Spurs Could Free Up $20 million in cap space for 2013-2014 season

[TheGreatYacht]

Spacing is only an issue if your team thrives on hitting set jump shots or set 3's (role players). Take a player like Igoudala who can slash and drive to the basket for dunks, and spacing is not an issue at all. It's never been more apparent that the Heat killed the Spurs with iso play after iso play with Lebron. It's time the Spurs brought someone else who can do the same without having to go through 2-3 touches or passes around the team before getting a shot or look off. Also, it was the spacing that killed us during the final series. All those passes were long passes that resulted in turnovers. While the Heat have had their share of sloppy turnovers, wouldn't it be easier just to hand it to a guy who will relentlessly take it to the basket?

I thought that most of the turnovers happened because of Manu?

[Chinook]

Spacing is only an issue if your team thrives on hitting set jump shots or set 3's (role players).

This is the fundamental misunderstanding of people who critique the Spurs' system. The spacing isn't for three-point shooters; it's for Parker and the bigs. Parker doesn't get Green open looks; Green gives Parker a more-open lane. That's why the Heat also rely on spacing (which is why they tried parking Bosh out on the three-point line).

Take a player like Igoudala who can slash and drive to the basket for dunks, and spacing is not an issue at all. It's never been more apparent that the Heat killed the Spurs with iso play after iso play with Lebron. It's time the Spurs brought someone else who can do the same without having to go through 2-3 touches or passes around the team before getting a shot or look off.

This is silly. You think that iso plays don't rely on spacing? Do you not understand that that is the fundamental reason why iso plays exist?

Also, it was the spacing that killed us during the final series. All those passes were long passes that resulted in turnovers. While the Heat have had their share of sloppy turnovers, wouldn't it be easier just to hand it to a guy who will relentlessly take it to the basket?

That's ludicrous. The reason why the Spurs lost is because the Heat trapped the ball-handlers and the team was too slow to react to it. If the spacing had been poorer, then the defenders would have been even closer to the ball-handler and could have doubled easily.

All in all, you don't seem to understand the concept of spacing. Almost every team uses it, and teams that don't like Indiana and Memphis have abysmal offenses. The Heat had very little success without at least two shooters on the floor at all times, which is why they inserted Miller into the starting lineup. It wasn't because they wanted to get open threes; it was because they wanted to stop the Spurs from double- or triple-teaming James. If the Spurs forwent spacing, Parker would have to face a clogged lane, and Duncan would be doubled in the post.

[look_at_g_shred]

If one of the plans is to "pray" for TD to not be gassed at 38 in another potential Game 7 in next year's NBA Finals, then that is no plan at all and the answer SHOULD be in free agency. I mean, come on, let's give TD some help down low. The Heat are probably going to get a big man to keep up with us and the Pacers and it's just not fair to TD to have to keep relying on to log 42+ minutes in a potential Finals next year as the only reliable big man in a match-up against either team. Milsap could be that missing piece we need and would've stayed on the floor if we had him in Game 6 to have grabbed that last board. It's not about disrupting the system, it's about helping take the load off a physically-spent 37 year old TD and 36 year old Manu who absolutely deserve another Championship...and that's why we need to make something happen via free-agency.

Well said man!

[raybies]

What we do in the draft will tell a lot about what we plan to do in free agency. If our first round is a draft and stash we can assume the plan to go big in free agency, especially if a Bonner, de Colo or Joseph gets traded. Big like Dwight big or maybe two near 10 million players like a jack and west or even resign splitter.

Who they draft will tell a lot also. I think sg like ledo or sf like Snell. Maybe it is livio.

We could have won this year but one right player could put us over the top. We simply overachieved imo. One player and overachieve might mean finals sweep. We overachieved against Memphis.

