The 2010 Plan - Stick with it?

[timvp]

I hate to be a wet blanket to the free agent talk but after looking at salaries and re-reading quotes from earlier in the year, it's pretty obvious that the Spurs are looking at the summer of 2010 to be the time that they will totally retool. If you remember correctly, the reason Tim Duncan took less money on his extension was due to the fact that the Spurs showed him that the team could bring in another big piece in the summer of 2010 if he agreed to the lower contract.

In the summer of 2010, the Spurs will only have Tim Duncan and Tony Parker under contract. Ian Mahinmi would also be under contract if the Spurs pick up his team option, as would whoever the Spurs draft this year in the first round (assuming it's a domestic player, of course). All told, the Spurs are looking at something around $20-25 million in cap room. Even after giving Ginobili a new contract, there'd be enough money to snag a star.

To stay the course with the 2010 plan, the Spurs would have to offer free agents one-year or two-year contracts. By offering two-year contracts, that'd take the Spurs out of the running for almost every desirable free agent. Even mid-tier free agents like Kelenna Azubuike and Carlos Delfino will be able to get more than the two-year contract the Spurs would offer.

Now the question is whether you as a Spurs fan think that the risk is worth the reward. I'm not solid in whether I believe that the Spurs should stay strong with their 2010 plan or scrap it and do everything they can to improve for next season.

The front office has a tough decision. Do you stay the course and try to improve where you can while you wait for the big payoff in 2010 ... which could conceivably keep the window open a few extra years if the right piece is added? Or do you see the 2008 demise as a sign that the next two seasons would be lost if you don't move as aggressively as possible with no regard to the 2010 plan? (And if you want to go the aggressive route, what do you tell Duncan? He would have basically given up money for no reason :lol )

[intlspurshk]

Top tier players will sign extension before 2010 to get max offer and then asked for trade if their team sucks subsequently.

[Harry Callahan]

Don't know. Two years of short term, low dollar FAs might not cut it. By 2010, how good will Gino and Duncan be? The spurs might need a star player to be the top dog by then if they can wait.

I just wonder if the FO would commit big dollars to some top tier FA from outside the organization.

Hope they have this stuff squared away at that time.

[Tom Brady]

(And if you want to go the aggressive route, what do you tell Duncan? He would have basically given up money for no reason :lol )

Do some more Adidas promotions?

[hsxvvd]

I'd have to agree, this does seem to be the plan. I'd prefer they stick to this that panic and throw out the baby with the bathwater.

We might just have to deal with another year of being old, it's not like we are that far off with what we have, and a good run we might still get lucky and then still be in a position to 'snag a star' in 2010.

[Mr. Body]

Tank the next two years, use the #1 draft picks on Ricky Rubio and God Shamgod II and then sign some hotshot in 2010. It's a plan.

No, 2010 is a pipedream. You have to sign players for longer.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

So basically we're fucked and finished.

[tav1]

You stick to the plan, because without it the balance of the next decade is lost to mediocrity.

In terms of contracts, I think the Spurs will build in player options after two years making the guys they sign this summer restrictive free agents in 2010. Next summer they'll sign a vet or two on one year deals. So, if they're going to be aggressive in getting younger and more athletic, now is the time.

Players like Kelenna Azubuike or Trevor Ariza could easily outplay their next contract, so an early opt out is in their best interest.

The 2010 Plan remains in tact.

[exstatic]

You give them 3 year contracts with a team option for the 3rd year, and if everything goes south, you pick up the option and start long term talks. I think you have to roll the dice at this point. Signing exception players isn't going to get it done. The Spurs WILL need that next franchise player, and if you have the chance to do it without waiting for the inevitable post-Duncan crash and burn, you do it.

[rascal]

Forget the plan and try to get the players to win now. You can always shed salary with trades later if you want to go after a top free agent in 2010. You stick with that plan and you will be wasting two more years of Duncan's prime.

[AFBlue]

Stick to it....within reason.

The Spurs shouldn't go out and offer full MLE deals for 3 to 5yrs just to get a leg up on the competition for next year.

At the same time, they shouldn't be re-upping old role players for one or two years just to grasp onto the hope that they'll be able to land Chris Bosh or Dwyane Wade in 2010.

If they look hard enough, there are a few players out there that can be decent contributors to the team, are younger/more athletic, and should not be expecting big multi-year deals.

Guys like....Diop, Najera, R. Davis, Mo Evans, Pietrus...

Bottom Line: I think there's a way for the Spurs to stay competitive, get younger/more athletic, and not ruin any plan to get a major contributor or two in 2010.

[timvp]

Everything the Spurs have done recently points to the 2010 plan. Even the players they were rumored to be interested in, all of those players' contract expired before the summer of 2010. The only way the Spurs change their course is because of what happened in the playoffs ... which is definitely possible.

If the Spurs decide to keep rolling with the 2010 plan, I see their roster next year being:

C Fabricio Oberto
PF Tim Duncan
SF Bruce Bowen
SG Manu Ginobili
PG Tony Parker

C Kurt Thomas (re-signed to two-year ~$5-8M contract)
PF Matt Bonner
SF Ime Udoka
SG OPEN
PG OPEN

SG Brent Barry (assuming he'll be back)
C/PF Ian Mahinmi

IR OPEN
IR OPEN
IR Jacque Vaughn

The Spurs would fill that backup point guard spot either via the draft or with a free agent. The Spurs would then look to snag a younger swingman with a two-year MLE deal worth ~$12M. The team would also be in the market for a player who is getting salary dumped ... a la Kyle Korver last season.

Not exactly a sexy offseason but it fits with the 2010 plan and would at least keep the team competitive.

Is that good enough? That's the question.

[tav1]

Bottom Line: I think there's a way for the Spurs to stay competitive, get younger/more athletic, and not ruin any plan to get a major contributor or two in 2010.[/QUOTE]

Exactly. They've already thought this through, I'm sure. The question of the day is who do you sign/draft within this scheme to help overcome the Lakers? That's their organizing question.

[AFBlue]

Everything the Spurs have done recently points to the 2010 plan. Even the players they were rumored to be interested in, all of those players' contract expired before the summer of 2010. The only way the Spurs change their course is because of what happened in the playoffs ... which is definitely possible.

If the Spurs decide to keep rolling with the 2010 plan, I see their roster next year being:

C Fabricio Oberto
PF Tim Duncan
SF Bruce Bowen
SG Manu Ginobili
PG Tony Parker

C Kurt Thomas (re-signed to two-year ~$5-8M contract)
PF Matt Bonner
SF Ime Udoka
SG OPEN
PG OPEN

SG Brent Barry (assuming he'll be back)
C/PF Ian Mahinmi

IR OPEN
IR OPEN
IR Jacque Vaughn

The Spurs would fill that backup point guard spot either via the draft or with a free agent. The Spurs would then look to snag a younger swingman with a two-year MLE deal worth ~$12M. The team would also be in the market for a player who is getting salary dumped ... a la Kyle Korver last season.

Not exactly a sexy offseason but it fits with the 2010 plan and would at least keep the team competitive.

Is that good enough? That's the question.

Looks better than what they had this year, but the competition is likely to get a little stiffer.

[Biggems]

Splitter will be a FA in 2010. Hopefully by then, he will be willing to come to the NBA. If he does, he would be stuck in a rookie contract, and so his pricetag would be small.

However, I firmly believe that Splitter will never play in the NBA.

[AFBlue]

Exactly. They've already thought this through, I'm sure. The question of the day is who do you sign/draft within this scheme to help overcome the Lakers? That's their organizing question.

1) Let Finley and Horry walk

2) Sign Ricky Davis to a two-year deal with a team option in year 3

3) Draft g/f

4) Re-up Kurt Thomas

5) Pick up PG via Summer League or Training Camp or D-League

[tav1]

Everything the Spurs have done recently points to the 2010 plan. Even the players they were rumored to be interested in, all of those players' contract expired before the summer of 2010. The only way the Spurs change their course is because of what happened in the playoffs ... which is definitely possible.

If the Spurs decide to keep rolling with the 2010 plan, I see their roster next year being:

C Fabricio Oberto
PF Tim Duncan
SF Bruce Bowen
SG Manu Ginobili
PG Tony Parker

C Kurt Thomas (re-signed to two-year ~$5-8M contract)
PF Matt Bonner
SF Ime Udoka
SG OPEN
PG OPEN

SG Brent Barry (assuming he'll be back)
C/PF Ian Mahinmi

IR OPEN
IR OPEN
IR Jacque Vaughn

The Spurs would fill that backup point guard spot either via the draft or with a free agent. The Spurs would then look to snag a younger swingman with a two-year MLE deal worth ~$12M. The team would also be in the market for a player who is getting salary dumped ... a la Kyle Korver last season.

Not exactly a sexy offseason but it fits with the 2010 plan and would at least keep the team competitive.

Is that good enough? That's the question.

That's sounds about right, but I'm optimistic they can do a little better than what you propose. If Splitter has signed with Tau, they should trade him, either in a package that will land a good salary dump (read: Mike Miller) or for draft picks. Splitter is the sweetener needed to rid the Spurs of Bonner.

And beside, it's sexy enough to get me into bed. The Spurs need one or two competent defenders that have fresh legs and can give them 15 pts per game. And, hopefully, are decent three point shooter. They can win a title with that sort of team. The Lakers are good, but they're not an impossible solve.

I'm curious, if the Spurs can move Bonner without taking salary back, where does that put them in terms of the cap?

[T Park]

The team that everyone is ready to blow up is one or two days off before the western finals start of being in the Finals.

[Russ]

The Future Is Now.

Too much can happen between now and 2010 and most high-priced FA stay with their own teams. (SA has never been a Mecca for those types anyway.)

These long range schemes rarely work out and the opportunity costs in the meantime can be disastrous.

[tav1]

The team that everyone is ready to blow up is one or two days off before the western finals start of being in the Finals.

