the future..

[CGD]

i got a ? why the is dice signed next year for 5 millon dollars wtf

Why not? If I'm not mistaken his contract for the 3rd year is also partially guaranteed, so that makes him movable next year.

Plus at the time no one knew Blair would be Blair.

[Ocotillo]

With Hill and Blair, you have two really good young players. Hairston, as well, has a good chance to be part of the future, if he continues to improve. You bring in Splitter next year, and Gist, whose been playing well overseas, and you have a nice young nucleus of players. And I also like the fact that this is suppose to be a deep draft.

I doubt Gist is ever on our roster.

When you say "big three", do you simply mean the three best guys on the team or three top players in the league that make a team a contender?

Replacing Tim, Manu and Tony with Hill, Blair and (player to be named later) does not keep this team a contender. Hill looks like he is really growing into a solid player and despite being a bit undersized in the height department, his long arms and ability make him a potential member of "the big three" with Tony playing the point and Hill at the two.

Blair unless he really makes some strides in his game is playing where he likely will be best and that is energy big off the bench.

So assuming Parker and Hill are part of a big three, that leaves replacing Tim Duncan to complete the project. Therein lies the problem. You cannot replace Duncan with a draft pick (unless you win the lottery in the right year) nor will you sign a free agent that can replace him. You can get someone to take his place but he is one of the all time best if not the best at his position.

Keep in mind we have been searching for that long defensive minded three for five years now let alone replacing Tim Duncan.

[jjktkk]

I doubt Gist is ever on our roster.

When you say "big three", do you simply mean the three best guys on the team or three top players in the league that make a team a contender?

Replacing Tim, Manu and Tony with Hill, Blair and (player to be named later) does not keep this team a contender. Hill looks like he is really growing into a solid player and despite being a bit undersized in the height department, his long arms and ability make him a potential member of "the big three" with Tony playing the point and Hill at the two.

Blair unless he really makes some strides in his game is playing where he likely will be best and that is energy big off the bench.

So assuming Parker and Hill are part of a big three, that leaves replacing Tim Duncan to complete the project. Therein lies the problem. You cannot replace Duncan with a draft pick (unless you win the lottery in the right year) nor will you sign a free agent that can replace him. You can get someone to take his place but he is one of the all time best if not the best at his position.

Keep in mind we have been searching for that long defensive minded three for five years now let alone replacing Tim Duncan.

First of all, I never said anything about the "big three". In my post I brought up players who either are currently with the team, or have a chance to be on the team in the future. I'm curious as to why you doubt Gist will not have a chance to make the Spurs team next year? I agree replacing Duncan, once he retires, will be a huge task, but we already know how difficult that will be.

[AFBlue]

The future of this team after Ginobili and Duncan depart revolves around two things...Tony Parker and cap space.

As good of a player as Hill, Blair and even Splitter can be, none of them are franchise-type players like Parker. I would also put anyone the Spurs get in the next few drafts (mid-late first round picks) in that category as well.

Even if Tony Parker were traded (heaven forbid), the Spurs would demand a return that included a future franchise-type player...and they'd get it. So either way it still revolves around Tony.

And let's not forget the $$$. While it's possible Duncan extends his contract and playing career beyond it's current end date (2012), I think it's also possible he calls it a career. It's also probable that an extended Ginobili also has his contract run out in the same year. That would free up some pretty decent cap space for the Spurs to pursue a franchise-type player to go alongside Tony and crew.

All of these scenarios are educated guesses at best, but If I had to suggest the biggest factors, I think you start with Tony and Money.

[jjktkk]

The future of this team after Ginobili and Duncan depart revolves around two things...Tony Parker and cap space.

As good of a player as Hill, Blair and even Splitter can be, none of them are franchise-type players like Parker. I would also put anyone the Spurs get in the next few drafts (mid-late first round picks) in that category as well.

