MYSA: Jefferson's return could be imminent

[DPG21920]

You act like they are making this decision in a vacuum. They don't have the money to go get a starting caliber small forward.

If they are serious about trying to win another ring before Tim hangs 'em up, they are smart enough to realize that Hairston/Gee/Anderson at the small forward spot isn't going to get it done.

The likely reality is that Splitter is going to get much if not all of the MLE. That leaves them with in essence the LLE to find a replacement SF if they were to let Jefferson go.

You aren't going to find a starting caliber SF for a championship team with the LLE.

I understand that. Spurs with or without RJ don't change that much on court IMO.

[lurker23]

What am I missing here? What does this guy do to deserve 10 mil a year, or even 2 mil? He doesn't rebound, doesn't play defense worth a , can't shoot and is afraid to shoot the 3, and plays extremely passive. How is that going to get anything done? Wouldn't a guy who either defends or shoots really well at a much cheaper price be a better option because you're at least getting something? Once Bowen left and TD slowed down the only guy who really brings fire and physicality is Manu, we need that tough nosed at ude, not a questionably gay, unquestionably soft choker making 10 mil a year

I agree, in that I think $10 million per year is overpaying for RJ within the Spurs system. As talented/athletic as he is in some offensive areas, he's deficient in many of the areas that Spurs teams have come to expect in their small forwards (that is, to speak honestly, Bruce Bowen).

As far as other teams go, he could thrive in a system that runs more, places less stress on defense, and where he can mostly be a 1st or 2nd option on offense with the ball in his hands more. I'm not saying that would necessarily make him worth $10 million/year, but for teams like that, the GM and fan base will be primarily looking at one number: career scoring average of 17 ppg.

[peacemaker885]

I think its NY or Miami for RJ.

[timvp]

See, that makes sense when you compare RJ to some of the players that have already received crazy contracts.

For one player, though, its all about finding one team that wants him, not negotiating comparables. For a contract that size, RJ needs a team with sufficient cap space to sign him.

I've done this elsewhere, but look at the teams that still have enough cap space:

Miami(Wade, Bosh, RJ?)
Chicago (Deng)
NY (Gallinari)
NJ (40M for RJ on a team that isn't ready to contend soon?)
Sacramento (doesn't fit with moves of the past two seasons)
Washington (dump Butler to sign RJ?)
Clippers (drafted Aminu)

I don't see a team that s s out big bucks for RJ. Which team do you see opening their checkbook for him?

I could see NJ wanting him. AJ as coach is a win now hire ... he's not a rebuilding type coach. I think they want to sign a premiere PF and then get a SF to round out their starting lineup. Could RJ be that SF? Maybe.

I don't really buy NY. They need stars or at least players with star potential. RJ doesn't qualify.

The darkhorse is the Clips. They have Davis, Gordon, Griffin and Kaman as their best players. Add it up and they are a small forward away from an impressive starting lineup. If all the top tier FAs are off the board, RJ suddenly is one of the most enticing SF options.

While I'd say the chances of RJ landing a big deal outside of San Antonio are less than 50%, I don't think it's horribly far-fetched.

[MannyIsGod]

It'll be great if he gets over paid and we get that as a TE. Cross your fingers.

[Mel_13]

While I'd say the chances of RJ landing a big deal outside of San Antonio are less than 50%, I don't think it's horribly far-fetched.

Well, I hope he gets a deal from one of those teams and we can get the TE, but it looks like his possibilities are narrowing.

[lurker23]

See, that makes sense when you compare RJ to some of the players that have already received crazy contracts.

For one player, though, its all about finding one team that wants him, not negotiating comparables. For a contract that size, RJ needs a team with sufficient cap space to sign him.

I've done this elsewhere, but look at the teams that still have enough cap space:

Miami(Wade, Bosh, RJ?)
Chicago (Deng)
NY (Gallinari)
NJ (40M for RJ on a team that isn't ready to contend soon?)
Sacramento (doesn't fit with moves of the past two seasons)
Washington (dump Butler to sign RJ?)
Clippers (drafted Aminu)

I don't see a team that s s out big bucks for RJ. Which team do you see opening their checkbook for him?

