Nando De Colo in SA for Physical

Basket Info ‏@Basketlnfo

Tony Parker et Nando De Colo (tests physiques chez les Spurs) de retour en France vendredi, Nicolas Batum attendu en fin de semaine

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Thanks to Bruno for translation

Wow. I guess they must be signing him. Why else would he have to pass a physical?

Good news if that's the case.

:tu

Good news.

Maybe physical for those invited to camp?

Good stuff.

Crossing my fingers.

Awesome, about time we see him in a Spurs uniform, I hope he's ready.

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Originally Posted by stxspurs

Maybe physical for those invited to camp?

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Training camp invitees are signed to regular contracts, with the only difference being that the money (which is usually unguaranteed anyway) doesn't count towards cap and taxes if they're cut before opening night.

So, if you decided to sign a draft pick for the training camp and then you cut him, you would lose the rights to him (e.g. James Gist in 2010).

Nice

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Originally Posted by dylankerouac

Crossing my fingers.

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Originally Posted by stxspurs

Maybe physical for those invited to camp?

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Nah, much too early for that.If the Spurs aren't signing him, the only other explanation I can think of is the Spurs want to see him workout in person before they decide whether to extend a contract offer.

But my guess is he's going to sign. They've scouted him enough to know whether or not they want him.

Heeeeeeeere we go

So, apparently, De Colo and TP are expected back in France on Friday. Is it safe to infer that the Spurs have officially cleared Tony to travel?

What are we thinking here? LLE?

Can someone give me an nba comparison for De Colo?

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Originally Posted by Solid D

So, apparently, De Colo and TP are expected back in France on Friday. Is it safe to infer that the Spurs have officially cleared Tony to travel?

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Parker will flight to New York Thursday and be back in France Friday. The doctor that has forbid him to flight to the USA before July 5th was the surgeon who worked on his eye in France. He has too made a trip to Genova to have another opinion on his eye.

All signs point in the direction that Parker will be cleared to play after that trip to NY. Everybody seems optimistic in the FNT and the coach has already cut 2 PGs.

If the Spurs ink both De Colo and retain Mills then Marcus Denmon should play Vegas then sign in Europe for a season or two. James Gist style.

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Originally Posted by Darkwaters

What are we thinking here? LLE?

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Yeah, the BAE (that's what the LLE is called now) is probably the ceiling. BAE max is $4M over two years.

Equipe France Basket ‏@FRABasketball

Nando De Colo est à San Antonio pour passer des tests physiques dans le cadre de sa négociation de contrat avec les Spurs. Retour le 6.

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Nando De Colo is in San Antonio to pass physical tests as part of its contract negotiations with the Spurs. Back on 6.

Good to hear. I suspect he'll get ton's of playing time in summer league.

BTW, the source of this if a press release from the french federation:
http://www.ffbb.com/_actu/page_m.php...p=actu&id=8692

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Nando De Colo, qui doit passer des tests physiques à San Antonio dans le cadre de négociations avec la franchise texane, devrait être de retour à Orléans le vendredi 6 juillet dans la journée.

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Nando De Colo, who has to pass physical tests in San Antonio, in the context of negotiations with the Texas franchise, should be back in Orleans (that's where FNT is) Friday.

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Originally Posted by Libri

Good to hear. I suspect he'll get ton's of playing time in summer league.

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De Colo will be with the French national team. No summer league.



I guess it's possible that this could just be a case of getting the physical out of the way now while the two sides continue to negotiate. That makes a little bit of sense since De Colo will be busy with the FNT in coming weeks.

But I've never heard of the Spurs giving a physical to a player they aren't about to sign . . .

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Originally Posted by Libri

Good to hear. I suspect he'll get ton's of playing time in summer league.

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No it won't, interfere's with the Olympics.

So is he a back up PG for the Spurs or SG more than likely?

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Originally Posted by timvp

De Colo will be with the French national team. No summer league.



I guess it's possible that this could just be a case of getting the physical out of the way now while the two sides continue to negotiate. That makes a little bit of sense since De Colo will be busy with the FNT in coming weeks.

