Free Agent: JR Smith

[Marcus Bryant]

Cool man. I'm at home. I'll mix a martini while I wait.

[Nbadan]

Matt Bonner once toilet papered his HS coach's house.

:lol

[Spur-Addict]

He's not Kobe, but keep in mind how young he still is. From what I've seen so far, he looks like he could turn out to be a VERY explosive scorer in the right environment, particularly given how the game has changed to favor players like him.

Much like hockey, in order to do what? Ratings? Did someone say ratings?

[Nbadan]

Just don't get into a car with JR Smith driving...and give him his own toll road....

[NicolasBatum]

Born to be a Spur...

http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/9958/p6110096nz7.jpg

[NewJerSpur]

Just don't get into a car with JR Smith driving...and give him his own toll road....

I actually knew the guy that was killed in that accident. At Benedict's students outside of freshmen (they have their own groups amongst themselves) are placed into groups with other classmen of different levels for different reasons (study sessions, convocation, athletic activies after classes, etc.). I was my group's leader the year he was drafted into our group. Andre Bell. We were cool even though he was 2 years younger than me and often tried to be a wise-ass....still, overall he was a good kid. I was sad to hear the news when I did last year especially given the nature of the accident. Has nothing to do with why I'm not the biggest fan of Smith's game or his fit with this team, but that incident just made me look at him differently personally.

[rAm]

How so?

K I'm back... fuck Los Angeles traffic.

Anyways, I feel that with the Spur's current roster w/ the big 3/4 being who they are, that they have matured as an organization. They don't need to take gambles on players who are iffy locker room guys because they have 4 solid players who won't put up with shit like that.

So my point was, unless J.R. smith has a drastic change in attitude/playstyle I doubt he would fit in with the spurs. My other point was, say he had a drastic change in attitude/playstyle would he be the same player?

It takes a certain kind of player to fit into this spurs team, and as much as I would love a player like J.R. on the roster, I just don't think it would work out.

[DPG21920]

People always worry about character issues. They bring up J.R.'s defensive problems as well. But with a guy as young and as impressionable as he is, if you put him alongside quality guys, and with a coach who will challenge him to be his best, he can overcome. Also, when it comes to defense in this league, the only difference between Bruce Bowen and J.R. is effort. When you are that athletic, it is just making a commitment to playing D. Keep in mind, defense is always a team concept. The Nuggets did not play D as a team at all. There are great defensive players on terrible defensive teams that get no notice and look terrible. If you put him in a system, and make him accountable just like everyone else on the team, I have no doubt he has the ability to become a defender of good quality. Plus, the Spurs need a huge boost in scoring from the 2 and 3 spots in our rotation. He can provide some of that. He also is a slasher, who can create when the offense breaks down, which he can do. He does have his downside, but I feel he does far more good than bad. He will not help address our front-line lack of scoring though...

[DPG21920]

I also would like to see the Spurs maybe go after Rashad McCants from Minnesota or maybe John Salmons from the Kings, although I do not like his contract and he is 28. That could be some nice options for a better scoring 2 guard.

[DPG21920]

What about this trade I worked up as well. The Bulls need active big men that are veterans and have high basketball I.Q. The Spurs need to get younger, more athletic and need some upside at the 2 spot and the 3/4 spots. I feel this trade solves both problems. Let me know what you think:

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/features/traderesult?players=1996~2805~3028~3032&teams=4~4~24~24&te=&cash=

[diego]

eh... i understand why people want to give him a chance, but i just dont see it working out the way we'd like. before i would have been more willing, but now he's infected with denver's cancer and pricey to boot. the only positive is that he'd probably be a tradeable asset either way.

i just dont see a single guy on our roster that could relate to him (they are all much older, not the case with jax, except for TP, but TP's a married man), besides mahinmi, and that could be very bad.

[Spur-Addict]

eh... i understand why people want to give him a chance, but i just dont see it working out the way we'd like. before i would have been more willing, but now he's infected with denver's cancer and pricey to boot. the only positive is that he'd probably be a tradeable asset either way.

i just dont see a single guy on our roster that could relate to him (they are all much older, not the case with jax, except for TP, but TP's a married man), besides mahinmi, and that could be very bad.

