RICHARD JEFFERSON opts OUT!!

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

What the Anthony Carter too....

Plus, to evaluate the worst players in recent history, I think value is a key factor.

Ron Mercer was either the worst signing ever (at the time) or the second coming of MJ according to all SpursTalkers.

[nbaman99]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...063004964.html

i don't know if this link posted or not but its true. Above is the link.

[coyotes_geek]

Hairston, Gee, Anderson, James Jones, Wright, Gomes....

The combo of splitting up his minutes between some combo of those players will not result in any significant decrease. In fact, if they defend better, it could be beneficial.

This is not even taking into account and S&T opps.

None of those players are anywhere close to being as good a player as RJ. S&T is an option, but even then you're probably looking at the Spurs having to accept a contract that will be worse than what you could keep RJ for.

[admiralsnackbar]

So is this confirmed? Still over the cap, with neither RJ nor his trade-bait contract to show for it... Unless he gives us some sort of S&T option (which will only net us someone at his ty market value), we just got ed with extreme prejudice.

Hear that? That was the sound of our window slamming shut. What a little .

[Brazil]

Players want security. Maybe he figured one more down season in this system and he'd probably have to take a one year deal next season for at most the MLE (if it's still around in the new CBA; I hear it may not be) and could potentially risk bouncing around to team after team, making less by the year. Similar to a guy like Hughes. Players want security.

If Jefferson could secure a three year contract, as long as the money isn't ridiculously low, he'd have to strongly consider it. Like I said though, I find it hard to believe that the Spurs would be willing to give him that at this juncture. I'm just throwing out possibilities.

I see what you mean but I'm sure he would find a min two years deal for 6 million min after the next season if not in the nba at least in Europe. My bet is he has something around 30 million for 3 maybe 4 years offer

[DPG21920]

The problem for me is i remember how things were in 07 and 08. Even when the spurs won the le in 07 there was a huge issue with finding points.

Sure you can replace RJ's mintues with a tandem of guys who can collectively give you 15 ppg...but it's about how those points are scored. RJ had the ability to create on his own and give the "big 3" a break from the offense. Now you're back to hoping that Tim, Tony and Manu can create for others and initiate their own offense. Losing RJ is not the end of the world...but it added a dynamic that the Spurs hadn't had in a long time.

.

Spurs offense won't suffer imo. RJ hardly ever created his own points and never(rarely) gave the Big 3 a break. That was the problem.

Spurs need energetic players. Active, smart players. Some of the young guys have shown that.

TP should be back to form. Hill should help carry the scoring a bit more as well. Then if a guy like Anderson pans out, that is another offensive option to help.

[DPG21920]

None of those players are anywhere close to being as good a player as RJ. S&T is an option, but even then you're probably looking at the Spurs having to accept a contract that will be worse than what you could keep RJ for.

Once again, they are not as talented, but the Spurs weren't getting RJ's talent because he was such a bad fit. If they get a better fit, which those players likely are, they will get a net gain, even if they lose on "talent".

Sure RJ is a better player than all of them, but the Spurs got nothing from it.

Also, the Spurs weren't going to trade RJ for a worse contract (which is what they would have to do to upgrade). They can trade for an exception and use that to get a better, although less talented fit.

[nadroj117]

exactly, people want him because they'd go under the cap to sign a potential Superstar FA. what i'm saying is that teams did THAT (take on expiring contracts) THIS year bc THIS year is unlike any other.

that in no way predicts teams would be willing (with the same aggression) do that when RJ's contract was up.

No, your wrong. They do it every year. Not just for Lebron, wade, bosh. they do it because there are many tight owners out there that don't want to play dollar for dollar lux tax when they don't have a competing team. they will give away above average talent that has multiple years left on their contract to get under the cap the following year and save their owner money. This has been happening for years on end and there is no reason to think all of a sudden it's going to stop.

[EricB]

Plus, to evaluate the worst players in recent history, I think value is a key factor.

Ron Mercer was either the worst signing ever (at the time) or the second coming of MJ according to all SpursTalkers.

Well Mercer was involved in the Hedo trade so, and on top of it was all for a retiring Danny Ferry...

[coyotes_geek]

Once again, they are not as talented, but the Spurs weren't getting RJ's talent because he was such a bad fit. If they get a better fit, which those players likely are, they will get a net gain, even if they lose on "talent".

Sure RJ is a better player than all of them, but the Spurs got nothing from it.

The talent they were getting from RJ still far exceeds anything those other players have ever given anyone.

[Shastafarian]

So is this confirmed? Still over the cap, with neither RJ nor his trade-bait contract to show for it... Unless he gives us some sort of S&T option (which will only net us someone at his ty market value), we just got ed with extreme prejudice.

Hear that? That was the sound of our window slamming shut. What a little .

It's confirmed he's opting out. The cap isn't totally set yet but the Spurs will have the MLE, LLE, and minimums probably no matter what.

[rayray2k8]

Guess we wait and see how this pans out. July 1st will be underway 2 hours from now.
Thinking the spurs resign Jefferson for less or hopefully a sign and trade..
Again, all we can do is wait and see.

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

Well Mercer was involved in the Hedo trade so, and on top of it was all for a retiring Danny Ferry...

That's right. My bad.

It's like Six Degrees Of Suck.

[jag]

Spurs offense won't suffer imo. RJ hardly ever created his own points and never(rarely) gave the Big 3 a break. That was the problem.

Spurs need energetic players. Active, smart players. Some of the young guys have shown that.