Even if Tony Parker were traded (heaven forbid), the Spurs would demand a return that included a future franchise-type player...and they'd get it. So either way it still revolves around Tony.

And let's not forget the $$$. While it's possible Duncan extends his contract and playing career beyond it's current end date (2012), I think it's also possible he calls it a career. It's also probable that an extended Ginobili also has his contract run out in the same year. That would free up some pretty decent cap space for the Spurs to pursue a franchise-type player to go alongside Tony and crew.

All of these scenarios are educated guesses at best, but If I had to suggest the biggest factors, I think you start with Tony and Money.

1st of all I'm a big Parker fan, but if the Spurs could find, thru a trade, a dominant big man, for example, Bosh, I would pull the trigger. Sounds crazy, and probably would never happen, but by all indications, Bosh is gonna leave Toronto this Summer. So maybe the Raptors fo gets desperate to move Bosh and will try to get something of value for him via a trade, like Parker. Just something to think about.

[stnick2261]

It'll be at least 3 years before we have to form a new big 3... at that time, Duncan, Jefferson and Manu will be gone which will free up a ton of cap space. We'll probably have a horrible year during that time and get a great draft pick. Parker will be at his very peak (or just past). Hill has shown that he can hang with the best. Blair and Splitter will both be serviceable, but not "big 3" worthy.

Parker/Hill/ (draft pick or FA) will be our big 3 in the future

[Waps1980]

Initially we need to get another big man, someone young.
I thought Dice was only signed for 1 year?
We need a defensive minded big cos that's where we lack.
Someone who can play along side Duncan or can fill the big guy in defense slot himself.
I think we generally have enough fire power.

In the future I can only see Hill as going to the next level.

[lennyalderette]

I don't give a F about the future....
WORRY about right now DUMMY...

you better worry about the future!!!! look at my thread

[WalterBenitez]

Not sure "the next big 3" is something to think about because the near future will feature either 2 parts of the current big 3, or the same big 3 but a team without all 3 or just one of them won't happen for quite some time. Besides, are we really up for comparing Duncan/Parker/Ginobili to Hill/Blair/___
big 1? big 1.5? ...movin on...

and as much as I'd rather just focus on this season, since we're bringing up "the future" I can't help but really wonder what the is going to happen this summer....
Has anyone looked at our roster next season?

We essentially have a starting 5 + Blair on the books for around $53 million
Duncan $19 million
Jefferson $15 million
Parker $13.5 million
McDyess $5 million
Hill $1.2 million

Blair $1 million

that's a huge chunk of change for 6 players. Factor in resigning Ginobili and we're over the cap with 7 players. At this point we pretty much have to give Ginobili whatever he wants, right? He gave us a discount and quick negotiation last time and will be coming off the recent heroics of this season so we don't want to insult him with a short/low ball offer when there will be a half dozen teams ready to offer him the cap space they weren't able to use on the 2010 free agency frenzy.
As much as we know the hypercompe ive Ginobili won't want to sign with the Nets, Clippers, Knicks, Kings just to get more dollars, we don't want to be too confident that he'll "give us a break" in order to build a roster and stay compe ive in San Antonio.

All things considered I'm guessing we offer Ginobili 3 years $35 million, what do you think? It seems like way too much money but are the Spurs really going to say, "Yeah, we made you play the season for job security AND you need to take a pay cut."?????

Spurs 2011
7 players $65 million
What money will we have left to throw at Splitter?
We'll have nothing to offer free agents.

So that definitely means we pick up Hairston's option for under a million and maybe we're signing all these D-Leaguers anticipating this summer---- We fill the roster with short term, $1 million contracts. ...and of course the "Journeyman Vet, minimum contract" signings.

Is that the team we want to see make a final run with Duncan?

sounds scary, and it'll feel real ty if trading for Jefferson(and then not being able to trade him again) means that we lose Ginobili and/or Parker. It doesn't seem too far fetched, consider the cap situation that we trade Parker in order to turn his contract into two or three mid-level salary role players that fill out the roster. UGH. i'm stopping now

With that scenario, have no room for Manu, I think SAS has to think about future, Manu would be expensive (I will hate seeing him in another Uniform), but there's no solution too much money around few players.

