The 2013 Master Plan

[TDMVPDPOY]

34m capspace...can we just give all 7 players on the team deals MLE each?

[tenbeersbold]

[QUOTE=timvp;5702588]By getting a little sneaky, I think the Spurs could open a boatload of salary cap space in the summer of 2013. First, let's start with next season. Here are the salaries already on the books:

Manu Ginobili: $14,107,492
Tony Parker: $12,500,000
Stephen Jackson: $10,059,750
Tiago Splitter: $3,944,000
Matt Bonner: $3,630,000
Kawhi Leonard: $1,809,840
Cory Joseph: $1,074,720
DeJuan Blair: $1,054,000
Gary Neal: $854,389

Cory Joseph makes more $$ than Neal,damn that's a disgrace !

[TDMVPDPOY]

[QUOTE=tenbeersbold;5725127]

By getting a little sneaky, I think the Spurs could open a boatload of salary cap space in the summer of 2013. First, let's start with next season. Here are the salaries already on the books:

Manu Ginobili: $14,107,492
Tony Parker: $12,500,000
Stephen Jackson: $10,059,750
Tiago Splitter: $3,944,000
Matt Bonner: $3,630,000
Kawhi Leonard: $1,809,840
Cory Joseph: $1,074,720
DeJuan Blair: $1,054,000
Gary Neal: $854,389

Cory Joseph makes more $$ than Neal,damn that's a disgrace !

i

wheres duncan on the list whose going to get one big contract for one year, then end of 2013 season is when only parker, KL,splitter is only on the books...

[BackHome]

First no way do we get any top free agent they are looking for $$$ shoe deals not to be in Taco commercials.

Going into this summer we have no first round pick so I am hoping with that we can land Lobrek. If somehow we can do that and then sign Green to a cap friendly number I would be one happy camper.

So to me is who do we have to let go to sign Lobrek, Green, and maybe Diaw? Add to this that you will have Captain Jack and Splitters contract come up the following year?

The obvious ones would be Cory Joseph, and Bonner.. but is that enough?

[timvp]

Diaw doesn't really fit the master plan unless he signs a one year contract this summer. Well, unless he really explodes and the FO thinks he can be a part of the future.

[Mel_13]

Diaw doesn't really fit the master plan unless he signs a one year contract this summer. Well, unless he really explodes and the FO thinks he can be a part of the future.

Assuming that Duncan returns, the Spurs will be left with MLE (4yrs/21M) to spend on any significant FAs. Given that the Spurs will not have Bird rights on Diaw, it seems very unlikely that he stays with the team beyond this season. If he would be available for the MLE, the Spurs would have to choose between him and Lorbek.

[AFBlue]

Assuming that Duncan returns, the Spurs will be left with MLE (4yrs/21M) to spend on any significant FAs. Given that the Spurs will not have Bird rights on Diaw, it seems very unlikely that he stays with the team beyond this season. If he would be available for the MLE, the Spurs would have to choose between him and Lorbek.

Do the Spurs have the bird rights to Green, or would he also count against MLE?

[Mel_13]

Do the Spurs have the bird rights to Green, or would he also count against MLE?

They have his Bird rights. They'll be able to tender a qualifying offer of just over 1M to make him a restricted FA. So, if they don't reach an agreement with him early, they can let him get an offer sheet and decide if they want to match. His contract will not count against the MLE.

[venitian navigator]

I really liked what I 've seen of Diaw in his first game.
I really wouldn't count out him emerging like a perfect fit for the team.
Add to this that he's the best friend of our main man for the future (just considering age...overall I still love more Tim and Manu).
Next season our priority is to re-sign Tim.....but at this point in his career maybe he wouldn't mind to take a huge pay cut just for having the real chance to play for a championship for the next three or four years, giving to the F.O. the chance to sign Green, Diaw and Lorbek...(also considering that these signings will give him the chance to limit a lot the games/minutes he will play, so extending his career for many years to came).

