Aron Baynes to sign with the Spurs

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Stuff like this is why Spurstalk is the best sports forum on the internet. No joke.

Agreed sonsofsamhorn has not been what it was and this place for top a en is where its at.

[chapnis]

Aaaaand, he hasn't signed yet and it will probably take a while... :/

[SpursRock20]

Per Dejuan Blair's twitter: I hear a lot, see a lot. I just don't say anything.

[chapnis]

Lol DeJuan - "A big change is coming in my life I can feel it!"

[TD 21]

As far as Pop "not trusting Splitter in his first year, so he'll never trust Baynes", two things on that . . .

1) Splitter missed training camp (a big deal to Pop, especially considering it was his first one), the team was playing out of their minds for the vast majority of the regular season and the guy who he was going to compete for a rotation spot with (Blair), was a part of that.

2) Unlike then, Pop has clearly lost faith in Bonner, while Blair is a virtual lock to be moved in short order, meaning there's clearly a potential rotation spot up for grabs. It's probably unlikely he claims it outright, but it shouldn't be completely ruled out, either.

[PhingerRoll]

The new Vanilla Gorilla! That's a big, athletic young man... Excited about the potential for sure.

[RodNIc91]

I don't. I'm with Mel, in that they'll get Splitter re-signed. He's already shown once that he wasn't about getting every last penny and nothing in his time with the Spurs has suggested he's anything but Spurs material. Meaning, he'll more than likely understand and accept the internal cap that's at work here and that is that he, like the big three (and others), will have to take less. Although they actually have the flexibility to pay him something like $10M a season, but he can't make equal to Duncan and more than Ginobili.

Correct me if I'm mistaken but isn't Splitter a free agent this upcoming offseason? I mean, I don't quite understand how it works but isn't the qualifying offer just to make him a RFA? After that then he can sign for whichever money he prefers right?

[Mel_13]

Correct me if I'm mistaken but isn't Splitter a free agent this upcoming offseason? I mean, I don't quite understand how it works but isn't the qualifying offer just to make him a RFA? After that then he can sign for whichever money he prefers right?

Yes, and the Spurs will have the right to match in that case.

[timvp]

I don't. I'm with Mel, in that they'll get Splitter re-signed. He's already shown once that he wasn't about getting every last penny and nothing in his time with the Spurs has suggested he's anything but Spurs material.

When was that? When the Spurs signed him, they were offering him more money than any other team in the world. Sure, he didn't get every last drop of what the Spurs could offer but he was still being offered the most from the Spurs, so his leverage to get it all was extremely limited.

The case is stronger that Splitter will go to the highest bidder. First of all, just about every player in history goes to the highest bidder. Secondly, remember back to when Splitter was drafted. He said he was going to come over the next summer. However, when the time came, he decided to spurn San Antonio in order to take a contract in Europe that was more money than what the Spurs could offer. That is a clear example of Splitter picking money over the Spurs so I'm not sure why anyone would expect anything differently. In fact, Splitter has always gone with the team offering the most money.

If a team throws huge money at Splitter, he's going to take it.

[gambit1990]

didn't make it, saw it on twitter.

[chapnis]

The Spurs can match any offer for Splitter.

[Spur|n|Austin]

Good move by the FO!

[ace3g]

good idea with the Bane photo, I'll try to edit my avatar and add in the Bane mask to Baynes, lol

[RodNIc91]

Yes, and the Spurs will have the right to match in that case.

Thanks Mel! Yes just like I thought. Splitter will then have all the leverage to sign whichever QO he wants, which means he can make Big3 money if he wants to. If, for example, no one comes calling or he doesn't like any of the QO handed to him, how much money will he make that year? Will the Spurs then be able to negotiate an extension?

[Man In Black]

Where's the LIKE Button on this site?

[DPG21920]

When was that? When the Spurs signed him, they were offering him more money than any other team in the world. Sure, he didn't get every last drop of what the Spurs could offer but he was still being offered the most from the Spurs, so his leverage to get it all was extremely limited.

The case is stronger that Splitter will go to the highest bidder. First of all, just about every player in history goes to the highest bidder. Secondly, remember back to when Splitter was drafted. He said he was going to come over the next summer. However, when the time came, he decided to spurn San Antonio in order to take a contract in Europe that was more money than what the Spurs could offer. That is a clear example of Splitter picking money over the Spurs so I'm not sure why anyone would expect anything differently. In fact, Splitter has always gone with the team offering the most money.

