Spurs contact Pau Gasol reportedly

[Kindergarten Cop]

While most assume that Chicago is the most likely destination for Gasol because they can supposedly offer more money, I'm curious where this money is coming from exactly and how they can offer him significantly more than the MLE. They currently have around $70.3M in guaranteed contracts plus more than $3M slotted for Mirotic and McDermott. I've heard that they can offer Gasol the $10-$12M that he's asking for, but even if they amnesty Boozer's $16.8M contract (which I find it hard to believe that Reinsdorf does, at least for Gasol) they would be at ~$56.5M (or around $6.6M below the cap). How do they shed the extra $3.5-$4M? Or am I missing something? I know that they could find a trading partner to take Butler or Dunleavy and not take any contracts back, but would that really be worth it just to get Pau? Would Pau want that?

I apologize for all of the questions, but I was just curious if anyone could clarify this with so many people tossing out the "Chicago can offer more money than the Spurs and OKC". Thanks in advance.

EDIT: I know all of this is moot if the Bulls can convince the Lakers to do a sign-and-trade involving Boozer and Gasol.

[Jdspur20]

Couldn't the spurs offer him more money after next season if he signed for 1 year at the full MLE?

[Kindergarten Cop]

Couldn't the spurs offer him more money after next season if he signed for 1 year at the full MLE?

Yes, if Duncan and Manu both walk off into the sunset.

[Spur|n|Austin]

Couldn't the spurs offer him more money after next season if he signed for 1 year at the full MLE?

Yes, and this is most likely a key "selling point" for the FO if they are truly doing any heavy pulling on this to go through.

[ViceCity84]

Starting to think this might happen.

[slick'81]

The Knicks don't have any xtra money to throw at gasol ,Jackson just thinks he can talk him into it.chicago is dangerous because they can cut or trade boozer in order to free up $$ for gasol .the lakers of course can offer him the most $$ right now

[Seventyniner]

Couldn't the spurs offer him more money after next season if he signed for 1 year at the full MLE?

They can't promise it, though. The Wolves got in trouble with the league for signing Joe Smith to three consecutive one-year contracts (iirc) to get his Bird rights even though they had no cap room.

[Mugen]

I'll be very, VERY surprised if he doesn't go back to LA for twice the MLE when it's all said and done.

[pgardn]

I'll be very, VERY surprised if he doesn't go back to LA for twice the MLE when it's all said and done.

[Jdspur20]

Yes, and this is most likely a key "selling point" for the FO if they are truly doing any heavy pulling on this to go through.

Even if Duncan and Manu come back, would they make as much as they do now is the question. Honestly, I see Manu retiring before Duncan.

[gambit1990]

Starting to think this might happen.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

Come on Pau!

[gambit1990]

but i don't know how much chicago and new york can offer him.

[xmas1997]

but i don't know how much chicago and new york can offer him.

More.

[FireMicoHalili]

I agree with you. The Lakers would only have 4 mil in cap space to fill the required 8 more positions (13 players) on their team. That is why I see him going back to NY. Which basically leave the Spurs at the frontrunners until Chicago does commit to Amnestying Boozer which I have said before would be asinine if they do.

Boozer is the only guy the in a solid contributor on that team that has been able to stay healthy for most of the season. Do the Bulls really think a PF that has been injured the past couple of seasons is really going to take them over the top. And the fact that you will have to spend 27mil this year to get him and have Gibson at 8mil on the roster as well.

Worth mentioning most of his injuries last season were "respiratory infections" and/or vertigo. Respiratory infection probably the common cold, so I don't know whether he lacked motivation or LAL brass just wanted to shelf him; I'd be a bit concerned if it were the former.

[Kindergarten Cop]

but i don't know how much chicago and new york can offer him.

More.

Chicago can offer more if they amnesty Boozer, but Knicks can only offer ~$3.28M.

[gambit1990]

Chicago can offer more if they amnesty Boozer, but Knicks can only offer ~$3.5M.

so chicago can potentially offer the most, then the spurs at a little over $5 million, then the knicks. how about la and okc?

[Kindergarten Cop]

so chicago can potentially offer the most, then the spurs at a little over $5 million, then the knicks. how about la and okc?

The Lakers can actually offer the most (theoretically, they could offer him the max if they wanted to). The other offers: Chicago (supposedly ~$10M if they amnesty Boozer), OKC ($6.5M via Trade Exception, but likely only MLE), Spurs (MLE), and Knicks ($3.28M).

[Big P]

LA can pay him more than any other team and okc has the same amount we do.

[SpursFan86]

Been hearing that Chicago is getting close to a deal with Mirotic...you'd have to think that would take them out of the Pau race, no? Although a Noah/Pau/Taj Gibson/Mirotic big rotation would be pretty damn good.

I honestly think it'll come down to LA or us, with LA being the clear favorites since they can offer far more money + Kobe/Pau's relationship.

[Spur|n|Austin]

Even if Duncan and Manu come back, would they make as much as they do now is the question. Honestly, I see Manu retiring before Duncan.

Yeah, that is a good question - I would imagine that they take significant pay cuts. I also agree with you, Manu def has less tread on his tires than Timmy, and TD takes better care of his body.

[Kindergarten Cop]

Yeah, that is a good question - I would imagine that they take significant pay cuts. I also agree with you, Manu def has less tread on his tires than Timmy, and TD takes better care of his body.

Their style of play contributes a great deal to the longevity of their careers as well. Ginobili is just so darned reckless - which is what makes him so great, yet so prone to injury.

[EIC]

I don't see why Pau would go to the Lakers. Literally the ONLY player they have worth a is Kobe and he's going to play, if at all, one or two more years. And do they even have a coach yet? The Lakers have been an unmitigated disaster since Phil left and the front office has shown Pau nothing but ambivalence. If he re-signs with the Lakers, he's too stupid to deserve a spot on the Spurs' roster anyway, IMO.*

*Assuming his goal is to win another ring, not maximize his income.

[spurraider21]

I don't see why Pau would go to the Lakers. Literally the ONLY player they have worth a is Kobe and he's going to play, if at all, one or two more years. And do they even have a coach yet? The Lakers have been an unmitigated disaster since Phil left and the front office has shown Pau nothing but ambivalence. If he resigns with the Lakers, he's too stupid to deserve a spot on the Spurs' roster anyway, IMO.*

*Assuming his goal is to win another ring, not maximize his income.

bingo

[heyheymymy]

Spurs fan is still on a major high, so I don't blame them for feeling good about next season.

But damn, I can't believe how fast y'all are willing to move on from what happened not even a month ago today. We won the goddamn CHAMPIONSHIP, you know - the thing you've been 'craving' since 2007 - and most of you are debating about what SA should do next season? I'm going to be Mr.Obvious here, but you can't get any higher than a NBA championship. Think about that. Spurs were the best team in the league last season, who knows when we'll be able to say that again? Considering injury chances, regression via age, free-agency losses, etc.

Seriously, we ed about 6 about 10x longer than we have celebrated 5

prime going HAM from the heart A+