[baseline bum]

I'm just blown away by this thread reading all the desires for SFs. There Spurs are absolutely set at the SF with Leonard, Green, and Diaw all able to give great minutes. You bring Ginobili back and you're set at the two guard. You bring Splitter back and you're set at the big positions. The one and only hole this team has is at backup point where they have absolutely nothing. I don't know how anyone could think otherwise after watching the Finals. I mean if the Spurs had TJ Ford handling the ball 12 minutes a night they win that series going away. I'm just not understanding most of the posts in this thread at all.

[Chinook]

I'm just blown away by this thread reading all the desires for SFs. There Spurs are absolutely set at the SF with Leonard, Green, and Diaw all able to give great minutes. You bring Ginobili back and you're set at the two guard. You bring Splitter back and you're set at the big positions. The one and only hole this team has is at backup point where they have absolutely nothing. I don't know how anyone could think otherwise after watching the Finals. I mean if the Spurs had TJ Ford handling the ball 12 minutes a night they win that series going away. I'm just not understanding most of the posts in this thread at all.

Honestly, I don't think the team has any real holes. I don't want them to acquire players to fill holes; I want them to increase the amount of (preferably young) talent on the roster. If the team can get a player like Iggy or Evans while keeping their core intact, and especially while getting another ball-handler to run with the second unit, I think they have to go for it. The Spurs were good enough to win this season, and they stand to be about good enough to again and potentially for the next couple years if they can get a star or future star with their cap space. That's a real possibility this off-season.

[spurraider21]

A Kawhi-iggy duo is intriguing as . Spacing in the half court could be an issue, but defense and transition offense would be elite

[chazley]

Jesus Christ, some of the takes in this thread are some of the worst I've ever seen. A TP/Iggy/Kawhi/Duncan/Splitter would be one of the best defensive teams in history. Not an exaggeration.

[baseline bum]

Honestly, I don't think the team has any real holes. I don't want them to acquire players to fill holes; I want them to increase the amount of (preferably young) talent on the roster. If the team can get a player like Iggy or Evans while keeping their core intact, and especially while getting another ball-handler to run with the second unit, I think they have to go for it. The Spurs were good enough to win this season, and they stand to be about good enough to again and potentially for the next couple years if they can get a star or future star with their cap space. That's a real possibility this off-season.

They have a young star in Leonard. I'd much rather re-sign Splitter unless he gets ridiculous offers than overpay for Iguodala. I'm not high on 'Reke at all; he hasn't improved in the slightest since coming into the league, and I think the money it would take to sign him because of his potential would be an enormous gamble. Dude looks like he's headed on a Beasley career trajectory.

And the Spurs have an enormous hole at the backup PG. Neal, DeColo, and Mills are all end of the bench guys and Ginobili is too wild for point. Corey Joseph could eventually be a really nice bench player, but the Spurs need a quality backup point right now and not in a year or two. Over and over this team collapsed when Parker was on the bench and they had no real option at point, and Miami is going nowhere; any ring will have to be through them.

[HarlemHeat37]

Iggy is an athlete and he can play D. But his shooting is inconsistent and his brain is no larger than DeAndre Jordan's or JaVale McGee's. He's basically re ed.

, tbh..

Iguodala is a waste of money, tbh..if he accepts a cheaper deal to be a 6th man, sure, I'd take him..otherwise, I'll pass, his athleticism will begin to decline, killing most of his impact, tbh..

He also can't shoot and his half-court offense is average, he's easy to game-plan against..

The Spurs don't need another perimeter defender, Leonard and Green will suffice, and they'll both be playing 40 per game in the playoffs..the Spurs ranked 3rd defensively this year, defense wasn't a problem..

[ElNono]

I'm just blown away by this thread reading all the desires for SFs. There Spurs are absolutely set at the SF with Leonard, Green, and Diaw all able to give great minutes. You bring Ginobili back and you're set at the two guard. You bring Splitter back and you're set at the big positions. The one and only hole this team has is at backup point where they have absolutely nothing. I don't know how anyone could think otherwise after watching the Finals. I mean if the Spurs had TJ Ford handling the ball 12 minutes a night they win that series going away. I'm just not understanding most of the posts in this thread at all.