I don't think it's so much about who he is now. To me, it's more about who he is capable of becoming. When I look at him I don't see the same hardened personality of someone like SJAX, I see a young kid who is able to be molded. The next few years will most likely determine who he will become not only as a player, but, as a person. I think it would be a mistake to not even consider him if we can afford him.

[Spur-Addict]

What about this trade I worked up as well. The Bulls need active big men that are veterans and have high basketball I.Q. The Spurs need to get younger, more athletic and need some upside at the 2 spot and the 3/4 spots. I feel this trade solves both problems. Let me know what you think:

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/features/traderesult?players=1996~2805~3028~3032&teams=4~4~24~24&te=&cash=

I like this trade if we get another big aside from Ian for the upcoming year. I don't mean a stiff, I mean someone with finishing capabilty and some defensive qualities that are favorable for our team.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

What about this trade I worked up as well. The Bulls need active big men that are veterans and have high basketball I.Q. The Spurs need to get younger, more athletic and need some upside at the 2 spot and the 3/4 spots. I feel this trade solves both problems. Let me know what you think:

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/features/traderesult?players=1996~2805~3028~3032&teams=4~4~24~24&te=&cash=

We're gonna need to find another big in free agency, but :tu.

[Mr. Body]

What about this trade I worked up as well. The Bulls need active big men that are veterans and have high basketball I.Q. The Spurs need to get younger, more athletic and need some upside at the 2 spot and the 3/4 spots. I feel this trade solves both problems. Let me know what you think:

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/features/traderesult?players=1996~2805~3028~3032&teams=4~4~24~24&te=&cash=

Trade makes absolutely no sense from Chicago's end.

[Bartleby]

Trade makes absolutely no sense from Chicago's end.

Yeah, even with some picks thrown in it would be totally unbalanced, not quite the Grizzlies giveaway to LA, but no far off.

[MateoNeygro]

Jack patented the crossover, off the foot, out of bounds and crossover/strip the ball moves. He has improved his ball handling post-Spurs.

haha that was funny but i like jack, and i also like the idea of signing JR Smith

[Appoggiatura]

Jack was someone we could have used this year against L.A. Maybe Smith could play a similar role. It's hard to tell b/c in Denver, their system is usually run and gun and not as organized, so we get so many varying opinions of him. With him being young, hopefully he could learn Pop's system. Be interesting to see though if sees himself in SA. Could go either way.

[LakerLanny]

I think Maggette will leave the Clips if he gets any kind of reasonable offer.

Let's put it this way, I don't think he and Dumbleavy exchange Christmas cards.

[Mr. Body]

I mean this quite seriously after the entertaining banter a few pages back. Is anyone certain JR Smith would really want to play for the Spurs? Seems like a lot of work and focus is required and he doesn't seem the sort to go for it. We're not talking a trade, we're talking a FA signing he'd want to take.

[Bartleby]

I mean this quite seriously after the entertaining banter a few pages back. Is anyone certain JR Smith would really want to play for the Spurs? Seems like a lot of work and focus is required and he doesn't seem the sort to go for it. We're not talking a trade, we're talking a FA signing he'd want to take.

Good question. To me the bigger question is whether or not the Spurs are interested in him. Admittedly, it's always hard to say with the Spurs, given how much they like to hide their cards.

That said, they do seem to have a history of going after players who have big games against them and Smith's last two games against the Spurs were really solid (he had 22 in the last one). With that--along with their need for offense--in mind, I suspect they are at least considering him.

[DPG21920]

Kobe Bryant would like to play for Pop, I do not see why J.R. would not:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=stein_marc&page=KobeTradeRequest-070530

[Mr. Body]

Kobe Bryant would like to play for Pop, I do not see why J.R. would not:

Kobe wants to win, JR really doesn't care?

[DPG21920]

How can you say he does not care? He is young and competitive and on a team that is dysfunctional, I guess everyone on all the playoff teams that did not win a title does not want to win?

