Zach Lowe on Spurs Cap Situation

[CGD]

So if its only the MLE then it's either:

one semi-rockstar like AK47 (still not sure his market value); or
split it on Something like Dorrel Wright and Oden?

[cd021]

I'm still deciding on Neal. My first reaction is to want him gone but: 1) he's really good injury insurance (especially for Manu), and 2) he looked pretty darn good last year until he started battling plantar fasciitis and whatever else he was dealing with.

So, logically, he's probably worth bringing back at some price. I haven't decided on that price, though

How would his return affect De Colo and Josephs place in your opinion? It would hint that Joseph may not be in the Spurs plans long term. If Neal eats minutes at backup PG or 2 guard, with De Colo losing out at both spots. I mean, most if 1st rounders get consistent work by their 3rd season if not before. Both Hill and Blair (2nd rounder, I know) were entrenched in the rotation by then.

I would think that the Spurs would reach some type of verbal if possible before Sundays deadline and then renounce Neal's rights. If not work out a 3 year $10 million dollar deal.

[Mouth is Bleeding]

A Neal not battling his health issues could be pretty good again. Not a big fan of him but it's far from unlikely.

A list of the most realistic MLE targets would be interesting.

[cd021]

And the Vet minimum which is around 1.4mil I believe.

Thats not really an exception, But true up until the $75 million dollar tax apron (if we use our MLE we cannot go over that price no matter what). Of course there is constraints, namely roster spots. Blair and McGrady are the only players that seem gone at the moment. I also have su ion that T-Mac may return if we don't land our targets. Neal may also be gone and a minimal chance Bonner is cast out with the Amnesty.

[cd021]

And the Vet minimum which is around 1.4mil I believe.

Thats not really an exception, But true up until the $75 million dollar tax apron (if we use our MLE we cannot go over that price no matter what). Of course there is constraints, namely roster spots. Blair and McGrady are the only players that seem gone at the moment. I also have su ion that T-Mac may return if we don't land our targets. Neal may also be gone and a minimal chance Bonner is cast out with the Amnesty.

[sexinthatsx]

I think the Spurs did the best situation available. Because they were able to sign Tiago and Manu back, it gives less room for any of the free agents to demand more money to play for a contending team. Had the Spurs tried to court free agents with the cap room they had prior to signing Tiago and Manu, then the free agents would have demanded a ridiculous contract at a ridiculously long length. However, now that Spurs have everybody locked up and have the MLE left, it almost limits the free agency market down to those who are serious about contending and playing for the Spurs.

Down the line, I can see AK-47 joining the Spurs or a really good rotational player; I have su ion to think that the Spurs are trying to prolong the FA search to see how Deshaun Thomas pans out in Vegas Summer League before making any big moves.

[spursince#99]

If we only have the MLE De Colo gotta go before the season starts.

[coyotes_geek]

Is Neal gettable for something like 2 years/$6M? Maybe with a team option for the 3rd year? I feel like that would be a pretty reasonable deal.

I doubt it. Some crap team who has a hard time attracting free agents will get desperate for a shooter and throw something like a 3yr/$12 mil deal his way.

[look_at_g_shred]

When does Free Agency period end?

[Mel_13]

When does Free Agency period end?

Last day of the regular season.

[Solid D]

If Ray Allen had missed, would people be hoping the Spurs sign Gary Neal?

[TheGoldStandard]

If Ray Allen had missed, would people be hoping the Spurs sign Gary Neal?

Nope, probably still be saying that he should walk. He gets a lot of flack for his hero ball moments and lack of defense.

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

I doubt it. Some crap team who has a hard time attracting free agents will get desperate for a shooter and throw something like a 3yr/$12 mil deal his way.

That team being the Milwaukee Bucks. They have no shooters on their team at this point apart from Ilyasova and Jennings (RFA). They lost Red , Dunleavy to free agency and don't look like they are resigning Ellis. I could easily seeing the Spurs trade Neal/Bonner and 1st to the Bucks for Ellis if the Spurs are truely looking to add another scorer/ball handler to this team. Ellis was the first player the Spurs contacted when free agency started. It didn't say interest or some BS like that.

