We saw the same thing with Jack's contract last year. People put too much faith in cap space. The team should target their future PF now, especially if he can be had for scraps. I'd trade non-essentials for Smith. I'd prefer Chandler or Young, but if only Smith can be had, so be it.
It would relieve so much pressure on the front office to get a deal done ASAP. Thay way, they can keep the rest of the team together instead of not re-signing Mills or Diaw next off-season or Green the one after that. Also, they'd be able to re-sign Tim/Manu in 2015 if either wanted to play longer. As of now, they'd have to choice between missing out on a big FA or closing the door on their legends.
Most of the players that have been discussed aren't worth their contracts (Smith especially). That's the only reason the Spurs have a chance to get them for peanuts. The Spurs should put the best team together now, regardless of finances. After this year and next it might be a long time before they have a chance at a championship.
"32 year old second banana"...
The team went to the NBA finals with a 36 year old second banana last season.
The Spurs' best bet is to do what they have done in all of Duncan's era - steadfastly build a system and fit pieces to it instead of simply buying a star for the sake of it. Josh Smith clearly doesn't fit the bill. Young, perhaps.
The Spurs can still repeat 2013 in 2014 if it enhances its bench a bit more. The possibility is still there through Bonner's/ Ayres'/ De Colo's contracts. There is no need to go ballistic and try the likes of inefficient shot jackers like Smith in order to build a surefire contender.
Exactly, and it's not like they won't have to overpay for a free agent in 2015. Instead of having $10 Million to build around Parker, Leonard, Green, Diaw and Splitter, they could have $7 Million to build around all of those guys AND Smith.
The Spurs made it to the Finals on the backs of all the top six. That's the group that has to stay together for the team to repeat 2013. It will take a group that strong to keep the window open past 2014. That won't happen if they chase a max FA.
The Spurs built their window by drafting three HoFers. I wouldn't assume that's repeatable any time soon. The Spurs will either have to tank or overpay to stay relevant. Both approaches have their ups and downs, but I'd go with the latter. They can always blow it up, they can't always put it back together.
Never been a fan of smith and too be honest cannot see the pistons move Smith for "peanuts". The spurs need someone can play down low with there back to the basket. I would rather the spurs throw some $ at monroe than go after smith.
I'd normally be fine with it, but he's a true center. He doesn't fit with either Duncan or Splitter. At least Smith can pretend to guard the three as well as run with the fast-paced second unit.
Starting to second-guess my opinion on Splitter tbh. Can they trade him for Lebron?
Next season is the only time when his contract would be somewhat constricting. After that his contract isn't going to be much of an issue. If the Spurs for some reason did have an interest in him, I'd believe that deal above would be the to get it done + the Spurs should be able to keep their 1st rounder.
http://www.bulletsforever.com/2014/2...uard-according
Wizards looking for backup PG...
Once Manu & Tim retire/ take a much reduced package in their "real" twilight years post 2015 (Duncan more likely than Manu), there would definitely be enough space to squeeze in Parker, Splitter, Leonard, Green alongwith a very good FA who earns near max money. I suppose that is one of the options the Spurs are considering for their post-Duncan project, even as the more likely option of blowing it all up and get the draft route is still available.
Even if your point of keeping a larger core with another decent FA is well considered, Josh Smith is certainly not the answer (and not just because of his erratic and pathetic play at SF/PF over the past two years, for which he doesn't deserve the contract he got]. That is because he will be earning near-max money in 2015 ($13.5 million). Instead, the Spurs could pitch the same salary numbers (cascading and increasing as years move on) to someone like Love, who is a much better fit. By mortgaging its future by tying up with Smith till 2017, the Spurs eliminate any chance of putting together a better core that you argue for. It is senseless, stupid and completely out of character with the most successful franchise in professional sports in the US since 1997.
I see a convergence of interests
WAS has 3 SF's Ariza (expiring contract, 29 next season), Webster (Under contract (good contract) until 2016, 27 next season), and Otto Porter (last years lottery pick, 3ed overall, under contract until 2016, currently quite a bad player).
SAS has multiple back up level PGs - Cory Joseph, Nando de Colo. SAS would like a backup 3...