But I've never heard of the Spurs giving a physical to a player they aren't about to sign . . .

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I'm glad that we will get to see the games.

De Colo is NOT looking for contracts in Europe.

Insider.

Too bad Diaw isn't traveling back too. The Spurs could check Parker's eye, finish up the contracts with Diaw and De Colo, and then send them back to Old Orleans.

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Originally Posted by timvp

Yeah, the BAE (that's what the LLE is called now) is probably the ceiling. BAE max is $4M over two years.

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I don't really think it can be anything else. I can't believe de Colo would come over for the min, and we'd better not be using the MLE (not when we need it for big men)!

The only question is does he get all of the BAE. Do I recall correctly something about how it only actually becomes bi-annual if you use the whole exception ($2 Million/year), otherwise you can use it again next year?

Awesome news if true. Now let's amnesty Bonner and get Lorbek over here.

Ive seen some of his highlights from the 2011 euroleague.

He definitely has the physique, looks like he has a solid passing skillset at 6'5.

Ball handling looks a little iffy, but we'll see and he is 6'5. From what I saw, this dude has like barely any athleticism, and his vertical isn't anything to brag about.

His driving in game looks interesting, he kind has a manu esque type of skillset, utilizing the eurostep and driving left and finishing (despite being right handed).

Hope someone who actually has seen him in full games can contribute more..I really hope this guy can be our solid backup PG who has strong ball security.

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Originally Posted by Dunkan49

[email protected] front office bringing in even more soft white euros to surround Tim Duncan with.

De Culo
Lorbek
Splitter
Bonner

LOLOLOLOLOL!

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You didn't pass geography, did you?

I like this move if he indeed signs with Spurs.

While I'm not 100% sure that De Colo will succeed in the NBA, he should be cheap and he is a good player so it's a good gamble. He is a very strong offensive player and is cold blooded.

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Originally Posted by Bruno

I like this move if he indeed signs with Spurs.

While I'm not 100% sure that De Colo will succeed in the NBA, he should be cheap and he is a good player so it's a good gamble. He is a very strong offensive player and is cold blooded.

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which position do you see him playing in the NBA?

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Originally Posted by smaka

which position do you see him playing in the NBA?

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I see him playing both PG and SG depending on the matchups and where the playing time is.

He can handle the rock better than Mr. Neal... so that's a plus... and from what little clips are available he seems to be a capable playmaker too...

He's a PG right? So if we bring him over that gives us Tony, Patty Mills (if he resigns), Cory Joseph, and Nando with Gary Neal serving as an emergency PG.

Seems a tad crowded.

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Originally Posted by Duncan2177

He's a PG right? So if we bring him over that gives us Tony, Patty Mills (if he resigns), Cory Joseph, and Nando with Gary Neal serving as an emergency PG.

Seems a tad crowded.

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Let us scratch Gary Neal from this list and refrain from mentioning him as a backup PG ever again. Experiment FAILED:

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Originally Posted by Duncan2177

He's a PG right? So if we bring him over that gives us Tony, Patty Mills (if he resigns), Cory Joseph, and Nando with Gary Neal serving as an emergency PG.

Seems a tad crowded.

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Neal=trade bait.

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Originally Posted by SenorSpur

Let us scratch Gary Neal from this list and refrain from mentioning him as a backup PG ever again. Experiment FAILED:

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Amen brotha!

This is question for the Euro experts. Could you play De Colo and Parker together in spot mins? Does he play the PG or SG better?

nice

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Originally Posted by sehui

Ive seen some of his highlights from the 2011 euroleague.

He definitely has the physique, looks like he has a solid passing skillset at 6'5.

Ball handling looks a little iffy, but we'll see and he is 6'5. From what I saw, this dude has like barely any athleticism, and his vertical isn't anything to brag about.

His driving in game looks interesting, he kind has a manu esque type of skillset, utilizing the eurostep and driving left and finishing (despite being right handed).

Hope someone who actually has seen him in full games can contribute more..I really hope this guy can be our solid backup PG who has strong ball security.