[CGD]

Assuming that Duncan returns, the Spurs will be left with MLE (4yrs/21M) to spend on any significant FAs. Given that the Spurs will not have Bird rights on Diaw, it seems very unlikely that he stays with the team beyond this season. If he would be available for the MLE, the Spurs would have to choose between him and Lorbek.

If Diaw impresses and the Spurs plan on bringing Lorbek, you have to think the writing is on the wall for Blair this off-season.

Not guaranteeing Blair's contract would save around 1M, but Duncan would have to take less I would think in order to sign both, no?

I'm still hoping Blair can be used to get into the 1st round in this coming draft...

[Mel_13]

If Diaw impresses and the Spurs plan on bringing Lorbek, you have to think the writing is on the wall for Blair this off-season.

Not guaranteeing Blair's contract would save around 1M, but Duncan would have to take less I would think in order to sign both, no?

I'm still hoping Blair can be used to get into the 1st round in this coming draft...

Blair's contract won't be a significant factor, although I see them trading him for a draft pick. To create cap space much bigger than the MLE would require Duncan signing for a very small number and using the amnesty on Bonner. That's a very unlikely scenario.

[TDMVPDPOY]

we must do this right, duncan has the opportunity to win 2-3 rings with this current roster

[CGD]

Blair's contract won't be a significant factor, although I see them trading him for a draft pick. To create cap space much bigger than the MLE would require Duncan signing for a very small number and using the amnesty on Bonner. That's a very unlikely scenario.

OK help me work this out:

(1) How much do you think Boris would command (realistically)?
One thing is what he thinks he can garner, another is what leverage the Spurs have to reduce his asking price -- e.g., hit fitness issues, the fact he hasn't played a meaningful game in quite some time, ability to reform his career, and possibility to play with Parker. Not sure he can command more than 3yrs/10M, tbh.

(2) Is the consensus still that Lorberk is looking to come?
If he does, does one assume the full MLE will be used on him? Probably.

(3) With the MLE gone, how can you come up with the $$ for Diaw?
Legitimately not sure. Duncan takes 2M less + 1M from Blair? Amnesty Bonner and keep Blair? How does this "Mini" exception figure in? Another wrinkle is that, if what is reported about Mills getting a 1M player option for next year is true, you have to think he picks that up.

Of course this is all academic is Diaw sucks it up during this very limited showcase opportunity.

[T Park]

These Plans suck and never work.

[Mel_13]

OK help me work this out:

(1) How much do you think Boris would command (realistically)?



(2) Is the consensus still that Lorberk is looking to come?


(3) With the MLE gone, how can you come up with the $$ for Diaw?

1. If he plays really well and helps the Spurs make a deep playoff run, then he signs for nothing less than the full MLE.

2. I have no idea what Lorbek's intentions are, but if he comes to the NBA he should command a contract similar to Splitter's (3yrs/11M).

3. Once the MLE is gone, there is no way to come up with dollars for Diaw. Just not possible.

[Darkwaters]

OK help me work this out:

(1) How much do you think Boris would command (realistically)?
One thing is what he thinks he can garner, another is what leverage the Spurs have to reduce his asking price -- e.g., hit fitness issues, the fact he hasn't played a meaningful game in quite some time, ability to reform his career, and possibility to play with Parker. Not sure he can command more than 3yrs/10M, tbh.

(2) Is the consensus still that Lorberk is looking to come?
If he does, does one assume the full MLE will be used on him? Probably.

(3) With the MLE gone, how can you come up with the $$ for Diaw?
Legitimately not sure. Duncan takes 2M less + 1M from Blair? Amnesty Bonner and keep Blair? How does this "Mini" exception figure in? Another wrinkle is that, if what is reported about Mills getting a 1M player option for next year is true, you have to think he picks that up.

Of course this is all academic is Diaw sucks it up during this very limited showcase opportunity.