Depending on which SF WAS is willing to move
Ariza, WAS 2nd for either of (Nando de Colo) or (Cory Joseph and Aaron Baynes), and Bonner, SAS 1st,
*Baynes needs to be in for Salary Filler
Webster for either of (Nando de Colo) or (Cory Joseph) and Bonner, SAS 1st
Otto Porter, WAS 2nd for either of (Nando de Colo) or (Cory Joseph) and Bonner, SAS First
Ariza is the best player, and the least likely to fit in WAS long term plans - he could leave this summer. SAS wants the WAS 2nd back because he's a 1/2 season rental.
Webster gets a first out of SAS without a 2nd back because he's on a good long term contract.
Porter does not look good now, but I am unsure if WAS management is willing to give up on last years lottery pick...
For the Spurs, my preference would be Ariza
Porter's a bust imo. Don't want the Sours giving up their first and Bonner's expiring for him. The other two could be interesting.
Teams in win now mode won't certainly give up one of their key player for a Spurs deep end of the bench player and a very late first round pick.
Before looking at possible trades, you had to look at the state of the other team. Teams that aren't in rebuilding/reloading mode aren't good trade partners for Spurs.
The Wizards are in full win now mode, they traded a first to get Gortat, they're not giving up Ariza for picks/scrubs.
Edit : beaten to the punch
I'm with you in terms of being open to getting a player now instead of hoping a star-level free agent chooses the Spurs in 2015. San Antonio hasn't had much luck drawing free agents. Still, Smith has some problems and I don't see any way around giving up Diaw for him. Diaw's been a good fit. Would the Spurs be better with Smith, but without Bonner, Diaw and 1-2 other players? Probably. Still, it'd be nice if a less risky trade could be made.
Nothing is going to happen.
A bit premature. 3rd in rotation on a team trying to make the postseason for the first time in about 1/2 a decade. Its not even All star break. Bennett is fair game though.
The trade had Beli going out instead of Diaw.
Was never all that high on him coming into the draft and he's done nothing to change my opinion.
I think you're overestimating the amount of cap space the Spurs will have to work with in 2015. Conservatively, they'll have around $13 Million if everyone takes less and the Spurs backup PG is on a rookie deal (meaning no Mills or Joseph). That also doesn't count Duncan or Ginobili making more than the minimum/room exception. There is a real possibility Parker or Green walk in the chaos.
Contrast that with having the FA target already on the the roster this season. Parker would get an extension this summer. Mills would stay, and so could Diaw and Green the next year. And the team can bring in their picks instead of stashing them. Plus, they'd still have the MLE, LLE and Manu's and Tim's Bird rights. Much better.
I'm sympathetic to the idea that Smith isn't a good fit for the roster. But it's disingenuous in my opinion to say the Spurs' strategy is futureproof just because it's been successful in the Duncan era. By and large, it hasn't been any more successful than you would expect from having three HoFers for the last decade. It took years to finally find a championship supporting cast. Sure, being a small market had something to do with it, but so has the general aversion to attacking their problems with talent. It's not even about money, since the Medium Three and Diaw made as much as Manu did last year. It's about them being too concerned about keeping character and waiting until they have no leverage to go all in.
Also, Smith is not making near the max. He's anywhere from $3 to 7 Million short of it. He's making significantly less than Love would make on a max deal ($17.7 Million starting out) so would make. It doesn't make sense to say to just give Love Smith's money.
You think the Wizards are in "win now mode"? If so, it sucks to be them, because there isn't enough talent there to win anything... IMO of course. I also suspect that they will have trouble retaining Ariza this summer. He's had rings and made money ($44 Million to date). He's a relatively respected veteran - second tier teams will be in for him. If he wants a chance to ring, he's leaving. And there will be money around from teams that loses the Melo chase...
I missed it. Thanks. I definitely like the trade better with Belinelli than with Diaw. That's a lot of shooting going out though. Better hope Green and Mills are on in the playoffs and Kawhi has a shooting resurgence.
They obviously are. Just look at their last moves and where they are on the standings.
The Wizards are a 3rd seed team at best and would actually be a tough matchup for the Pacers and Heat in the playoffs. I doubt they take Cory or Nando. They would obviously want Patty if they need a backup PG.
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