Speedy may return? breaking news

[grjr]

Charlotte would have to be nice enough to take Malik in the expansion draft. Then we would have enough (assuming we actually would need more than the MLE to sign Manu anyways).

[goliath]

If true this jibes with what Id heard going into FA.

I could have sworn I saw an interview with Speedy where he said he wanted to stay but had to consider his family, ect (ie $$$). He said he had never been around such great guys in his life and it was more like a family than a job. Also said he really liked and appreciated the org and Pop and talked about how most teams would have pressured him into rushing back from his sholder but the Spurs actually made him wait longer than he wanted. Made him realize they thought of him as a person and not just a player.

I got the impression that if the Spurs were in the ballpark money-wise hed stay. But then I only heard he was gone so i figured Id just read something into. But now I guess maybe not.

[TwoHandJam]

Do it!

[Cassius Clay]

Of course, this could be a ploy by Claxton & his agent to get more $$$ from the Warriors. A 3 year $10 mil deal is a little low for a starting point.

[timvp]

Reason why Pop wouldn't do it:

1) He wants to keep caproom open next summer for Manu.

2) He wants to put more pressure on Parker to be the second star. He may see Speedy as a safeguard that might keep Parker from reaching his potential.


Speedy is a top 3 backup point guard in the league, so this should be a pretty straight-forward decision.

Pop and RC will do what is right according to their short-term and long-term plans.

[ChumpDumper]

$3 million is right for a china doll like Claxton.

I can see Pop going either way on this, a backup is only going to play about 10-12mpg anyway. There are many players who can fill that role.

[Admiral]

Haven't we learned our lesson? There should be no question that we re-sign Speedy. You take what's on the table now. Unlike next summer's free agency, it's a sure thing.

I'm all for planning ahead, but failing to obtain a backup PG simply because you "think" you might not have enough for Manu - who, I might add, is yet to start a game in a Spurs uniform - is downright foolish.

[Cassius Clay]

Then don't next summer when Ginobili walks about the 'horrible' Spurs front office, Mr. 20/20.

[Morphgizmo]

2) He wants to put more pressure on Parker to be the second star. He may see Speedy as a safeguard that might keep Parker from reaching his potential.

That's indeed an issue, but I see it having the opposite effect.

Speedy (if retained) will do more to push TP than make him complacent. I could see Tony getting away with more slacking if he didn't have a guy behind him that has the skills to take his job.

[ChumpDumper]

, if it's Manu we're worried about, just give Speedy 5 or 6 million for a year and see if he bites.

[Cassius Clay]

It would be more advantageous next summer for the Spurs to sign Ginobili with his Early Bird rights to a deal because then the Spurs would also be able to use their MLE on another player(s)...such as perhaps Turkoglu if things went the Spurs way.

[gospurs21]

clay,
please explain to me how we have 12M now
sign Speedy for 3M
sign Jax for 4M (high end)

that leaves 5M left for Horry on a two year deal, team option the second year.

how do we not have 5M + MLE for next season for Manu?

Go Spurs...

[Cassius Clay]

You need more than $5 mil because the guaranteed payroll is going to be increasing and will probably grow at a higher rate than then cap is growing.

Also, $5 mil is the average NBA salary this season. The Spurs are going to need potentially up to $7 to 8 mil, I'm afraid next summer to re-up Ginobili, unless he opts to take a little less.

[ChumpDumper]

If Ginobili is signed using Early Bird rights, the most he can make IS the league average.

[Cassius Clay]

That's my point.

[ChumpDumper]

If that's your point, why are you talking about saving capspace over the midlevel?

[Cassius Clay]

Because the Spurs may have to be able to offer more than the average salary to retain Ginobili.

[Admiral]

I am amazed that some people here have no problem giving Robert Horry $5 million a year to be our "Danny Ferry replacement," yet are violently opposed to giving Speedy Claxton $3 million a year to be our backup point guard. If you don't want Speedy, who are you planning on getting as our backup point guard?

If you're looking to save room for Ginobili, cut Horry's contract and not Speedy's. I find it difficult to believe that we couldn't have had Horry for less to begin with.

[ChumpDumper]

Horry's deal is only one year.

Next.

[baseline bum]

Then don't next summer when Ginobili walks about the 'horrible' Spurs front office, Mr. 20/20.

Why are you changing up on us, Spurs Fan? Back in the No Limit days a month ago we were going to have no problem reatining Manu for the %5.2 million or so the MLE will prob be at next season.

Horry is about as good of a signing as one can make for a role player, and I'm excited to see the door is left open to bring Speedy back, **** Piatkowski now; he has no place on this team.

Why all the freaking hate for Jax? The guy put up 12 a game and he's not worth $3 million starting? Nevermind he's by far the best clutch shooter the team has had since Elie.

[Cassius Clay]

That's because Horry's deal is for one year guaranteed. Claxton's deal would be for 3 years and count against the cap next summer.

I'm not opposed to the Spurs' matching Claxton, I'm saying that some of you need to recognize the implications of that deal for re-signing Ginobili next summer.

[Cassius Clay]

Why are you changing up on us, Spurs Fan? Back in the No Limit days a month ago we were going to have no problem reatining Manu for the %5.2 million or so the MLE will prob be at next season.

Well that problem would've existed should the Spurs have landed a JO or Brand. Given that the Spurs didn't land one of those then the import of ensuring you retain Ginobili increases.

[Admiral]

I'm saying that some of you need to recognize the implications of that deal for re-signing Ginobili next summer. -Cassius Clay

I just don't know what we would do if you weren't here to guide us, Cassius.

Although I thought that Horry's deal was two years instead of one, so maybe I shouldn't be so quick to say that.

[SanAntonioBard]

The talk that I've heard is 2 years, TEAM option on year two, Admiral. Consider it a one year contract for all intents and purposes.

[mattyc2422]

Dude, if we can get Speedy, get him.

It'll be a shame if he goes to the hole in GS.