Blazers have interest in Tiago Splitter

[Chinook]

Going after Splitter might be plan B. Early rumors was that Portland wanted the Cav's first pick.

I heard it the opposite way. According to TD 21 , the Cavs wanted Aldridge, and Portland balked at the pick.

[SpurPadre]

You can't do draft-day trades with S&T players. You can legally trade a potential free agent, and the other team can't talk to the player and negotiate a contract until July. So the Spurs and Blazers couldn't agree to compensation for a Splitter S&T, because the Blazers couldn't work out a contract with Tiago then. Also, it would be poor form to agree to a deal that relies on a player choosing to go somewhere. If Splitter decides to go to Atlanta instead of Portland, the draft-day talk is all for naught.

That doesn't meant Portland couldn't include whomever they draft as part of the compensation for Splitter in a sign-and-trade, though. That's certainly possible. However, I strongly doubt the Blazers do a sign-and-trade for Splitter unless it includes Aldridge. Portland has no incentive to help the Spurs out by giving them assets when they can sign Splitter outright.

Thanks for the insight, there. It was wishful thinking on my part.

[ThaBigFundamental21]

I would rather have Jefferson than Aldridge tbh. It's not that close either.

[SPURSCHAMP]

SpursPadre, this draft is weak, the 10 pick won't turn into Aldridge or Bosh. And since the Blazers are interested, there's no way we trade Splitter and a pick for Zeller. Splitter is a solid player and the 10 pick in a weak draft probably won't turn out as good as him. If anything, the blazers would have to add assets.

[Libri]

I heard it the opposite way. According to TD 21 , the Cavs wanted Aldridge, and Portland balked at the pick.

That might be the case. Here is the latest from Chad Ford:

They are engaged in trade talks with a number of teams. Sources say the Thunder, Timberwolves and Blazers have been the most proactive in trying to get the No. 1 pick -- but so far neither team has persuaded the Cavs to move out of the top pick.

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/pos...-no-1-decision

It could be that they haven't persuaded the Cavs because they're unwilling to give up LA.

[Chinook]

I have no idea how they expect to get it, then. Maybe Batum and 10?

[slick'81]

They can have him

[BatManu20]

"What are the Cleveland Cavaliers seeking in exchange for the No. 1 pick? Sources say they reached out to the Portland Trail Blazers in an attempt to land LaMarcus Aldridge for the Nos. 1 and 19 picks. The Blazers quickly rebuffed them."

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/60257/flurry-of-trade-talks-surrounding-draft




Lol the Spurs have no shot at getting Aldridge.

[RD2191]

Well it was fun while it lasted. Hey, chinook, Splitter is a free agent right? Meaning he can sign with whoever he wants? Do the Spurs like have dibs on him first? How does all that work?

[Chinook]

Well it was fun while it lasted. Hey, chinook, Splitter is a free agent right? Meaning he can sign with whoever he wants? Do the Spurs like have dibs on him first? How does all that work?

He's restricted, so the Spurs have the right of first refusal. They can match any offer that another team makes. If another team wants to sign him, they have to get him to sign an offer sheet. Then, the Spurs have three (or seven, I can't remember now) days to match, which means they have to agree to that EXACT deal, or let him go.

[RD2191]

Oh okay. Thanks for the info. You cleared a lot of things up. Say the Spurs decide not too match, do you think they have a backup plan? If Splitter leaves we pretty much only have Baynes at center.

[Chinook]

If Splitter leaves, the Spurs actually end up having a LOT of cap space, so they could go after a player like Millsap and outbid anyone pretty comfortably. Baynes factors in this pretty heavily, because if the Spurs let him Splitter go, it will probably be because they have at least some confidence that Baynes can backup Tim.

[spurraider21]

So either the Blazers think Tiago > #1 overall pick...

or we ain't gettin Aldridge

[sasffl]

Tiago will end his career in Blazers

[RD2191]

Thanks man. Great knowledge and info. Hopefully the Spurs do whats best. Whatever that may be.

[Spurstalkin]

Spurstalk, who would you rather have? Aldridge or Jefferson?

Also, why is it that Portland has a hatred for San Antonio? I always hear it getting tossed around here, but why is it?

They would both be excellent fits for spurs and Jefferson would be a better bargain, Both are decent defenders.. but Aldridge brings exp and hits the 18ft jumper like butter. Not to mention he is 81% from the stripe... Consistency is something spurs need ...

Not that this would ever happen but it would be a HUGE move if it did...

Speaking of clearing cap space... I heard there was a assistant coaching spot becoming available.. Manu for Assistant coach anyone ???

[Chinook]

Tiago will end his career in Blazers

Probably due to a knee injury that he gets a year after signing with them...

[Chinook]

So either the Blazers think Tiago > #1 overall pick...

or we ain't gettin Aldridge

I agree, unless Portland is posturing. It certainly means that the first-overall pick isn't that valuable this season. No way that Portland refuses that trade in a normal draft.

Speaking of which: If Cleveland were to have offered the Spurs that deal for Parker in 2011, would you make that trade? It's easy to say no now, but the thought of getting Kyrie for Parker would have been interesting. If the Spurs had also been able to somehow get Leonard...

But then that would mean no Finals this season and no WCF last season.

[DrSteffo]

They would both be excellent fits for spurs and Jefferson would be a better bargain, Both are decent defenders.

Completely disagree. Check what Jazz fan thinks about Big Al. Jazz fan knows Jefferson is soft and a very bad defender. Aldridge I like better but he might be declining already.

[Gagnrath]

There is a bunch of issues with high end picks this season namely no one that you want to spend a high draft pick on.... this years draft has a bunch of guys that look like they are going to be solid enough nba players but no one that you are really ready to count on being a perennial all-star contender, like you want to take at a lottery pick choice. You look at the top 30 or so players and you just sorta shrug and go well I'd be comfortable with any of them at 10-20 depending on what my team needs. Add in that the top 3 or 4 big men have injury questions and it gets ugly. There are also a bunch of tweener forwards that size wise are going to be a bit undersized in the nba but you question handles and shooting to be a small forward. You go with that at draft spot 10, you are looking to trade down at draft spot 5 especially when there are 3 of them that are a toss up as to which you'd really rather have. Personally I thought that combine interviews would clear alot of this uncertainty up but either teams played things closer to their vest than usual or no one stood out.

[Russo21]

The SilverStars can have Tiago for all I care.

[T Park]

Jefferson is a horrific defender and Milsap is on the downside.
No thanks to either.

[Russo21]

Let Splitter walk. Give Nando a pay raise. Play Nando.............

Nando is that you?

[BigFun21]

Why don't we just let him sign with Portland and then sign Greg Oden? That'll show 'em! Haha.

[TrainOfThought5]

Jefferson is a horrific defender and Milsap is on the downside.
No thanks to either.

downside of what??