[Mr. Body]

How can you say he does not care? He is young and competitive and on a team that is dysfunctional, I guess everyone on all the playoff teams that did not win a title does not want to win?

How can you say he does? Byron Scott, a more demanding coach than Karl, hated him. Is this worth a $5 million+ gamble to you? To Peter Holt? This is a team that doesn't gamble.

[DPG21920]

Did not this team sign Dennis Rodman? J.R. played for Byron Scott (whom Jason Kidd hated) when he was 18 years old, give the kid a chance to grow. Not saying he has Kobe's will to win, but no one does except Gino maybe, but that does not mean he does not care.

[DPG21920]

I can say he does more than he doesn't by the way he competed in this years playoffs. He was all up in Kobe and not backing down. He upped his play. He also was in Karl's doghouse last year, took the criticism in stride, did not complain and worked his way back into the rotation.

[The Truth #6]

Byron Scott did not begin as a great coach. I thought he was overrated like Doc Rivers until this year's playoffs. Also, he wrote off Stephen Jackson. Whether you wanted him to stay in SA or not, it's hard to say he doesn't have talent.

But to your point of would he like to play in SA? Hell no. Of course he doesn't. We were most useful to him earlier when he couldn't get playing time. Now, he doesn't need us to get money or playing time. If anything, we're probably the team he should avoid. Who wants to finally be on the cusp of getting a starting job and then come to SA and have to be in Manu's shadow and possibly Pop's doghouse.

[Mr. Body]

Rodman cared about winning.

Does Smith care about winning?

Maybe.

Maybe not.

The Spurs are not a team to place a 5 million + / year bet on whether a guy has a heart and will focus for them.

And I have little doubt Smith is a player who would rather dick around on a lesser team where nothing is required of him than have to bust his ass off the bench.

[DPG21920]

It is definitely a concern, but he is so young it is not that much of a gamble in my opinion. Tony Parker was a gamble. I just think they need to do something to bolster the scoring. If they can do that with a guy that is athletic that is better, because all athletic guys can be good defenders, it is just effort at that point. There are players like Finley, who physically can not be good defenders, J.R. can physically do it, Pop will demand it and he knows that everyone on the Spurs will be putting in the effort as well.

[exstatic]

DerMarr Johnson has a rep as a doofus, and we signed him for the balance of the season this year. I remember him acting like a complete fool, topped off by mean muggin' our bench when he hit 2 or 3 treys in garbage time during a game against us last year. Didn't stop the Spurs from signing him.

[Mr. Body]

This team doesn't gamble? We decided to draft players who no one had heard of for years. Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Luis Scola, Ian, etc. After lossing to the Mavs people told us we needed to get younger. We could have, but we basically brought back the same group a year older.

Wost of all might I remind you, we signed Jackie Butler! That move alone cost us Scola.

Now that I think of it though, we totally need a Jackie Butler smilie. You know with the bread and all.

A draft pick by definition is a gamble, yes, but that makes the point moot.

Signing Butler was something of a gamble, but was fairly cheap for a big man prospect, even if it turned out to be a bust.

JR Smith at a certain amount of money is a good risk. At the full MLE, which is what it would take, well, that's pretty rich for one-dimensional player with real character concerns and who is technically unproven to want to win or play within a strict system like the Spurs. Analogies to Stephen Jackson don't make sense in that sense, because this is a lot of money.

[MannyIsGod]

So when Mr. Body says he's done with a thread it means the opposite, right?

[Marcus Bryant]

Spurs fans will bitch about anything. If JR Smith is willing to come to SA for a MLE contract you can be rest assured the front office will oblige him.

[Mr. Body]

So when Mr. Body says he's done with a thread it means the opposite, right?

I meant that night.

This thread is too much fun to let go. The annual "The Spurs could serious look at this balla, seriously!" thread.

[Mr. Body]

So going after JR would be well worth the risk of character.

Give Holt a call and explain away.

[Mr. Body]

Maybe they do. Going after him in the past is hardly precedent. As I've said, going for a guy when he's extremely cheap is very different than spending all your available cash on him.

