Spurs contact Pau Gasol reportedly

[xmas1997]

I would be very surprised if Gasol becomes a Spur, very very surprised.

[DesignatedT]

I would be very surprised if Gasol becomes a Spur, very very surprised.

All things considered, everyone should be surprised if it were to happen. It's unlikely. Everyone seems to realize that. We can dream though!

[AFBlue]

The Spurs would be crazy not to consider Pau for MLE, but I seriously question the fit alongside Duncan and/or Splitter.

[Marcus Bryant]

Would be great fit plus you have nice 4 man 4/5 rotation with Diaw that would keep everyone's minutes manageable during the regular season.

[DPG21920]

Basically they can spend a bit more than the Spurs, but that would push them over the tax threshold (which they have never shown a willingness to pay before). Considering the savings due to no state income tax in Texas, money would be a "push" between OKC and SA.

EDIT: I guess the "bit more" that I mentioned would come via a S/T using their trade exception, right?

Correct - the only tool OKC has (as currently constructed) to offer more than Pau is the Trade Exception. Unless they shed salary, then using that TE puts them in the luxury tax. However, it might not be that difficult for them to shed that salary..

[DPG21920]

Crazy that people are questioning the fit of Pau. It's even crazier they are questioning the fit given the fact that if he is a Spurs it would be for the MLE most likely so who cares.

[baseline bum]

Sure, for what the Spurs have in cap flexibility, which is unlikely.

Anyways, Spurs need to use the MLE on backcourt depth with the Mills and Ginobili injuries.

Mike Miller or Steve Blake would be nice, and while I think MLE is their price range, I'm not sure they'd want to come here for limited minutes. I ing hate Carter and wouldn't want him here. Marion could be interesting.

[cd021]

What is that in dollars? 4.5 million?

$5.3 million over 3 (about $16 million)

[cd021]

lets get perkins

worst big man in the NBA just awful

[BadOne]

What's the cap situation now that Mills is re-signed? I assume Diaw would get the rest at which point the MLE become available, is that right? I would definitely offer the full MLE to Pau. Wonder what we could do to shed Ayer's contract.

[Mr. Body]

If Pau comes I can see Splitter getting traded. I don't know how you keep so many big men happy with PT. But hey, stranger things have happened.

[DPG21920]

$5.3 million over 3 (about $16 million)

You can do a 4th year as well.

[DesignatedT]

You can do a 4th year as well.

What's the rule on possibly front loading an MLE contract and adding a player option at the end of it?

[TheGoldStandard]

You can do a 4th year as well.

That's a little bit of insurance for an aging player.

[TheGoldStandard]

If Pau comes I can see Splitter getting traded. I don't know how you keep so many big men happy with PT. But hey, stranger things have happened.

splitter is passive and wouldn't complain.

[DPG21920]

What's the cap situation now that Mills is re-signed? I assume Diaw would get the rest at which point the MLE become available, is that right? I would definitely offer the full MLE to Pau. Wonder what we could do to shed Ayer's contract.

Without knowing Patty's exact contract details, it's really difficult to be 100% accurate, but the cap is really not that relevant. Even assuming Patty's contract is a flat 4M a year, that puts the Spurs at 57.5M in true salary (not including cap holds).

Spurs don't really need "cap space" to sign Boris, but they can sign him to really whatever he wants (assuming a realistic estimate). At that point, assuming that Boris's deal doesn't put the team over the Luxury Tax (no chance), MLE comes into play.

Shedding Ayres really doesn't do anything for the Spurs in reality since they don't appear to be pursuing cap space. However, if they do want cap space, then moving Ayres/CoJo/Daye become more important. As does renouncing Boris and Matt Bonner. and retracting the qualifying offer to Baynes. Then delaying signing Mills until they use their cap space.

[DPG21920]

If Pau comes I can see Splitter getting traded. I don't know how you keep so many big men happy with PT. But hey, stranger things have happened.

Well, putting our best guessing hats on and speaking anecdotally, one would assume a positive factor in Pau choosing the Spurs would be minutes being managed. Most everyone seems to enjoy it as it keeps you fresh and prolongs your career. On top of that, Tim's future is not clear and a lot of minutes may open up in year 2 or 3 or 4.

[DesignatedT]

If Pau comes I can see Splitter getting traded. I don't know how you keep so many big men happy with PT. But hey, stranger things have happened.

Well it could only be crowded for one year depending on what Tim decides but he indicated he seriously thought about calling it a career this off season and I personally think this will probably be his last year.

[ducks]

that is why I am not sold on gasol coming unless they promise gasol will play more next season with Duncan gone

[TheGoldStandard]

Our medical crew aside from Phoenix is also top notch. I doubt Pop cares but given the opportunity there is much that Pau could provide off the bench.

[BadOne]

Without knowing Patty's exact contract details, it's really difficult to be 100% accurate, but the cap is really not that relevant. Even assuming Patty's contract is a flat 4M a year, that puts the Spurs at 57.5M in true salary (not including cap holds).

Spurs don't really need "cap space" to sign Boris, but they can sign him to really whatever he wants (assuming a realistic estimate). At that point, assuming that Boris's deal doesn't put the team over the Luxury Tax (no chance), MLE comes into play.

Shedding Ayres really doesn't do anything for the Spurs in reality since they don't appear to be pursuing cap space. However, if they do want cap space, then moving Ayres/CoJo/Daye become more important. As does renouncing Boris and Matt Bonner. and retracting the qualifying offer to Baynes. Then delaying signing Mills until they use their cap space.

DPG wit that goodz indeed. Thx man. Perhaps I'd prefer them cut Ayres for the sake of clearing that roster spot, on the off chance Pau would take the full MLE. With the signing of Cotton, that leaves only 1 spot. If Baynes accepts the offer rendered, getting Gasol wouldn't be a possibility unless they cut someone else.

[DesignatedT]

The spurs won't promise anything.

[Russ]

Splitter > Pao

[DPG21920]

What's the rule on possibly front loading an MLE contract and adding a player option at the end of it?

You can't really front load the deal. The first year can be up to 5.305M, then you can have up to 4.5% raises.

[DesignatedT]

Gotcha.