McDonald And Monroe: Spurs Plan To Make Offer For Maggette

Edit: Sorry, this probably belonged in the Maggette thread. Please move if it needs to be. :)

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b....14978daf.html

Pro basketball: Spurs plan to make offer for Maggette
By Jeff McDonald and Mike Monroe

Two seasons after the Spurs unsuccessfully tried to trade for Corey Maggette, they appear to be trying to recruit him.

According to two NBA sources, one in the Western Conference and one in the East, the Spurs are preparing to make an offer to Maggette, who became an unrestricted free agent Tuesday when he opted out of the final year of his contract with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Details of the proposal are not known, but the Spurs are believed to be poised to offer the 28-year-old guard their full mid-level exception worth about $5.8 million for the first year, the sources say.

Spurs general manger R.C. Buford declined to comment on negotiations with any particular free agent.

A 6-foot-6 slasher, Maggette would seem to satisfy the Spurs’ annual search for a young, athletic scorer on the wing. He has averaged 16.1 points during a nine-year NBA career, including 22.1 per game last season.

News of Maggette’s courtship came hours after Brent Barry informed the Spurs he had decided to opt out of his contract, making the veteran guard an unrestricted free agent for the second time in six months.

In an odd bit of coincidence, Barry was part of a failed deal with the Clippers in January of 2007 that would have brought Maggette to San Antonio. In another coincidence, Barry and Maggette share the same agent, Arn Tellem.

It is presumed Barry’s latest list of could-be suitors will look a lot like the one he mulled back in February, after a flurry of transactions saw him traded to Seattle and waived in the span of a few hours.

Barry eventually wound up re-signing with the Spurs then, shunning inquiries from Houston, Phoenix, Dallas and Boston. There is a chance he could end up with the Spurs again — although that could hinge on what happens with Maggette, since the two essentially play the same position.

The Rockets were among the first this week to contact Barry, who turned down $1.262 million of the Spurs’ money to test the free-agent market. Reportedly, the Rockets have offered the 36-year-old guard their $1.9 million bi-annual exception to move east down Interstate 10.

Jacque Vaughn, the only other Spurs player with the right to opt out of his contract this summer, has decided to return to San Antonio for the final year of his deal. Vaughn, a backup point guard who could see some of his minutes challenged by first-round pick George Hill, is scheduled to make $1.262 million next season.

Under NBA rules, teams cannot sign free agents until July 9. Between now and then, the Spurs could have some competition for Maggette’s services.

The Orlando Sentinel, citing an unidentified friend of Maggette’s, reported earlier this week that the guard was encouraging the Magic to join the bidding for him.

Maggette played for the Magic during his rookie season of 1999-2000, and his parents still live in Central Florida. Like the Spurs, Orlando can offer Maggette — who turned down $7 million from the Clippers — its mid-level exception as a starting point.

Barry’s latest turn on the free-agent Tilt-A-Whirl comes after one of the most head-spinning seasons of his professional career.

The first two months of Barry’s fourth season in San Antonio were among the most productive of his Spurs’ tenure. He averaged 7.3 points and shot a team-best 43-percent from beyond the 3-point arc over his first 29 games.

A calf injury in December all but derailed his promising campaign. He was still shelved in February, when the Spurs dealt him and Francisco Elson to Seattle in exchange for Kurt Thomas.

The Sonics quickly cut Barry, kicking off a month-long courtship that eventually ended with Barry right back where he started. Still recovering from the calf injury, Barry played sparingly for the Spurs until the posteason.

He was most active during the club’s Western Conference Finals ouster against the Los Angeles Lakers. He scored a season-high 23 points in the Spurs’ Game 4 loss, which ended in a controversial non-foul call that would have sent Barry to the foul line with a chance to tie the game.

About damn time.

No new news other than the Spurs are hoping he signs with em.

Yeah, cautious optimism.

I like others, still don't think hes coming, due to Orlando wanting him.

Perhaps combined they can put together an insightful article.

It took two guys to write this?

After all the buzz, it sure will be disappointing if he doesn't sign here now.

:lmao

I just noticed that

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Originally Posted by Marcus Bryant

Perhaps combined they can put together an insightful article.

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:lol

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Originally Posted by Marcus Bryant

Perhaps combined they can put together an insightful article.

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:lol We're still waiting...

Excuse for News Spurstalk.com redux #428,102.

Yeah seems like a pipe dream...but since barry and maggette have same agent, maybe barry knows something is gonna happen so he opt'd out to look for greener pastures. I dont know why orlando wouldnt offer him the MLE except for they are near the tax threashold and may not wanna pay dollar for dollar tax.

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Originally Posted by Aggie Hoopsfan

Excuse for News Spurstalk.com redux #428,102.

