Trading Tony Parker
Can Tony lead the Spurs to a fifth le? The little trophy in his left hand thinks so.
In recent weeks, we’ve discussed the numerous trade opportunities that are available to the Spurs. During these discussions, certain commenters have repeatedly floated an idea that I have yet to address formally: The idea of trading Tony Parker. Once or twice I have mentioned that I think trading Tony Parker is a bad idea, and is a much more drastic move than some realize, but I haven’t fully explained why.
First, I want to briefly touch upon what people seemingly want to trade him for. Different commenters have suggested different trades for different reasons, so I don’t want to treat the “Trade Tony” crowd as if they are some unified group. But, for the most part, advocates of trading Tony think we could acquire a number of young role players for our starting point guard. I feel like the most often mentioned trading partner is Portland, who has a glut of young talent. For instance, if we could acquire Nic Batum, Steve Blake and Greg Oden for Tony Parker (check the Trade Machine, it works), why wouldn’t you? Yes, we lose an All-Star Point Guard, but we acquire a potential All-Star center, a talented young wing, and a PG who can get the job done.
Although Portland is in the hunt for a marquee point, I don’t believe they would go for this. That being said, I am using this hypothetical situation because I believe it is the best possible trade the Spurs could get, and even though I disagree with the “Trade Tony” crowd, I don’t want to sell them short. I also don’t think the Spurs are at all interested in trading Tony for another All-Star, one for one. If the idea has even crossed Buford and Pop’s mind, it has crossed it along these lines.
So why, despite the proposed trade’s enormous upside, am I still opposed to it? Because trading Tony Parker is the equivalent of blowing it up. Yes, the team will continue to resemble its current manifestation for a couple of years whether Tony is traded or not, but by trading Tony the Front Office would be saying, “We are no longer trying to win another le during the Tim Duncan era. We are officially planning for the future.”
The reality of the matter is, this team needs to get deeper and younger, but it cannot become those things at the expense of Tony Parker. Let me make a couple of things clear, so people don’t jump to conclusions: By saying Tony Parker is a fundamental piece of our championship aspirations I am not saying Manu Ginobili isn’t. So many people treat the situation as an either/or while, in fact, neither of them has won an NBA championship without the other.
Let me rephrase: By surrounding a soon-to-be 32 year old Manu Ginobili and a 33 year old Tim Duncan with an assortment of still developing role players, you have not produced a championship roster. Players like Nic Batum and Greg Oden may be reliable contributors during deep playoff runs in 2 years, but by that time Manu and Tim will be in no position to lead them. The heart will always be there but the physical ability no longer will.
I am not saying this is necessarily a bad situation. If you are more interested in winning a championship in 5 years than during the next 2 or 3, than this probably sounds like an excellent idea. And in some ways it is. But to those of you who claim that the Spurs cannot win another le during the Duncan era without Manu and then turn around and say we should trade Tony: Your logic has led you down 2 different paths.
Even if you have resigned yourself to the idea that the championship run is over and would prefer the Spurs adopt a more long-term mentality, I still think trading Tony is a bad idea. I think that because the Spurs can get younger and deeper without trading Tony. And if you can achieve those admittedly crucial goals without sacrificing your elite point, than you don’t sacrifice him. It’s as simple as that.
As things currently stand, in 12 months only 3 players are still on the books: Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, and George Hill. At that point in time, the Spurs will have all kinds of financial flexibility. With so many current members of the team set to retire at the end of next season, there is no need to panic and trade away our most valuable asset.
Although not as fundamental to my argument, I also like the idea of having some continuity between the generations. I like the fact that Robinson played alongside Duncan. I am glad that Duncan has taken the time to mentor Parker, despite their differing roles. And I look forward to the day when Parker can pass on that wisdom to a new generation of Spurs.
And yes, Parker does have the emotional and mental fiber to carry on the legacy of hard work and humility that has built this franchise. Spurs fans constantly refer to Parker as a “prima donna,” but you want to know what: I think that is bull . Parker may not emit the saintliness possessed by Ginobili or Duncan, but on the broader spectrum of NBA players, Parker is team-oriented and very hard-working. Have we so quickly forgotten that, in response to what seemed like endless verbal lashings from Pop early in his career, Parker put his head down and tried even harder? Or that he meticulously worked to reconstruct his shot, a laborious process few NBA players have the commitment to complete?
