Splitter: I wanna play in the NBA

[SenorSpur]

It's clear that Splitter has ALL the leverage in this situation. We've been down this road before. I'll only believe it when an official announcement is made. I sure hope the Spurs have enough information on what he wants to do, so they can factor that into their draft plans.

[rayray2k8]

Splitter's Deal With Spurs Could Start At MLE

Jun 23, 2010 10:55 AM EST

The Spurs are widely expected to sign Tiago Splitter sometime soon after free agency opens on July 1.

GM R.C. Buford categorizes the expectation as "presumptuous".

Splitter is now widely acknowledged as the best big man in Europe.

Splitter can expect a deal starting at the mid-level exception, about $5.5 million. He could make more money to stick around Spain, so the Spurs will likely have to make up the difference with a long-term contract.

One rival NBA executive surmises it will take five years and a total package worth between $25 million and $30 million to entice Splitter away from Spain's money.

"I've heard he's developed his game so much over the past couple of years," Manu Ginobili said Tuesday. "I'm dying to see him. I'd love to see him play with us."

Read more: http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_ar...#ixzz0rgtKr6Er

[rayray2k8]

Finally good to see a spur talk about him and of all people it's Manu!!

[Mel_13]

Finally good to see a spur talk about him and of all people it's Manu!!

Manu and Splitter do share the same agent.

[Seventyniner]

Splitter getting the whole MLE limits the Spurs' options even more, though, and it increases the tax hit for at least this coming season.

[bigdog]

"Could Start At MLE"......isn't that the only thing he could get?

[ducks]

"Could Start At MLE"......isn't that the only thing he could get?

he could get less

[Mel_13]

"Could Start At MLE"......isn't that the only thing he could get?

McDonald article.

[Leetonidas]

man, if this prick doesn't come over this summer, I'm gonna fly to Brazil and rape him. With a hot soldering iron.

[Gino2882]

I don't see the motivation from either side to do a 5 year deal? From Splitter's perspective that is huge commitment for a man who has never played in the NBA and from the Spurs' view the same thing.

If the minimum they can sign him to is 3 years that is what makes the most sense.

Something like 3 years and 14 million would be ideal.

[hater]

[wildbill2u]

If I'm Splitter I want a shorter contract so I can move to the really big money if I pan out as I expect.

[cantthinkofanything]

After the Scola abortion hopefully the Spurs won't screw this one up.

This is offensive to aborted babies everywhere.

[Spurs Brazil]

Tiago wants to come to the NBA now. I think he and the Spurs will get the deal done but it'll start around $5 million and if it's more than a 3year deal it'll probably have a opt out clause after the 3rd year.

I thought a 3 year - $ 12 million deal would be enough to bring him, but after his strong playoffs we'll need to pay more

[duncan228]

Manu Ginobili Wants to Play with Tiago Splitter, Sends the Front Office a Message
SportingNews

I have made no secret of the fact that I think Tiago Splitter can reinvigorate the Spurs and put them back in the championship mix. For an aging team, there’s no discounting the importance of adding a young difference maker, especially one who could team with Tim Duncan to create one of the league’s best post tandems.

The current Spurs have heard of Splitter’s exploits in Spain, too. And at least one high-profile member of the team wants to see R.C. Buford and the rest of the front office bring the Brazilian to Texas this summer. From Jeff McDonald on Courtside with the Spurs:

"I’ve heard he’s developed his game so much over the past couple of years," Ginobili, himself an international icon with Argentina, said Tuesday. "I’m dying to see him. I’d love to see him play with us." […]

As currently constructed, the Spurs could offer Splitter, 25, a deal starting at the mid-level exception, about $5.5 million or so. He could make more money to stick around Spain, so the Spurs will likely have to make up the difference with a long-term contract.

One rival NBA executive surmises it will take five years and a total package worth between $25 million and $30 million to entice Splitter away from Spain’s money.

Ginobili is a nice person, so he did not flat-out tell the front office that they must bring Splitter to our shores or else he’d request a trade. Ginobili just signed a contract extension a few months ago, and he’s committed to the cause.