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Yeah they pulled a Buck Harvey.

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In another coincidence, Barry and Maggette share the same agent, Arn Tellem.

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according to draftexpress's agent/player listings, they don't have the same agent.

According to DX:

Barry is with Arn Tellem of the Wasserman Media Group.

while Maggette is with Rob Pelinka of the Landmark Sports Agency.

http://www.draftexpress.com/agents/A...nt-NBA/Player/

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Originally Posted by spurman20

Yeah seems like a pipe dream...but since barry and maggette have same agent, maybe barry knows something is gonna happen so he opt'd out to look for greener pastures.

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Or with the same agent, this was planned. :hat That is, Barry opts out; Maggette signs for MLE; Barry resigns for more than the $1.2m he was going to get this yr.

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Originally Posted by objective

according to draftexpress's agent/player listings, they don't have the same agent.

According to DX:

Barry is with Arn Tellem of the Wasserman Media Group.

while Maggette is with Rob Pelinka of the Landmark Sports Agency.

http://www.draftexpress.com/agents/A...nt-NBA/Player/

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http://www.theparamount.com/press/im...-EdMcMahon.jpg

HI-O!

Hell, any one of us could write a better article then these guys, and they tried to do it COMBINED.

and in case DX's word wasn't good enough . . .

Landmark Sports Agency still has Maggette listed as a client on their site.

And Pelinka was mentioned as the agent shared by Maggette and Eric Gordon in the LA Times 5 days ago.

This isn't the first time a sloppy, easily researched falsehood has appeared in a Monroe/McDonald article.

corey is the man, like him

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Originally Posted by Budkin

After all the buzz, it sure will be disappointing if he doesn't sign here now.

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With Smith already receiving a qualifying offer from the Nuggets, Maggette is the best swingman out there. His decision will dictate the rest of the SF/SG market. Let's keep Pietrus in the back pocket for now.

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Originally Posted by SenorSpur

With Smith already receiving a qualifying offer from the Nuggets, Maggette is the best swingman out there. His decision will dictate the rest of the SF/SG market. Let's keep Pietrus in the back pocket for now.

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Just because he recieved a qualifying offer, doesn't take him off the table one bit.

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Originally Posted by T Park

Just because he recieved a qualifying offer, doesn't take him off the table one bit.

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True dat. Frankly, with Denver's cap situation, I'm surprised they were willing and able to offer up anything.

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Originally Posted by SenorSpur

True dat. Frankly, with Denver's cap situation, I'm surprised they were willing and able to offer up anything.

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It was a formality to give them the right to match any offer.

Even if they have no intention of paying him the MLE, it makes teams have to think twice if they're thinking of calling a bluff.

I would still rather have JR for the long-term, but Mags would be beyond a welcomed surprise...

If Maggette decides not to sign with us then I hope he does so quickly so we can move on to JR Smith or someone else and not waste all our time chasing Maggette...

Can anybody tell me, if we let Horry and Barry go..could we use their salary cap space to add to Magette just in case Orlando suddenly throw all of their MLE?? I think we also got LLE from Beno trade..... Because if its true than salary of Horry alone and LLE could put us way ahead than Orlando because all they can offer is MLE. Somebody with more knowledge please let me know....

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Originally Posted by wisnub

Can anybody tell me, if we let Horry and Barry go..could we use their salary cap space to add to Magette just in case Orlando suddenly throw all of their MLE?? I think we also got LLE from Beno trade..... Because if its true than salary of Horry alone and LLE could put us way ahead than Orlando because all they can offer is MLE. Somebody with more knowledge please let me know....

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There is no way the Spurs will have any amount greater than the MLE this summer.

Period.

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Originally Posted by wisnub

Can anybody tell me, if we let Horry and Barry go..could we use their salary cap space to add to Magette just in case Orlando suddenly throw all of their MLE?? I think we also got LLE from Beno trade..... Because if its true than salary of Horry alone and LLE could put us way ahead than Orlando because all they can offer is MLE. Somebody with more knowledge please let me know....

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Just because 2 of our players could sign with other teams doesn't mean that it will add to the money available with the MLE.

The MLE is set, and there's no way it could be added to.

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Originally Posted by wisnub

Can anybody tell me, if we let Horry and Barry go..could we use their salary cap space to add to Magette just in case Orlando suddenly throw all of their MLE?? I think we also got LLE from Beno trade..... Because if its true than salary of Horry alone and LLE could put us way ahead than Orlando because all they can offer is MLE. Somebody with more knowledge please let me know....

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You can't trade the LLE, actually (or the MLE, for that matter).

But yea, as everyone said, they don't total up. They are set in place.

Damn...now we just hope Corey like championship rings..... Orlando will never win championship with their current roster. They could challenge Celtics but not get past them

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Originally Posted by T Park

No new news other than the Spurs are hoping he signs with em.