[exstatic]

If by "one dimensional" you mean that all he can do is score from anywhere in the half court all by himself without a set play, then we agree. That's a pretty nice fucking dimension to add for the MLE.

[Mr. Body]

Yeah, if he could, like, defend people or rebound the basketball and stuff. Or play within a set offense. He has Earl Boykins-itis. He looks great making shots but then you realize his team keeps falling behind.

[exstatic]

Yeah, if he could, like, defend people or rebound the basketball and stuff. Or play within a set offense. He has Earl Boykins-itis. He looks great making shots but then you realize his team keeps falling behind.

He'd be replacing Mike Finley, so that whole "can't defend" thing kind of gets lost in the shuffle.

[exstatic]

if only he were two dimensional and that second dimension were on the defensive side.

His offensive skillset + defense > MLE.

[picnroll]

if only he were two dimensional and that second dimension were on the defensive side.

I guess you mean like Jack when he came to the Spurs but a couple of years older.

[MannyIsGod]

I agree with Mr. Body. The Spurs should sign Kobe Bryant with the MLE. He does it all.

[Buddy Holly]

We couldn't get him with the LLE?

[Flux451]

Sorry if already discussed in this extensive thread, but didn't we already have JR Smith on our team in the past?

What happened?

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Sorry if already discussed in this extensive thread, but didn't we already have JR Smith on our team in the past?

What happened?

:lol No, we've never had JR Smith.

[exstatic]

Sorry if already discussed in this extensive thread, but didn't we already have JR Smith on our team in the past?

What happened?

Atlanta's GM didn't answer his phone on the trade deadline day 2006. NO was ready to give him to us for Barry, but the salaries didn't quite match. There needed to be a third team to take a small contract. Billy Knight pulled the greatest FAIL in the history of NBA deadline day.

[Mr. Body]

Why was it Billy Knight's failure? He didn't want to do any trades. He claims he was attending a funeral and had his phone off at the time.

[exstatic]

Why was it Billy Knight's failure? He didn't want to do any trades. He claims he was attending a funeral and had his phone off at the time.

Man up. Pick up your phone and say no deal. It's kind of your job to take calls as an NBA GM. If you're at a funeral, designate one of your subordinates to take calls. Of course, from what I've heard about the ATL organization, this is par for the course.

[K-State Spur]

i admit, i thought this sounded like a bad idea at first. but i'm warming up to it.

if you can get him to reign in his shot selection just a bit, but not destroy his aggressiveness (a lot easier said than done), he could take off.

it's a gamble, but the Spurs are past the point where they can afford to play it save and maintain the status quo. if this team is going to get to the top of the mountain again, they'll have to hit on a gamble or two.

[whitebust]

smith would be a great addition to the spurs roster. an athletic wing that can drive the lane, shoot the three, and score in bunches giving the spurs a consistent fourth offensive option that can take the load off the big 3.

jr will be an energy palyer off the bench and is a threat to go for 30. he showed his potential in the playoffs this past year and if given the minutes will have a great impact on the spurs.

the only problem is that the nuggets will most likely match a full MLE.

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

thats right....... the nuggets will match it..... :smokin

[T Park]

Yeah and the Nuggets will go into the red because of it.

Thats why its not happening.

[Biggems]

is it possible for the Spurs to get both Artest and JR Smith?

[Buddy Holly]

thats right....... the nuggets will match it..... :smokin

Well, the Nuggets just traded for SG Sonny Weems. Looks like they're preparing for something...

[Buddy Holly]

is it possible for the Spurs to get both Artest and JR Smith?

No. Unless we did a Sign and Trade with one and gave the FULL MLE to another. Highly unlikely.

[Kindergarten Cop]

is it possible for the Spurs to get both Artest and JR Smith?

No, because it is likely that each one would expect the full MLE (or at least very close to it for JR). Now if we were to do a S&T, it would make it possible - but very, very unlikely.

[bostonguy]

IF someone signs Smith to a full MLE offer sheet, The Nuggets will not match the offer if Martin,Nene,Melo,Iverson,Camby are all still under contract. They wont put themselves in that bad of a luxary tax situation for JR Smith. Unless any of those contracts are dealt before or during the time JR signs an offer sheet for the full mle, the Nuggets will let him walk.

