RJ watch is over. He'll re-sign tomorrow

[ohmwrecker]

I'm starting to think that the reason the Spurs did not need to see Hairston in summer league is because they've already decided not to guarantee his contract.

[benefactor]

As far as RJ goes, I'm pretty indifferent and basically have no expectations of him. From the time he opted out I figured he would probably re-sign as there was no one else who would want him and re-signing him saves the Spurs money right now, though it will cost them down the line.

Whatever he does good I will take as gravy...and I'll just let the bad roll off my shoulders because I expect the bad anyway.

[benefactor]

He can play there if he isn't a Spur.

Dwayne Jones was in the NBA four years before joining the D-League.

Thanks for the clarification.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

After watching his career, I'm surprised the Spurs were fooled into thinking that RJ could've possibly thrived in a half-court, pick-n-roll-type offense. Especially since he's been primarily an open-court player, whose offense was predicated from being on the receiving end of passes from a setup PG, which the Spurs obviously do not have.

On the other end, the Spurs really had no business, at all, thinking RJ could be even a remotely average defender. Again, there was just no history to suggest he had those instincts or ability.

Admittedly I was as excited as anyone when the Spurs signed him. He's not a bad player, he's just a bad fit for this team. I'm really surprised the Spurs didn't or couldn't forsee this.

All that said, and considering the fact that RJ was really the only available option left for them, they had no other choice but to resign him. I hope he'll surprise us all, but I really don't see how he'll be a better fit this year than last. Hopefully, he'll at least play with more confidence and aggressiveness on a consistent basis next season. And hit that corner 3 with some proficency.

Now with this done, perhaps the Spurs can continue searching the free-agent bin for whatever SF scraps may be left over - which aint much.

If he can make threes at near 38% from the wing and the corner as well as not miss rotations he will fit in just fine. Any rebounding, fast breaks, penetration plays and the like will be gravy.

[coyotes_geek]

I don't think this is true...but I could be wrong. I was under the impression that once a player spent two seasons in the DLeague they were no longer eligible to play there, regardless of thier contractual status.

That's just for guys on NBA contracts. NBA teams can't assign players with 2 years of NBA experience to the d-league, but there's no restriction for guys who are free agents. I'm pretty sure Demarr Johnson was playing in the d-league when the Spurs gave him a shot and he had been in the NBA for quite a few years before then.

[DPG21920]

Gross.

[cd98]

Jefferson hit a game winning jumper against the Thunder. How long did the appreciation last?

RMJ's gaming winning shot against the Suns made most people forget how he ended his first season with the Spurs. Most people didn't want to run him out of town until season 2.

[Sobe_Kucks]

Now with this done, perhaps the Spurs can continue searching the free-agent bin for whatever SF scraps may be left over - which aint much.

Butler or Barnes? We don't have the 5MM Barnes was looking for. Kapono is rumored to being shopped by the 6ers, no way we could afford him unless it's a trade. Pickins is slim...

[Dex]

Amazing the difference a year makes, judging from the reaction of the Spurs signing RJ this summer, as compared to signing him last summer.

I have higher hopes for Jefferson in his second year.

[MaNu4Tres]

It was obvious he was the most realistic and best option from the get go.

Glad to see him back at around half of last year's price.

[Spurs Brazil]

JMcDonald_SAEN
RT @PeterBurnsRadio: @JMcDonald_SAEN Basically the #Spurs refinanced Richard Jefferson.

[ohmwrecker]

No new info . . . hypothesizing. And, a cool article on The Beast.

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=16875

[DPG21920]

Come on 3 years with the last year partially guaranteed. No whammies, no whammies, STOP!

[MaNu4Tres]

You understand that a 3 year deal worth 7-9 million per year (essentially same as 4 yr deal with team option;partial guarantee for the 4th year) will be a very tradeable asset in 2 years (if he doesn't live up to the Spurs' standards), going into the contract's expiring season (going into the 3rd year).

Not only do the Spurs add the best option they had realistically at small forward, but Jefferson's contract will give the Spurs front office extra versatility and flexibility to make moves down the line if needed (If R.J doesn't live up to reasonable expectations). Spurs having a triad of high salary figures (Tim, Manu, Tony) and having a bunch of lower salary figures to fill out the roster would have left the Spurs vulnerable and essentially hand-cuffed on the trade-front if a trade is needed down the line. Jefferson's assumed contract 4/30 or 3/27 is a valuable and reasonable salary figure not only for the Spurs (compared to what they paid him last year) but also reasonable to the league as a whole for trading purposes (if it comes down to that).

