't shoot shit from distance. That's just fact.
Can Milutinov move his feet and defend a PnR? if not, I don't think we should be investing in a lumbering oaf at the C position when mobility is the key to defense in today's game.

[cd021]

He is not worth for us to not using the rookie scale on him, spurs should also not be blame he didn't want to come over before the age of 24 and he just not special enough to deserve more, so the ball is in his side, if he has aspiration to come over and prove himself at that level take a discount if that what it is...

I'm pretty sure that the Spurs selected him with the intention of saving $1.4 million dollars in cap in order to sign Aldridge in 2016. He agreed to stay over for a year, maybe, two, by then it made little sense to come over after two seasons when he could stay an extra year and then not be bound by rookie scale. Most draft and stashes tend to do that when in similar situations.

Spurs may not bring him over this season, so this talk may be moot.

[kobyz]

I'm pretty sure that the Spurs selected him with the intention of saving $1.4 million dollars in cap in order to sign Aldridge in 2016. He agreed to stay over for a year, maybe, two, by then it made little sense to come over after two seasons when he could stay an extra year and then not be bound by rookie scale. Most draft and stashes tend to do that when in similar situations.

Spurs may not bring him over this season, so this talk may be moot.

Still, Spurs should not feel obligated in anyway offering him more than rookie scale, spurs even do him a favor drafting him in the first round at that span, it was his choice not to come over after year or two, I don't get your point why we should offering more than rookie scale...

[FireMicoHalili]

i don't care about what he's bound or not bound, he is a limited and role player in europ, not some big talent, if he just about the money and dosen't have passion to come to nba to earn first rookie scale contract and prove himself spurs should tell him fuck off!
Fucken idiot :rollin