[T Park]

IF someone signs Smith to a full MLE offer sheet, The Nuggets will not match the offer if Martin,Nene,Melo,Iverson,Camby are all still under contract. They wont put themselves in that bad of a luxary tax situation for JR Smith. Unless any of those contracts are dealt before or during the time JR signs an offer sheet for the full mle, the Nuggets will let him walk.

Exactly.

If the Spurs want to commit the full MLE to him, he will come.

[50 cent]

It's JR Smith or bust time for the Spurs.

[whitebust]

Well, the Nuggets just traded for SG Sonny Weems. Looks like they're preparing for something...

possibly both the nuggets and spurs knew before the draft that JR would be moving to the spurs this off season (most likely a sign and trade) and this is why the spurs didnt use their #26 pick on a wing.

or the spurs are just hoping to get JR from FA and the nuggets have already decided not to match

[Streakyshooter08]

Just on a side note:

DENVER, June 27 -- The Denver Nuggets have made a qualifying offer to restricted free agent J.R. Smith, Nuggets Vice President of Basketball Operations Mark Warkentien announced today. Per team policy, terms of the offer were not released.
In accordance with the league’s collective bargaining agreement, in order for a team to retain its right of first refusal with respect to a restricted free agent, the team must tender the player a qualifying offer prior to June 30. A restricted free agent may sign an offer sheet with any team, but is subject to a right of first refusal with the team for which the player last played.

Smith, 6-6, 220, has averaged 12.6 ppg while shooting .396 (306-772) from three-point range in his two seasons with the Nuggets since being acquired in a trade with Chicago on July 20, 2006. This past season, he averaged 12.3 ppg in 19.2 minutes in 74 regular season contests and 18.3 ppg in 27.0 minutes in four playoff games.

[TDMVPDPOY]

Denver would still resign him anyway since the year after it a few contracts are off the books like cambys and iverson i think

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

exactly........ you guys are nuts if u think the MLE is enough to get it done. Stan will match it without flinching. 20mil off the books next year with AI.

[wildbill2u]

is it possible for the Spurs to get both Artest and JR Smith?

In your wet dreams. :lol

[coachmac87]

we dont need this bitch.

spurs fans forget...we went to the WCF with the oldest team in the league and manu had 1 foot!!!

azubuike or artest.

[Spurtacus]

spurs fans forget...we went to the WCF with the oldest team in the league and manu had 1 foot!!!

I think you're forgetting people age...

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

1. No cursing in titles.
2. JR Smith can help out. He's already better than Azubuike and about on the same level as today's Artest and younger.

[Dre_7]

we dont need this bitch.

spurs fans forget...we went to the WCF with the oldest team in the league and manu had 1 foot!!!

azubuike or artest.

Lmao. Dude is calling Smith a bitch, yet he would have no problem bringing in Artest? Artest is more of a risk than Smith, I think.

[mrspurs]

and another ignore...

[jag]

1. No cursing in titles.
2. JR Smith can help out. He's already better than Azubuike and about on the same level as today's Artest and younger.

Same level of what???

Scoring?

Craziness?

Team Play?

Defense?

Shooting?

Ballhandling?

Passing?

They are very different players.

[exstatic]

Lmao. Dude is calling Smith a bitch, yet he would have no problem bringing in Artest? Artest is more of a risk than Smith, I think.

Artest is crazy. Smith is just immature. Artest is almost 29. Smith is almost 23. Artest is more polished defensively. Smith is more polished offensively. Artest needs to operate primarily in the paint to be effective. Smith operates primarily on the perimeter and can seriously space the floor.

[bostonguy]

Klieza is also a restricted free agent.

Iversons contract may come off the books but they still have Kmart/Nene/Melo/Camby all under bloated deals. Plus keeping Klieza will cost from 4-6 million as would JR Smith. Plus add in additional salaries they bring in if they have any hopes of improving their roster. It's not insane to say the Nuggets wont match. Plus we will see if their owner wants to pay that much for the lux tax this season. Time will tell.