Whose talking about a blow up? We're talking about plugging in the holes left by retiring players and, possibly, making a trade at the margins. My guess is that management expected next year to feature two or three young players, titile or not.

[AFBlue]

Whose talking about a blow up? We're talking about plugging in the holes left by retiring players and, possibly, making a trade at the margins.

He's just ranting...it'll pass.

[tav1]

The Future Is Now.

Too much can happen between now and 2010 and most high-priced FA stay with their own teams. (SA has never been a Mecca for those types anyway.)

These long range schemes rarely work out and the opportunity costs in the meantime can be disastrous.

Franchises are built on "long range schemes," and they fall apart for lack of one. Cap management is a big part of winning.

[ducks]

had manu played 15 minutes instead of what he played in game one against lakers
they would be playing boston
game one they gave away
just like suns did against spurs in game one and never recovered

[AFBlue]

had manu played 15 minutes instead of what he played in game one against lakers
they would be playing boston
game one they gave away
just like suns did against spurs in game one and never recovered

Manu playing hurt just exposed how old and slow the rest of the supporting cast was. Spurs had no answers when Manu couldn't get his game going, and they didn't get clutch play from two of their clutchest players...Horry and Finley.

You can say the Spurs were two days or a game-one win away from being in Boston all you want....but it doesn't change the fact that the rest of the NBA will get better next year and the Spurs can't afford to stand pat and re-up all of their 30+ year old veterans.

No one is saying "take a hacksaw" to the team, but there definitely is room to get younger and more athletic.

Keep Kurt Thomas and Brent Barry, let Fin and Horry walk...it's a happy medium.

[AFBlue]

1) Let Finley and Horry walk

2) Sign Ricky Davis to a two-year deal with a team option in year 3

3) Draft g/f

4) Re-up Kurt Thomas

5) Pick up PG via Summer League or Training Camp or D-League

BTW, you could replace Ricky Davis with any number of free agents...

Pietrus, Delfino, Najera....

[SpurOutofTownFan]

At this point where the SPurs just lost 4-1 to the Lakers I can see where the 2010 plan might be in doubt. It was clear the roster was getting old even before the playoffs started. Many people posted here during the season saying they didn't recall one single game where real spurs basketball was played at all. That was a bad omen it took about a 100 games to realize.

It's a gamble at this point I think. If they are able to get a free agent at the back up PG position who is dependable, scores and runs the offense from here to 2010 and get Ian in the roster then they are in great shape to win in 2009. If the FA sucks then they will probably have to wait until their 2010 plan to win again. Then they can get a class A player to play alongside Duncan. (please note I don't think Splitter is coming)

On the other hand, if they think whatever FA they can get now won't really give them the edge in the West to win in the next 2 years or if that actually happens then they should scrap the 2010 plan now and go nuts.

[Spurs Brazil]

Everything the Spurs have done recently points to the 2010 plan. Even the players they were rumored to be interested in, all of those players' contract expired before the summer of 2010. The only way the Spurs change their course is because of what happened in the playoffs ... which is definitely possible.

If the Spurs decide to keep rolling with the 2010 plan, I see their roster next year being:

C Fabricio Oberto
PF Tim Duncan
SF Bruce Bowen
SG Manu Ginobili
PG Tony Parker

C Kurt Thomas (re-signed to two-year ~$5-8M contract)
PF Matt Bonner
SF Ime Udoka
SG OPEN
PG OPEN

SG Brent Barry (assuming he'll be back)
C/PF Ian Mahinmi

IR OPEN
IR OPEN
IR Jacque Vaughn

The Spurs would fill that backup point guard spot either via the draft or with a free agent. The Spurs would then look to snag a younger swingman with a two-year MLE deal worth ~$12M. The team would also be in the market for a player who is getting salary dumped ... a la Kyle Korver last season.

Not exactly a sexy offseason but it fits with the 2010 plan and would at least keep the team competitive.

Is that good enough? That's the question.

I'd like to see them keep the 2010 plan.

I'd offer to that Open in SG the full MLE. Delfino, Azubuike , J.R Smith are the guys I 'd try.

I think we can get one of those for a 2 year deal $12M

Warrios have a lot of guys the re-sign, the same with the Raptors. Nuggets are over the cap. I think we have a chance

[Bruno]

For 2010-2011, Spurs have only Duncan and Parker under contract. When you add cap holds, they have $37M against the cap.
$65M is a quite reasonable estimation of the 2010-2011 salary cap, it means Spurs will be $28M below the cap.

There are few things that could hurt a little this cap space :
- Mahinmi : If Spurs pick his 4th year option, it will cost about $1M in cap space.
- Splitter : If Spurs don't renounce to his rights, it will cost about $500K in cap space whatever he decides to do (signing in 2008, 2009, 2010 or staying in Europe).
- 2008 first round pick : If Spurs pick his 3rd year option, it will cost $500K against the cap.
- 2010 first round pick : Baring it's still a pick in the 20's, $500K against the cap but Spurs could trade it for a future first round pick like they did in 2003.

So at worst, Spurs will have $25.5M in cap space.

What Spurs could do this summer to hurt this cap space ?
Spurs free agents aren't good and young enough to get more than a 2 years contract.
MLE and trades is the only way to hurt the 2010 plan.
A trade is quite unlikely given Spurs assets.
Even if Spurs give the full MLE, they still will have about $20M in cap space.

Spurs have a few tricks to use to optimize the use of the MLE :
- Overpaying a player on 2 years : if a player wants a $9M/3 years contract, offer him a $8M/2 years contract. He will likely accept it.
- Structure contracts in a way that the 2010/2011 is the year with the lowest salary of the contract.
- Don't hesitate to give a player options on the 4th or 5th year: it will help to lower the salary per year. If the player opt out, it won't be a big deal because Spurs shouldn't be in luxury tax trouble and/or it will be in the post Duncan area.
- If it's a low risk player, don't hesitate to give him a 5 years contract to lower his salary per year.
- If it's a high risk player, try to give him a 3 years contract. If he turns as a bust, Spurs should be able to package him with cash and/or a future first round pick for expiring contracts at the 2010 February deadline.

Spurs should ask themselves this summer :
What is the best player we can get with only a 2 years contract ?
What is the best player we can get with a longer contract ?
If the "more than 2 years contract" player, is significantly better than the "2 years contract" player and can really help Spurs, sign him. Otherwise, sign the player with a 2 years contract.

[tp2021]

Bruno, thank you for imparting this insane amount of knowledge!

i think, if the spurs stick to the 2010 plan, they better win at least 2 or 3 championships with whoever they siign or i will be very pissed off.

[Sway]

You got to be kidding me. The 2010 Plan was based on the assumption that the Spurs could compete until then with the current cast. This year proved that was not a viable option. Another assumption is that the FO will be able to sign a big name FA. Lets be realistic, it is unlikely that a D-Wade/Kobe (insert whatever other name you want here) is going to sign with a small market team. You also have to remember that the FO doesn’t have a good track record with wooing high priced FAs. Wouldn’t it be better to surround the big three with some young talent now and make another run before Timmy’s window closes?

[silk]

Stay the course, Spurs were not that far, and next year, they will still be in the thick of things, 2010 is when you have to strike not now

The F.O should follow this strategy , goddamn, Pop should hire me, I'm good to make the coffee too :lol

They can compete with the current cast and some tweaks, this is better than a realistic assumption, it's more like a fact, there's a difference beteween competing, and dominating, the difference is in the probability to win it all, we all hope for the well-being of our minds, for the latter, so we misjudge what competing is, which is, having a reasonnable shot, and that is what we have, what we'll have, and what we had for most of our previous championships

When you do the best possible things with your cards, you will compete, dominating is involving more that is not necessarily in our power

( I know, i know, it is not "our" , it is the spurs, not me but fuck off, i'm just a fan not a national reporter...)

P.S; Aren't we freaking too much over the lakers ? ( we can freak a little, still...^^) Sure, they're excellent, and next year, they will be even better, but they are not at the level of their Shaq's teams, I mean, finding a solution for 08 lakers team, is easier, i think, that finding one for 00's teams

[dastrey]

I think if Azubuike or J.R Smith are willing to accept the MLE you got to think hard about scraping the 2010 plan. There is no guarantee the Spurs can land a star player.

[silk]

The spurs are not L.A or even Dallas, in terms of attracting a "star", but still, we're not the hawks or the Bucks, with Pop and Duncan, I'm sure we can convince a very good player to join

And I'm not sure that kelena or J.R for a full M.L.E is a better option with all said and done

[GSH]

I think there is one addition that would make the Spurs serious contenders for the next couple of seasons. I don't know if he could be pried away from the Nuggets, but it's Marcus Camby. He's got two years left on his contract, which is perfect. And he's costing Denver the same thing as we were paying Thomas.

When you look at what Camby would bring to this team: huge improvement on the boards, which we desperately need. (Plus the second-chance and fast break points that come along with that.) Probably a +3 block per game improvement over this year's roster. A dependable 8-10 points per night, with the added benefit of taking some of the heat off of Duncan. An upgrade to general, overall toughness. And our interior defense would be a cast iron bitch. With the players we already have under contract, we could add a couple of young shooters and have a very scary team.

Spend some money on Vujacic or Delfino, or maybe even Siskauskis. Then trade up a couple of spots (if necessary) to draft Chris Douglas-Roberts, who could actually get minutes as a rookie. If not, then try to pick up both Courtney Lee and Marcellus Kemp, and see which one wants it more. (Kemp has a mid-range game, which we need, and Lee defends his ass off.) All three of those guys can knock down shots. All three of them are mature enough to have a shot at playing right away. And any one of them could be had for a good price. (Then steal J.R. Giddens and send him to the D-league. If he's really grown up, he'll be ripe next year.)

The Nuggets have a huge payroll, and they just made an extension offer to Iverson. I know they have talked about shopping Melo, but is there any chance they could part with Camby? He would be a perfect fit here. And I really think it would put the Spurs on par with any other team in the league for the next two years.

