Fin for Finley? We should know soon
By Jeff McDonald
NBA free agency officially opens at midnight Wednesday. The Spurs' first big decision of free agency will come no later than 24 hours before that.
And it won't even be their decision to make.
Will Michael Finley opt out of the final year of his contract? That is the $2.5 million question.
Finley, who started all but one game for the Spurs last season, is on the books for $2.5 million next season. He could choose to opt out and become a free agent -- or retire -- in which case the Spurs owe him nothing.
In April, a day after the Spurs' were eliminated from the playoffs by Dallas, Finley indicated that his future was up in the air. Two months later, it apparently still is.
Spurs general manager R.C. Buford said late last week that Finley had given him no indication as to his plans. Finley's agent, Henry Thomas, confirmed as much, saying his client had yet to reach a decision.
This is the typical m.o. for Finley, who usually takes as long as possible to make such business decisions. It was late August 2005 before he signed with the Spurs in the first place. It was mid-August last summer when he opted to re-sign.
Finley's latest deadline is looming. He has until Tuesday to opt out.
The Spurs are awaiting his decision, but not anxiously. It is somewhat of a win-win for them.
Should Finley opt in, he should prove to be a valuable backup to newcomer Richard Jefferson on the wing, even at age 36. He would surely play fewer minutes as somewhat of a spot player, which would probably allow him to be more efficient. Should he opt out, the Spurs -- already likely to be over the luxury tax threshold -- could save some money and replace him with a cheaper piece.
From a finanical standpoint, it only makes sense for Finley to play out the final season of his contract with the Spurs. Unlike Brent Barry, who opted out of San Antonio last summer for a more desirable situation in Houston, Finley is unlikely to find anyone willing to pay him more than the Spurs owe him.
People don't often turn down free money. Not even NBA players who don't neccesarily need it.
My guess is Fin will take the money. What we do with him (backup or trade) is less clear.
Somehow I can't see Finley opting out - unfortunately. I just don't want to see another year of him in a Spurs uniform - even in a backup role. In the event that he does opt in, I predict that Pop will find ways to utilize smaller lineups, thereby giving him more time that he deserves.
It would suck for a guy who has made more money playing basketball than Tim Duncan or David Robinson to stick with the Spurs because he'd lose at most $1.2 million by opting out.
Is Dallas still paying him this year, too?
Does it really matter? He would still count against the cap for us.
True. I just wanted to know how much he was still screwing the Mavs
It sucks when people think other people have made too much money and should quit making it.
If Finley stays, I don't think it has anything to do with money.
That being said, I don't think he's staying.
Link to where I said the choker isn't allowed to make money? He can probably go out and get a two-year contract at the minimum ... which would give him more money that he'd make on the Spurs.
then maybe I should quit thinking that it sucks that drug cartels in Mexico are making too much money and they should quit making it .
You said it would be a shame if he picked up the contract.
So I see he's a choker now
The SPeedy Claxton recollection of Michael Finley is being enforced I see.
I don't want him back, never said I did. But I'm not gonna be pissed at the guy or hold a grudge if he picks u his option.,
The Spurs made the mistake of giving him aplayer option, not Finley.
Fin's clearly not the athlete that he used to be and that has had a definite adverse affect on his game, but I disagree with labeling him a "choker" (at least in his post Mav days).
Wow way to completely fail on a comparison.
Agree on all parts.
I said at the end of the year its been nice but he's clearly got nothing left and its time to move on.
I'm not gonna remember the guy as a choker or a piece of crap though if he picks up his option. If someone tells me heres the option no money and Free agency where you'll be lucky to get the minimum from a scrub team, OR, stay here and make 2.5.
Finley is going to take the option imo. And I think that would pretty much kill any chance of us resigning Bruce. So we will get the most out of what Finley can give us
way too completely fail to understand that you made a pretty generalized statement, and i'm just pull your strings for it.
I'm all for earning your money. If you can't earn it then don't take it. I'm also a big fan of making your own way, not falling into mommy and daddy's business. Like Buffet did with his kids.
I don't quite follow what that has to do with Michael Finley.
Kori,
I agree with the first sentence and disagree with the second sentence.
I believe Finley.....can see a chance to get another ring the team next season. Even though he will clearly be in a backup role.....he can still hit shots (yes...he's inconsistent) and can be somewhat effective.
I know my buddy SenorSpur disagrees with me....but I would mind him being back next season.
He won't start and coming off the bench is okay for his last season as a Spur.
only upside of finley staying is that we will have to fill up the roster with all the young pieces we have in order to not go to far over the cap.
i think M. Finley has been the players who been unfairly given the most criticism by Spurs fan. This guy was brought in to be a spot up shooter; and overall he did his job fairly fine in the 4 years that he was with us. we wouldn't have won our last championship without M. Finley, he has made big shot for Spurs in the playoff; and even last year he was probably our third best performer in the playoff; our two biggest choker in the playoff this past year wasn't M. Finley, it was R. Mason followed by M. Bonner.
4-8 playoff record lifetime vs Dallas. The team thought paid him to leave.
Enough said.
And EricPark still wants to oil up Finley.
Good grief.
i think M. Finley fits the backup role just perfectly, he comes in for 10-20 min per night to provide good shooting.
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