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I've only seen minimal highlights of De Colo, so I'm not going to slam him before he gets here. While I certainly hope that between De Colo and Mills, the Spurs will have addressed the gaping hole at backup PG, I am concerned about the "lack of athleticism" comment regarding De Colo.

The Spurs are getting owned in the playoffs, in part, because, as a whole, this team generally lacks length, quickness and athleticism - especially on the defensive end. I just don't see how adding a couple of plodding Euro players (Lorbek & De Colo) helps address one of the Spurs main deficiencies.

I'm open to being talked off the ledge.

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Originally Posted by SenorSpur

I'm open to being talked off the ledge.

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It's more fun having you there tbh.

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Originally Posted by Duncan2177

He's a PG right? So if we bring him over that gives us Tony, Patty Mills (if he resigns), Cory Joseph, and Nando with Gary Neal serving as an emergency PG.

Seems a tad crowded.

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I can see Joseph being traded.

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Originally Posted by ChumpDumper

It's more fun having you there tbh.

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That's not fair. :lol

If he's anything like his mixtape, that's a good signing!

I can't see De Colo being any less athletic than Neal. I can certainly see him being a better ball handler. That alone improves our roster, and we may even keep Neal to boot. Mills, I just never saw him be much of a facilitator for us.

Minimum Salary = De Colo, + some small piece of the MLE (possibly and if permitted)

I think we will not use the full MLE on either Lorbek or Diaw, but instead give one the BAE, then supplement with some of the MLE money.

You can bet Spurs will employ the MLE to the maximum extent possible. Lorbek/Diaw/De Colo may all get pieces of it, assuming you can allocate towards as many players as you want, in addition to some other player we may not even be thinking about yet.

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Originally Posted by sehui

Ive seen some of his highlights from the 2011 euroleague.

He definitely has the physique, looks like he has a solid passing skillset at 6'5.

Ball handling looks a little iffy, but we'll see and he is 6'5. From what I saw, this dude has like barely any athleticism, and his vertical isn't anything to brag about.

His driving in game looks interesting, he kind has a manu esque type of skillset, utilizing the eurostep and driving left and finishing (despite being right handed).

Hope someone who actually has seen him in full games can contribute more..I really hope this guy can be our solid backup PG who has strong ball security.

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De colo did not play Euroleague basketball (top 32 teams in Europe).
Rather Eurocup, which could be equivalent to D league.

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Originally Posted by Knoxxx

Minimum Salary = De Colo, + some small piece of the MLE (possibly and if permitted)

I think we will not use the full MLE on either Lorbek or Diaw, but instead give one the BAE, then supplement with some of the MLE money.

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No go on both.

Exceptions can be split to sign more than one player, but you can't combine parts of different exceptions in a single contract.

Extremely unlikely that De Colo signs for the minimum or that we can get either Diaw or Lorbek for the BAE.

Best case scenario is that they fit both De Colo and Diaw into the MLE and retain the BAE to go after a project big on the open market.

Nando is a combo 1 and 2 now I think he is more a SG than a PG now considering SG athleticism in the nba I can see him spend some time at PG

And McDonald and Monroe with no news again :lol

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Originally Posted by donjuansdaddy

Parker and De Colo played alot together at the same time while playing with France at PG and SG and were very effective.

De Colo is a poor man's Manu Ginobli, that is the way I would describe him. He has a very good pull up jumper, can hit the open 3 ball, has really good ball handles, is a creative passer. Manu is quicker than De Colo but De Colo is pretty quick in his own right.

De Colo can guard at the NBA level as well. He has like a 6'7"+ wingspan with his 6'5" frame, which helps him stay in front of quicker guards in the Spanish league like Navarro and Llull.

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I can't think of a more improbable comparison than De Colo-Ginobili.
When he went to the Spurs Ginobili was far and away the best player in Europe, in fact, Euroleague MVP, and a legend already.
De Colo didn't even play Euroleague basketball.

De Colo reminds a bit of a very very poor man Vinnie Del Negro.

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Originally Posted by Mel_13

No go on both.

Exceptions can be split to sign more than one player, but you can't combine parts of different exceptions in a single contract.

Extremely unlikely that De Colo signs for the minimum or that we can get either Diaw or Lorbek for the BAE.