Yeah, cautious optimism.

I like others, still don't think hes coming, due to Orlando wanting him.

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If Orlando can pay Rashad $100+ million, Orlando can pay Corey Magette more than MLE. Sigh... I sometimes wish Spurs had a richer owner...:wakeup

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Originally Posted by wijayas

If Orlando can pay Rashad $100+ million, Orlando can pay Corey Magette more than MLE. Sigh... I sometimes wish Spurs had a richer owner...:wakeup

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Salary Cap my friend.

Orl can only offer the MLE.... and along with Texas is a non-tax state...

So its up to him i guess... Pop betta get the knee pads out

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Originally Posted by mystargtr34

Salary Cap my friend.

Orl can only offer the MLE.... and along with Texas is a non-tax state...

So its up to him i guess... Pop betta get the knee pads out

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Precisely my point. Orlando owner can go over the salary cap and pay the tax. Not Holt.

And since when to Barry and Maggette play the same position? Barry is our best back up PG, and a soft SG when he wants to be. Maggette is an athletic SG/SF. They don't play even remotely the same style of game, even though they technically occasionally overlap at the SG spot.

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Originally Posted by wijayas

Precisely my point. Orlando owner can go over the salary cap and pay the tax. Not Holt.

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If a team is over the cap... as the Magic are... they can only offer the MLE or the LLE... CBA

I'm not sure why he would turn down $7mil and then sign somewhere else for less than that. Can the Clippers offer him more than anyone else, more than $7 mil, say?

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Originally Posted by Supergirl

And since when to Barry and Maggette play the same position? Barry is our best back up PG, and a soft SG when he wants to be. Maggette is an athletic SG/SF. They don't play even remotely the same style of game, even though they technically occasionally overlap at the SG spot.

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Yep... i think now the only way we get Brent back is to offer the LLE given what LA has offered.

I think if we can get Maggette and Barry with the MLE and LLE.... re-sign Kurt with Bird rights... sign Hill obviously... i think we can all be pretty confident and happy with that.

And i would like Gist and Hairston over Horry and Finley.

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Originally Posted by ManuTastic

I'm not sure why he would turn down $7mil and then sign somewhere else for less than that. Can the Clippers offer him more than anyone else, more than $7 mil, say?

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Because its risky for any player to play on a one year contract... injuries play a major part in decisions.

I think his agent would be advising him to take the best deal available obviously... but if thats a MLE (which is most likely) then he would be best advised to sign a 2 year deal with a team/player option for a third... that way if he plays to his capability he can resign a bigger long term deal later... and at the same time that 2/3 year MLE deal gives him a bit of security in case of injury.

The only teams that can offer him more than the MLE are Memphis (Highly unlikely given ownership and F/G glut), Philly (pursuing other options) and GS (likely destination now that Baron is gone).

Make sense?

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Originally Posted by wijayas

Precisely my point. Orlando owner can go over the salary cap and pay the tax. Not Holt.

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There are rules. Orlando can only offer the MLE, just like the Spurs can. The only way they can pay him more is in a sign and trade.

The only teams that can pay him more than the MLE are the teams that have enough cap room, like Philly, Golden State and Memphis.

Why did Barry opt out? He was in a similiar situation just 6months ago and had the option to sign somewhere else, but he didn't and decided to come back to the Spurs. He had to have known the Spurs would be looking at younger wings this offseason. And the $$ difference he'd be getting doesn't seem like that much...unless he's looking for a longer contract and that's really hard to expect at his age.

This all leads me to believe that perhaps the Spurs are a lot closer to signing a JR Smith/Maggette than the media and Spurs are letting on and also that the Spurs have all plans and intentions to keep Michael Finley on board which makes Barry believe his playing time will be limited next season so he better opt out.

Personally, I still believe as Barry showed against the Lakers, he's a much needed veteran on this Spurs team. His 3 point shooting and ball passing is still one of the best on the team. And I'd take him over Finley and day of the week.

Has a 31% career on 3s. Why would he be a help from the perimeter?

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Originally Posted by 1Parker1

This all leads me to believe that perhaps the Spurs are a lot closer to signing a JR Smith/Maggette than the media and Spurs are letting on and also that the Spurs have all plans and intentions to keep Michael Finley on board which makes Barry believe his playing time will be limited next season so he better opt out.

Personally, I still believe as Barry showed against the Lakers, he's a much needed veteran on this Spurs team. His 3 point shooting and ball passing is still one of the best on the team. And I'd take him over Finley and day of the week.

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Agreed. If Maggette comes in, ideally I say adios Finley, welcome back Barry. Barry's still got a lot; Finley is, realistically, done.