---------
FYI - If you ask Courtney Lee how he can help an NBA franchise next season, his initial answer might surprise you. “Off the court I believe I have good character, I carry myself well and I don’t have any baggage.”

While most players are quick to point out their shooting prowess or ability to get the ball into the hands of a star player, Lee takes the more unconventional route by discussing his strength of character.

[Thompson]

The Future Is Now.

Too much can happen between now and 2010 and most high-priced FA stay with their own teams. (SA has never been a Mecca for those types anyway.)

These long range schemes rarely work out and the opportunity costs in the meantime can be disastrous.

This is what I'm worried about. The offense at times this past year looked absolutely stagnant. Not for a month or two... the entire season. One or two marginal players are not going to change that. Andrew Bynam will be back next season and I'm sure one of the other contending teams will improve.

By the 2010 postseason, Duncan might be somewhat on the decline and Manu might be no more than Finley is now. Adding a big name then might just keep us in the top of the draft for a few more years without a great shot to grab many more rings.

It would suck to go through all this and just have another Jason Kidd fiasco where the star player either goes elsewhere or stays with his team for more money. Even if the Spurs think a player is interested in us now, if we don't win another ring before 2010 who knows if they still will be.

[YellowFever]

What's the use, people??

There is a conspiracy going on!

You guys are never going to win anything ever again! :wow:wow

[Thompson]

I think if Azubuike or J.R Smith are willing to accept the MLE you got to think hard about scraping the 2010 plan. There is no guarantee the Spurs can land a star player.

I don't know that you necessarily have to scrap it for either player, just use a short deal so they can test the free agency market again in 2010. Like someone else said, this might be in their best interest anyway.

[mikekim]

We have to stick with the plan. We just have to be really smart with who we pick up. Gotta find some gems. I'm not entirely sure if RC and Pop are up to the task though...

We'll see.

[AFBlue]

For 2010-2011, Spurs have only Duncan and Parker under contract. When you add cap holds, they have $37M against the cap.
$65M is a quite reasonable estimation of the 2010-2011 salary cap, it means Spurs will be $28M below the cap.

There are few things that could hurt a little this cap space :
- Mahinmi : If Spurs pick his 4th year option, it will cost about $1M in cap space.
- Splitter : If Spurs don't renounce to his rights, it will cost about $500K in cap space whatever he decides to do (signing in 2008, 2009, 2010 or staying in Europe).
- 2008 first round pick : If Spurs pick his 3rd year option, it will cost $500K against the cap.
- 2010 first round pick : Baring it's still a pick in the 20's, $500K against the cap but Spurs could trade it for a future first round pick like they did in 2003.

So at worst, Spurs will have $25.5M in cap space.

What Spurs could do this summer to hurt this cap space ?
Spurs free agents aren't good and young enough to get more than a 2 years contract.
MLE and trades is the only way to hurt the 2010 plan.
A trade is quite unlikely given Spurs assets.
Even if Spurs give the full MLE, they still will have about $20M in cap space.

Spurs have a few tricks to use to optimize the use of the MLE :
- Overpaying a player on 2 years : if a player wants a $9M/3 years contract, offer him a $8M/2 years contract. He will likely accept it.
- Structure contracts in a way that the 2010/2011 is the year with the lowest salary of the contract.
- Don't hesitate to give a player options on the 4th or 5th year: it will help to lower the salary per year. If the player opt out, it won't be a big deal because Spurs shouldn't be in luxury tax trouble and/or it will be in the post Duncan area.
- If it's a low risk player, don't hesitate to give him a 5 years contract to lower his salary per year.
- If it's a high risk player, try to give him a 3 years contract. If he turns as a bust, Spurs should be able to package him with cash and/or a future first round pick for expiring contracts at the 2010 February deadline.

Spurs should ask themselves this summer :
What is the best player we can get with only a 2 years contract ?
What is the best player we can get with a longer contract ?
If the "more than 2 years contract" player, is significantly better than the "2 years contract" player and can really help Spurs, sign him. Otherwise, sign the player with a 2 years contract.

All good suggestions, but you forgot about Manu. He could easily eat up $4 or $5M of that $25 and then every dollar spent on rookie scale contracts and players who got contracts in 2008....that is, unless the Spurs structure the contracts as you suggest.

I can tell you, however, that the Spurs aren't likely to get Azubuike or JR Smith for short-term deals. Pietrus seems like a prime candidate to receive a 2yr deal below the MLE.

[Extra Stout]

We are now entering the phase of denial. A 2010 plan? Seriously? Tim Duncan will be 34 in that offseason. He will be continuing along the path of slow decline he's already started. So what, we're going to follow the "maybe an All-Star free agent will sign here" pipedream again? Are we that stupid?

There is no "plan." There is only "oh crap, we're screwed, let's throw spaghetti against the wall and see what sticks."

They need to revamp the roster NOW, but they can't. So timvp wishes upon a star and imagines that it's all under control. It's not.

[diego]

I think there is one addition that would make the Spurs serious contenders for the next couple of seasons. I don't know if he could be pried away from the Nuggets, but it's Marcus Camby. He's got two years left on his contract, which is perfect. And he's costing Denver the same thing as we were paying Thomas.
[/I]

landing camby would be huge, and it would probably even extend duncan's career to get a guy to fill the old d-rob role and let timmy focus on scoring. of all the players proposed ive read about, this option is by far the best!

[diego]

that said, for the nuggets to trade camby to us, it would have to be a chris wallace level gift, because that would mean they dont care at all about the playoffs.

i just cant think of a good big to put next to tim. i'd rather find a guy to dominate the boards and let tim be the scorer, as before, but maybe its now duncan's turn to restrict his game and let someone else be the scorer.

i know the coaches and most everybody is more concerned about getting perimeter help, but i really think that our frontcourt is barely 3 players deep and our biggest weakness looking at next season.

[Extra Stout]

Maybe we can pry LeBron James away from the Cavs. Maybe he'll accept less money just to dwell in the soothing aura of Tim Duncan. Maybe sending Mike Brown and Danny Ferry to Cleveland was a CIA plot. It makes sense in my dream world!

[Marcus Bryant]

Having some cap flexibility in 2010 is not be a bad thing. Since many of the forum bitches seem to think Duncan will be worthless by that point it couldn't hurt to have something more than a MLE to use to go after a solid starter or multiple good players.

What will be a bad thing is if they avoid adding the right talent now so that they can go after a max free agent in 2010. That ship will never reach SA.

As Bruno laid out above, this year's 1st round pick and the 2010 1st rounder won't take up too much cap room, if any. This is one of the easiest ways to pick up a good young player. You can take these contracts on and still have plenty of cap flexibility in 2010. In addition, Mahinmi and Splitter will cost the Spurs relatively little.

There are some young wings available this summer. JR Smith, Delfino, Azubuike, Vujacic, and Barnes. I think you can get one of those for a reasonable contract using the MLE this summer.

Then you have the 2nd round picks this year as well as Sanikidze. For these guys you should be able to structure contracts that make it easy to keep them if they pan out and easy to preserve your flexibility in 2010 if they don't.

Having the cap flexibility to go after a max free agent means little. If a player of that caliber leaves his current team then a sign and trade is more likely (given the cap rules which give the possibility of a bigger contract - 7 v 6 years or whatever) and that opens up the market to those without the cap room but with the talent to send back. I doubt that the Spurs will be able to land a max free agent to join the Spurs and play 3rd fiddle to TD and TP.

[diego]

where is reggie evans now, isnt he in denver too? it certainly looks like the nuggs have at least one bigman that could help us (camby, evans, najera maybe?)

[Marcus Bryant]

Evans is in Philly.

[Bruno]

All good suggestions, but you forgot about Manu. He could easily eat up $4 or $5M of that $25


I don't forget Manu.
Spurs will have a certain amount of cap space and they can do whatever they want with it.They can decide or not to sign Manu in 2010 and it's not a given that they re-sign him in 2010. Don't forget that Manu will be almost 34 years old for the 2011 playoffs and given his playing-style/durability, he can be far from his current level.

[Marcus Bryant]

I don't forget Manu.
Spurs will have a certain amount of cap space and they can do whatever they want with it.They can decide or not to sign Manu in 2010 and it's not a given that they re-sign him in 2010. Don't forget that Manu will be almost 34 years old for the 2011 playoffs and given his playing-style/durability, he can be far from his current level.

This is the top argument for having cap flexibility in 2010. The Spurs may be looking for a 3rd star then.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

The 2010 plan is just as dumb as last time. Worked out well with JKidd and O'Neal, and that was with TD in his prime...

The front office needs to make a push this summer to take the best run it can at the title for the remainder of the Tim Duncan era (which appears to be through 2012 based on his and Pop's deals).

Plan on the cap room coming clean in 2012, not 2010, and do everything you can to win NOW.

[ducks]

oneal and kidd are dumb

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Kidd was the best mistake the Spurs never made. O'Neal was an idiot.

[ducks]

true they never should have went after kidd

they would have had brand had he been a fa not a restricted fa

[Emanuel20]

The only major thing I can ask R.C. to do is input some life to the bench. I want to see younger players who can dominate and can split reasonable amount of minutes with the starters during the Regular Season. We need some athletic guys that can rebound hard and take it to the hole fearlessly.

Also, Kurt and Oberto just aren’t giving us much. I think that with those two, it will be hard for us to perpetrate through a rough western conference next year.

Now, I think that the Spurs should not even think of touching the core and just build around it (I think most agree with this after reading your posts).

[Twisted_Dawg]

You got to be kidding me. The 2010 Plan was based on the assumption that the Spurs could compete until then with the current cast. This year proved that was not a viable option. Another assumption is that the FO will be able to sign a big name FA. Lets be realistic, it is unlikely that a D-Wade/Kobe (insert whatever other name you want here) is going to sign with a small market team. You also have to remember that the FO doesn’t have a good track record with wooing high priced FAs. Wouldn’t it be better to surround the big three with some young talent now and make another run before Timmy’s window closes?