Best case scenario is that they fit both De Colo and Diaw into the MLE and retain the BAE to go after a project big on the open market.

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Either it's the minimum or he should get back to Europe where he would get far less than the minimum.
I don't know whether he will be good, but sure enough he is going to be cheap.

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Originally Posted by Spurs Brazil

And McDonald and Monroe with no news again :lol

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:rolleyes

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Originally Posted by temujin

Either it's the minimum or he should get back to Europe where he would get far less than the minimum.
I don't know whether he will be good, but sure enough he is going to be cheap.

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I hope you're right. It would give the Spurs much more flexibility.

btw- minimum 1st year salary for a second round draft pick is around 500K. Do you really think he would get far less than that if he stayed in Europe?

He almost reminds me of a craftier/smaller Mike Dunleavy. I still don't know his position in the NBA but I have to believe he will serve very much the same role as Neal.

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Originally Posted by Spurs Brazil

And McDonald and Monroe with no news again :lol

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Why would they report anything? They cater to the average Spurs fan, not to spurstalk fanatics.

If you told the average Spurs fan that "Nando de Colo" was in San Antonio for a physical, the replies you would get would be:

• Como que "Nando De Colo"?
• Who (or what) the fuck is that?
• Why should I give a shit?

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Originally Posted by Mel_13

I hope you're right. It would give the Spurs much more flexibility.

btw- minimum 1st year salary for a second round draft pick is around 500K. Do you really think he would get far less than that if he stayed in Europe?

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I'd be very surprised if De Colo could sign for more than 0.3 M in Europe.
The guy is essentailly Euroleague untested and budgets are tight these days, except for Russian and Turkish teams. Which are largely covered at PG.

My information is that De Colo will sign for the Spurs for whatever they propose.

From the Spurs point of view, it's some sort of insurance for whatever happens with Mills.

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Originally Posted by temujin

Either it's the minimum or he should get back to Europe where he would get far less than the minimum.
I don't know whether he will be good, but sure enough he is going to be cheap.

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I don't keep up with the Euro-league but I was under the impression that they played fewer games than the 82 game NBA regular season. Might he make more money per game over there?

Not that I want him to stay over there.

If he can give versatility, then I think this is a good prospect. If he's tall for a PG but can't cover anyone from lack of athleticism, then I'm curious if our recent draft pick might be just as good of an option even if he is shorter. Obviously, only time will tell.

From the comments above, it sounds like De Colo won't be in Summer League and would get a guaranteed contract...which with CoJo, Neal, possibly Mills hanging around, this doesn't give a lot of room for the new draft pick to get on the team.

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Originally Posted by dylankerouac

I don't keep up with the Euro-league but I was under the impression that they played fewer games than the 82 game NBA regular season. Might he make more money per game over there?

Not that I want him to stay over there.

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You end up playing some 50/60 games on a good team that reaches EL Top 16 and PO in the national tournments.
Honestly, I think De Colo would benefit from playing one year on a good EL team.

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Originally Posted by temujin

I'd be very surprised if De Colo could sign for more than 0.3 M in Europe.
The guy is essentailly Euroleague untested and budgets are tight these days, except for Russian and Turkish teams. Which are largely covered at PG.

My information is that De Colo will sign for the Spurs for whatever they propose.

From the Spurs point of view, it's some sort of insurance for whatever happens with Mills.

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That would be awesome for the Spurs.

You called Splitter's deal when most of us thought he would get much more.

Hope you're right again.

I wouldn't classify De Colo as unathletic. He's not James White! but he's not a Kapano/Korver/Neal/RMJ type non-athlete. He can move.

Now is he athletic enough to be a point guard at 6-foot-5 in the NBA? That's tough to say because he'd have to be a really good athlete to pull it off.

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Originally Posted by Mel_13

That would be awesome for the Spurs.

You called Splitter's deal when most of us thought he would get much more.

Hope you're right again.

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Good memory.

There were rumors here that Bo McCalebb was in talk with the Spurs.
Actually, he would have been my choice, and perfect for the Spurs system.
His coach then signed for Fenherbace and quickly called him up. He will sign in Turkey and I doubt for less than 2 M.
No way Spurs would match.