[cd98]

Flame out. Jefferson?

[DPG21920]

You understand that a 3 year deal worth 7-9 million per year (essentially same as 4 yr deal with team option;partial guarantee for the 4th year) will be a very tradeable asset in 2 years (if he doesn't live up to the Spurs' standards), going into the contract's expiring season (going into the 3rd year).

Expiring contracts have been overrated somewhat. No one wanted RJ at a discount via FA and I don't want the Spurs to be in a position with a lottery team and RJ where they have to move him.

Not only do the Spurs add the best option they had realistically at small forward, but Jefferson's contract will give the Spurs front office extra versatility and flexibility to make moves down the line if needed (If R.J flames out). Spurs having a triad of high salary figures (Tim, Manu, Tony) and having a bunch of lower salary figures to fill out the roster would have left the Spurs vulnerable and essentially hand-cuffed on the trade-front if a trade is needed down the line. Jefferson's assumed contract 4/30 or 3/27 is a valuable and reasonable salary figure not only for the Spurs (compared to what they paid him last year) but also reasonable to the league as a whole for trading purposes (if it comes down to that).

RJ at 2 years or 3 years with the last partially guaranteed does the same thing with less risk. There is no market for RJ and the Spurs need not outbid themselves for his dumb mistake. Unless there was a prior agreement.

[ElNono]

Expiring contracts have been overrated somewhat. No one wanted RJ at a discount via FA and I don't want the Spurs to be in a position with a lottery team and RJ where they have to move him.

RJ at 2 years or 3 years with the last partially guaranteed does the same thing with less risk. There is no market for RJ and the Spurs need not outbid themselves for his dumb mistake. Unless there was a prior agreement.

+10

A partial guarantee on his last year is actually a better trade bait than guaranteed money. And yeah, agree expirings are overrated.

[cd98]

Expiring contracts overrated? Didn't you see what the Mavs were able to get with Dampier?

[DPG21920]

Exactly. The best expiring contract in the NBA got Tyson Chandler.

[ElNono]

Actually Damp was both expiring and partially guaranteed, IIRC.

[quentin_compson]

Hm, maybe I don't remember this right, but didn't the Mavs get Marion for Stack's expiring?

[Solid D]

By this time tomorrow, I'm sure either Ludden, Woj or Sham will have gotten with Todd Eley (or RJ, or both) and secured the facts of the deal.

[MaNu4Tres]

Expiring contracts have been overrated somewhat. No one wanted RJ at a discount via FA and I don't want the Spurs to be in a position with a lottery team and RJ where they have to move him.

Teams will want and value R.J's expiring contract at around 8-9 million roughly, the summer after the 2nd year in his new deal (if he gets a 3 yr deal or 4yr deal(partial guarantee for 4th year). That is a totally different cir stance than teams with cap space (most who already had good cheap options at SF) wanting to sign R.J (the player) to a lucrative long term deal.

There is no market for RJ and the Spurs need not outbid themselves for his dumb mistake. Unless there was a prior agreement.

A three year deal or four year deal (last year partially guaranteed; essentially a 3 year deal) isn't exactly a dumb mistake. Now if they give him a 5 year deal then I'd agree with you. Three years isn't that big of an investment or risk (imo).

[ElNono]

Hm, maybe I don't remember this right, but didn't the Mavs get Marion for Stack's expiring?

That trade was actually quite convoluted, and involved 4 teams.

From here:

Although the league has not approved the trade, the deal is expected to include Dallas sending Stackhouse to Toronto, money to Memphis to help buyout Stackhouse’s contract, Antoine Wright and Devean George going to Toronto, Kris Humphries joining Marion in Dallas, and Orlando sending Hedo Turkoglu to the Raptors in exchange for a sizeable trade exception.

I told you it was complicated.

Dallas gets Marion and Humphries.

Toronto gets Wright, George, and Turkoglu.

Memphis gets money.

Orlando acquires a trade exception.

Mavs ended getting rid of stack expiring, George, Wright, give money to memphis to buy stack out, but pretty much undid any savings having to offer Marion a 5/$35m deal.

[ElNono]

By this time tomorrow, I'm sure either Ludden, Woj or Sham will have gotten with Todd Eley (or RJ, or both) and secured the facts of the deal.

Can't wait. If you manage to spot Bonner's contract details, please post them.
So far Sham has one thing, and there was another source with a different number. Something more official would be nice.