You nailed it. For the Spurs to keep the same roster, while players age and decline, and wait the 2010 Plan is ridiculous. I do not think Tim will be happy with not having any new players to help him out in the next two years.

Lest we forget the 2003 Plan were we spent 3 years clearing and structuring contracts so we could go after a big name FA? Jason Jidd turned us down and so did Jermaine O'neal. Our big prize was Nesterovic whose contract haunted us for years. No big name FA is going to come here in 2010 with an ageing Duncan & Manu declining with only a couple of years left to play.

The Hornets will improve with age and expereince. The Lakers will improve with the return of Bynum. The Rockets will improve with the development of Scola and Landry.

Sadly, our options are limited. At best we might be able to sign an athletic wingman with MLE. Hopefully, we can sign Thomas to a 2 year $2.5 million per year type contract. And then see what left overs are available in the remaing FA market for a back up PG or SG. Draft a player late in the first round and see if he has the potential to play.

[The Truth #6]

After two more seasons, Duncan and Ginobili will be out of their primes. Where's the incentive then for a top free agent to come here?

The Ceramic Tile Disaster Part Two should seriously make us question putting our hopes in 'draft and stash'. We need to find players playing in America. Whenever the right deal becomes available we have to go for it, and if it's now then there's no reason to wait. If possible (not sure on contract rules) structure contracts that boost in value after 2010. Just throwing ideas around...

[Pablo Escobar]

so what the fuck happened to the 2008 plan i call bullshit on all of this

[T Park]

so what the fuck happened to the 2008 plan i call bullshit on all of this

What 2008 plan?

[Sway]

After two more seasons, Duncan and Ginobili will be out of their primes. Where's the incentive then for a top free agent to come here?



Didnt you know, SA has always been a FA mecca. The FO is sure we can get Lebron in 2010 and if he is not availabe then they will just have to settle for Melo. Sounds like a great plan to me...LOL.

[Galileo]

I hate to be a wet blanket to the free agent talk but after looking at salaries and re-reading quotes from earlier in the year, it's pretty obvious that the Spurs are looking at the summer of 2010 to be the time that they will totally retool. If you remember correctly, the reason Tim Duncan took less money on his extension was due to the fact that the Spurs showed him that the team could bring in another big piece in the summer of 2010 if he agreed to the lower contract.

In the summer of 2010, the Spurs will only have Tim Duncan and Tony Parker under contract. Ian Mahinmi would also be under contract if the Spurs pick up his team option, as would whoever the Spurs draft this year in the first round (assuming it's a domestic player, of course). All told, the Spurs are looking at something around $20-25 million in cap room. Even after giving Ginobili a new contract, there'd be enough money to snag a star.

To stay the course with the 2010 plan, the Spurs would have to offer free agents one-year or two-year contracts. By offering two-year contracts, that'd take the Spurs out of the running for almost every desirable free agent. Even mid-tier free agents like Kelenna Azubuike and Carlos Delfino will be able to get more than the two-year contract the Spurs would offer.

Now the question is whether you as a Spurs fan think that the risk is worth the reward. I'm not solid in whether I believe that the Spurs should stay strong with their 2010 plan or scrap it and do everything they can to improve for next season.

The front office has a tough decision. Do you stay the course and try to improve where you can while you wait for the big payoff in 2010 ... which could conceivably keep the window open a few extra years if the right piece is added? Or do you see the 2008 demise as a sign that the next two seasons would be lost if you don't move as aggressively as possible with no regard to the 2010 plan? (And if you want to go the aggressive route, what do you tell Duncan? He would have basically given up money for no reason :lol )

The 2008 Spurs were the best in team history in an even numbered season.

They have never won a game in the conference final before in an even numbered year.

[roycrikside]

Without a real player taking over Fin's role, a SG we can rely on that's young, athletic, a decent rebounder and a good shooter, forget it, the team can't be a contender. Get Azuibuike dammit. He's a starting level talent.

[Dex]

I think you stick with the 2010 plan, even if it means only marginal improvement next season. Considering we were one of the last 4 teams standing, I don't think there is any reason for the Spurs to exaggerate their current demise. We can still be super competitive with small moves next season.

And keeping an eye on 2010 ensures that we should still HAVE a window in 3-4 years and going into Duncan's twilight. Going balls to walls now doesn't necessarily do the same thing, as the Suns and Mavericks did an exceptional job of exemplifying.

[Spur-Addict]

We have to stick with the plan. We just have to be really smart with who we pick up. Gotta find some gems. I'm not entirely sure if RC and Pop are up to the task though...

We'll see.

"We really need to find guys on the perimeter," Popovich said. "We talk about it all the time. It's something of a special emphasis right now."

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/chris_mannix/05/30/spurs.future/index.html

:flag:

[clubalien]

Now the question is whether you as a Spurs fan think that the risk is worth the reward. I'm not solid in whether I believe that the Spurs should stay strong with their 2010 plan or scrap it and do everything they can to improve for next season.



If we have a chance to get dwight howard then yes
lebron james to a lesser extentant.

oherwise i would rather go to the rebuild mode that has worked for us in the past tank the season before a good big men is in the draft

[tlongII]

National team commitments and aging stars. You guys are hosed no matter what your plan is.

[SenorSpur]

The 2010 plan is just as dumb as last time. Worked out well with JKidd and O'Neal, and that was with TD in his prime...

The front office needs to make a push this summer to take the best run it can at the title for the remainder of the Tim Duncan era (which appears to be through 2012 based on his and Pop's deals).

Plan on the cap room coming clean in 2012, not 2010, and do everything you can to win NOW.

Here, here.

For those that proclaim for the Spurs to "stay the course", stay with what? The same roster of aging vets that got their doors blown off and nearly succumbed to a hungry New Orleans team? The same roster that eventually gave way to a group of younger, quicker, more athletic Fakers team?

No, I agree AHF. The FO blew 2 potentially solid additions (Scola & Splitter), while another young player (Beno) didn't work out. Currently, there is no core other than the Big Three and they desparately need help. The Spurs need to add a couple of pieces to the mix this summer. They can ill-afford to wait and try to hit a home run in 2010.

[timvp]

We are now entering the phase of denial. A 2010 plan? Seriously? Tim Duncan will be 34 in that offseason. He will be continuing along the path of slow decline he's already started. So what, we're going to follow the "maybe an All-Star free agent will sign here" pipedream again? Are we that stupid?

There is no "plan." There is only "oh crap, we're screwed, let's throw spaghetti against the wall and see what sticks."

They need to revamp the roster NOW, but they can't. So timvp wishes upon a star and imagines that it's all under control. It's not.ROFL. I know you like to Chicken Little it at the first sign of adversity but how can you deny what the Spurs are planning? timvp isn't saying there's a 2010 ... the Spurs have said it. Both through their mouthpieces in the media and with their roster moves (and potential roster moves) in the last year.

If you think the Spurs haven't been planning to open up cap room in the summer of 2010, please explain. Thanks.

You can start by explaining the reason why Duncan took less money on his extension.


But what is notable about the deal are the terms: Although Duncan is eligible to receive a two-year extension worth about $51 million under the NBA's collective bargaining agreement, he agreed to nearly $11 million less because it could afford the Spurs greater flexibility to pursue free agents after the 2009-10 season.

Duncan and his agent, Lon Babby, met with Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and general manager R.C. Buford at Popovich's house prior to the start of training camp. Well aware of Duncan's value to the franchise – the Spurs likely would not be in San Antonio had he not guided them to their first title in 1999 – Popovich and Buford presented him with a maximum offer during the meeting. But they also made a detailed presentation of their plans for the team's long-term future and showed Duncan the possible impact of his accepting a lesser extension.

After a few weeks of deliberation, Duncan agreed to the $40 million extension. He will make $22.2 million in the final year of his current contract, with his salary dropping to about $18.7 million in the first year of the extension.

Duncan will be 34 when the extension begins. Tony Parker is the only other player currently scheduled to be under contract following the 2009-10 season, but the Spurs also will be in position to re-sign their third star, Manu Ginobili, that summer if they want.

[ChumpDumper]

I really don't see much getting in the way of signing a full MLE deal that extends past 09-10. It's hard to see Manu's getting anything more than he is now if he doesn't have to retire due to injury. I suppose a lot of it depends on the cap projections the next couple of seasons. The economy doesn't look good but but the NBA could still be on the upswing because of Lakers/Celtics and the international factor.

I say worry later, but I'm not well-informed.

[GSH]

that said, for the nuggets to trade camby to us, it would have to be a chris wallace level gift, because that would mean they dont care at all about the playoffs.


If the Nuggets do care about the playoffs, they have to make some kind of change, wouldn't you agree? But they have some serious cap problems. If you include J.R. Smith, they have $76M committed to salaries for just 8 players. (And that's without re-signing Eduardo Najera.) They have to fill some roster spots too.

They have talked about trading Melo, but he's the 4th leading scorer in the league, and pulls down 6 boards per game. And having the 3rd and 4th leading scorers in the league on the same team is a powerful thing. I don't think they're getting rid of him.

K-Mart has 3 years plus a player option on his $15M per year contract, so I think it's going to be tough getting rid of him. I suppose they could take an Allen Houston exception to ditch Nene, because of his health problems. That would clean up about $9.6M next year.

I guess the point is that they are going to be shedding somebody, and it won't be Iverson. There's a short list of alternatives, and I don't see why Camby would be more sacred to them than those other guys. And he would be such an incredible addition to the Spurs that it would be worth trying to be creative. His contract would be up in 2010 too.

[1Parker1]

<-----Ahem.


2010, the West is going to be even more of a killer. Young teams like the Blazers, Hornets, Jazz, Lakers are going to be even more experienced which can only help them. IMO, you saw inexperience ultimately hurt this Hornets team. Imagine if by 2010 they actually get a bench. Can you imagine how an experienced Hornets team who's played in a couple of playoff series by then would have reacted to being up 2-0?