Spot on. Splitter has work to do though. But at least he already went through Pop's doghouse, has the 'corporate knowledge' part down, etc. He also improved greatly from last season and he's been fairly healthy. We still don't know what the ceiling is for him. This was his first real big dance, so I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

[baseline bum]

Jesus Christ, some of the takes in this thread are some of the worst I've ever seen. A TP/Iggy/Kawhi/Duncan/Splitter would be one of the best defensive teams in history. Not an exaggeration.

How many quality SFs do you need in the rotation? Leonard, Diaw, and Green can all give strong minutes at the three. You're talking extreme diminishing returns for a high price with Iguodala. If the Spurs were still starting Jefferson at the three and Leonard hadn't blown up into a really good player then I'd be all for throwing everything at Iguodala, but it would be a stupid way to spend money right now when they desperately need a second point guard.

[baseline bum]

Spot on. Splitter has work to do though. But at least he already went through Pop's doghouse, has the 'corporate knowledge' part down, etc. He also improved greatly from last season and he's been fairly healthy. We still don't know what the ceiling is for him. This was his first real big dance, so I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

I still think Splitter's problems are correctable. Everyone says he's soft and a got, but I don't think that's the case at all. His problems this series boiled down to holding the damn ball too low every time he got a good pass at the basket. I think that's something they'll see on the tape and know to work on in training camp and throughout the season. The only thing I'm worried about with Splitter is that he gets injured easily.

[baseline bum]

A Kawhi-iggy duo is intriguing as . Spacing in the half court could be an issue, but defense and transition offense would be elite

More diminishing returns. The transition offense is already elite and they're set with a quality defensive three already in Leonard. Meanwhile having Iguodala would mean there would be no outside shooting and teams could easily pack the paint against Parker and Duncan. Iguodala would be a horrible fit on this team.

[ElNono]

I was one that overrated Iggy's impact when the season started for Denver... After the GSW series, I just can't think as highly of him...

[HarlemHeat37]

the lineup that chasley posted would have atrocious spacing, which is paramount in today's NBA..

Iguodala makes absolutely no sense for this team, unless he agrees to be a 6th man for cheaper than other teams will overpay for him being a starter, tbh..

The Spurs didn't have problems defending, they had problems with ball-handling when Parker went out, along with an inconsistent bench and lack of consistent offensive production..

[ElNono]

People underestimate how good both Miami and this Spurs team is, tbh... As impressive as the 20-win streak was last season, this team was infinitely better.

- Wrecked a Lakers team that was hurt, but still trotted Gasol/Howard and Nash out there.
- Stymied and beat a Warriors team that was hot as , making bull 3 pointers from absolutely everywhere.
- *Swept* the Grizzlies in the WCF, a team that had the reigning DPOY, ZBo finally playing well (against OKC he was a monster, credit Spurs), a top 3 perimeter defender in the league, and a top PG (IMO underrated) in Conley.

[TheGreatYacht]

People underestimate how good both Miami and this Spurs team is, tbh... As impressive as the 20-win streak was last season, this team was infinitely better.

- Wrecked a Lakers team that was hurt, but still trotted Gasol/Howard and Nash out there.
- Stymied and beat a Warriors team that was hot as , making bull 3 pointers from absolutely everywhere.
- *Swept* the Grizzlies in the WCF, a team that had the reigning DPOY, ZBo finally playing well (against OKC he was a monster, credit Spurs), a top 3 perimeter defender in the league, and a top PG (IMO underrated) in Conley.

For the first time ever I agree with you. Our only missing link was another ball handler or backup PG to Tony Parker. Tiago didn't fit well in this series. Diaw fit in fine.

[ElNono]

For the first time ever I agree with you. Our only missing link was another ball handler or backup PG to Tony Parker. Tiago didn't fit well in this series. Diaw fit in fine.

Tiago, IMO, was the only unexpected development, but only for the Finals...

Pop has been looking for a backup PG all season long (and even last season with Neal). This 'need' wasn't new nor was 'exposed' by the playoffs or Finals. Since TJ Ford retired, the Spurs have been loading with backup PGs to try out (CJ, DeColo, Mills).

