Zach Lowe: League executives believe Spurs may offer max to LaMarcus Aldridge

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Originally Posted by DarrinS

I don't see this happening.

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^^^^^ I agree with you.

doubt he would sign with the spurs.....

Not happening. Seriously doubt he'd come here anyways, even if we do offer.

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Originally Posted by Richie

It would be giving up rotation pieces, but it's not like we're letting go of legit starters. Out of all the players we would lose, the only one who played significant minutes in the playoffs last year was Mills.

Lets assume we dumped Mills and wouldn't be able to bring back Joseph, Baynes or Belinelli after waiving their Bird rights/qualifying offer. We could look at it as a trade, Mills + Joseph + Baynes + Belinelli for Aldridge, that's a no brainer. Every GM in the league would do that in a heartbeat.

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DESERVING.

And honestly, when was the last time the Spurs ever signed a big-name player that they were rumored to be interested in? Ever?

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Originally Posted by BatManu20

And honestly, when was the last time the Spurs ever signed a big-name player that they were rumored to be interested in? Ever?

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Tim Duncan?

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Originally Posted by BatManu20

And honestly, when was the last time the Spurs ever signed a big-name player that they were rumored to be interested in? Ever?

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This is overblown, we have only ever had cap room once in the Duncan era and Kidd was wanted to come but his wife didn't.

^Cuckhold joke?

Anyways as fun as speculating on the will they won't they scenario, has anyone considered this could be more about gamesmanship on the Spurs FO part if true. This coming summer Portland will need to play LA, Lopez, and Matthews with Lillard and Batum following the next summer. Although its pretty unlikely he wouldn't get a max offer elsewhere, at least the spurs could somewhat force Portland's hand and make sure they are tying as much salary in their starting lineup as possible. Or perhaps they are eyeing Matthews as a potential Green replacement should Danny get a bigger offer or leave.

Either way its purely speculation and probably by executives that, for the most part themselves are incompetent, so while the possibility remains that the Spurs could offer LA a max contract (or Gasol or anyone else) so does the possibility of a ST poster marrying a supermodel, pornstar, ect. Possible doesn't equate to probable.

Lol tlongII on suicide watch.

Would rather Spurs make a decent run at Dragic this off-season.

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Originally Posted by N0 LyF3 ScRuB

This year. Not in the next couple years. Splitter is declining.

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Splittah is coasting to avoid a Varejao season. I bet he will be better in this season's playoffs. More self-confident, less self pressure, more experienced.

Just rumors, wont happen!

Not that he fills any specific need, but if the Spurs are going to spend a lot of money this off season I'd rather them get Jimmy Butler. He's redundant, but at least he's a solid 2-way player and young. But I would prefer they not target anyone for the max this next year in the event Tim/Manu retire :cry

Tim has looked unusually young this season with bigger minutes. Whatever he did in the offseason has worked. Part of his decision has to be how his body feels. Now with KL back, there are going to be more chances for rest. We just gotta get Splitter playing tough every night.

Manu... No idea. He loves to compete. But I think he breaks before Tim physically. He can't slow down, it's not in his makeup. Since this thread is so out there, I'm thinking 3 peat. No im praying 3 peat. Perhaps downgrade that to magically wishing... Tooth fairy stuff.

Interesting convo.

If Tim and Manu retire everything is on the table. It goes without saying that those two are irreplaceable, but that doesn't mean the Spurs want to be a perpetual 6-9 seed for the foreseeable future after they leave. Really the options are to tank, or pay to get a third stud to go along with TP and Leonard.

Obviously opening up the needed space is the issue. For as much as I like Bobo I think the Spurs could try to move his deal, which iirc has only one fully guaranteed year after 2016, and pray for a second year bump from Anderson. Cojo has played himself to a rich contract this summer, so I have my doubts that the Spurs are going to match an offer sheet he is likely to get regardless of all this speculation. Frankly, this is a concern for Danny too. Roll with Mills as the back up PG, sign cotton as the 3rd stringer, and bring over Bertans to bolster the shooting off the bench.

Are there holes? Of course. But like it or not there will be a new normal once those two icons retire. I just hope it's not the post-Stockton & Malone Jazz.

Also, a player to watch might be Al Jefferson. Spurs seem to like him and he's the type of player that might take a little less money possibly if he's tired of losing. Hibbert may be another guy who might flirt with the Spurs and look at less money. I'd rather the Spurs hold off until 2016 and wait and see if players like Drummond develop. Plus, at least Durant is a FA and Anthony Davis (if he gets to FA).

Don't think Al or Hibbert are likely, but they may be some players frustrated with their current situation who seem to have ties to Tim/Spurs.

On a personal note, I would be pretty pissed if Danny left. He's just one of my favorite players to watch and a great story.

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Originally Posted by DPG21920

Not that he fills any specific need, but if the Spurs are going to spend a lot of money this off season I'd rather them get Jimmy Butler. He's redundant, but at least he's a solid 2-way player and young. But I would prefer they not target anyone for the max this next year in the event Tim/Manu retire :cry

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Butler is restricted, the Bulls will match anything. It's almost impossible to get a great player before they hit 27 with the way free agency is structured.

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Originally Posted by Richie

Butler is restricted, the Bulls will match anything. It's almost impossible to get a great player before they hit 27 with the way free agency is structured.

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Very true - wasn't really commenting on the reality of obtaining said player, just making a point that if they are chasing somewhat of a longshot, I'd rather go younger.

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Originally Posted by LakerHater

Just rumors, wont happen!

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It's not even a rumor. Its simply an idea thrown out there. This story is a non-whatever you call it. Let's just move along..

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Originally Posted by CGD

Are there holes? Of course. But like it or not there will be a new normal once those two icons retire. I just hope it's not the post-Stockton & Malone Jazz.

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Nobody can predict the future but its really hard to win in this league and not just a title. To consistently be an elite team year in and year out is hard. My home team the Hornets have been perpetually bad for years at times they make a little progress and end up as an 8th seed but nothing more then that. They have been unlucky at times in the draft by missing out on a hot prospect like Davis and having to settle for only a solid player in Kidd-Gilchrist. Whether the spurs will be terrible or great will depend on luck. I think you need luck to assemble a great team and you need to have a great FO to maintain it. The spurs have the great FO part down but it will now come down to luck.

All Portland has to do is match and then it doesn't matter. LMA is good but he's not that good.

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Originally Posted by Beaverfuzz

All Portland has to do is match and then it doesn't matter. LMA is good but he's not that good.

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Aldridge is unrestricted, if he chooses to leave there's nothing Portland can do.

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Originally Posted by Richie

Aldridge is unrestricted, if he chooses to leave there's nothing Portland can do.

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I could have sworn someone said that a team won't lose a valued FA unless they choose to let him go. Let me check. Here it is:

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Originally Posted by Richie

Losing Green for nothing is not a possibility unless we choose to let him go. As long as the Front Office goes in to the summer with the mentality that we don't lose either Kawhi or Green (unless someone throws something silly at him) then we won't lose them. Houston chose to let Parsons go before Bosh had signed, they didn't have to do that.

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So a determined Portland effort to keep Aldridge, which they most assuredly will make, won't guarantee that he'll stay, but the Spurs are in no danger of losing Green unless they choose to let him go? Ok.

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Originally Posted by Richie

Aldridge is unrestricted, if he chooses to leave there's nothing Portland can do.

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LMA receives the same offer from Portland vs another team, he stays...and probably stays for a little less to get that last piece for Portland to really get over the hump.