Do you realize if Spurs signed Simmons or Hayes with the remainder of the MLE for say 3 years, the difference between their contract and R.J's is not close to 10 million?
1st year: (R.J's)8.4 million- (F.A) 2.365 million =
6.04 million
2nd year: 9.28 million- 2.55 million =
6.78 million
3rd year: 10.16 million- 2.74 million =
7.42 million
Even if it was 10 million extra in cap space like you say, which it is obviously not, the Spurs would still not be able to afford a significant free agent anyway with or without R.J the next two seasons, which was stated here
R.J's new deal won't hinder their rebuilding process with Manu and Tim making maximum salary the next 2 seasons. Spurs wouldn't be able to afford a significant free agent anyway the next 2 years with or without R.J's new deal.
His new deal doesn't handcuff them in any potential signings or take away their future 1st round picks either.
I also care about the future, but I'm fully aware R.J's contract (when it won't be as valuable to other teams --the first 2 seasons) won't hurt the Spurs from adding anything because of cap situation with Manu, Tim, Splitter, Bonner, Anderson, Blair, Hill, McDyess, Gee, Temple under contract. They will still only have around 5-7 million to make additions via MLE/ LLE with or without R.J's new deal.
Entering his 3rd season, Tim's contract comes off the books for 20 million. Which frees up money to add a significant free agent ( If Spurs can find a match) and Spurs will have a valuable expiring contract in Manu to use as a valuable trading asset to net assets for the future.
Entering his 4th year, if Spurs pass on the options that were available the previous season or if the free agents simply don't want to come to SA (which is reasonable), the Spurs then will have even more money with Manu's contract coming off the books ( If he isn't traded for future assets already). Also, R.J's contract be an expiring trading asset before or during his final season to give the Spurs an asset for the future. If not, then Spurs will use the money coming off the books for the 2014 summer.
*NOTE JUST MY OPINION- NOT FACT*
We can agree to disagree on this.
There were no signs to suggest that R.J's athleticism was declining and I don't think he's an average player. In fact, he has a high talented ceiling to reasonably believe he has the ability to improve to be more efficiently effective in a mul ude of ways (not just one way like Mason(shooting) or Bogans(decent defense)).
If he didn't have such a proven resume and if he was one-dimensional with a low ceiling like a Mason or Bogans then I'd agree with you. But that is not the case with Jefferson. IMO
So to say he can't change from last year, when he's proved year in and year out to be a top 10 small forward in the league doesn't make sense to me.
Spurs had much bigger issues and weaknesses last year, such as a horrid nucleus of a bench in Mason, Bogans, to an extent Bonner over Blair (which they have already improved simply by having Anderson and Hairston on the roster in place of Mason, Bogans).
The second major weakness was the fact that the interior defense had deteriorated and was the worst it had ever been in the Duncan era (which they improved by signing Splitter).
Spurs are spending 6.04 million more in year one /6.78 million more in year 2/7.42 million more in year 3 because they don't want the team to regress as a whole with new additions (Splitter, Anderson, fresh Parker/Manu, improved Blair/Hill, Hairston finally getting an opportunity).
If the Spurs decided to save the 6.04 million+, the Spurs wouldn't have improved as much with the new additions because of the significant difference between Jefferson and Simmons or Hayes (best case scenario)starting.
By spending the money, Spurs are only significantly improving.