[rAm]

If Ray Allen had missed, would people be hoping the Spurs sign Gary Neal?

So many things would be different...

[coyotes_geek]

That team being the Milwaukee Bucks. They have no shooters on their team at this point apart from Ilyasova and Jennings (RFA). They lost Red , Dunleavy to free agency and don't look like they are resigning Ellis. I could easily seeing the Spurs trade Neal/Bonner and 1st to the Bucks for Ellis if the Spurs are truely looking to add another scorer/ball handler to this team. Ellis was the first player the Spurs contacted when free agency started. It didn't say interest or some BS like that.

I was thinking the Raptors, but the Bucks are a good call too.

All for the S&T scenario if the Spurs would be able to pull it off. Land Ellis and still have an MLE to go use on someone.

[Canibspur]

Last day of the regular season.

I lol'd

[Tuddy]

Gotta keep neal. Need his scoring.

[tesseractive]

That team being the Milwaukee Bucks. They have no shooters on their team at this point apart from Ilyasova and Jennings (RFA). They lost Red , Dunleavy to free agency and don't look like they are resigning Ellis. I could easily seeing the Spurs trade Neal/Bonner and 1st to the Bucks for Ellis if the Spurs are truely looking to add another scorer/ball handler to this team. Ellis was the first player the Spurs contacted when free agency started. It didn't say interest or some BS like that.

Bonner would be a pretty good complement to Larry Sanders, and yeah, Neal would be a good fit off the bench, too. That would be an awesome deal if we could pull it off.

[Mel_13]

That team being the Milwaukee Bucks. They have no shooters on their team at this point apart from Ilyasova and Jennings (RFA). They lost Red , Dunleavy to free agency and don't look like they are resigning Ellis. I could easily seeing the Spurs trade Neal/Bonner and 1st to the Bucks for Ellis if the Spurs are truely looking to add another scorer/ball handler to this team. Ellis was the first player the Spurs contacted when free agency started. It didn't say interest or some BS like that.

Good take.

The Bucks are a good trade partner for the team's "excess" assets.

[Vic Petro]

Ellis / Kirilenko / Oden replacing Neal / Bonner / Blair

[coyotes_geek]

Speaking of the Bucks, anyone feeling a need to try to make themselves feel a little better about Splitter's deal can go look at Drew Gooden and the 2yrs/$13+ mil he's got left on his contract there. HTH.

[spursfan4ever]

I'm wondering if they is anyway that CIA Pop and RC go to Andre (Iggy) and persuade him to come over for the MLE alto try and win it all next year and tell him he is our missing piece to win the championship use the the 14-15 season when more money opens up to give him a good payday. He can play the 3 behind Kl, the 2 to give DG compe ion and the 5 with timmy. I know this idea is way out in left field and possibly impossible but RC and Pop may try to pull a rabbit out of a hat and surprise us being Timmy's last few years. Just a thought.

[palangi]

Cap space + room exception.

i'm thinking ommri casspi

[coyotes_geek]

I'm wondering if they is anyway that CIA Pop and RC go to Andre (Iggy) and persuade him to come over for the MLE alto try and win it all next year and tell him he is our missing piece to win the championship use the the 14-15 season when more money opens up to give him a good payday. He can play the 3 behind Kl, the 2 to give DG compe ion and the 5 with timmy. I know this idea is way out in left field and possibly impossible but RC and Pop may try to pull a rabbit out of a hat and surprise us being Timmy's last few years. Just a thought.

Yes, it's impossible. These are Iguodala's prime earning years. He's not going to leave $30-$40 million on the table to come play for our MLE.

[palangi]

Ellis / Kirilenko / Oden replacing Neal / Bonner / Blair

baynes is replacing blair