And the fact that he is a score-first point does not mean he is selfish. Our offensive system has never necessitated a pass-first small guard. The fact that he averaged almost 2.5 more FGA per game than he did in ‘07 is not a symbol of his selfishness: It symbolizes the fact that, when asked by Pop, he’s willing to permanently put himself in 5th gear.
The Spurs’ Yoko Ono
As an afterword to this piece, I’d like to address the signficance of someone we almost never mention here on 48 Minutes of : Eva Longoria Parker. Mrs. Longoria Parker symbolizes the fears Spurs fans harbor about Tony: He is too enticed by the limelight and, when his contract is up in 2011, he will leave San Antonio for a larger market team, where he can indulge his supposed vanity.
I think this conception of Tony and Eva is patently absurd. First and foremost, as a native of South Texas, Eva has no reason to encourage Tony to leave San Antonio. She was a Spurs fan before they met. In fact, they were first introducted after a game she attended in San Antonio. Since they began dating, she has always been a committed supporter of the team and has never once hinted that she would like to see her husband in a different jersey. If Parker leaves San Antonio, there is no reason to believe it would be because of her.
(Quick Sidenote: Not surprisingly, the people I have met who are most adamant that Parker will leave San Antonio for a team on either coast are people who happen live on either coast. People from New York and LA can’t imagine why anyone would live in middle America! Colour me shocked.)
In general, this entire idea that superstars are looking to move to major market teams is based off of an antiquated sense of celebrity. Although the major American media companies are still located in New York and Los Angeles, the nature of new media and contemporary entertainment news coverage has begun to detach notoriety from physical locations.
For instance, despite the ambivalence many sports fans feel towards the Spurs, Parker still managed to grace the cover of the most recent edition of EA Sports NBA Live. He and his wife already own homes in Texas, Los Angeles, and Paris. During the offseason, they can spend as much time in any of those places as they like. And during the season, Parker is on the road half of the time anyways. The fact that his employer is technically located in San Antonio does not mean he has to spend his days twiddling his thumbs somewhere along the I-35 corridor.
The truth of the matter is, Parker has a good deal in San Antonio. He has the opportunity to be the centerpiece of a compe ive franchise. He can complete his career alongside a coach and within an organization he loves and trusts. Market size aside, I see no reason why he would readily leave that situation.
http://www.48minutesof .com/2009/...g-tony-parker/
Agreed. I feel that is what some people do not understand. Unless you are trading the Big 3 for equal or greater talent now, that would mean the end of the Duncan era and I do not think anyone is ready to call it quits just yet.
Spurs are in win now mode and that means keeping the big 3 and taking some big swings in FA and with trades (outside of the big 3) unless someone offers you something ridiculous.
Good article.
Bottom line: trading Parker makes no sense if the Spurs are still trying to compete for a le before Tim retires.
Even if the Spurs haven given up on the notion of another le with Tim it probably doesn't make sense.
In fact, the only scenario where it would make sense to trade him would be if Parker told Pop that he was leaving San Antonio in 2011.
I thought not trading Tony was common sense, no?..
And even then, waiting to trade him in the last year of his contract makes the most sense if the Spurs are still in 'win now' mode.
just like manu and tim, the only way it could possibly happen is for a STUPID offer...
...which tells you all you need to know about the people suggesting trading them. but hey, if the lakers can get gasol for kwame, anything is possible right?
If a list is made of the top ten current NBA players, you wouldn't find one from the New York Knicks.In general, this entire idea that superstars are looking to move to major market teams is based off of an antiquated sense of celebrity. Although the major American media companies are still located in New York and Los Angeles, the nature of new media and contemporary entertainment news coverage has begun to detach notoriety from physical locations.
The only problem I have with the basis of this thread is that Tony IS going to leave San Antonio when Tim does. Tim helped him get his money here when he was negotiating a few years ago. However, Tony has not forgotten what the organization did to him when it went after Jason Kidd. Only after Kidd was shown to be just using the Spurs did Tim go to bat for Tony. Then Tony improved his game, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Folks who believe that Tony will stay here are, I believe, ignoring the fact that he is a Parisian by upbringing. I don't know how to break it to the locals, but the culture shock is MONSTROUS. Tony hobnobs with French govenmental heads, and has been more than cir spect in not announcing his politics. But make no mistake, the man would rather be in Paris, Los Angeles, or New York, or even Miami or Washington, to live. He is not like a Tim who actually likes the size of San Antonio, and doesn't care about the cultural offerings. Tony knows and cares.