The problem is, Mel, most GMs in the NBA aren't as smart as you. They routinely draft or sign players that are redundant, either skill- or position-wise, with players they already have. Whether it be arrogance ("we can make this work!"), desperation ("well, we have to sign SOMEBODY"), best-player-available theory, or just plain ignorance, for some reason or another this seems to be a common practice in the NBA.

[Mel_13]

They routinely draft or sign players that are redundant, either skill- or position-wise, with players they already have. Whether it be arrogance ("we can make this work!"), desperation ("well, we have to sign SOMEBODY"), best-player-available theory, or just plain ignorance, for some reason or another this seems to be a common practice in the NBA.

Which goes back to my initial point. RJ is banking on there being just one GM or owner out there dumb enough to overpay him. If he can't get an offer from one of the teams with cap space, then he's left looking around the league for MLE offers.

Should be interesting.

[jiggy_55]

Which goes back to my initial point. RJ is banking on there being just one GM or owner out there dumb enough to overpay him. If he can't get an offer from one of the teams with cap space, then he's left looking around the league for MLE offers.

Should be interesting.

Forget the IF, there are MANY teams who will offer him money which gives us many problems. Look at this damn market, everyone's getting big money!
I just hope he goes in a sign and trade, cuz as i've said earlier: the more time that passes the more it shows that this was a shock to SA and not a orchestrated move from both sides.

[lurker23]

Which goes back to my initial point. RJ is banking on there being just one GM or owner out there dumb enough to overpay him. If he can't get an offer from one of the teams with cap space, then he's left looking around the league for MLE offers.

Should be interesting.

If somehow the market bears out that RJ is looking for the MLE, I'd put the chances at 75% that the Spurs lock him up for 3-4 years, $6-7 million per year.

[Mel_13]

If somehow the market bears out that RJ is looking for the MLE, I'd put the chances at 75% that the Spurs lock him up for 3-4 years, $6-7 million per year.

I agree.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

See, that makes sense when you compare RJ to some of the players that have already received crazy contracts.

For one player, though, its all about finding one team that wants him, not negotiating comparables. For a contract that size, RJ needs a team with sufficient cap space to sign him.

I've done this elsewhere, but look at the teams that still have enough cap space:

Miami(Wade, Bosh, RJ?)
Chicago (Deng)
NY (Gallinari)
NJ (40M for RJ on a team that isn't ready to contend soon?)
Sacramento (doesn't fit with moves of the past two seasons)
Washington (dump Butler to sign RJ?)
Clippers (drafted Aminu)

I don't see a team that s s out big bucks for RJ. Which team do you see opening their checkbook for him?

Hopefully one that is willing to do a sign and trade

[Mel_13]

Forget the IF, there are MANY teams who will offer him money which gives us many problems. Look at this damn market, everyone's getting big money!
I just hope he goes in a sign and trade, cuz as i've said earlier: the more time that passes the more it shows that this was a shock to SA and not a orchestrated move from both sides.

Take a closer look at all the contracts announced so far. Nearly all of them are players signing back with their own teams. The biggest contracts for players changing teams:

Gooden 5/32
Warrick 4/18

[lefty]

No RJ for 4-5 years


Please

[AFBlue]

I could see NJ wanting him. AJ as coach is a win now hire ... he's not a rebuilding type coach. I think they want to sign a premiere PF and then get a SF to round out their starting lineup. Could RJ be that SF? Maybe.

I don't really buy NY. They need stars or at least players with star potential. RJ doesn't qualify.

The darkhorse is the Clips. They have Davis, Gordon, Griffin and Kaman as their best players. Add it up and they are a small forward away from an impressive starting lineup. If all the top tier FAs are off the board, RJ suddenly is one of the most enticing SF options.

While I'd say the chances of RJ landing a big deal outside of San Antonio are less than 50%, I don't think it's horribly far-fetched.

To me, the Clippers are a VERY strong possibility. Because they have the cap space, they've been mentioned with all the big-name FAs, but I don't think anyone is considering them serious contenders for the top 5 FAs. As you mentioned, they also have a gaping hole at SF.

