mysa McDonald: How Spurs' free-agency run at Kevin Durant might work

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Originally Posted by south side spur

https://www.google.com/amp/www.mysan...client=safari#
OKLAHOMA CITY — This just in: The Spurs are interested in making a run at the hottest free agent on the market this summer. This is not exactly breaking news. In fact, it sounds like old news.
The Spurs, after all, made a successful pitch to LaMarcus Aldridge last July.


This year's target would be Kevin Durant, who for now is playing for Oklahoma City and against the Spurs in the Western Conference semifinals.


No doubt discussions have already begun among the Spurs' brain trust about the salary cap machinations that must be made to make Durant — or any other high-profile free agent — a maximum contract offer. Durant didn't do much to quell the KD-to-Spurs rumor swirl before the start of the series, when he unleashed an unprompted ode to Gregg Popovich
(This is the part where we remind everyone all of the below is based on a hypothetical — IF and only IF Durant decides to leave OKC after his contract expires this summer).
Now that we've cleared that up ...
Here are the basics of the math involved for the Spurs: The team is committed to about $73.6 million in guaranteed salary next year, due seven players (Aldridge, Kawhi Leonard, Tony Parker, Danny Green, Boris Diaw, Patty Mills and Kyle Anderson). The salary cap is projected to skyrocket to around $92 million by some estimation, which works in the Spurs' favor here. A max contract for a player of Durant's tenure (nine seasons) could earn a maximum of $27.6 million next season based on that cap figure.


A bit of subtraction reveals the gulf the Spurs must cross. They will need to find about $9.2 million additional cap space to make a credible offer to Durant. It can be done, though the task gets more complicated if any of Tim Duncan ($5.5 million), Manu Ginobili ($2.9 million) or David West ($1.55 million) opt to exercise player options for next season. Jonathon Simmons has a team option for a little more than $874,000.
Assuming Duncan and Ginobili retire — or opt out and re-sign on veteran minimum deals that won't count against the Spurs' cap space– $9.2 million seems to be the number the Spurs are working with in this scenario.
There are two obvious avenues for getting there, though the Spurs' resident geniuses in the front office likely have plotted some that are less obvious. If the Spurs could find a trade partner to absorb Danny Green's $10 million next season (and two more seasons after that), it would appear to do the trick without gutting the rest of the roster. The Spurs might also explore dealing the combination of Boris Diaw (due $6.5 million next season) and Patty Mills (due $3.5 million) to arrive at the same savings.

It is far too early for Spurs fans to line up to buy No. 35 jerseys in silver and black. The salary cap gymnastics required for the Spurs to make that dream scenario happen, however, are less complicated than one might think.

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Would rather get rid or Patty and Boris than Green, tbh. Yes, their loss would hurt our bench, but having Green, one of the best perimeter defenders in the league and perhaps the best transition defender, to couple with Kawhi, the 2 x DPOY, is a GREAT advantage we have. Just look at how we can guard Westbrook with Kawhi and Durant with Green in this very series.

It would also allow us to trot out a line up death: Tony, Danny, Kawhi, Durant, LMA. Good luck scoring on that, good luck trying to stop it from scoring. I trust RC to find other bench players. Which leaves our team set for a long time, with our only concerns being a point guard to replace Tony (eventually) and another big, a legit center.

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Originally Posted by south side spur

Conley is the only player in the league who has worse ankles than Curry and Horford's shoulder isn't much better. I know Durant has a bad wheel but so far it's holding up.

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It's probably unlikely because the Grizz and Hawks would likely overpay to keep them but it would be just as good of a FA coup if not better than getting Durant.

If the unthinkable miracle happens, and the Spurs land the two biggest free agents in back-to-back years (first LMA and then KD), that "built not bought" slogan will be definitely mocked and we'll start hearing comparisons to other notorious title buyers, like the Yankees and Lakers. But I don't see that as an apt comparison, because the way the Spurs are attracting these free agents is much different than how big market teams attract free agents.

The Spurs aren't pitching movies, brand, Madison Avenue, hookers, blow, etc, etc, they're pitching basketball. And why is it they can get away with pitching basketball while other franchises have to show FAs power point presentations narrated by some washed up Hollywood star? Because of the way Pop and Co. have built this franchise over the past two decades, which has earned above and beyond respect from just about everyone associated with not just NBA basketball, but global basketball.

If the Spurs land KD (I don't think it happens. I do think KD wants to come here, but the fact we're playing his team right now just throws everything off), it would have been "earned," not just bought. You can't purchase the kind of rep the Spurs have meticulously assembled since Pop signed on the dotted line as the team's GM way back in '95.

Still "built."

It's still bought but who gives a shit if you win championships while doing it.

He's not coming to SA. Zero chance, let's not waste anymore time with this.

If he signs with the Spurs.. we wouldn't be built, nor bought... but #blessed :lol

lets start new thread

Let them mock the Spurs but we'll all know the truth. That the Spurs franchise is undeniably the premier franchise in sports. In recent years, the Spurs have received more "hate" since the mediots finally started to sing San Antonio's praises. This would just ignite the anti-Spur sentiment that much more and honestly, as a fan who suffered through the 80s and 90s, to ultimately be the most desirable in the eyes of even the best players...it's a beautiful thing.

first we gotta beat them tomorrow, or this is all moot...............

I only consider teams to be bought when they go over the luxury tax. If the Spurs can sign Durant and stay under the tax, then I consider that built because you aren't just throwing money at players. The Cavs are absolutely bought since there salary with tax is around 150 million this year.

Game of Thrones tomorrow also...........wow!

National elections in the Philippines tomorrow also, wow!

Bring on game fourrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

oh my god, Jon Snow is alive!!!!!!!! hahahahahaha

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y685gVGRQ98

That was the worst kept secret in cable television history. Everyone knew he was coming back and that was as soon as last seasons finale ended. As far as this season is concerned, is that the longest a dead character has lingered? Hilarious

This is bullshit.

With the current salary cap rules (esp harsh luxury tax), "bought" isn't really feasible. The Yankees (and now Red Sox) could fairly be given the "bought" label because they would just outspend everyone.

Still, I would consider the Spurs' foundation to be "built," and some of the renovations were "bought."

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Originally Posted by RD2191

This is bullshit.

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:lol damn

Built not bought? Lol more people care about Nada Surf.

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Originally Posted by Horry Hipcheck

Where's the confusion? I'd take Durant, not at the expense of Danny. I think Durant would shoot better playing for the Spurs, though obviously quite a bit less, but I wouldn't take his offense at the sacrifice of Green's defense. I said that.

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Durrant is a good defender and he can play the 4,3,and 2 with a great height advantage. Only Spur blinders would stop one from seeing the huge disparity between Green and Durrant. Durrant is a handful for Kawhi. Imagine if they teamed up.

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Originally Posted by FlashZo

If he signs with the Spurs.. we wouldn't be built, nor bought... but #blessed :lol

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actually.... :lol

Fuck this shit. This is an outrage! Damn you Slomo!

For all the years we were overlooked in FA.. some bought Championships are fine w/ me

People are fond of our success. Years of ambition and rings has made others envious, only natural they'd want to hop on the wagon.

http://www.businessinsider.com/kevin...n-james-2016-5

http://static2.businessinsider.com/i...ar-careers.jpg

The Spurs traded Bruce Bowen to the Bucks in the Dick Jefferson deal. What makes you all think Green won't get traded if there's a remote chance KD wants to come play for Pop and the Spurs? :lol

If KD comes to the Spurs, then NBA = FUCKED.

KD loves Austin. I've seen him at a couple of UT football games.