Splitter's Price Climbs

[benefactor]

Perhaps most encouraging, except for Caja's extension offer, when was the last report of another European team targeting Splitter?

Exactly...and every report we do hear is saying that he is gone to the NBA.

[vander]

Draft night hurt, huh?

huh? I'm fine with who we took, he should get minutes right away.

[Bruno]

Spurs aren't in concurrence with other NBA teams for Splitter. It's possible that they have still reached an agreement and keep it secret. Given that Splitter cna't sign his contract before July 8th, there are few edges to make the public announcement now.

[EricB]

huh? I'm fine with who we took, he should get minutes right away.

He meant in not trading Tony Parker...

[taps]

when was the last report of another European team targeting Splitter?

even KBP has been quiet on this front

[benefactor]

http://baskonia.elcorreo.com/noticia...-20100703.html

Another article with yet more strong quotes from Barca's president about Splitter not returning and being focused on finding his replacement. Not sure if these quotes are from today.

[TDMVPDPOY]

time for american teams to start poachin europe players since there is uncertainty in euro economy...

[timvp]

Perhaps most encouraging, except for Caja's extension offer, when was the last report of another European team targeting Splitter?

IIRC, Splitter's contract has a large buyout for other Euro teams. Perhaps that's the reason.

[Harry Callahan]

TimVP is right, I think, I remember reading at some point how Splitters old team implemented a much higher buyout for any non-NBA team acquiring him in the middle of his four year deal from 08.

If he leaves, SA is the only destination most likely.

I find it interesting (and this may have an effect on Splitter's decision) - Houston is jacking around with Scola now because they are openly courting Chris Bosh- also a power forward - and possibly offering up Scola as partial compensation in a S&T. That's some loyalty the Rockets are showing.

My point is that Scola waited so long to get to the NBA and now he is a 30 year old player who still hasn't signed a long term big money deal in the NBA. His best friend Splitter sees this and probably realizes he better get over here to the U.S. now when he is still only 25, get a good contract and before the European economy collapses.

[EduRiker]

Splitter was interviewed a few days ago. Was asked about next season.

http://balanacesta.blogspot.com/2010/06 ... rte-1.html

- Mas, Tiago, de que torcida você se refere para a próxima temporada?
-- (Risos). Não sei ainda o que será feito, mas não tenho como esconder que tenho um desejo muito grande de jogar na NBA e isso está muito próximo de se sacramentar. Essa possibilidade já existe faz tempo, mas como tive ótimos contratos e uma condição muito boa aqui na Espanha, esperei um pouco. Agora, porém, me sinto maduro para poder chegar, me adaptar e atuar bem na liga americana. Ainda faltam alguns detalhes, mas sinto que é a minha hora de fazer o salto e vou fazer de tudo para me sair bem na NBA. Espero acertar a minha situação em breve com o clube (Splitter se refere ao San Antonio Spurs, cujo técnico, Gregg Popovich, ligou para Tiago na semana passada para reforçar o interesse da franquia em contar com os seus serviços, apesar das ofertas que quase dez times fizeram após o Draft).

I dont know what Im going to do, but I cant hide I have a big desire to play in the NBA and thats very close to happening. That possibility is out there for a while, but since I had great contracts and a very nice situation in Spain, I waited a little. Now, however, I feel matured enough to come, adapt and to play well in the american league. There are still some details (to solve) but I feel this is the time to make the jump and I will do everything to do well in the NBA. I hope I can arrange an agreement soon with the club. (Gregg Popovich called Tiago last week to stress the franchise's interest in him even though the Spurs had received almost ten oferts for him after the draft)

[Mel_13]

Splitter was interviewed a few days ago. Was asked about next season.

I dont know what Im going to do, but I cant hide I have a big desire to play in the NBA and thats very close to happening. That possibility is out there for a while, but since I had great contracts and a very nice situation in Spain, I waited a little. Now, however, I feel matured enough to come, adapt and to play well in the american league. There are still some details (to solve) but I feel this is the time to make the jump and I will do everything to do well in the NBA. I hope I can arrange an agreement soon with the club. (Gregg Popovich called Tiago last week to stress the franchise's interest in him even though the Spurs had received almost ten oferts for him after the draft)

Thanks for posting.

Certainly doesn't sound like someone that's getting jerked around.

[Spurs Brazil]

Splitter was interviewed a few days ago. Was asked about next season.

http://balanacesta.blogspot.com/2010/06 ... rte-1.html



I dont know what Im going to do, but I cant hide I have a big desire to play in the NBA and thats very close to happening. That possibility is out there for a while, but since I had great contracts and a very nice situation in Spain, I waited a little. Now, however, I feel matured enough to come, adapt and to play well in the american league. There are still some details (to solve) but I feel this is the time to make the jump and I will do everything to do well in the NBA. I hope I can arrange an agreement soon with the club. (Gregg Popovich called Tiago last week to stress the franchise's interest in him even though the Spurs had received almost ten oferts for him after the draft)

Thanks for posting. He seems ready to make the jump. I think Bruno is right and the deal is already done but the Spurs are hiding because of their FA strategy

- In the first line of his last answer he said coming to the NBA is very close to happening

- More then ten teams made offers for him during the draft

[ducks]

I hope I can arrange an agreement soon with the club. (Gregg Popovich called Tiago last week to stress the franchise's interest in him even though the Spurs had received almost ten oferts for him after the draft)

[EricB]

Would've been interesting to hear how "serious" those were.