I would be happy if the Spurs could sign-and-trade Jefferson to the Clippers for either Outlaw or to a lesser extent Butler.

[Mel_13]

To me, the Clippers are a VERY strong possibility. Because they have the cap space, they've been mentioned with all the big-name FAs, but I don't think anyone is considering them serious contenders for the top 5 FAs. As you mentioned, they also have a gaping hole at SF.

I would be happy if the Spurs could sign-and-trade Jefferson to the Clippers for either Outlaw or to a lesser extent Butler.

I'll have to stop before it looks like I'm obsessed, but here goes.

Clips have cap space.

They have a hole at SF.

They drafted a SF with the 8th pick.

They still want a veteran SF on the squad and are willing to overpay somewhat to get one.

OK.

Why not just keep Outlaw? Look at it as a Spurs fan. If you could have Outlaw or RJ for the exact same terms, which would you choose? Because that's the choice the Clips will be making.

[Vic Petro]

I'll have to stop before it looks like I'm obsessed, but here goes.

Clips have cap space.

They have a hole at SF.

They drafted a SF with the 8th pick.

They still want a veteran SF on the squad and are willing to overpay somewhat to get one.

OK.

Why not just keep Outlaw? Look at it as a Spurs fan. If you could have Outlaw or RJ for the exact same terms, which would you choose? Because that's the choice the Clips will be making.

Since when do the Clippers make sound decisions?

[AFBlue]

I'll have to stop before it looks like I'm obsessed, but here goes.

Clips have cap space.

They have a hole at SF.

They drafted a SF with the 8th pick.

They still want a veteran SF on the squad and are willing to overpay somewhat to get one.

OK.

Why not just keep Outlaw? Look at it as a Spurs fan. If you could have Outlaw or RJ for the exact same terms, which would you choose? Because that's the choice the Clips will be making.

See your point. Though I didn't say it, I was thinking the Spurs would have to throw in a pick and/or cash to make it worthwhile for the Clips to do the deal.

This is only a suggestion IF the Clippers end up targeting Jefferson over other FAs (including their own). And I do think there's some logic for them doing so. Jefferson is probably widely viewed as a tier B free agent that suffered a down year in a badly suited system. I don't think it would be out of the realm of possibility for teams to view him as a decent consolation prize to losing out on a tier A free agent.

[DPG21920]

It makes sense. If a deal was in place, we should have heard about by now. No need for either side to keep it quiet.

I agree. I just don't see SA promising RJ anything. NJ looks like a bad fit, but someone is going to pay RJ IMO.

[Stringer_Bell]

RJ for 3 years and 26m, with trade clauses and no team-option sounds fair. He will get his money and job/location security and we can move on. Less pressure for everyone.

[AFBlue]

RJ for 3 years and 26m, with trade clauses and no team-option sounds fair. He will get his money and job/location security and we can move on. Less pressure for everyone.

Biggest contract on the team outside of the big 3 for a player that underachieved last year (respective to talent, not contract), is not a great fit for the system and is likely to suffer from declining athleticism (his major strength) as the contract progresses.

That sounds like a fair deal for the Spurs?

I just don't see it.

[Blackjack]

I'd just like to reiterate:

Screw You, Richard Jefferson!

Subject us to that weak sauce for a year and now you'll inevitably subject us to a week of talk about your weak-sauce ass, as you wait for the big fish to land an hope to find some good sized table scraps left for the taking.

Again:

Screw you, Richard Jefferson!

Now I'm Done . . .

[ploto]

I can not help but wonder if Jefferson was so pissed about this year that he will gladly walk away without a S&T and leave the Spurs with nothing. He spent time working with Pop, as if to show his interest in improving for the Spurs, but instead used it for himself and did not even warn the team in advance that he was thinking about opting out.

[baseline bum]

3 years, $30 million is Darko level bad. 5 years, $45 million is Amir Johnson-esque.

[Mel_13]

I can not help but wonder if Jefferson was so pissed about this year that he will gladly walk away without a S&T and leave the Spurs with nothing. He spent time working with Pop, as if to show his interest in improving for the Spurs, but instead used it for himself and did not even warn the team in advance that he was thinking about opting out.

Cutting off his nose to spite his face.