Hence De Colo.

I am also curious about the outcome of the Lorbek signing, bacause he did have an offer from CSKA.

nando de colo could be next ricky rubio

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Originally Posted by Mel_13

That would be awesome for the Spurs.

You called Splitter's deal when most of us thought he would get much more.

Hope you're right again.

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That's what gives me hope - even in the midst of bigs getting bad deals when Tiago came over, Spurs still came away with a great deal (even if he showed nothing - a player of his caliber usually gets more).

If De Colo is signed for a minimum contract, that would be another great value and it would really help (potentially because we don't know if the Bae will really help the Spurs land anyone they need/want) the Spurs to maximize their chances in FA.

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Originally Posted by GB20

nando de colo could be next ricky rubio

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He has already failed if that is your expectation :lol

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Originally Posted by GB20

nando de colo could be next ricky rubio

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Yeap, both have family names ending in o.

So I will change my prediction:

De Colo = minimum
BAE = Diaw or Lorbek
MLE = partial to Diaw or Lorbek (whichever we can't get with the BAE)

We'll take Lorbek over Diaw, if it comes to that, to improve the team.

Is Diaw restricted, by the way? It would be nice to let the market confirm/deny his value, which is WAAAY below $9 million these days, IMO.

[QUOTE=DPG21920;6006872]He has already failed if that is your expectation :lol[/QUOTE

god said to have faith :lol

So what would the Spurs be able to offer to LorbeK?

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Originally Posted by timvp

I wouldn't classify De Colo as unathletic. He's not James White! but he's not a Kapano/Korver/Neal/RMJ type non-athlete. He can move.

Now is he athletic enough to be a point guard at 6-foot-5 in the NBA? That's tough to say because he'd have to be a really good athlete to pull it off.

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I guess after what we all saw from the failed Gary Neal experiment, almost anything else would be an upgrade.

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Originally Posted by Dr. John R. Brinkley

If he can give versatility, then I think this is a good prospect. If he's tall for a PG but can't cover anyone from lack of athleticism, then I'm curious if our recent draft pick might be just as good of an option even if he is shorter. Obviously, only time will tell.

From the comments above, it sounds like De Colo won't be in Summer League and would get a guaranteed contract...which with CoJo, Neal, possibly Mills hanging around, this doesn't give a lot of room for the new draft pick to get on the team.

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Hmmm, that provoked a thought that maybe they would be a second team backcourt combo. I know I am getting way ahead of myself here but, on offense De Colo would be the point but on defense, he would guard the opposing teams shooting guard while Marcus guards the point.

Would that work?

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Originally Posted by temujin

So what would the Spurs be able to offer to LorbeK?

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The absolute maximum they can put on the Table is a full MLE deal - approximately 5.1 Million $US + 8% yearly raises, for 4 years = ~23 Million $US.
That, unlike Euro salaries is pre-taxes.

I'd expect something more like 10 or 11 Million $US/3 years. Which is the kind of money Splitter came over for.

If De Colo signs for the minimum, it means that he would have taken a major paycut compared to what he could have earned in Europe. My guess is that is salary per year will be around $1M-$1.5M.

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Originally Posted by Ocotillo

Hmmm, that provoked a thought that maybe they would be a second team backcourt combo. I know I am getting way ahead of myself here but, on offense De Colo would be the point but on defense, he would guard the opposing teams shooting guard while Marcus guards the point.

Would that work?

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Sure. It's been done before with players like Daniel Gibson and Jason Terry.

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Originally Posted by timvp

I wouldn't classify De Colo as unathletic. He's not James White! but he's not a Kapano/Korver/Neal/RMJ type non-athlete. He can move.

Now is he athletic enough to be a point guard at 6-foot-5 in the NBA? That's tough to say because he'd have to be a really good athlete to pull it off.

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James White!

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Originally Posted by Bruno

If De Colo signs for the minimum, it means that he would have taken a major paycut compared to what he could have earned in Europe. My guess is that is salary per year will be around $1M-$1.5M.

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So what team would pay De Colo more than the minimum in Europe?