[LoneStarState'sPride]

I'm of the persuasion that it doesn't have to necessarily be a "big 3." Look at the '99 team--Twin Towers and role players galore. And you'd be hard pressed to say the '03 team had a "big 3," with an aging Robinson, a young Parker, and NBA rookie Ginobili.

[BackHome]

Getting someone like David and Timmy is not going to happen in our life times. So with that said I would rather have the money going into a dominate SF or PF type of player. If Splitter is indeed comming over then looking at how well Hill is plalying PG I would look at trading Tony for a solid SF or SG and some draft picks.

[Sisk]

Why not? If I'm not mistaken his contract for the 3rd year is also partially guaranteed, so that makes him movable next year.

Plus at the time no one knew Blair would be Blair.

and we didn't think dice would suck this much

[TD 21]

Specifically for next season, I'm guessing...

-Ginobili is re-signed for 2 years/$20 million
- Bonner is re-signed for 2 years/$6.5 million
-Mason and Mahinmi are gone
-McDyess and Bogans are 50/50 to return
- In the case of McDyess, it's an either or between he and Splitter. They're not paying one of these guys $4.5 - (potentially) $5.5 million to be their fourth big.
-Obviously, the preference would be to bring over Splitter and if the Spurs are successful, then look for them to dump McDyess for a partially guaranteed contract or two that they can instantly waive and reap immediate savings, similar to the Jefferson trade (I've already pegged Jones of the Heat for this).
-In the case of Bogans, the Spurs will have limited resources to upgrade his role and the best realistic option is probably Bell, who the Spurs were known to be interested in earlier this season.
- Draft wise, 1st round look for either an athletic big (Udoh, Sanders, etc.) to be the pick or a three with defensive potential (George, Ebanks, etc.); 2nd round, best player available.
- The rest of the roster is likely to be fleshed out with young, minimum salaried young players from the D-League, such as Temple, Jerrells, Gee, etc.

[stnick2261]

^^^I think Manu prefers a contract with more years than money. We can offer him 4 years, other teams can only offer 3... even if the 4th year is not guaranteed

[AFBlue]

1st of all I'm a big Parker fan, but if the Spurs could find, thru a trade, a dominant big man, for example, Bosh, I would pull the trigger. Sounds crazy, and probably would never happen, but by all indications, Bosh is gonna leave Toronto this Summer. So maybe the Raptors fo gets desperate to move Bosh and will try to get something of value for him via a trade, like Parker. Just something to think about.

Trading Parker this off-season doesn't make much sense. He's had a down year (even if he does well in the playoffs), dealt with nagging injuries and his contract expires after next season...which means that there's no guarantee the team he'd be traded to would get to keep him long-term.

Dealing with the Bosh situation specifically, he'd have to turn down equal offers from Chicago, NY (both teams), LA (Clippers) and probably Miami to come to SA. Possible, but not likely at all.

I'm not sure I see a realistic scenario right now where the Spurs are willing to part with Parker.

[Dr. Gonzo]

Ghill would be a big time player, and Blair would also be a reliable player. TP is still young, so we now have 3 young guns. But we need more reliable players for us to contend.

Tony has a lot of miles on him already though. Once he loses even half a step he is done. I don't think he can be counted on for the future.

[AFBlue]

^^^I think Manu prefers a contract with more years than money. We can offer him 4 years, other teams can only offer 3... even if the 4th year is not guaranteed

If the Spurs or any other team offers Manu 4 years they're insane. The most I see any team giving is a fully guaranteed third year and/or an average salary over $10M/yr.

[AFBlue]

Tony has a lot of miles on him already though. Once he loses even half a step he is done. I don't think he can be counted on for the future.