It's much easier to address this issue when you have cap space, and so the Spurs will likely do exactly that this summer.

[TD 21]

We have enough shooters on the team

Actually, "we" don't. The dirty little secret of this team (other than their lack of reliable depth), as I pointed out months ago, was that their 3-point percentage was misleading, because a good portion of it was either built on the backs of or aided by a low volume shooter, in Diaw, a fringe rotation player, in Bonner and a non rotation player, in Mills. But out of the top eight, who not surprisingly comprised the entirety of the rotation for the majority of the Finals, they had one knockdown shooter, in Green, another who was a knockdown one, but only from the corners, in Leonard and that was it, as far as even average threats. Granted, Neal's plantar fasciitis dropped him from knockdown shooter status to sub par and it could be argued that Ginobili flat out had an off shooting season, but still. The instant Green, who was long overdue for a slump, cooled off in games 6 and 7, they were basically a collective non threat from three.

[sexinthatsx]

This is the fundamental misunderstanding of people who critique the Spurs' system. The spacing isn't for three-point shooters; it's for Parker and the bigs. Parker doesn't get Green open looks; Green gives Parker a more-open lane. That's why the Heat also rely on spacing (which is why they tried parking Bosh out on the three-point line).

I agree with this, but the bottom line is it helps Parker just as much as Parker helps out all the spot up shooters, which couldn't hurt there.

This is silly. You think that iso plays don't rely on spacing? Do you not understand that that is the fundamental reason why iso plays exist?

Iso plays don't rely on spacing because when one player has the ball and calls an iso, everybody just gets the out of the way lol. Haven't you seen Kobe's iso's? As many of my friends who are Lakers fans calls it, it's the play where Kobe calls for an iso and everybody just gets the F out of the way. In short, when a player calls for an iso play, it's pretty much assumed you're going to space out and just wait for the kick out or wait for the player who called the iso play to do his thing.

That's ludicrous. The reason why the Spurs lost is because the Heat trapped the ball-handlers and the team was too slow to react to it. If the spacing had been poorer, then the defenders would have been even closer to the ball-handler and could have doubled easily.

All in all, you don't seem to understand the concept of spacing. Almost every team uses it, and teams that don't like Indiana and Memphis have abysmal offenses. The Heat had very little success without at least two shooters on the floor at all times, which is why they inserted Miller into the starting lineup. It wasn't because they wanted to get open threes; it was because they wanted to stop the Spurs from double- or triple-teaming James. If the Spurs forwent spacing, Parker would have to face a clogged lane, and Duncan would be doubled in the post.

I'm just saying, a ton of turnovers (and a lot from Ginobili) were pretty much long passes and that's why it got deflected leading to fastbreak points. Spurs almost spaced out too much to a fault to allow such an athletic player like Lebron to deflect and create turnovers. Had the spacing been a little more congested, all those long passes might not have slipped out of the player's hands or a pass out of desperation. I know what you're trying to convey, but at the end of the day all those passes resulting in turnovers were WAY too predictable.

[sexinthatsx]

Actually, "we" don't. The dirty little secret of this team (other than their lack of reliable depth), as I pointed out months ago, was that their 3-point percentage was misleading, because a good portion of it was either built on the backs of or aided by a low volume shooter, in Diaw, a fringe rotation player, in Bonner and a non rotation player, in Mills. But out of the top eight, who not surprisingly comprised the entirety of the rotation for the majority of the Finals, they had one knockdown shooter, in Green, another who was a knockdown one, but only from the corners, in Leonard and that was it, as far as even average threats. Granted, Neal's plantar fasciitis dropped him from knockdown shooter status to sub par and it could be argued that Ginobili flat out had an off shooting season, but still. The instant Green, who was long overdue for a slump, cooled off in games 6 and 7, they were basically a collective non threat from three.