[timvp]

They can decide or not to sign Manu in 2010 and it's not a given that they re-sign him in 2010. Don't forget that Manu will be almost 34 years old for the 2011 playoffs and given his playing-style/durability, he can be far from his current level.This is a depressing yet valid point. Ginobili, unless he adds a killer midrange game, isn't the type of player who will age gracefully. Two years from now it's difficult to project what type of player he'll be. Hopefully he'll be good enough to re-sign for another 2-4 years ... but it's tough to say.

Ginobili's last days will be more like Finley than like Brent Barry. Barry could basically play for as long as he wants because his jumper doesn't rely on athleticism. Ginobili and Finley both rely on athleticism.

[AFBlue]

This is a depressing yet valid point. Ginobili, unless he adds a killer midrange game, isn't the type of player who will age gracefully. Two years from now it's difficult to project what type of player he'll be. Hopefully he'll be good enough to re-sign for another 2-4 years ... but it's tough to say.

Ginobili's last days will be more like Finley than like Brent Barry. Barry could basically play for as long as he wants because his jumper doesn't rely on athleticism. Ginobili and Finley both rely on athleticism.

Sadly, I think the Spurs got a glimpse into the future while Ginobili was hurt this last series. He was robbed of the athleticism and elusiveness that is critical to him being an effective scorer.

Still, I think Manu has drastically improved his jumpshooting ability in the past few years, and if he can continue to develop in that area, he should still be an effective player for the Spurs down the road.

Also, I disagree that he is more Fin than Barry, because he has the passing and ball-handling ability to be effective without scoring the ball.

Bottom Line: By then he probably won't be the third option, but he could still be a very effective bench player for the Spurs, should they choose to re-sign him.

[1Parker1]

Ginobili's last days will be more like Finley than like Brent Barry.

Oh god, you're right. :depressed

[timvp]

Also, I disagree that he is more Fin than Barry, because he has the passing and ball-handling ability to be effective without scoring the ball.Somewhat true but then again, he needs his athleticism to get into the lane and be a playmaker. This year in the playoffs, he'd drive the lane and then turn it over because his injury didn't allow him enough lift/elusiveness to make the difficult pass he's accustomed to making.

We'll see but I don't see Manu (or Parker for that matter) being able to contribute at a high level once they lose their athleticism. Manu's game is built on his change of direction, change of pace and quick reflexes. Parker's game is built on speed. The good news is Duncan could probably play as long as he wants (as long as he avoids injury).

[Ronaldo McDonald]

I say stick with the 2010 plan.

We could have won the championship this year, but unfortunately some things we had no control over - health, a lethal schedule, and a critical mess up by a ref - just didn't go our way. Next year, hopefully with a little bit more luck we can avoid all that.

No need for huge adjustments.

We do need to make small adjustments, though. We need a slasher and an athletic big. Hopefully Mahimni can cover the the athletic big part. If he does we'd be much better off trying to guard guys like Lamar Odom and David West. That'd be a big plus right there, obviously.

That leaves us with the slasher void. RC's got to work some of his magic there. Who is going to be our S-jax for next year? Another scorer on the court would mean that Ginobili would be able to play less during the regular season and thus be rested come playoff time. As we saw in this year's playoffs, we need him rested.

Some of our players need to improve for next year.

Tony's got to add a thee point shot to his game ala Deron Williams. A three or so a game would be nice.

I would also like to see Ginobili have more of a mid-range game. I'd like to see him curl off screens more next year like we see with Rip Hamilton. He wouldn't have to rely on his on-off 3 point shot so much if that happens.

[AFBlue]

Somewhat true but then again, he needs his athleticism to get into the lane and be a playmaker. This year in the playoffs, he'd drive the lane and then turn it over because his injury didn't allow him enough lift/elusiveness to make the difficult pass he's accustomed to making.

We'll see but I don't see Manu (or Parker for that matter) being able to contribute at a high level once they lose their athleticism. Manu's game is built on his change of direction, change of pace and quick reflexes. Parker's game is built on speed. The good news is Duncan could probably play as long as he wants (as long as he avoids injury).

Oh I agree that Ginobili won't be high-level contributor in his mid-30's, but I do think they could still be effective. What Manu will have to do is learn to live with the limitations and adjust his game.

That means more drive and kick and less drive to finish. That means crossover to seperate and knockdown the J, not crossover to weave through the lane.

I guess what I'm saying is that it would be hard for me to see the Spurs turn such a popular franchise guy away, especially if he can still be an effective contributor.

But like you said...I guess we'll see.

[Sway]

If we have a chance to get dwight howard then yes
lebron james to a lesser extentant.

oherwise i would rather go to the rebuild mode that has worked for us in the past tank the season before a good big men is in the draft

I don’t see a Dwight Howard or Lebron James caliber player signing in San Antonio. The only way we get a replacement for Timmy is to draft him. That’s the World we live in, it is what it is, nothing we can do about it.

My problem with the 2010 plan is that it squanders two years of Tim's career on the promise of a big signing later on.

How about this, try to win now while you have Tim and worry about rebuilding after he retires. Then, take 2-3 years to rebuild through the draft and come back strong for another decade.

[Whisky Dog]

The era is all but over, do what you think you have to do NOW to win in the next 4-5 years and structure contracts to completely revamp and scrap for 2012. Gonna be some suckage and high drafts picks for a while during the search for the next star.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

This thread has depressed me beyond recognition.


I think we pull out all the stops this summer, because I don't see a high marquee star signing in a small market town with an aging TD and Manu.

I say scrap the 2010 plan, and be a superb/championship level team for the next 3-4 years, as oppose to a solid playoff team for the next 10 years that will always get bounced in the 2nd round or something.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb192/Mr_Bottomtooth/ljspurah1.jpg

Do what you gotta do.

[SpurOutofTownFan]

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb192/Mr_Bottomtooth/ljspurah1.jpg

Do what you gotta do.

I'm not into numbers too much and I'll leave that to others but getting Lebron to play with Duncan when his contract ends with the Cavs would be a monster thing. He's in a $60 million 3-year deal with an option for a 4th year thru 2010.

He won't probably get a ring while playing with the cavs unless the franchise brings someone else of high caliber. By then he would probably want to sign with the Spurs with the promise of a ring, a core of players that now the system. He would have come from a similar school as his current coach worked with Pop and praises defense. I always thought Lebron will be the next big hit in the market if he makes a move or the cavs make a move.

The only problem with this is that after his contract runs out he will be a 7 year pro so he will be eligible to negotiate a maximum contract worth 30% of the salary cap.:downspin:

[Birn]

Lebron coming to the Spurs in 2010 is long shot. Spurs will make the call but its just not realistic.

[MagnusKrauss]

the 2010 plan: Acquiring Tau Ceramica

probable?

[clubalien]

Lebron coming to the Spurs in 2010 is long shot. Spurs will make the call but its just not realistic.

hopefully lebron will learn from the KiDD situation.. mvp level team in east beat by spurs , caps space open. disses spurs goes nowhere

it is kidd 2.0, but it works this time:toast

[SpurOutofTownFan]

hopefully lebron will learn from the KiDD situation.. mvp level team in east beat by spurs , caps space open. disses spurs goes nowhere

it is kidd 2.0, but it works this time:toast

It will be his call I believe based on his contract. If he accepts less than 20 mil I think he can be an Spur but the spurs would be in some trouble cap-wise. Still its possible I think.

[mystargtr34]

LeBron could sign for peanuts and he would still make more money than anyone else in the league.

[Spur-Addict]

Oh I agree that Ginobili won't be high-level contributor in his mid-30's, but I do think they could still be effective. What Manu will have to do is learn to live with the limitations and adjust his game.

That means more drive and kick and less drive to finish. That means crossover to seperate and knockdown the J, not crossover to weave through the lane.

I guess what I'm saying is that it would be hard for me to see the Spurs turn such a popular franchise guy away, especially if he can still be an effective contributor.

But like you said...I guess we'll see.

That's what i yelled at the tv screen in each series.

[The Truth #6]

A cynical interpretation would be that Holt was just trying to save money on Tim's contract and sold him on The 2010 Plan even if there really wasn't a plan.

I'm not trying to go conspiracy or only see the worst, but a lot of what goes on behind the scenes is a mystery because they all keep their cards close to their chests. Who knows what sort of arguments Holt, RC, and Pop engage in on various issues before a final decision is reached? We can speculate but we won't always know.

The Spurs will do anything to save money sometimes. How else to explain the Scola give away?

I'm sure right now they are arguing what to do this Summer much more then we are.

[SpurOutofTownFan]

LeBron could sign for peanuts and he would still make more money than anyone else in the league.

That true. Let's make him 2010 priority.

[Spur-Addict]

That true. Let's make him 2010 priority.

LBJ wants to be the first Billionaire athlete. Although he makes alot more money outside the game of basketball, he'll still want that max deal.

[mystargtr34]

Of course he will... even if its just to hold the crown as 'the leagues highest paid payer'

[SPARKY]

LBJ isn't even a remote possibility. If he ends up anywhere other than the Cavs, it'll be the Knicks.

[tp2021]

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb192/Mr_Bottomtooth/ljspurah1.jpg

Do what you gotta do.

:jack i just came!

[ChumpDumper]

LBJ isn't even a remote possibility. If he ends up anywhere other than the Cavs, it'll be the Knicks.You mean Nets.

[tp2021]

well, what big name free agents do the spurs have a realistic shot at getting in 2010?

[mystargtr34]

Dwyane Wade if hes not too young and studies up on his history.

No i dont think we can get a top tier free agent.

[SPARKY]

It's fool's gold, at best. Cap room for the Spurs is valuable in that it gives them the opportunity to participate in salary dump trades. Maybe they can land a couple of solid role players with it through free agency. It's not worth declining current opportunities, IMO.