Give me a break. The guy sits out a few weeks and some people forget just how amazing this kid is.

First of all, Tony isn't completely reliant on his speed to produce offensively, so the notion that "once he loses even half a step he is done" just doesn't bear out.

Second, Tony is still only 27 years old...I don't care how many miles he has on his legs. Kobe came straight out of high school and has played for the NT, yet at 31 no one talks about him being "done" or close to it.

There's no doubt that Tony will have to make some tough decisions (expect pressure from Spurs FO to keep him from NT) to remain a key piece for this team going forward, but to count this guy out of the Spurs' future is ridiculous.

[stnick2261]

If the Spurs or any other team offers Manu 4 years they're insane. The most I see any team giving is a fully guaranteed third year and/or an average salary over $10M/yr.

that's all I'm saying we give him.... 3 years fully guaranteed... and a 4th non-guaranteed. Front load the contract and he can either retire, or have a VERY moveable contract for trade

[Dr. Gonzo]

Give me a break. The guy sits out a few weeks and some people forget just how amazing this kid is.

First of all, Tony isn't completely reliant on his speed to produce offensively, so the notion that "once he loses even half a step he is done" just doesn't bear out.

Second, Tony is still only 27 years old...I don't care how many miles he has on his legs. Kobe came straight out of high school and has played for the NT, yet at 31 no one talks about him being "done" or close to it.

There's no doubt that Tony will have to make some tough decisions (expect pressure from Spurs FO to keep him from NT) to remain a key piece for this team going forward, but to count this guy out of the Spurs' future is ridiculous.

Tony does rely on his quickness more than anything. His jump shot is above average and he has absolutely no three point shot. So once he isn't as quick he won't draw in as many defenders and he won't be able to dump the ball off to a big for an easy score. He isn't a great assist PG like Nash or Kidd to be able to play well into his 30s.

Kobe has a great mid-range shot and he is a great all around scorer. Tony, as good as he is, won't be the same when he loses a step.

[tothrowed]

george hills j > tony parkers j , how much longer do yall see tony with us do yall thik he will stay here for his whole career

[AFBlue]

that's all I'm saying we give him.... 3 years fully guaranteed... and a 4th non-guaranteed. Front load the contract and he can either retire, or have a VERY moveable contract for trade

I'd say two fully guaranteed years and a partially guaranteed third should be able to prevent him from entering free agency.

[AFBlue]

Tony does rely on his quickness more than anything. His jump shot is above average and he has absolutely no three point shot. So once he isn't as quick he won't draw in as many defenders and he won't be able to dump the ball off to a big for an easy score. He isn't a great assist PG like Nash or Kidd to be able to play well into his 30s.

Kobe has a great mid-range shot and he is a great all around scorer. Tony, as good as he is, won't be the same when he loses a step.

Tony has continually improved his game since coming into the league and I don't think it's unreasonable to expect him to continue doing so (i.e. add a 3pt shot).

Also while his quickness is best utilized in the open court, it's not such a big component of the pick and roll game, which I would argue is where he's now most effective. Provided he has a good pick and roll partner post-Duncan, I think he'll be just fine.

[exstatic]

Initially we need to get another big man, someone young.
I thought Dice was only signed for 1 year?
We need a defensive minded big cos that's where we lack.
Someone who can play along side Duncan or can fill the big guy in defense slot himself.
I think we generally have enough fire power.

In the future I can only see Hill as going to the next level.

You can get a good wing around our draft position (~20) who could play in year one or two, but any big that falls that far will be a 2-3 year project and likely won't play minutes until Tim is gone. Unless a lottery projected big man falls to us for the second year in a row (not likely) the Spurs will probably grab the best SG/SF available.

[TimmehC]

george hills j > tony parkers j

Ummm, no. You can say that about the three ball, but Tony's midrange J the last couplle years has been one of the best in the league. George definitely isn't there yet with the midrange game, but he's closer than Tony was in year 2.