He will leave when his since of indebtedness to Tim and his contract allow him to. And Eva will go with him.
Yeah because, he's given every sign that he hates living in SA.But make no mistake, the man would rather be in Paris, Los Angeles, or New York, or even Miami or Washington, to live.
And, once again, 48MOH proves that it is compulsory reading.
Those who think trading Parker is a good idea should get their heads checked.
It's an idea worth considering, what many Spurs fans fail to realize is the Spurs cannot win another championship as is.. I'd considering trading Duncan to a contender, put him in a better position to win a ring and improve the future of the Spurs
obviously you know about parker, he doesn't about big or small market he cares about winning les and the future of Tony is not linked to Tim future but Pop.
But think of the trade that could be made. Man, that would be awesome, to make a trade so that a trade was made.
if he doesnt sign an extension and wants to be free agent...then trade him
good article
people who to trade parker in the near future is idiotic
Only for Deron Williams or CP3... other than that? Maybe Rondo + Outlaw...
I would NEVER TRADE TONY PARKER, Heck, In my opinion hes the best PG, and can score at will, After Timmy leaves we can build around Tony. If we can get another big, Spurs will be a good team for years.
Somethings shouldn't have to broken down but this article just tore up all the 'Trade Tp!' booty chatter.
He hits all the points simply so the kiddos can follow too.
parker for aldridge,fernandez and outlow
and have hill as our staring point guard
Not bad not bad........ maybe a first round pick aswell
If you think the Spurs can win another championship with the Big 3 then obviously this is a bad trade. Personally, I don't think the Spurs can win again with 2 of the big 3 in decline. No matter how much Tony improves at this point, unless Tim and Manu are in near perfect health come playoff time, the chances of a le are not in our favor, and even with that scenario, there clearly are other teams that are just as good if not better, such as the Lakers.
I'd consider trading Parker if we were able to get rising stars in return. Trading Tony to get a future stars has a better chance of return then praying for a 2010 free agent to save the team. If the team trades Tony for young promising players, they could still have money in 2010.
I don't see why the idea shouldn't be considered. I'd rather try to improve the team through a trade then wait around for father time to catch up with us, which is assuming it hasn't already, and then fall into a complete abyss that takes at least a decade to get out of.
If the team completely falls apart in a few years, the FO will probably split town as well. Sean (Ninja) referenced that once during a game. So where does that leave us? With one quality player in Tony Parker and a new FO team?
If the team could get promising young players now, then the transition into the post-Duncan world has a better chance for success, and a better chance for Pop and RC to stick around. I understand the love for the Big 3 - they won 3 les for San Antonio - but if you've been a fan for long enough you realize all good things come to an end, even for San Antonio, one of the most fortunate basketball teams in NBA history.
Nice article!
Yeah, let's trade Tim and Tony, and why don't we move the franchise to Never Never Land while we are at it?
Tim is retiring a Spur in 2012, and trading Tony makes no sense - he is one of the best 3 PGs in the league and in his prime, and he and Pop know each other inside out. There is no value in trading Tony.
If anyone is traded it will be Manu, but I doubt that will happen either.
This team is two good youngsters away from contending again - an athletic, defensive SF and a big man like Mahinmi will be if he can get on the court.
The team as cons uted the last two years couldn't win because of injuries and age, but that is not to say that the Big 3 can't contend again with a piece or two added to the mix, especially if Hill keeps developing and Roger Mason can play a shooting role (not playmaking).
considering that Timmy is at worst the 2nd best big man in the NBA right now(IMO and most opinions), Tony is top 3 at the PG position, and Manu is still a top 5-7 SG in the NBA, add in the chemistry..it's a pretty safe bet that the big 3 can still win a le..
revamp in the role players..
Trade Parker for who? He was the 12th scorer, had the 12th assists and had one of the best efficiency among all of the players in the nba. Who do you guys want to trade for him?
Last edited by spursbird; 06-20-2009 at 10:58 PM.
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