[ss1986v2]

Klieza is also a restricted free agent.
not till next year...

http://www.shamsports.com/content/pages/data/salaries/nuggets.jsp

[bostonguy]

not till next year...

http://www.shamsports.com/content/pages/data/salaries/nuggets.jsp

Then that makes things much easier for them. Time will tell if Denver does it. That team has so many holes on their team but keeping JR is one of many holes to fill.

[Tully365]

My #1 question: does Smith even have any interest in playing in S.A.? I guess we'll find out in the next couple of weeks. Remember, the last time he was reputed to be close to joining the Spurs was because of a trade in which he had no say. There will probably be lots of teams interested in him and offering him similar money.

One worry is that after a few weeks of looking at the different possibilities, he signs an offer sheet with the Spurs and the Nuggets let the max amount of time pass before matching, during which time Pietrus, Azuibuke, Gomes, Arroyo, James Jones and Delfino might all be gone. And then the Spurs sign Devin Brown & Nachbar....

If Pietrus is interested right away, and the FO has any indication that Denver would match a Smith offer, I'd prefer Pietrus. He's not a franchise-saver and not a future all- star, but he likes playing defense and despite any shortcomings is what Spur fans have been asking for: youth & athleticism. And if he didn't fit, he'd still be the best trade asset, far ahead of Udoka and Oberto.

my personal favorite is Ryan Gomes, who's also restricted but more available since Minnesota got K Love.

[tav1]

The problem with Pietrus is that he reportedly has a bad basketball iq. Given the Spurs system, that's not good.

[DPG21920]

I think the Nuggets would match. I do not know if Weems is a replacement just a filler with potential.

[tav1]

I was thinking the Nuggets would match too, but looking at their cap, I'm not sure they can. They'd definately pay substantial tax. Maybe this is why they're trying to get AI to opt out and extend, but for less per year.

[DPG21920]

I do not think paying an extra 4 million next year would keep them from matching. That would be extremely short-sighted. They already pay luxury tax and relief is right around the corner with AI's contract coming off the books. JR is not the problem, so pay a little more and keep him. I bet that is how they are thinking. I hope not.

[ChumpDumper]

They're going to let AI go after this season?

[Tully365]

The problem with Pietrus is that he reportedly has a bad basketball iq. Given the Spurs system, that's not good.

That's possibly true, but Smith's reluctance to play D, his run-ins with 2 coaches, his off court issues, and his inability to do anything well other than score sort of puts him in the low BB IQ category too, don't you think?

[tav1]

They're going to let AI go after this season?

I'm not sure if you're responding to me, but there was talk of AI opting out this summer to extend, but taking less per year in order to alleviate the Nuggets cap problems. Not sure where that stands.

[tav1]

That's possibly true, but Smith's reluctance to play D, his run-ins with 2 coaches, his off court issues, and his inability to do anything well other than score sort of puts him in the low BB IQ category too, don't you think?

I'm not a huge Smith fan, but he is much better than Pietrus. And his defense is not nearly as bad as advertised.

Moreover, he is exactly the sort of scorer the Spurs need. Good range, athletic, finishes at the hoop. He would be a good fit. I agree about the other stuff, but the Smith vs. Pietrus debate is not much of a debate. Smith, always and all the time.

[DPG21920]

AI is not opting out, but his contract expires next year and he becomes a free agent so that is 20 million of the books. They might re-sign him but not for nearly that much.

[exstatic]

I do not think paying an extra 4 million next year would keep them from matching. That would be extremely short-sighted. They already pay luxury tax and relief is right around the corner with AI's contract coming off the books. JR is not the problem, so pay a little more and keep him. I bet that is how they are thinking. I hope not.

It's not an extra $4M. Their payroll currently stands at $78M for 8 players. With the tax, that's about $91M. If they match an MLE offer of ~$5.5M, it adds about $11M to that payroll. The Nuggets would be at $102M, with tax, for 9 players, and still need to add 4 more to their roster.

