Which Portland would have matched.Quote:
Originally Posted by tav1
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Which Portland would have matched.Quote:
Originally Posted by tav1
By the way, I think Bonner + Udoka at 3.7 is better than Outlaw at, say 4.5. They did the right thing, but they could have made a run.
No worries...Quote:
Originally Posted by tav1
The only reason I knew was because I too made that mistake once or twice. I think Bruno was the guy that set me straight on that. :toast
I wonder how much it would cost the Spurs to fill their 14th roster spot with a $1M contract? Probably twice that since it would likely push them over the lux tax threshold.Quote:
Originally Posted by tav1
I think they could do it if they were willing to pay the price (2010 first rounder? + Lux tax), but I doubt the would go through with it.
And if they needed to shave off a few bucks from the roster, I could see them sending Elson out the door for a player that made marginally less....Mad Dog Madsen?
Still...at this point I see it much more likely that they stand pat.
No doubt they would have had to overpay for Outlaw. However with the stockpile of talent on that Portland roster, the Spurs should be able steal yet another FA swingman this coming offseason. I'm speaking of James Jones, whose scheduled for unrestricted FA, if I'm not mistaken.
I'm not convinced that's true. With Roy and Webster already on the roster and Pritchard thinking of cap space in 09 I don't think we could say for sure one way or the other. Look, I grant that Portland had the upper hand, but the Spurs could have taken a stab. It's not like there was a long line for Udoka. He signed for 1 million after all. He had no market.Quote:
Originally Posted by ChumpDumper
Ironically, the guy on the Knicks roster that most fits the long 3/small ball 4 role the best is Jared Jeffries.
He's 6'10+, athletic, and plays pretty good D. Too bad he can't shoot worth anything and is signed to a $5M contract for the next few years....
Weren't the Spurs mildly interested in him prior to Isiah outbidding everyone by giving him the Knicks MLE?Quote:
Originally Posted by PHAT TONY
Roy plays a different position altogether and Webster was much more of an unknown...he's just started to put it together this year.Quote:
Originally Posted by tav1
The guy I think hinged the Outlaw deal was his ever-injured, overpriced clone Darius Miles. Obviously you can see the Blazers are content to let Outlaw play and let Miles (and his $10M/yr contract) rot.
And rot he should do. I wonder how many more years Miles has at that alarming salary rate.Quote:
Originally Posted by PHAT TONY
I'm sure they were. He is known for his defense, versatility (plays 2,3,&4), and being a good character guy.Quote:
Originally Posted by SenorSpur
If only he didn't cost so much, have so many years left on the deal (three after this one), and not have any semblence of a reliable jumpshot...
Since Outlaw's negotiated deal goes through 09/10, I just don't see cap savings as an issue for them.Quote:
Originally Posted by tav1
I was trying to find that out, and I think it has to be at least a couple more.Quote:
Originally Posted by SenorSpur
The real question is whether he asks for a buyout or retires, because there's NO way he's living out his entire contract with that team.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PHAT TONY
I can't see that happening either. No way Pritchard and McMillan will allow Miles to contaminate the environment and culture they're building up there. Paul Allen has the $$$ and he has already shelled out 30 mil for Steve Francis over the summer. However the big question is would he be willing to do the same for Miles?
It's in the stars.Quote:
Originally Posted by SenorSpur
Darius Miles, btw, will make $9 million each of the next two years. Not wholly a cap killer, but wasted money. They, however, are paying Steve Francis about $37 million between this year and next.
I was under the impression the Blazers simply "cut a check" to Francis to the tune of a $30mil buyout.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Body
Probably right. I was going by what hoopshype has - they're counting cap hits, I believe.Quote:
Originally Posted by SenorSpur
In terms of opportunity cost, his is the worst contract for a player still on the original team paying his contract.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Body
Well, it's between him and Jerome James, but I'd give the edge to Miles because he gets paid more.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Body
Yeah I remember the Blazers took a day or two after the trade to decide what they wanted to do with Francis. Instead of having him show up, they instead elected to cut him a check for $30mil. One hell of a parting gift.
