MYSA: Jefferson's return could be imminent

[DPG21920]

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.

One can only hope. Because the alternative, a LTD for RJ is even worse.

[jag]

One can only hope. Because the alternative, a LTD for RJ is even worse.

I get that you don't like RJ. I get that you want the young guys to get some burn...but you're acting like a long term deal is going to ruin the Spurs chances to win a le in 3 years. Once duncan is done, why will this matter?

If the Spurs decide to rebuild, RJ will be the first one shipped out. A LTD for RJ doesn't mean a whole lot. It's this season or nothing. If the Spurs can get rid of Malik Rose and his ridiculous contract, they can most certainly get rid of RJ for picks, a bag of chips, or whatever anyone needing a SF feels like giving up.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Ltd?

[Mel_13]

Ltd?

long term deal

[objective]

you're acting like a long term deal is going to ruin the Spurs chances to win a le in 3 years. Once duncan is done, why will this matter?

A deal beyond this next year for an underachieving Jefferson at 8-10 is a big deal for a small-market team like the Spurs. It could mean losing Parker.

If the Spurs can get rid of Malik Rose and his ridiculous contract, they can most certainly get rid of RJ for picks, a bag of chips, or whatever anyone needing a SF feels like giving up.

I don't know if that's a good comparison. In order to get rid of Rose they had to give up 2 firsts. How can that be good for a team trying to rebuild? What kind of demand will there be for RJ in his 30s making 9+ million a year when he's a back-up quality player (he already spent time as a back-up this year).

[MaNu4Tres]

A deal beyond this next year for an underachieving Jefferson at 8-10 is a big deal for a small-market team like the Spurs. It could mean losing Parker.

By the way its looking, the Spurs will be willing to get away with giving Jefferson 7-8 million per year in a back-loaded deal (not 8-10). Meaning Jefferson's first two years would be around 6-7 million, making resigning Parker more than plausible on a similar, typical back-loaded type of contract.

Spurs probably know this already, which is why you see no agreement yet on Jefferson's end. But when the dust clears and if Mel's scenario plays out (which is very reasonable), Jefferson will be stuck with the MLE or resigning with the Spurs for 7-8 million a year.

[DPG21920]

I get that you don't like RJ. I get that you want the young guys to get some burn...but you're acting like a long term deal is going to ruin the Spurs chances to win a le in 3 years. Once duncan is done, why will this matter?

If the Spurs decide to rebuild, RJ will be the first one shipped out. A LTD for RJ doesn't mean a whole lot. It's this season or nothing. If the Spurs can get rid of Malik Rose and his ridiculous contract, they can most certainly get rid of RJ for picks, a bag of chips, or whatever anyone needing a SF feels like giving up.

I like RJ just fine, just not for the spurs. We just disagree that a 3+ year deal does no harm. I think it does. It harms them in the future and the spurs can survive no RJ if Tiago comes from a contention standpoint. That's why I hate it.

Even if it is about this year, no RJ does not do anything to dash those hopes. Could it hurt a little? Sure. But enough to where it is worth it to harm the future? Not IMO.

[DPG21920]

Hopefully this works itself out and the Spurs work a S&T

[callo1]

RJ had some really nice games last year. We all know that usually by the second season new Spurs start to flourish. Same thing was true with Brent when he came aboard.

Lest see...did Brent ever hit any big shots in the '05 playoffs against the Suns on the road?

The problem with this team, is it has lost some iden y, because Timmy is slowing down...no suprise there, it happens to all of the great ones. The writing was on the wall during the '07 Finals when TP won MVP.

Timmy can still get it done, but not night after night like he used to. Hopefully Splitter can come in and save Timmy's legs a bit.

Hopefully Anderson can space the floor.

If Splitter comes, it will be the first time since Rasho was here that getting to the rim will be more difficult for opposing guards.

This team is going through an iden y change, and how quickly they make that transition will determine their success next season.

[Mel_13]

We all know that usually by the second season new Spurs start to flourish. Same thing was true with Brent when he came aboard.