[exstatic]

AI is not opting out, but his contract expires next year and he becomes a free agent so that is 20 million of the books. They might re-sign him but not for nearly that much.
You think he's going to take vet min? I'm thinking if they want him back, it's going to be at least $10M per year.

[exstatic]

I'm not sure if you're responding to me, but there was talk of AI opting out this summer to extend, but taking less per year in order to alleviate the Nuggets cap problems. Not sure where that stands.

Didn't happen. He picked up his full $20M option for next year. Guess he didn't get a good vibe on the early negotiations with Denver.

[DPG21920]

No way, MLE to sign Iverson next year or they let him walk. I just read on Spursrep. that J.R. is a second tier f.o. f.a. anyways, so this is all for not probably.

[ChumpDumper]

What is a second tier fofa?

[DPG21920]

second tier front-office free agent

[DPG21920]

ya, so not 4 million, but 5.5. It adds 11 million to the payroll, but half of that is salary and the other half is tax for only one year. they have already publicly stated they will match any offer (within reason i assume, which the mle is)

[Mr. Body]

If I hadn't left NY to come back home on Thursday, I would have gone to watch Artest and JR Smith's team play summer leagues, where the fiance of my wife's sister is a coach - he claims being tight with Artest. We couldn't stay longer in the U.S. for tax reasons, since we're living abroad, but that would have been cool. I could have felt out Smith's interest in the Spurs (which I doubt is high), as well as Artest's. Tell them SpursTalk members have hard-ons to get Smith playing for them. :lol

[oligarchy]

It's not an extra $4M. Their payroll currently stands at $78M for 8 players. With the tax, that's about $91M. If they match an MLE offer of ~$5.5M, it adds about $11M to that payroll. The Nuggets would be at $102M, with tax, for 9 players, and still need to add 4 more to their roster.

Can you explain the math again? If Smith's current salary (2.3 mil) is included in that 78m, and Nuggets were to match 5.5, they would increase their salary only 3.2mil.

[DPG21920]

I do not think that JR's salary is on the books. He is a RFA, so if they do not match, he is off the books in tune with last years salary. If we offer the full MLE (~5.5) that gets doubled and added to the total of ~91 million.

[intlspurshk]

Let's throw MLE to JR Smith and see whether Nuggets will match. It's only a week waiting and most negotiation is done between 7/1 to 7/15. SPURS can still sign players like Dorrell Wright + Ronny Turiaf or any other combination like CJ miles of 3rd tier young players. They will buy since they know they will have starter min. M Pietrus, Kelena, Delfino bring additional improvement but it's not enough to beat the Lakers / Celtics.

SPURS need Artest or JR Smith to get 15-20 ppg and play good defense to overcome declined production from Bowen/Manu/Barry.

[Tully365]

I'm not a huge Smith fan, but he is much better than Pietrus. And his defense is not nearly as bad as advertised.

Moreover, he is exactly the sort of scorer the Spurs need. Good range, athletic, finishes at the hoop. He would be a good fit. I agree about the other stuff, but the Smith vs. Pietrus debate is not much of a debate. Smith, always and all the time.

I agree, and don't think Pietrus would beat Smith 1-on-1. But the risk of losing out on getting anyone while waiting for an answer from Smith's camp and/or the Nuggets is real..... I might like that kind of risk to land a Kirilenko or a Danny Granger....but I'm not too sure about J.R.

[TDMVPDPOY]

If I hadn't left NY to come back home on Thursday, I would have gone to watch Artest and JR Smith's team play summer leagues, where the fiance of my wife's sister is a coach - he claims being tight with Artest. We couldn't stay longer in the U.S. for tax reasons, since we're living abroad, but that would have been cool. I could have felt out Smith's interest in the Spurs (which I doubt is high), as well as Artest's. Tell them SpursTalk members have hard-ons to get Smith playing for them. :lol

arrg the 60-90day rule for overseas tax payers or else you have to disclose overseas income...

hey childress should be at the top of our list right?

[DPG21920]

The waiting threat is real, which is why J.R. is a secondary target this free agency period.

[Mr. Body]

hey childress should be at the top of our list right?