[SPARKY]

About as perfect an offseason as I can see would be landing Pargo to replace Jacque Vaughn and Smith to replace Finley. Then landing a player who can contribute immediately out of the draft. Of course, that's highly unlikely. But adding either of those would be a step in the right direction.

[Blackjack]

Bosh is the only big free-agent I could see us having a remote shot a getting. He's a Texas kid who grew up idolizing Tim and Dave, so maybe the prospect of being what Tim was to Dave might intrigue him.

Here's a hypothetical. What if E. Brand finds himself looking across ths Staples Center at the Lakers front-line and gets to thinking," My best, and maybe only shot at a ring, is to go play alongside Tim."

It's unlikely, but just for the hell of it... What if he back-loads a contract, or takes a 2 yr. contract with an understanding of the cash available in 2010. Would you be willing to scratch the 2010 plan, and the chance to sign one of those marquee free-agents for Brand?

His health is a bit of a ?, but his game and character would fit right in with the Spurs. I realize it's a pipe-dream, but for entertainment purposes... Would ya?

[The Truth #6]

Bosh is the only big free-agent I could see us having a remote shot a getting. He's a Texas kid who grew up idolizing Tim and Dave, so maybe the prospect of being what Tim was to Dave might intrigue him.

Here's a hypothetical. What if E. Brand finds himself looking across ths Staples Center at the Lakers front-line and gets to thinking," My best, and maybe only shot at a ring, is to go play alongside Tim."

It's unlikely, but just for the hell of it... What if he back-loads a contract, or takes a 2 yr. contract with an understanding of the cash available in 2010. Would you be willing to scratch the 2010 plan, and the chance to sign one of those marquee free-agents for Brand?

His health is a bit of a ?, but his game and character would fit right in with the Spurs. I realize it's a pipe-dream, but for entertainment purposes... Would ya?


It's funny you mention the word entertainment. Though the Lakers are often associated with celebrities in the crowd, Brand has already begun a career as a film producer. He's mentioned he wants to use his proximity to the entertainment industry to begin an after basketball career while he's still playing.

I'm not saying he isn't a serious player but I think being in LA might be part of his long-term plans.

[rascal]

James isn't coming to the spurs. Forget about it.

[mountainballer]

for quite some time some people talked about the "2008 plan", which in fact never existed and I do doubt that there is a 2010 plan.
the championship window is open for another 2 years (three at best, if either Tim and Manu don't decline significantly). blow this opportunity for a plan, that might land a good FA, but without any guarantee that they will be on the market and if they are, that they will ever sign with the Spurs.
the only sure thing Spurs have is Tim and a few more productive years left in his tank.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

The 2010 plan is just as dumb as last time. Worked out well with JKidd and O'Neal, and that was with TD in his prime...

The front office needs to make a push this summer to take the best run it can at the title for the remainder of the Tim Duncan era (which appears to be through 2012 based on his and Pop's deals).

Plan on the cap room coming clean in 2012, not 2010, and do everything you can to win NOW.

Have to agree with this.

In 2010 Manu and Tim will be 34 - that puts Manu on the downside of his career ( :( ), especially given the beating he takes, and Tim just starting to decline with about another 2-3 productive season in him. Actually, I think Tim and Pop will sail off into the Bahaman sunset in 2012.

Concurrently, the Lakers/Blazers/Jazz/Hornets are all young and will only get better - by 2010 they will be ruling the conference. It is time to win NOW. If we don't spend the money now and use the next two years to start to get younger and more athletic, we'll fall way behind the emerging Western conference powers. And I certainly don't believe in this mythical capspace - SA simply doesn't attract high-profile FAs, so holding out for 2010 is fool's gold.

Land the right guys this season and we will continue to contend for the next two years, and maybe even beyond if they develop as Spurs like Manu and Tony have. Two all-court swingmen, and two big men is what we need to acquire over the next two years, a tall order. it's an interesting time to be a Spurs fan.

:wakeup

[bobbybob0]

Here's a hypothetical. What if E. Brand finds himself looking across ths Staples Center at the Lakers front-line and gets to thinking," My best, and maybe only shot at a ring, is to go play alongside Tim."

I'm all for screwing up the 2010 plan if it means bringing E. Brand while TD and Manu are not done.

[ca®lo]

thing is..

is there really a 2010 plan?

back in 04 and 05 we all thought theres an 08 plan..

turns out there wasnt.

[Ocotillo]

This is a pretty tough question for me. My gut says go for something this year.

The thing is when Jason Kidd and O'Neal both declined to come here last time we blocked out cap space it makes you wonder. With a Tim Duncan arguably a top two player at the time, why would those guys not sign on? Franchise players don't typically switch teams via free agency. Teams have to do everything they can to keep said player because they have a fan base that will hold them accountable if they don't. The easy thing is to stay because the incumbent team can offer the best deal. Sign and trades make it more difficult.

There are good, even great players who switch but guys like Lebron, Dwight Howard or Kobe don't bail on their team. Somehow it gets worked out and one of the ways is a team like the Spurs with a lot of cap room is used for leverage.

On the other hand, if you accept defeat, that you are not going to get that "prize", you never will and will be doomed to mediocrity or worse.

Timmy and Manu are better players today than they will be in 2010. Despite his having his best NBA season yet, Manu shows all the signs of potentially being done as an all star caliber player by then due to his reckless playing style and propensity for injuries.

Unfortunately, the Spurs best hope of continuing to be serious contender into the post-2010 timeframe is that the front office got it right and Mahinmi exceeds expectations. Outside of the big three, there are no assets to land a franchise cornerstone.

Drafting where the Spurs do year in and year out, they have to hope the front office finds another Tony or Manu. I have my doubts about that happening as well. I hope R.C. proves me wrong.

I think you scrap the 2010 plan and replace it with a 2012 plan and try and milk as many more rings out of the big three as you can before sliding into lottery hell. If Ian becomes a stud, that gives a glimmer of hope but that is an iffy proposition.

[timvp]

thing is..

is there really a 2010 plan?

back in 04 and 05 we all thought theres an 08 plan..

turns out there wasnt.I see a lot of people saying this but the only thing that stopped the Spurs from opening up cap room this summer was winning the 2007 championship. If they wouldn't have won it all last season, this would be the summer major caproom would have been opened.

After the championship, the Spurs did the following: extend Bowen's contract, re-sign Oberto, re-sign Bonner, re-sign Vaughn and sign Udoka. If the Spurs hadn't have won a championship since 2005, no way the Spurs do all that.

But looking back on it, did the Spurs make the right choice? I'm not convinced they did. If they would have followed through with the 2008 plan, the Spurs would have ~$8-12M in caproom right now. Obviously, there's no guarantee that all those players above would still be with the team but imagine how nice it'd be to have all that money this summer. The Spurs could have the Big Three and add another star. Bowen would have stuck around one way or another.

The 2008 plan was real but the Spurs decided to postpone it. Looking back now, it could have very well have been a mistake. Letting players like Oberto, Bonner and Vaughn walk to open significant caproom could have paid off nicely.

[AFBlue]

I see a lot of people saying this but the only thing that stopped the Spurs from opening up cap room this summer was winning the 2007 championship. If they wouldn't have won it all last season, this would be the summer major caproom would have been opened.

After the championship, the Spurs did the following: extend Bowen's contract, re-sign Oberto, re-sign Bonner, re-sign Vaughn and sign Udoka. If the Spurs hadn't have won a championship since 2005, no way the Spurs do all that.

But looking back on it, did the Spurs make the right choice? I'm not convinced they did. If they would have followed through with the 2008 plan, the Spurs would have ~$8-12M in caproom right now. Obviously, there's no guarantee that all those players above would still be with the team but imagine how nice it'd be to have all that money this summer. The Spurs could have the Big Three and add another star. Bowen would have stuck around one way or another.

The 2008 plan was real but the Spurs decided to postpone it. Looking back now, it could have very well have been a mistake. Letting players like Oberto, Bonner and Vaughn walk to open significant caproom could have paid off nicely.

Antawn Jamison at the 4....Pop would've been in small ball heaven.

[ElNono]

I see a lot of people saying this but the only thing that stopped the Spurs from opening up cap room this summer was winning the 2007 championship. If they wouldn't have won it all last season, this would be the summer major caproom would have been opened.

After the championship, the Spurs did the following: extend Bowen's contract, re-sign Oberto, re-sign Bonner, re-sign Vaughn and sign Udoka. If the Spurs hadn't have won a championship since 2005, no way the Spurs do all that.

But looking back on it, did the Spurs make the right choice? I'm not convinced they did. If they would have followed through with the 2008 plan, the Spurs would have ~$8-12M in caproom right now. Obviously, there's no guarantee that all those players above would still be with the team but imagine how nice it'd be to have all that money this summer. The Spurs could have the Big Three and add another star. Bowen would have stuck around one way or another.

The 2008 plan was real but the Spurs decided to postpone it. Looking back now, it could have very well have been a mistake. Letting players like Oberto, Bonner and Vaughn walk to open significant caproom could have paid off nicely.

They took a gamble with returning pretty much the same team, because in years past they retooled after a championship and that didn't work. I don't think it was too bad to try something else.
Sometimes you gamble and it pays off, sometimes it doesn't.

[greens]

In the summer of 2010, the Spurs will only have Tim Duncan and Tony Parker under contract. Ian Mahinmi would also be under contract if the Spurs pick up his team option, as would whoever the Spurs draft this year in the first round (assuming it's a domestic player, of course). All told, the Spurs are looking at something around $20-25 million in cap room. Even after giving Ginobili a new contract, there'd be enough money to snag a star.




It seems now with Manu's bad performance during the Lakers series, while playing on a bad ankle, some fans are saying that they doubt that the Spurs would re-sign Manu in 2010.