Lest see...did Brent ever hit any big shots in the '05 playoffs against the Suns on the road?

How quickly they forget. Game 1, 2005 WCF in Phoenix:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/...505220PHO.html

[angelbelow]

well like i said before.. if maggette can get traded with that ty contract, anyone can. even if we sign RJ to a LTD i dont doubt we can turn it into something valuable - that is if RJ continues to be a waste.

[CaptainLate]

...why would sa, who partially valued the timing of his original contract expiring and know he does not fit, want him back at all? Especially knowing he does not want to be here (by all accounts).

Unlike what the article claims, I've never seen a "quote" from RJ saying he did not want to be here or that he didn't fit.

Has anyone seen an actual RJ quote to that affect?

[EricB]

Barry also had the infamous 20 minute 00000000000000 across the board against the Sonics which in retrospect was bad, but impressive.

Again, Barry had one good game in those playoffs.


But, the argument is completely off base.

[EricB]

Parker is already gone, either this year or next. SA will not pay him, he does not make others better around him and he has become less valued by pops now that we cant run our offense through TD all the time.

Wow so many things wrong with this....

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

One can only hope. Because the alternative, a LTD for RJ is even worse.

So, who are you looking forward to seeing as our starting SF next year when RJ walks away?

[AFBlue]

So, who are you looking forward to seeing as our starting SF next year when RJ walks away?

I'd take a role player who can hit outside shots and defend. RJ was brought in to be the 4th scorer, but George Hill has stepped into that role nicely. A guy like Rasual Butler may seem like a step back, but I'd honestly prefer him to RJ two or three years from now.

[barbacoataco]

Jefferson was obviously a bad fit for the Spurs and I don't see why so many people on this dicussion want him back.
1. His defense will never be good enough, playing the SF position, to give the Spurs what they need to compete for a championship.
2. His 3-pt shot totally vanished last year and he wasn't even a factor from deep. The Spurs need a 3-pt shooter from that position.
3. He is inconsistent and can't be counted on to bring it every night.
4. His offensive game is not a fit for the type of game the Spurs play. Plain and simple.

Why do all you people who hated on him all year want to sign him to a 30 mil/3 yr deal? That is crazy. Jefferson blows and he is only getting worse every year at his age.

[wildbill2u]

Does anyone know if its legal to put incentive clauses in NBA contracts like they do in the NFL?

[Mel_13]

Does anyone know if its legal to put incentive clauses in NBA contracts like they do in the NFL?

Yes.

http://members.cox.net/lmcoon/salarycap.htm#Q63

[Veterinarian]

So, who are you looking forward to seeing as our starting SF next year when RJ walks away?

Most of Jefferson's advanced stats were below the league last year. You guys should all know this already.

[Mel_13]

One high-ranking Knicks official said Thursday that Jefferson was never in the team's plans, even if it whiffed on James. Aside from the Spurs, the Los Angeles Clippers could be Jefferson's best bet, but they are reportedly chasing Mike Miller instead. Cleveland — the ultimate loser in the LeBron derby — will have $9 million in available cap space once James is officially off the books. Teams view Jefferson as a complimentary player who probably won't command much more than the mid-level exception of $5.765 million. The Spurs are expected to offer a multi-year contract starting at a shade above that, at a number that reduces their luxury tax hit.

http://hoopshype.com/rumors.htm

[benefactor]

C'mon Cleveland. Do the right thing.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

RJ for a deal of around 6-7 mil per year wouldn't be bad at all. Obviously the shorter the deal the better but either way, it's much better for the Spurs than him at 15 mil or him leaving for nothing. Of course, a big TE would be awesome, but it seems less likely than him resigning.

[smrattler]

C'mon Cleveland. Do the right thing.

... and sign RJ. His roots, 6 generations back on his dad's side, are from Ohio damn it! Not the chosen one, no, but the available one!

[Danny.Zhu]

So, we can't do any S&T to get either Boozer or Lee?