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Originally Posted by 1Parker1

Why did Barry opt out?

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That's confusing, considering the reasons he gave for re-signing last year.

If you ask me, the wrong guy opted out and the wrong guy (Vaughn) excerised his option to stay.

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Originally Posted by picnroll

It took two guys to write this?

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its gonna take at least 2 guys to help us get to where and what we used tobe

There was a lot of interest in Barry before resigning with the Spurs. I can understand why he opted out because someone out there will offer more money (and years) than what the Spurs would be willing to offer.

It doesn't mean they prefer Finley (asuming they resign him) over Barry. Or that they'll over him more money, years, minutes, whatever. It doesn't take a genius to realize that minutes are going to be scarce once the Spurs sign someone like Maggette. Barry might not want to sit on the bench another year.

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Originally Posted by Lebowski Brickowski

That's confusing, considering the reasons he gave for re-signing last year.

If you ask me, the wrong guy opted out and the wrong guy (Vaughn) excerised his option to stay.

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That was in the middle of the season. This time he has a chance to get a brand new contract probably for more money. He was signed to only a prorated version of the vet minimum, so he wasn't even making over $1 million.

He could also factor in the fact that the Spurs are trying to get younger at the wing positions, so no matter what the Spurs are telling him, maybe he's feeling that he might not be wanted for more than a 1 year deal by the Spurs. I think the Spurs would only offer the 1 year minimum deal, while some other team might offer him more years.

It's not a surprise as to why he opted out.

If Barry dumped the Spurs contract and signed with the Rockets, it would be for a measly 700 grand raise.

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Originally Posted by T Park

If Barry dumped the Spurs contract and signed with the Rockets, it would be for a measly 700 grand raise.

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But it could be for more years.

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Originally Posted by 1Parker1

Why did Barry opt out? He was in a similiar situation just 6months ago and had the option to sign somewhere else, but he didn't and decided to come back to the Spurs. He had to have known the Spurs would be looking at younger wings this offseason. And the $$ difference he'd be getting doesn't seem like that much...unless he's looking for a longer contract and that's really hard to expect at his age.

This all leads me to believe that perhaps the Spurs are a lot closer to signing a JR Smith/Maggette than the media and Spurs are letting on and also that the Spurs have all plans and intentions to keep Michael Finley on board which makes Barry believe his playing time will be limited next season so he better opt out.

Personally, I still believe as Barry showed against the Lakers, he's a much needed veteran on this Spurs team. His 3 point shooting and ball passing is still one of the best on the team. And I'd take him over Finley and day of the week.

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I wouldn't necessarily read anything Barry opting out. As it stood, he was guaranteed a minimum salary for one year. He can certainly get more in free agency as well as two years instead of one. I think he ends up with the LLE for two years, which would end up being about $4 mil guaranteed over two years. That's a lot better than $1.3 mil or what not over one with probably another minimum year or close to it if he re-signed for another year. Plus, it does give him some options with respect to where he plays next year, of course.

I'm sure Barry would prefer to stay here, but I think he also wants to be able to play and not get stuck on the bench. I would imagine he knows what his value would be to other teams and wants the option of where to go.

In that sense, he's probably going to wait for a lot of the pieces to fall into place at different teams and see where might be a good fit. It might not be on the Spurs from his perspective, especially if we get Maggette and Pop seems to be favoring bringing Finley back, which seems crazy but Barry has been stuck behind Finley since he got here.

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Originally Posted by The Truth #6

I'm sure Barry would prefer to stay here, but I think he also wants to be able to play and not get stuck on the bench. I would imagine he knows what his value would be to other teams and wants the option of where to go.

In that sense, he's probably going to wait for a lot of the pieces to fall into place at different teams and see where might be a good fit. It might not be on the Spurs from his perspective, especially if we get Maggette and Pop seems to be favoring bringing Finley back, which seems crazy but Barry has been stuck behind Finley since he got here.

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Spurs will need a shooter on that bench if they land Maggette. Barry is well suited for that role. Spurs can give him a nice pay raise that can't be topped elsewhere unless some team wants to use part of their MLE to sign him. In that case, it's been fun.

at this age and time...BARRY > finley, CANT believe barry is getting alot of attention from pretenders

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Originally Posted by T Park

If Barry dumped the Spurs contract and signed with the Rockets, it would be for a measly 700 grand raise.

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Not necessarily. The Spurs can offer him the same amount as the Rockets if the Rockets don't offer more than the LLE.

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Originally Posted by Marcus Bryant

Not necessarily. The Spurs can offer him the same amount as the Rockets if the Rockets don't offer more than the LLE.

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He was due 1.2 this year, but then he would theoretically sign for 1.9 with Houston.

Thats where I got that from, but I understand the SPurs could match.