Childress has long been topping my list. But if the Spurs' interest was rebuffed in trade, it's a sign Atlanta intends to resign him.

[Slinkyman]

The waiting threat is real, which is why J.R. is a secondary target this free agency period.

who's a primary target then?

[DPG21920]

It is safe to assume those who are not restricted free agents...

[SenorSpur]

The problem with Pietrus is that he reportedly has a bad basketball iq. Given the Spurs system, that's not good.

How is Pietrus' basketball IQ any lower than Smith's?

[Mr. Body]

How is Pietrus' basketball IQ any lower than Smith's?

It's yet another SpursTalk myth.

[exstatic]

No way, MLE to sign Iverson next year or they let him walk. I just read on Spursrep. that J.R. is a second tier f.o. f.a. anyways, so this is all for not probably.

I'm sure Modesto has ALL of the inside info. :lmao If Garza says he's second tier by his info, he's probably really the prime target. SR hasn't even had press credentials in like at least two years.

[exstatic]

It's yet another SpursTalk myth.

Uh, not it isn't. Pietrus is as dumb as the mineral substance for which he's named. His countryman Parker doesn't even think he's an NBA caliber player.

[T Park]

I guess Tony Parker is in on that "myth" as well.

[Mr. Body]

It's a myth. Pietrus is clearly not as dumb as SpursTalk thinks he is. An even bigger myth is JR Smith is somehow an elevated basketball mind in comparison. They're both stuck below mediocre.

[ss1986v2]

as are most of the posters on the warriors realgm board (minus a hilarious pietrus homer named abyss that seems to have a raging man-crush on the guy).

but of course that means nothing because...

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

They're going to let AI go after this season?


if they are smart they will. AI is a team killer and the melo-AI pairing has failed.

Melo/JR > Melo/AI............ AI is a ballhog and is afraid to be a pass-first player. The Nuggets have an amazing record when he gets 10+ dimes, and yet he continually goes back to looking for his points.

AI won't be back in Denver. He will either be moved this season for some other pieces or they will just let him go. He wants to go back to Philly anyway :lol

I wish those damn suspensions never happened. Jr was beginning to thrive next to Melo and Miller was the perfect point guard. The FO panicked when Melo/JR were out and now im sure they know it was a mistake.

Id love AI back IF he changed his game, but we all know he won't do that coz he wants his points before anything else.

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

It's a myth. Pietrus is clearly not as dumb as SpursTalk thinks he is. An even bigger myth is JR Smith is somehow an elevated basketball mind in comparison. They're both stuck below mediocre.

did you watch JR late last season? He has changed so much with his decision making and has become pretty smart on court. Time will tell if thats a sign for this season or if it's just coz it was a contract year.

Give me JR over Pietrus anyday of the week.

[Mr. Body]

did you watch JR late last season? He has changed so much with his decision making and has become pretty smart on court. Time will tell if thats a sign for this season or if it's just coz it was a contract year.

Give me JR over Pietrus anyday of the week.

Contract year.

[T Park]

Ah so BB IQ varies on contract years now.

:lol

Mr "Why would holt accept the buyout, erick williams would have to take less money" fails again.

[MagnusKrauss]

Damn! Denver made a qualifying offer today.

shit.

[mystargtr34]

Of course they did.... thats a given.... doesnt mean theyl match a full MLE

[sprrs]

Contract year.

Contracts now have magical IQ-raising powers? I'll be damned.

[exstatic]

Damn! Denver made a qualifying offer today.

shit.

Why is everyone getting their panties in a wad about this? They HAVE to extend the QO if they want the option to ever match any offer. It's what makes him restricted. No QO, no restrictions on his FA period.

[MagnusKrauss]

oh well. it's not that big of a deal anyway now that i think about it.

still, it would have been really great if they didn't extend an offer.

[Sissiborgo]

Tell me if you really want J.R i mean he could be a good player if he steps hes game up and he's not in the right team right no but thats my opinion tel me if you like him?:toast

[Sissiborgo]

I WANT HIM!!:toast

[Brutalis]

Just saying Goodbye JR Smith. Hope you land in the East now.