But his assumption in signing that contract was that the Spurs would do everything possible to win another championship. Yes, their core is aging, but they’re still capable players who don’t want to fade into insignificance without a fight. Ginobili and his teammates feel capable, and they don’t want to pass up a shot at Splitter just because he might be expensive. Buford already let Luis Scola(notes) get away to a division rival and no one wants a repeat of that situation.

Ginobili’s not asking for much here. When you have the rights to an outstanding player, people expect you to sign him no matter the cost.

[rAm]

If he didn't want to sign with us a few years ago because we couldn't offer him a large enough contract, and he is being offered another even larger contract, than how would we get him now? Am I missing something? Or can the spurs just offer more money now?

[Muser]

If he didn't want to sign with us a few years ago because we couldn't offer him a large enough contract, and he is being offered another even larger contract, than how would we get him now? Am I missing something? Or can the spurs just offer more money now?

The rookie scale doesn't aplly anymore.

[objective]

edit to emphasize sarcasm

Splitter's wanting the MLE . . . why does that sound so familiar? Oh yeah, it should spark something like this . . .

This is madness! Splitter maybe demanding the MLE! I can't believe this, except this time it could be true! Where is the outrage!?!

Have Splitter and his buyout jerked the Spurs around enough to the point where he's become expendable? Add in his contract demands . . . can the Spurs afford to pay so much to former 1st and set a bad precedent? What other crazy demands would he have? Starting? A guaranteed role? Pop doesn't even guarantee Duncan anything.

Because if the Spurs pay Splitter, then they probably can't afford Bonner. And Splitter has never proven anything in the NBA to demand a dime over minimum! And he can't rebound in the NBA, can't defend, and most of all, can't spread the floor!

Splitter can't play next to Duncan, every fan knows that only a floor spreader like Bonner can.

Matt Bonner knows the system. He is the heir to Horry! He dominates with plus-minus! Spurs might be able to get Bonner to sign a 3-year deal for about 12-15 million. Considering his plus/minus numbers and his vital floor spreading role on a team bereft of shooters and how good his %s are (39% and 44% the last two years), he deserves the raise.

Plus, if the Spurs re-sign Bonner, the Spurs can then trade Splitter's rights packaged with McDyess to get out from under the rest of McDyess's deal.

[MannyIsGod]

Scola thread!

[MannyIsGod]

BTW Splitter > Scola.

[clubalien]

interesting manus comment that he signed with a promise they would sign splitter

many claim duncan took less to win

however, tony being shopped

means tim and manu have approved the trading of tony?

[SenorSpur]

Splitter's wanting the MLE . . . why does that sound so familiar? Oh yeah, it should spark something like this . . .

This is madness! Splitter maybe demanding the MLE! I can't believe this, except this time it could be true! Where is the outrage!?!

Have Splitter and his buyout jerked the Spurs around enough to the point where he's become expendable? Add in his contract demands . . . can the Spurs afford to pay so much to former 1st and set a bad precedent? What other crazy demands would he have? Starting? A guaranteed role? Pop doesn't even guarantee Duncan anything.

Because if the Spurs pay Splitter, then they probably can't afford Bonner. And Splitter has never proven anything in the NBA to demand a dime over minimum! And he can't rebound in the NBA, can't defend, and most of all, can't spread the floor!

Splitter can't play next to Duncan, every fan knows that only a floor spreader like Bonner can.

Matt Bonner knows the system. He is the heir to Horry! He dominates with plus-minus! Spurs might be able to get Bonner to sign a 3-year deal for about 12-15 million. Considering his plus/minus numbers and his vital floor spreading role on a team bereft of shooters and how good his %s are (39% and 44% the last two years), he deserves the raise.

Plus, if the Spurs re-sign Bonner, the Spurs can then trade Splitter's rights packaged with McDyess to get out from under the rest of McDyess's deal.

Let me make sure I understand. You're seriously advocating the Spurs to resign Bonner and trade Splitter's rights?

[Blackjack]

objective ...

embrace the blue . . .

[objective]

Let me make sure I understand. You're seriously advocating the Spurs to resign Bonner and trade Splitter's rights?

no, i was mocking the great mass of Spurs fans by re-imaging the Scola debacle with Splitter.

But a few more articles from the EN with leaks designed to make Splitter look greedy and to cause doubts as to his ability to play in the NBA, and half the board will be back on the Bonner bandwagon.

[benefactor]

People still read the EN?