Any truth to that thinking? You just said that there is enough money to resign Manu and still have some left for a good player. How much do you think the Spurs might offer Manu? Or do you think they might NOT resign him like some fans are thinking? Anyway, I just wanted to ask your opinion. Or how much would Manu even ask for? I mean he took a paycut in his 6 year contract. So would he do that again, with even less money going to him? He says that he still wants to play for a few more years after his contract. I just don't know what his thinking will be about his new possible contract OR even if the Spurs would still want to resign him? I mean, Pop wants to hold on to Horry/Finley/Barry for years and years, even though they are older now and less useful. Yet, I heard that Pop suggested trading David Robinson? But then, I think that now Pop has developed a bond with Manu, as did Tony/Tim/Bruce. Yet, it is a business.

He's my favorite player. So I'm a bit worried.

[MannyIsGod]

I see a lot of people saying this but the only thing that stopped the Spurs from opening up cap room this summer was winning the 2007 championship. If they wouldn't have won it all last season, this would be the summer major caproom would have been opened.

After the championship, the Spurs did the following: extend Bowen's contract, re-sign Oberto, re-sign Bonner, re-sign Vaughn and sign Udoka. If the Spurs hadn't have won a championship since 2005, no way the Spurs do all that.

But looking back on it, did the Spurs make the right choice? I'm not convinced they did. If they would have followed through with the 2008 plan, the Spurs would have ~$8-12M in caproom right now. Obviously, there's no guarantee that all those players above would still be with the team but imagine how nice it'd be to have all that money this summer. The Spurs could have the Big Three and add another star. Bowen would have stuck around one way or another.

The 2008 plan was real but the Spurs decided to postpone it. Looking back now, it could have very well have been a mistake. Letting players like Oberto, Bonner and Vaughn walk to open significant caproom could have paid off nicely.

Meh. We're a healthy Barry/Horry from being in the Finals right now. We're a Manu + one more red bull from being in the Finals right now. We're a Joey Crawford whistle from being on the Finals right now.

Saying the Spurs made a mistake this past off season is reaaaaaaaaaaaaaally pushing it and playing some serious Monday morning QB.

You also can't blame them for not foreseeing the Gasol trade. Jesus, if that gift doesn't happen the Spurs win the championship!

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

It seems now with Manu's bad performance during the Lakers series, while playing on a bad ankle, some fans are saying that they doubt that the Spurs would re-sign Manu in 2010.

Any truth to that thinking? You just said that there is enough money to resign Manu and still have some left for a good player. How much do you think the Spurs might offer Manu? Or do you think they might NOT resign him like some fans are thinking? Anyway, I just wanted to ask your opinion. Or how much would Manu even ask for? I mean he took a paycut in his 6 year contract. So would he do that again, with even less money going to him? He says that he still wants to play for a few more years after his contract. I just don't know what his thinking will be about his new possible contract OR even if the Spurs would still want to resign him? I mean, Pop wants to hold on to Horry/Finley/Barry for years and years, even though they are older now and less useful. Yet, I heard that Pop suggested trading David Robinson? But then, I think that now Pop has developed a bond with Manu, as did Tony/Tim/Bruce. Yet, it is a business.

He's my favorite player. So I'm a bit worried.

It will all depend on his health. By 2010 he'll be 34, old for a normal SG, very old for someone who plays like Manu does.

Why worry about it? Enjoy the next two years and see what happens! :D

[timvp]

Meh. We're a healthy Barry/Horry from being in the Finals right now. We're a Manu + one more red bull from being in the Finals right now. We're a Joey Crawford whistle from being on the Finals right now.

Saying the Spurs made a mistake this past off season is reaaaaaaaaaaaaaally pushing it and playing some serious Monday morning QB.

You also can't blame them for not foreseeing the Gasol trade. Jesus, if that gift doesn't happen the Spurs win the championship!I agree with all your "ifs" but which of the moves that were made after the 2007 would have changed the formula? Letting Bonner and Vaughn walk wouldn't have changed much. Playing hardball with Oberto might have backfired but was he really leaving if the Spurs would have held steadfast to a one-year contract offer?

But my point really wasn't second guessing what the Spurs did last summer. After a championship, you can't really blame the Spurs for re-signing their championship parts. We saw how not doing so blew up in their face in 2003 (not re-signing Jack to open up room for Rasho :bang ).

My point was to look at how not following through with the 2008 plan worked out and how that compares to the 2010 plan. If the Spurs would have followed through on the 2008 plan, they'd have ~$10M right now to spend on free agents. Instead, they used that same money on Bonner, Oberto, Vaughn, Udoka and to extend Bowen. The money will also be likely used to re-sign Thomas (and perhaps Barry if Barry wants more than the minimum).

For those who want to forgo the 2010 plan, it's a good way to see what the alternative would be. If you scrap the 2010 plan to stockpile role players, is that worth the chance to go after a star? It's tough to say.

[timvp]

It seems now with Manu's bad performance during the Lakers series, while playing on a bad ankle, some fans are saying that they doubt that the Spurs would re-sign Manu in 2010.

Any truth to that thinking?Two early to tell. However, I'd say there's a very good chance Ginobili is re-signed after the 2010 season. He'd have to basically fall off the face of the earth for the Spurs to look elsewhere. The only other way they don't re-sign him is if they decide to sign other options that eat up their salary cap and he's forced to go elsewhere to make the money he wants to make.

I don't think either of those two scenarios are too likely. Ginobili will bounce back and he should have a number of good years left. Thanks to how Pop has limited his minutes in his career and his late start in the NBA, he doesn't have that much mileage on him compared to a lot of shooting guards his age.



You just said that there is enough money to resign Manu and still have some left for a good player. How much do you think the Spurs might offer Manu?That's tough to say right now. He'll be making around $11M in the final year of his contract. If he stays at his current level, something like a three-year, $27-36M would probably be his market value.

To put it in perspective, Ginobili in 2010 will be about the same age as Barry was in 2004 when he joined the Spurs. Barry got a four-year contract so it's not unreasonable for the Spurs to sign Ginobili to a three or four year contract. At near his current level, he'd probably pull in around $10M a year. Even if his level drops, he'll likely still be able to make $6-7M a year. The only way he drops below that is if he can't stay healthy.


Or do you think they might NOT resign him like some fans are thinking? Anyway, I just wanted to ask your opinion. Or how much would Manu even ask for? I mean he took a paycut in his 6 year contract. So would he do that again, with even less money going to him?I don't remember Ginobili taking less money. He didn't holdout and try to milk the Spurs for as much money as possible ... but no one else was even offering him a serious contract. The Nuggets were thinking about it but then decided to go after KMart instead. Ginobili's contract was basically market value or a tad bit higher than market value, considering no one really had capspace to try to woo him away.


He says that he still wants to play for a few more years after his contract. I just don't know what his thinking will be about his new possible contract OR even if the Spurs would still want to resign him? I mean, Pop wants to hold on to Horry/Finley/Barry for years and years, even though they are older now and less useful. Yet, I heard that Pop suggested trading David Robinson? But then, I think that now Pop has developed a bond with Manu, as did Tony/Tim/Bruce. Yet, it is a business.

He's my favorite player. So I'm a bit worried.As Ruff said, no real reason to worry at this point. Summer of 2010 is a long ways away. Anything -- good or bad -- could happen between then and now. Maybe Ginobili just keeps getting better and multiple teams are throwing max money at him and the Spurs are forced to spend all their caproom retaining him. Maybe the team needs to be totally rebuilt and Ginobili leaves to go to a team that is closer to a championship.

Chances are, though, that Manu will retire a Spur and that won't be for another 4-6 years.

[spurs_believer]

Sometimes you gamble and it pays off, sometimes it doesn't.

I agree with this logic in general but it appears none of the gambles immediately after championships paid off in terms of repeat so far.

[wildbill2u]

Gambling that all of the Big 3 will be healthy and playing at star level not only in 2010 but for a couple of years after that is a bigger leap of faith than going over Niagra Falls on a boogie board.

What guarantee do we have that Duncan will even want to play another 2-4 years after 2010 if we go into a decline for the next two year?

What guarantee do we have that really starquality FA players will want to come to SA to play with an aging Big 3?

The future is now while we still have the Big 3 playing at a good level--but we've got so much tied up in players of limited ability that we're limited in our moves to retool the bench--and the pipeline of draftees is shaky as hell.

Retool now with whatever it takes for FAs, win a championship or two with the Big 3 and then sit back and let the NBA draft take its course while we wind up with a couple of lottery picks.

[angelbelow]

Antawn Jamison at the 4....Pop would've been in small ball heaven.

i think the entire spurs fan base would be in small ball heaven :hat

[EJK5032]

This team was # 3 in the West, even with resting players and injuries during the season, made it to the Western Conference Finals, lost a series that easily could have been a 4-1 series win with another Finals appearance, and has 3 All-NBA players in their prime !!!

are you kidding me ?

[spurster]

A healthy big 3 plus good role players is good enough for the Spurs to win a championship in the next two years. Without good role players, there's no chance. We have seen that it takes at least a year for role players to learn Pop's system. The 2010 plan is based on a complete overhaul renouncing everybody except Parker and Duncan. If you get a mostly new set of role players, it will be one or two years after that when you might expect everyone to play well together. At that point, I don't think the Spurs will have the extra years to do that.

[SPURSGOAT]

Go for King James in 2010....:king

[PDXSpursFan]

Screw 2010. We need to re-tool now. Tim and Manu are not getting any better in the next 2 years. We need to add the missing pieces around the big 3 now to compete against Lakers & Hornets.

[midnightpulp]

Go for King James in 2010....:king

I know that seems super unrealistic, but is it really so far out a proposition that it couldn't possibly happen?

If Kobe has a two peat by that time, is universally declared the greatest player since Jordan by the idiot pundits, and assuming the Cavs don't get their shit together, why wouldn't Lebron want to come to the West and challenge himself against Bryant?