1) That really all depends on what he does with the Spurs through the end of the season. His stock isn't very high right now. But hes still reasonably young, has had success in the past, and may have a great playoff run with SA. Really hard to call at this point. Plus, how much of a "hometown discount" would he give to stay near Parker?

2) Lorbek will probably command Tiago Splitter kind of money. Tiago is getting about 3.5M this year and just short of 4M next season. He was in the low 3's last season.

3) If we're over the cap we'd have to use one of our exceptions. The only way amnestying Bonner helps us is if it brings us under the cap. I don't think we're nearly that close to the line.

[therealtruth]

1) That really all depends on what he does with the Spurs through the end of the season. His stock isn't very high right now. But hes still reasonably young, has had success in the past, and may have a great playoff run with SA. Really hard to call at this point. Plus, how much of a "hometown discount" would he give to stay near Parker?

2) Lorbek will probably command Tiago Splitter kind of money. Tiago is getting about 3.5M this year and just short of 4M next season. He was in the low 3's last season.

3) If we're over the cap we'd have to use one of our exceptions. The only way amnestying Bonner helps us is if it brings us under the cap. I don't think we're nearly that close to the line.

I think the best bet is to get Duncan to sign for less and/or backload his contract and amnesty Bonner. Also try to trade Blair/Anderson for draft picks.

[Mel_13]

I think the best bet is to get Duncan to sign for less and/or backload his contract and amnesty Bonner. Also try to trade Blair/Anderson for draft picks.

Backloaded contracts don't exist in the NBA in any way that makes any difference (annual raises have the contracts increase by a small percentage each year, but you can't do a contract that goes 5M/10M/15M).

Even a substantial decrease in salary for Duncan plus using the amnesty on Bonner will not create cap space much in excess of the MLE.

Anderson can't be traded. He'll be a free agent this summer.

[pgardn]

Very informative writeup, and it allows one to work other manipulations using your basic outline. Some of those facts had passed me by, thanks.

[Anonymous Cowherd]

I understand why backloaded contracts can't be allowed because of the cap... are frontloaded ones allowed? eg. could you offer someone $15m/$5m/$5m if you had the space for the 15m on the books in the first year?

[Mel_13]

I understand why backloaded contracts can't be allowed because of the cap... are frontloaded ones allowed? eg. could you offer someone $15m/$5m/$5m if you had the space for the 15m on the books in the first year?

No. Contracts can only go up or down by the maximum annual salary increase (which is a percentage of the first year salary).

There are provisions for signing bonuses, but the cap hits are spread over the life of the contract.

[Anonymous Cowherd]

Thanks Mel.

[Mel_13]

Thanks Mel.

It has yet to be updated to reflect the new CBA (Coon says there are provisions in the new CBA that directly contradict one another), but it's still the single best resource for all things CBA related:

https://webfiles.uci.edu/lcoon/cbafaq/salarycap.htm

[BackHome]

So if we let Anderson walk, trade Blair and CJ for a draft pick, and Amnesty Bonner how much $$ would that give us?

[Mel_13]

So if we let Anderson walk, trade Blair and CJ for a draft pick, and Amnesty Bonner how much $$ would that give us?

As long as Duncan returns, there won't be any cap space (I'm assuming that Duncan's salary will be at least 10M next year). The Spurs will have to use the MLE and other exceptions to sign players.

To your specific questions:

Anderson will be a FA summer. There is no more money to be saved on him.

Trading Blair and CJ for a draft pick can save a little bit, but that will depend on the draft pick. A 2012 first rounder gets guaranteed money. In any event, Blair and CJ both make barely more than minimum. Replacing them with minimum salary players won't change much.

Bonner is on the books for 3.6M next year, but using the amnesty on him doesn't mean that the Spurs can spend that 3.6M on a FA. Assuming Duncan returns, they would still likely be limited to the MLE and other exceptions even if they use the amnesty on Bonner.