Francis must have had a great summer because he came to Rockets camp out of shape.
Just to satiate my curiousity, does anyone know what Villanueva's situation is in Milwaukee? He's playing decent minutes and puts up pretty good numbers...but he can't play the 5 and must yield to Yi at some point lest the Chinese come after Larry Harris like he was Jack Bauer.
He's a good rebounder, can put the ball on the floor, scores in a handful of ways, and has range. I can't imagine a better 18-22 minute guy behind Duncan. Worlds better than Bonner, and at the same price. He and Ginobli would provide more than enough bench scoring. And he wouldn't detract from the Spurs' ability to sign another decent player this offseason. Is Villanueva "gettable" or beyond reach?
Bucks know he's a talent and will seek to get a decent role player in return for him.Quote:
Originally Posted by tav1
As far as his fit with the Spurs, I would question whether he has the work ethic and mental fortitude to play for Pop. But that's just me...
Quoting myself.... :rolleyesQuote:
Originally Posted by PHAT TONY
Having said that, I wouldn't have thought the Spurs would go after a kid like JR Smith, who is also immensly talented but a bit of a head-case, yet they did a couple years back.
If Villanueva can be had on the cheap for an expiring contract like Elson (not sure if this works cap-wise) and a future draft pick, I think it would be tempting.
The Bucks have some abyssmal contracts -- Bobby Simmons or Dan Gadzuric, anyone? -- but Villaneuva is not one of them. They're looking to shed cap, so most likely would combine CV with one of the lousy contracts if they can.
I honestly hope the Spurs don't pick up anyone with their final roster spots this season. To me it just seems like a big distraction. Unless something crazy and unpredictable happens, (serious injury to one of the big three, or big name prospect suddenly waived) I'd rather stick it out with the team we have. We already have all the pieces needed. We know who we are. We are better than anyone when healthy. IMO there is no one available for what we have to offer who would make any significant contribution. Why risk our chemistry? We've been playing .500 ball lately, and I know the biggest reason for that is injuries have bumped us out of sync. However, we've also been swapping players quicker than a hollywood hooker, and I can't help but think that it has been a distraction and has added to the uncharacteristic poor play as of late. I say we stick to the game plan (the theoretical one in my mind)... Keep the current champs together, forget everyone else, win another title, and then retool this summer.
As I continue to think about the Spurs reloading at the wing, the contract I'd most like to see them move is Matt Bonner's. This season plus 6 million over the next two years is a lot of money to pay Bonner. To my mind, his money would be better spent on a other positions this summer, for a player like James Jones. This is especially the case with Splitter and Mahinmi waiting in the wings.
I know Bonner "works" in the system as Robert Horry's heir apparrent space creating 4--but I don't think Bonner quite works in that way. First, his defense doesn't approach Horry. Spurs fans are concerned about the wings, which is understandable, but the team's interior D has slipped a notch the last couple of seasons. It's still good, but could be improved by another legitimate shot blocker. Beyond this, I think the Spurs could spread the floor just as effectively with someone like Jones in a small ball set with Duncan at the 5. In fact, I think that line up would be more potent. In addition to the wing issue, the Bonner money would also go a long way in addressing the increasingly worrisome Vaughn stop-gap this summer.
The upcoming free agent market is great for ownership with the de facto hard cap in place--I think Bonner, for all his hustle and character--is probably more of an obstacle to the Spurs reloading than a help. So, if they do make a deal between now and deadline, I'd be happiest to see Bonner moved. His contract is modest, but combined with the other expiring deals it would provide the Spurs with much better free agent leverage.
I suspect the Trailblazers will make a legit, hard attemp to resign Jones this offseason, but, if they don't want to overspend prior to 2009, I wonder if they wouldn't be interested in Bonner. He fits into the sort of high character roster they are assembling and would be a good compliment to Oden.
Bonner's deal won't keep the Spurs from spending the money available to them and it would cost just as much if not more to replace him.