What I meant by "shooters" is players who can only shoot set shots. I know everybody hates on Gary Neal, but as much as everybody cringes every time he shoots, it was him that was able to create his own shots (as witnessed from that blowout game), something the Spurs need more of. I know a lot of people here rag on Andre Igoudala, but his passing and his ability to create his own shot is something the Spurs need. As of right now, having a player like AI has a lot of pros and very little cons. I'm also open to the idea of him becoming a 6th man for the Spurs because that was the explosive offensive surge the Spurs need as well.

[Chinook]

They have a young star in Leonard. I'd much rather re-sign Splitter unless he gets ridiculous offers than overpay for Iguodala. I'm not high on 'Reke at all; he hasn't improved in the slightest since coming into the league, and I think the money it would take to sign him because of his potential would be an enormous gamble. Dude looks like he's headed on a Beasley career trajectory.

It's not really an either/or situation between keeping Splitter and bringing in a solid player averaging seven figures. It's more about what Ginobili would cost to re-sign. If he takes the room exception, the Spurs actually have at least $11 Million to offer to someone while keeping Splitter. If Tiago takes a deal starting at less than $7.5 Million, that creates even more room. Also, I don't think Evans is headed toward being Beasley at all. That dude is just crazy. If he had his head on straight, he'd be a star. Evans at worst is just trending toward being stuck in overrated above-averageness, like Kevin Martin. If the team thinks they can fix Evans' shot, he'd be a great pickup, in my opinion. He's actually been getting better in his advanced stats and per 36 numbers recently.

And the Spurs have an enormous hole at the backup PG. Neal, DeColo, and Mills are all end of the bench guys and Ginobili is too wild for point. Corey Joseph could eventually be a really nice bench player, but the Spurs need a quality backup point right now and not in a year or two. Over and over this team collapsed when Parker was on the bench and they had no real option at point, and Miami is going nowhere; any ring will have to be through them.

For some reason, a lot of solid point-guards are only getting minimum contracts on the market nowadays. Watson and Prigioni are two good targets who probably wouldn't take more than that to sign, and honestly, having either of them should fill that hole pretty easily. I'm not saying it's not important to bring in such a player; I'm just saying that it's not something that should take a lot of cap space if the team is smart about it.

In general, I just feel like this is the last time the team will have cap space/flexibility for the rest of the Duncan era. If they're smart about their contracts, they can keep the team together (as much as they should want to), fill their "holes" and STILL have about $10 Million to spend on whatever they want. So why not swing hard and go for a player like Iggy or Evans or even JR Smith (not that I want him)? It's not like it'd cost the team anything.

[SpurPadre]

I'm just blown away by this thread reading all the desires for SFs. There Spurs are absolutely set at the SF with Leonard, Green, and Diaw all able to give great minutes. You bring Ginobili back and you're set at the two guard. You bring Splitter back and you're set at the big positions. The one and only hole this team has is at backup point where they have absolutely nothing. I don't know how anyone could think otherwise after watching the Finals. I mean if the Spurs had TJ Ford handling the ball 12 minutes a night they win that series going away. I'm just not understanding most of the posts in this thread at all.

What about the desire in getting another big like Millsap? What's your take on that? TD needs some more help down low and I'm not sure Splitter can learn to be effective should we happen to face the Heat again or even the Pacers in next year's Finals.

[therealtruth]

I'm just blown away by this thread reading all the desires for SFs. There Spurs are absolutely set at the SF with Leonard, Green, and Diaw all able to give great minutes. You bring Ginobili back and you're set at the two guard. You bring Splitter back and you're set at the big positions. The one and only hole this team has is at backup point where they have absolutely nothing. I don't know how anyone could think otherwise after watching the Finals. I mean if the Spurs had TJ Ford handling the ball 12 minutes a night they win that series going away. I'm just not understanding most of the posts in this thread at all.

I agree. No overreaction needed. And CJ could work out if TMac takes over backup PG duties. At 6'8" he will have no problem passing over the defense. Splitter's got to improve his post scoring and keeping the ball high. In fact they should keep feeding him the ball till he gets it.