If a team throws huge money at Splitter, he's going to take it.

To be fair though, to me there is a difference with guys making the money Tiago was making choosing more money vs a guy that's been in the NBA for a while making massive money. Compared to most NBA players even studs overseas don't make all that much. He's still building his wealth.

I don't disagree he goes to the highest bidder, however I don't think it's fair to infer he's like every greedy NBA player due to his situation. The highest bidder could very well be the Spurs too. But if it comes to a large contract like he's never had before (meaning not larger that what a rookie contract could pay, but serious money) I wouldn't be shocked if he left a little on the table to stay with the Spurs.

[timvp]

The Spurs can match any offer for Splitter.

True, which is probably another reason why he'll go for the most cash. Even if he really likes the Spurs -- and I have not reason to think he doesn't -- he knows that even going for the most money will still give the Spurs an opportunity to match.

TD, TP and Ginobili all took every last cent when they were signing their first big-money deal. Splitter will be no different.

[Strategic]

In fact, Splitter has always gone with the team offering the most money.

If a team throws huge money at Splitter, he's going to take it.

I thought Tiago gave up some money to come over from Europe but my memory is slipping. I agree that he could be lured away with money but with the new salary issues in the league I'm not on board with the many whom believe that he will demand an eight digit salary, at least for the next couple of years. I have to hand it to the FO for having Splitter's contract due at the right time to allow them some leverage.

[KL2]

I think a lot of people are getting way too excited, I could easily see him being sent to the d league. However with Blair playing so bad it leaves room for a 5th big, same with Pop giving up on Bonner. Even if he does play well I don't expect him to get any mins just like Splitter.

[Hoops Czar]

surely if they kind find time to play De Colo, they can spare minutes for Baynes. I also don't think the market for Splitter is as big as one might suggest... unathletic, not a great rebounder, can't shoot and doesn't block shots. For a big man, that doesn't bode well. I'm sure teams will take a flyer, but won't break the bank to sign him. If the Spurs want him back, I'm pretty sure he'll be back.

[Rito3d30]

So has he signed the contract or this is just a rumor

[PingPong]

I thought Tiago gave up some money to come over from Europe but my memory is slipping. I agree that he could be lured away with money but with the new salary issues in the league I'm not on board with the many whom believe that he will demand an eight digit salary, at least for the next couple of years. I have to hand it to the FO for having Splitter's contract due at the right time to allow them some leverage.

I think it's easier leaving the Spurs to a team where he get a more relevant role than going after money. Just see the effort he did after moved to the starting spot.

[BackHome]

I think he may have a chance. Pop used to be slow to throw rookies in the fire (with the exceptions of Tim, Tony, and Manu), but that seems to have waned over the past couple seasons.

Splitter's slow development was due to a number of reasons:
1) Kept getting hurt in training camp
2) Also kept getting hurt when starting to get serious minutes
3) Pop preferred to play him with the bench unit
4) Spurs were winning with Blair and/or Bonner starting, and Pop was giving them their chance (rightfully or wrongfully)
5) Pop being stubborn

However, if you look at the recent past....Hill made the rotation in his rookie season, even started some games. Same goes for Blair. Ditto Neal and Leonard.

Midseason may be a different story, but as badly as the Spurs need post presence and rebounds (things that translate over from Europe a little easier), Pop may be willing to give this guy a chance if Blair continues to underperform and Bonner continues to be Matt Bonner.

Also a big part was the language barrier...not a problem with our Ausie friend.

[Richie]

True, which is probably another reason why he'll go for the most cash. Even if he really likes the Spurs -- and I have not reason to think he doesn't -- he knows that even going for the most money will still give the Spurs an opportunity to match.

TD, TP and Ginobili all took every last cent when they were signing their first big-money deal. Splitter will be no different.

If he wants to stay he should test the market and if he gets offered a number above his cap hold ($7.5m) he should have a handshake agreement that he will get that contract from the Spurs after free agency to give us the most cap flexibility

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Surely this is a move for the future. He'll take Grizzly's place as 4-5th big. Not a game-changing move for this season unless he comes on very quickly.