[Blackjack]

Splitter was interviewed a few days ago. Was asked about next season.

http://balanacesta.blogspot.com/2010/06 ... rte-1.html



I dont know what Im going to do, but I cant hide I have a big desire to play in the NBA and thats very close to happening. That possibility is out there for a while, but since I had great contracts and a very nice situation in Spain, I waited a little. Now, however, I feel matured enough to come, adapt and to play well in the american league. There are still some details (to solve) but I feel this is the time to make the jump and I will do everything to do well in the NBA. I hope I can arrange an agreement soon with the club. (Gregg Popovich called Tiago last week to stress the franchise's interest in him even though the Spurs had received almost ten oferts for him after the draft)

Sounds good, and appreciate the post.

Would've been interesting to hear how "serious" those were.

That's what Ludden is for: after-the-fact, after-the-smoke-clears kind of info.

[benefactor]

I'm really starting to wonder if this is all smoke and mirrors and the Spurs already have an agreement in place. Bruno made a good point in the Matthews thread:

If Spurs are interested in Matthews, it could explain why they say nothing about Splitter.

Matthews is a RFA but he has been with Jazz for one year. Jazz must use their MLE to match offers form other teams. However, Jazz have other needs and could use a part of the MLE on another player.

Spurs best interest in that case is to let Utah in the dark and not reveal what part of their MLE they will spend on Splitter. If Spurs had revealed how much Splitter would get, Utah would exactly know what part of their MLE they can spend to keep the ability to match an offer from Spurs. By keeping the Splitter transaction secret, Utah could move first to sign a FA with a part of their MLE and end up not being able to match an offer for Matthews from Spurs.

It makes no sense right now for the Spurs from a leverage standpoint with other potential free agent suitors for them to say a deal with Splitter is finalized.

[Blackjack]

I agree with Bruno's take to a degree.

Where I have a hard time believing it passes the sniff test, is thinking that the Spurs would still have enough left of their MLE to give a contract that the Jazz or someone else couldn't better -- I can't see Tiago taking any less than 4M and I expect him to take more.

So I tend to believe Tiago's deal is all but done and the Spurs don't want to show all their cards -- likely for restricted free-agency purposes -- but it's got to be for a lower-level guy. Someone who won't command quite as much coin, IMO.

[benefactor]

I agree with Bruno's take to a degree.

Where I have a hard time believing it passes the sniff test, is thinking that the Spurs would still have enough left of their MLE to give a contract that the Jazz or someone else couldn't better -- I can't see Tiago taking any less than 4M and I expect him to take more.

So I tend to believe Tiago's deal is all but done and the Spurs don't want to show all their cards -- likely for restricted free-agency purposes -- but it's got to be for a lower-level guy. Someone who won't command quite as much coin, IMO.

Yeah...it's more broad brushed then just being aimed at one player i.e. Matthews.

[HankChinaski]

You have to wonder if seeing day 1 of FA has caused some changes in whatever allegedly was agreed upon. I wonder if something like that caused some changes with signing him over.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

You have to wonder if seeing day 1 of FA has caused some changes in whatever allegedly was agreed upon. I wonder if something like that caused some changes with signing him over.

I could be wrong, but I believe I heard something that Splitter's contract in Spain doesn't expire until july 8th so perhaps that's why the Spurs haven't inked him yet.

[objective]

I could be wrong, but I believe I heard something that Splitter's contract in Spain doesn't expire until july 8th so perhaps that's why the Spurs haven't inked him yet.

he has to give Caja Laboral notice by the 15th if I remember the dates right.

[Mel_13]

I could be wrong, but I believe I heard something that Splitter's contract in Spain doesn't expire until july 8th so perhaps that's why the Spurs haven't inked him yet.

he has to give Caja Laboral notice by the 15th if I remember the dates right.

July 8- earliest date to sign NBA contract

July 15- last day to opt out/buyout of current contract

[Brazil]

I agree with Bruno's take to a degree.

Where I have a hard time believing it passes the sniff test, is thinking that the Spurs would still have enough left of their MLE to give a contract that the Jazz or someone else couldn't better -- I can't see Tiago taking any less than 4M and I expect him to take more.

So I tend to believe Tiago's deal is all but done and the Spurs don't want to show all their cards -- likely for restricted free-agency purposes -- but it's got to be for a lower-level guy. Someone who won't command quite as much coin, IMO.

clever strategy for the spurs but awful for the fan

[smrattler]

Spurs need to offer full MLE, ask Splitter how many years he wants at that rate (up to max allowed by the NBA of course) and cross their fingers that it's enough. Nothing else they can do.

Anything less than this and he is not coming. I don't think that was ever NOT the case. So, in my opinion the price has't changed really. If we thought we could get him for less, we were kidding ourselves.

[EduRiker]

For the experts on salary cap. How much salary can the Spurs receive in a trade for Splitter rights?