Tim Duncan decision coming [UPDATE: Opts in]

[Baam]

Although thinking of that second year as a reward is sort of concerning. That implied that the team is simply giving Tim some extra money for retirement rather than him possibly playing in 2015. I don't really mind that, obviously. Tim's earned more money than the Spurs can legally give him.

The question really is: Why would the Spurs WANT to lower his cap number? Even if they are just giving Tim send-off money, they could could/should make his 2014 cap number as big as possible to preserve 2015 cap space.

Or maybe they're trying to create cap space now as opposed to next year...

[Old School 44]

It's absolutely amazing that Tim Duncan at age 38 can basically claim any salary he wants from the Spurs next year, and I don't think one person would object to it. Pop probably just handed him a blank contract and said, "Mr. Holt said just fill in whatever you want, and just tell us where to sign."

[vander]

Although thinking of that second year as a reward is sort of concerning. That implied that the team is simply giving Tim some extra money for retirement rather than him possibly playing in 2015. I don't really mind that, obviously. Tim's earned more money than the Spurs can legally give him.

The question really is: Why would the Spurs WANT to lower his cap number? Even if they are just giving Tim send-off money, they could could/should make his 2014 cap number as big as possible to preserve 2015 cap space.

going after a FA no?

[Clipper Nation]

"I'm taking my talents to the Clippers." - Timmy

[benefactor]

[Chinook]

Or maybe they're trying to create cap space now as opposed to next year...

going after a FA no?

Yeah. That's what I was saying earlier. I can't see them creating more than $4 Million, though. That would give the Spurs $14 Million to use, but with Diaw, Mills and Baynes to re-sign and about $8.5 Million in exceptions to use, I don't see that as being enough.

[Baam]

The Spurs are going after Melo

[spurraider21]

"I'm taking my talents to the Clippers." - Timmy

nah, you guys like selfies more than banners anyway

[Baam]

Yeah. That's what I was saying earlier. I can't see them creating more than $4 Million, though. That would give the Spurs $14 Million to use, but with Diaw, Mills and Baynes to re-sign and about $8.5 Million in exceptions to use, I don't see that as being enough.

I don't think Mills and Baynes matter one bit... But yeah that seems a little low for anything really major...

Maybe they salary dump Beli...

[TampaDude]

The Spurs are going after Melo

Nope...not a chance in of that happening.

[dbreiden83080]

Timmy going for #6..

[littlecoyotecoin]

going after a FA no?

It definitely makes the FA situation this year more interesting, I would think. Most thought we could sign Patty and Boris, PROBABLY, before this. Now what?

[Emperor]

Or perhaps they're making room to include Gasol and use the MLE for someone else?

[TampaDude]

Timmy going for #6..

^ this, tbh

[kidd_91]

going after a FA no?

Imagine this headline later today, Spurs Sports & Entertainment announce Tim Duncan taking less to help sign Lebron James. The internet would break.

[DesignatedT]

Or maybe he fully intends to play two more years and doesn't want to deal with the questions anymore.

[Mel_13]

Regardless of the actual impact, if this is true and Tim takes less money (even though it's more guaranteed because of the extra year) he would reach philanthropist status.

I don't know about that, but it would make him a de facto member of the ownership group.

[vander]

Yeah. That's what I was saying earlier. I can't see them creating more than $4 Million, though. That would give the Spurs $14 Million to use, but with Diaw, Mills and Baynes to re-sign and about $8.5 Million in exceptions to use, I don't see that as being enough.

well I still think Spurs will keep Mills/Diaw for less than market price. at the very least Spurs can sign them to longer-than-deserved contracts at a lower rate. all that matters is 2015, till the wheels fall off, etc.

call me crazy, I've got my fingers crossed for Stephenson.

if Spurs could get him and get his mind right, there would be almost no rebuilding period IMO

[spurraider21]

Or perhaps they're making room to include Gasol and use the MLE for someone else?

if im not mistaken you can't sign FA's with cap space AND use the MLE in the same offseason. if we resign all our guys, we can use the full MLE on pau, if that was the plan. but if thats the case duncan taking a paycut would literally only benefit holt, and not our roster

[davidbowie]

tim really is the greatest ever if this is true

HERO. GOAT. LEGEND.

[spurraider21]

Or maybe he fully intends to play two more years and doesn't want to deal with the questions anymore.

he could have just opted in for a year and signed a 1 year extension. there's no purpose to taking less money this year unless they plan to use that cap space on a FA, but not sure who we can really go after tbh

[Mel_13]

Yeah. That's what I was saying earlier. I can't see them creating more than $4 Million, though. That would give the Spurs $14 Million to use, but with Diaw, Mills and Baynes to re-sign and about $8.5 Million in exceptions to use, I don't see that as being enough.

Or they've abandoned any intention of creating cap space this year or next year. Bring back the same group, augment with the MLE, and stay well below the tax line. That's what I meant earlier with my opinion that a lower 2014-15 salary for Duncan increases the probability that both Boris and Patty are retained.

[dbreiden83080]

he could have just opted in for a year and signed a 1 year extension. there's no purpose to taking less money this year unless they plan to use that cap space on a FA, but not sure who we can really go after tbh

Just put us in the best spot to re-sign everyone we got..

[DPG21920]

I don't know about that, but it would make him a de facto member of the ownership group.

I get that Timmy has made a ton of money (I've argued this with others on here), but with him sticking in SA his entire career and forgoing several endorsement opportunities (due to market and his own personal decisions) what he's done the past few years has been huge. He didn't need the massive paycuts in order to win before, but they have been critical as of late to keep the team in contention.

St. Duncan IMVHO

[DesignatedT]

he could have just opted in for a year and signed a 1 year extension. there's no purpose to taking less money this year unless they plan to use that cap space on a FA, but not sure who we can really go after tbh

Taking less money never serves zero purpose. It might not effect what the Spurs are technically capable of doing this summer but it still makes it easier for the ownership group to fork out a bunch of money for Patty and Boris. Seeing your payroll as low as possible always helps.

Second, he might fully intend to play two years and doesn't want the media to turn this into a farewell tour like so many people would.