He's be a perfect fit along side Duncan, who would be Shaquille to his Wade, and Tony Parker. Manu off the bench? Or would he be gone by this stage?

It's a pipedream, but maybe, just maybe...

[hsxvvd]

So does not getting Splitter at least save us money?

[Bruno]

Splitter staying in Spain makes things really tricky towards the 2010 plan.

There is the easy scenario of Splitter wanting to sign with Spurs in 2010 and Spurs still wanting him.

However, if Splitter don't want to sign and/or if Spurs don't want him, it will be quite complicate.
Spurs can keep his NBA rights but it will eat some cap space ($390K to be accurate). If you will need these $390K to sign a player, you face a dilemma.
Spurs will have three options :
1) They can keep his rights and hurt their rebuilding plan.
2) Spurs can trade his rights to another team but it will only work if Splitter agree to sign with them for the rookie scale.
3) Spurs can renounce to him and make Splitter an unrestricted free agent.

The key is when is Splitter NBA opt out deadline in 2010.
If it's July 1st or sooner, Spurs will be able to renounce to him without the risk of seeing him signing with another NBA team.
If it's after July 15th, I can see Splitter saying that he won't sign in NBA for only the rookie scale, Spurs renouncing to his rights and Splitter signing with the NBA team offering the most money to him.

I don't want to think at the worst case but it's possible that the Splitter story end up with Splitter signing a MLE contract with Mavs, Lakers or Rockets in 2010...

[rascal]

I agree with this logic in general but it appears none of the gambles immediately after championships paid off in terms of repeat so far.
The spurs do not gamble. They needed to add new players after champiohships because some players retired or some role players just didn't work out and were replaced with other role players.

Last year they stayed with the same team. I call that a conservative, passive decision, not any type of gamble.

[wildbill2u]

Staying with the team that won you the championship is what most teams would do. It looked like a great decision for the first few months of the season.

However the development of other teams by trade (Korver, Gasol, Scola, etc) and draft decisions that panned out--Paul, Roy, Durant, etc. for other WC teams, means that we have to get better just to stay in place.

Sure, we can make the playoffs next year without major retooling, but can we go all the way without getting better and younger?

If not, who wants to watch the probable end of TDs career, the peak of Manu and the decline of Bowen without a really good chance at the Championship in the next couple of years?

The future is now. But the FO will have to pull off some miracles in FA and the draft to make it happen.

[Spurtacus]

Scrap the 2010 plan. We need to win now. Duncan and Manu aren't getting younger. They will be 34 in 2010. Bring in some key pieces now and win back to back titles in 09 and '10.

[itzsoweezee]

the spurs front office fucked up this team last summer for years to come. in 2010, the spurs will be a lottery team if they have the current lineup. it's done, the window is closed. no more championships in the foreseeable future.

dumbasses on this site are under the delusion that other teams aren't improving and that the spurs can just keep treading water. the spurs lost 4-1 to the lakers. next year, it'll be a sweep unless they make major improvements.

[oligarchy]

Meh. We're a healthy Barry/Horry from being in the Finals right now. We're a Manu + one more red bull from being in the Finals right now. We're a Joey Crawford whistle from being on the Finals right now.

Saying the Spurs made a mistake this past off season is reaaaaaaaaaaaaaally pushing it and playing some serious Monday morning QB.

You also can't blame them for not foreseeing the Gasol trade. Jesus, if that gift doesn't happen the Spurs win the championship!

I assume you mean all of those things had to happen, but yeah, IF. Go with that. Regardless, I don't think it's a given they would have won the championship. I don't think they would've walked through the Celtics.

[oligarchy]

Splitter is coming in 2010.. It's all apart of the 2010 plan!

[picnroll]

Christ I hope the Spurs FO learned from the 2003 plan and isn't stupid enough to stick with a 2010 plan, at least thinking they'll land a top FA. I have a better shot at winning the Powerball lottery than the Spurs have of landing one of the targeted premier FAs. There are a bunch of big market teams clearing space, lining up for those top FAs. Doesn't anybody remember what happen in the 2003 Brand negotiation when Nike stepped in with the endorsement package? Spurs have zero chance of landing Wade, Bosh, LeBron, etc..

[picnroll]

I don't want to think at the worst case but it's possible that the Splitter story end up with Splitter signing a MLE contract with Mavs, Lakers or Rockets in 2010...

The Spurs need to make it clear from now until the end of time to Splitter and his agent that they will retain his rights. Take any plan that his rights might be renounced entirely out of the equation. No more nice guy BS. Sometimes it makes people think you can be walked on.

[objective]

I can understand with the whole scrapping the 08 plan to give the team the chance to defend, though I didn't agree with it at the time too much.

But the most puzzling thing about last year's re-signing of all the players to 'give the team the chance to defend their title' is the re-signing of Matt Bonner.

Bonner never even played last playoffs, how did he get included in the "defend his title" category with Oberto and Vaughn?

That would be like giving 3 years/9 million to Mengke Bateer in 03 and Gerard King in 99.

[wildbill2u]

We have a good nuclear core of players with the Big 3 who should be productive for a few more years. The problem is the role players who didn't perform this year as expected because of age, injuries or whatever.

In one of the Laker playoff games, THREE of our starting five had a total of SEVEN points. They were all from Bowen and when you have to rely on Bowen for scoring you're in a world of hurt.

You can say it was just one game, but it is symtomatic of the continuing problem with starting Oberto and Finley who are inconsistent in all categories from game to game. No serious NBA fan can possibly believe that the Spurs can another Championship relying on guys like this in the starting lineup.

So you put Ginobilit back as starter and hope he can carry the minutes.

But then you look at the rotation replacements off the bench. Thomas, Udoka, Barry, Vaughn, Stoudamire, Bonner, Horry, Mahimi. Not a whole lot of consistency there because of the age and injury factor to cause any fear in other teams when they come in to relieve the starters. I like a couple of them but you could get rid of all of them and not be missing a whole lot.

Fuck 2010. Here's the revised plan for NEXT year:

Play the Big three only ten minutes a game give Mahimi lots of minutes to see what's he's got. We'd have a terrible season, giving us a lottery pick (the next TDuncan) to go with the remaining years of the Big Three.

Tell the rest of this league and its administrators to STFU. The Gasol trade was a joke and putting the WCF on a every other night schedule while all the rest of the playoffs had a few nights off was suspicious enough to take any thoughts of fair play off the table.

It's one way out of this jackpot we're in. :rolleyes

[Marcus Bryant]

Right, the Spurs are set with their top 3 players. They basically need a scoring 2 guard who is of starting quality and a backup point guard who can score some.

They have their MLE (~$5.5 mil) and their LLE (~$1.9 mil). They have a trade exception worth about $1.8 mil and a couple other minor ones as well (~$500K). They have 3 picks in the draft, albeit low ones (#26, 45, & 57). They also have the draft rights to a couple international players (Javtokas & Sanikidze) who may be available to join the team.

Mahinmi should be joining the team next year which is tantamount to adding a lottery pick.

Their key free agent is Thomas, whose full Bird Rights they hold.

Bowen, Barry, Udoka (team option), Oberto, Bonner, and Vaughn (player option?) are useful role players. Again, there's not really a starting 2 in that group nor a desirable backup point. Vaughn is useful as a 3rd point/defensive sub.

With the Lux Tax threshold unlikely to be a concern next season, the front office should be free to upgrade the supporting cast some. Plus, it's obvious to them that some changes are needed this summer. So relax.

[CaptainLate]

All told, the Spurs are looking at something around $20-25 million in cap room. Even after giving Ginobili a new contract, there'd be enough money to snag a star.

To stay the course with the 2010 plan, the Spurs would have to offer free agents one-year or two-year contracts. By offering two-year contracts, that'd take the Spurs out of the running for almost every desirable free agent.

Ginobili's body will prevent him from getting another large contract.

As for 1 to 2-yrs contract, if it's a player now that they are either targeting (e.g., Magette?) or would like to target, they can give them the contract and say if it works out then they get a long-term deal b/c he is now the core of the team along with TD and TP.

[CaptainLate]

But the most puzzling thing about last year's re-signing of all the players to 'give the team the chance to defend their title' is the re-signing of Matt Bonner.

Bonner never even played last playoffs, how did he get included in the "defend his title" category with Oberto and Vaughn?

That's stupid Pop's fault. Obviously something was seen in Bonner to sign him to a new deal. Wasn't he suppose to replace Horry? And what did Horry do this year? Pop wasted Bonner like he stuck with NVE and wasted developing Beno (which meant we were stuck with Vaughn and MMouse.

Real bright Pop. :ihit

[CaptainLate]

Here's the revised plan for NEXT year:

Play the Big three only ten minutes a game give Mahimi lots of minutes to see what's he's got. We'd have a terrible season, giving us a lottery pick (the next TDuncan) to go with the remaining years of the Big Three.

Tell the rest of this league and its administrators to.... The Gasol trade was a joke and putting the WCF on a every other night schedule while all the rest of the playoffs had a few nights off was suspicious enough to take any thoughts of fair play off the table.

Agreed about the WCF every other night sked. That had to be a first.

As for playing time, play to win in front of the home folks; but tell the road homies to stick it.

[Marcus Bryant]

The Spurs should be able to offer someone a long term contract using the MLE this summer and still have a fair amount of cap flexibility in 2010.

TD, TP, Ian, and minimum roster spot charges will probably amount to $36 mil in the summer of 2010. The cap was $55.6 mil for 2007-08. It could very well be $60 mil by 2010-11. So we're looking at perhaps $24 to 25 mil in hypothetical cap space then. Supposing the Spurs signed someone to a 3 year or longer full MLE contract this summer then they still have about $17 mil in cap room left in 2010. That would be enough to go after most max level free agents.

I'm not opposed to the idea of having some cap flexibility every so often, but doing so absolutely at the expense of improving the team now with the big 3 together is not a great idea. If you can land a proven starting quality scoring swingman this summer with a long term MLE deal, you do it.