TP should be back to form. Hill should help carry the scoring a bit more as well. Then if a guy like Anderson pans out, that is another offensive option to help.

Last year's spurs were the best offensive team Duncan has played for. RJ allowed the spurs to sit two players from the big 3 for extended mintues and still stay compe ive. That's a huge asset when Manu and Tim can't play more than 30 mpg.

[DPG21920]

The talent they were getting from RJ still far exceeds anything those other players have ever given anyone.

Well that is where we disagree. RJ for all his talent, was giving nothing more than an LLE player would imo, with occasional flashes of the talent he has.

Young players have to start somewhere and I would rather it be in RJ's place (which was useless) than somewhere else. Spurs could not recover from losing a TP talent, or a Manu talent in the same situation.

But an RJ talent, that is not that hard to overcome.

[Creation88]

someone explain how exactly we were gonna use the MLE and exceptions THIS year if we were already over the cap and into the luxury tax?

i thought it was one or the other.

[Agloco]

really? were you the RJ fan in the crowd? no one in this ing bandwagon liked him. i understand people valued his contract this coming season but ask yourself why?

what team will want to bring on Richard Jefferson's expiring contract with no SUPERSTAR FAs in that coming FA summer?

the value people hold for that expiring contract is over blown. it's best that we get rid of Jefferson now even for nothing and give that time to someone else.

Red - The Milwaukee Bucks would like a word with you. Apparently you missed out on their rationale behind the RJ trade to SA.

Blue - "Someone" is such an easy answer now isn't it? Be more specific. And don't give me this about Hairston, Jerrels or Gee, yeddah yeddah, etc. or any other bubble-scrub filling in at SF during a championship run.....and yes, that's what the FO intended these next two years to be, championship runs.

The entire intent of the moves over the past year was to give the Spurs a shot at winning while Duncan was still around. Apparently you've lost sight of that vision since you advocate blowing things up now.

[DPG21920]

Last year's spurs were the best offensive team Duncan has played for. RJ allowed the spurs to sit two players from the big 3 for extended mintues and still stay compe ive. That's a huge asset when Manu and Tim can't play more than 30 mpg.

Hill's jump played a large role in that. I don't think RJ was a big reason for the offensive burst. I don't think you see a major drop in per minute scoring for the Spurs.

I do think, if they can get a nice pick up for the LLE and a young guy to produce (Gee, Anderson, Malik...) you will see the defense improve enough to offset any offensive dip.

[Creation88]

Well that is where we disagree. RJ for all his talent, was giving nothing more than an LLE player would imo, with occasional flashes of the talent he has.

Young players have to start somewhere and I would rather it be in RJ's place (which was useless) than somewhere else. Spurs could not recover from losing a TP talent, or a Manu talent in the same situation.

But an RJ talent, that is not that hard to overcome.

agree 110%.

[galvatron3000]

I'm hoping sign and trade personally, simply because he doesn't fit. I hope this works out but I'm not bent out of shape from losing a player that just needs to be someplace else in a system that suit him. Perhaps now the teams with the systems he can thrive in or a pG who can push and find him or both will negotiate, if they haven't already. I'm thinking he will resign with SA and be dealt soon afterwards.

[timvp]

I'm not too worried about the situation the Spurs find themselves in. If the Spurs value RJ and believe that he's a long-term fit, they'll have a good chance to re-sign him to a reasonable deal. If RJ didn't fit in the locker room or if they believe he's a horrible fit, they have a good chance to S&T him. If RJ leaves and the Spurs have to replace him with a minimum-type player, at least that player will either be a better shooter or defender than RJ.

The main problem with RJ is his defense and shooting are weakspots ... and those are the two areas the Spurs need their small forward to stand out. If Splitter comes and TP regains his footing, the Spurs can cover the points they'll miss out with RJ leaving. In that sense, a role player who can either defend or shoot lights out isn't a bad option.

Now if the Spurs miss out on Splitter, I'll really start to worry. No Splitter and no RJ and the Spurs might as well start rebuilding.

[Agloco]

someone explain how exactly we were gonna use the MLE and exceptions THIS year if we were already over the cap and into the luxury tax?

i thought it was one or the other.

The MLE is one of the exceptions. Another is the LLE. They're specifically for teams who are over the cap.

[Creation88]

Red - The Milwaukee Bucks would like a word with you. Apparently you missed out on their rationale behind the RJ trade to SA.

Blue - "Someone" is such an easy answer now isn't it? Be more specific. And don't give me this about Hairston, Jerrels or Gee, yeddah yeddah, etc. or any other bubble-scrub filling in at SF during a championship run.....and yes, that's what the FO intended these next two years to be, championship runs.

The entire intent of the moves over the past year was to give the Spurs a shot at winning while Duncan was still around. Apparently you've lost sight of that vision since you advocate blowing things up now.

you thought Richard Jefferson was gonna be part of a Championship run? hahahahah

[benefactor]

Damn...I go out for dinner and come back to this? And to think I thought this would be a quiet evening.

Mel summed it up pretty good a couple of pages ago. Even if the Spurs wind up with the young guys filling the gaps, it won't be that much of a loss...especially if Splitter does come. The waiting game begins.

[spectator]

http://twitter.com/JMcDonald_SAEN

it looks like the spurs are willing to offer a contract at a per-year figure that is easier on the cap - in that case, i doubt he will find a better offer. however, this kills the appeal of his contract (no more $15 mil for 1 year). if he signs for the spurs, i doubt some other team will trade for him.