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Originally Posted by temujin

So what team would pay De Colo more than the minimum in Europe?

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Barcelona, for example.

He seems to have good size but how physical is he? While Stern could very well change his mind again, this last years playoffs was hearkening back to the years where the postseason really was a different style of basketball with its physicality. I stopped looking for pushing fouls out on the perimeter after the first round. Can DeColo handle that?

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Originally Posted by pad300

The absolute maximum they can put on the Table is a full MLE deal - approximately 5.1 Million $US + 8% yearly raises, for 4 years = ~23 Million $US.
That, unlike Euro salaries is pre-taxes.

I'd expect something more like 10 or 11 Million $US/3 years. Which is the kind of money Splitter came over for.

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I would think something less, like 6/7 M, 2 years, could be sufficient.
CSKA could match, but I don't think they will throw more money to him.

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Originally Posted by temujin

I would think something less, like 6/7 M, 2 years, could be sufficient.
CSKA could match, but I don't think they will throw more money to him.

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How do you rate the chances that he would sign for 2yr/4M? That's the amount of the BAE, which is the only tool the Spurs possess other than the MLE to offer a contract greater than the minimum.

Lorbek accepting the BAE, assuming you are right about Nando for the minimum, is the only way for the Spurs to sign both Diaw and Lorbek (I'm further assuming that there is no way that Diaw considers the BAE).

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Originally Posted by DPG21920

So is he a back up PG for the Spurs or SG more than likely?

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Both. Despite the over the top analysis by many, I'd be surprised if the Spurs view him as anything more than the fifth guard for next season and possibly the following one, as well. If Mills is in fact brought back with the intention to make him the primary backup point (Neal would presumably be traded in this scenario), it's not out of the question that De Colo could leapfrog him or a player of similar caliber, though. But let's not forget, there's a long list of European combo guards in the past ten years who have flamed out in the league.

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Originally Posted by Bruno

Barcelona, for example.

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Not sure. If that's the case, De Colo should stay in Spain and have a good year of Euroleague basketball. Even if I doubt he would start for barcelona.
The guy totally lacks experience at a certain level.
My infos are signalling De Colo is not even exploring the market at all in Europe.

I think a lot of people here -not you for sure- are unaware of how good the Spurs knowledge of the European market is.

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Originally Posted by temujin

I would think something less, like 6/7 M, 2 years, could be sufficient.
CSKA could match, but I don't think they will throw more money to him.

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The Spurs will almost assuredly want a 3 year deal - that way they have full Bird rights. If you are right, 8-9 M, 3 years, would be a pretty good deal for both parties.
I think that would leave SA enough MLE left over to get Boris Diaw as well (~11 Million, 4 years)...

PS. How much do you hear about Kirilenko leaving CKSA? It's been mentioned in the press a few times, but I can't see it happening without Kirilenko giving up a fair bit of Money (he's on 3M Euro post taxes). Discussion is here:

http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?p=6006897

Sweet! :tu

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Originally Posted by temujin

Not sure. If that's the case, De Colo should stay in Spain and have a good year of Euroleague basketball. Even if I doubt he would start for barcelona.
The guy totally lacks experience at a certain level.
My infos are signalling De Colo is not even exploring the market at all in Europe.

I think a lot of people here -not you for sure- are unaware of how good the Spurs knowledge of the European market is.

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It's not surprising that De Colo isn't exploring the European market at all. His agent said weeks ago that his priority was to sign with Spurs and that Spurs wanted him too.

I quite disagree with you on De Colo lacking high level experience. It's sure that he has only played one year the Euroleague but the Spanish league is at a high level too. For example, this year, he has played 14 games in Spain against teams that were playing the Euroleague too. He has too played a big role in some key games for France at the 2011 Eurobasket.

In the Olympics we will get a good benchmark of him when France plays either Argentina, Brazil, Spain, and/or USA.

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Originally Posted by Mel_13

How do you rate the chances that he would sign for 2yr/4M? That's the amount of the BAE, which is the only tool the Spurs possess other than the MLE to offer a contract greater than the minimum.

Lorbek accepting the BAE, assuming you are right about Nando for the minimum, is the only way for the Spurs to sign both Diaw and Lorbek (I'm further assuming that there is no way that Diaw considers the BAE).

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To me, a short, 2 years contract for Lorbek would be better than a longer one.
OK, injuries and all, but all considered, at 28, if he plays well, he'll soon be in a position to negotiate a much bigger, Scola-like deal.

However, 1,6M Euros per year might be on the low side: CSKA has an NBA-like budget, they were able to lure Kirilenko and Krstic away from the NBA and Teodosic from Greece (and from the NBA, although Teodosic might follow the Bodiroga pathway at that).
I think they can throw 2.5 M Euros at him.
On top there is a lot of respect between Lorbek and Messina: essentially the first thing after Messina was back to Moscow was that he made an offer to Lorbek.
That' why I wrote the Lorbek situation is more complex that what it seems.

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Originally Posted by temujin

To me, a short, 2 years contract for Lorbek would be better than a longer one.
OK, injuries and all, but all considered, at 28, if he plays well, he'll soon be in a position to negotiate a much bigger, Scola-like deal.

However, 1,6M Euros per year might be on the low side: CSKA has an NBA-like budget, they were able to lure Kirilenko and Krstic away from the NBA and Teodosic from Greece (and from the NBA, although Teodosic might follow the Bodiroga pathway at that).
I think they can throw 2.5 M Euros at him.
On top there is a lot of respect between Lorbek and Messina: essentially the first thing after Messina was back to Moscow was that he made an offer to Lorbek.
That' why I wrote the Lorbek situation is more complex that what it seems.

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Thanks.

Holy sh#t spurs stacked at guard

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Originally Posted by pad300

The Spurs will almost assuredly want a 3 year deal - that way they have full Bird rights.

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I think a two-year contract would be okay for the Spurs. They'd have Early Bird rights and would be covered by the Gilbert Arenas Rule in case another team tried to steal him.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by timvp

I think a two-year contract would be okay for the Spurs. They'd have Early Bird rights and would be covered by the Gilbert Arenas Rule in case another team tried to steal him.

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Then there's the suggestion Bruno made a while back to make the BAE more palatable by including a player option for the second year. Lorbek could be in next summer's FA market and the Spurs would still be covered by the Arenas rule.

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Originally Posted by Bruno

It's not surprising that De Colo isn't exploring the European market at all. His agent said weeks ago that his priority was to sign with Spurs and that Spurs wanted him too.

I quite disagree with you on De Colo lacking high level experience. It's sure that he has only played one year the Euroleague but the Spanish league is at a high level too. For example, this year, he has played 14 games in Spain against teams that were playing the Euroleague too. He has too played a big role in some key games for France at the 2011 Eurobasket.

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Exactly. That gives the Spurs a pretty good position to negotiate. Basically the guy wants to cross the ocean and that's it. Give him the minimum and he'll play.

As for the second point, I do agree that the Spanish league is tough with a lot of good games, yet he has yet to play for the favourite team anywhere. The perspective, in my experience, changes completely when you are on a team that HAS to win. He was simply never in that position including with the French national team.
Spurs are going to be like that. Very very different.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pad300

The Spurs will almost assuredly want a 3 year deal - that way they have full Bird rights. If you are right, 8-9 M, 3 years, would be a pretty good deal for both parties.
I think that would leave SA enough MLE left over to get Boris Diaw as well (~11 Million, 4 years)...

PS. How much do you hear about Kirilenko leaving CKSA? It's been mentioned in the press a few times, but I can't see it happening without Kirilenko giving up a fair bit of Money (he's on 3M Euro post taxes). Discussion is here:

http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?p=6006897

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Personally, I think Kirilenko would LOOK great with the Spurs, but, for whatever reason, the guy just never gets it done.
Including this year Euroleague. They looked unbeatable and then they lost.
I'd go for Lorbek, still.

AK offers more upside IMO and is way more proven (in the NBA). If it's a legit shot for AK or Lorbek that is an easy decision to me - you go AK. He is about as versatile as Boris (can hanlde the ball and is a great passer), but is a much better all around defender too.