Spurs Shopping Splitter

[Mugen]

Trading him away without a virtual wink wink guarantee from LMA is death knell for the Spurs championship chances next year.

[DPG21920]

I doubt the Spurs trade Splitter until tomorrow at least. They may even have deals lined up already, but they want to see who falls. Could be a surprise like in 2011 where Diaw is traded instead, though.

You may be right. I have to believe Tiago is valued (look at teams wanting him in FA). While he's been injured, it's been over blown and it's been nothing chronic.

I personally would rather it be Boris moved, but we will see. I would not be surprised if the Spurs have deals lined up, but I think they would trade him today too if it was the right deal. I legitimately think they value cap space and will take their shot - I don't think it hinges on a player dropping as much, but it could.

[Chinook]

Trading Diaw would be such a huge mistake, they're going to desperately need his playmaking off the bench if Manu retires. Plus I can't imagine Boris netting much in trade when it's well known he'll quit on a ty team like he did with Charlotte.

The Spurs need a guard to be their play-maker anyway. They need Splitter's defense more. Also, there are some pretty good PFs in the middle of the first, but there aren't a ton of good centers.

[BillMc]

I really hate the idea of trading Splitter as much of a china doll as he is. His pick and roll defense is irreplaceable, as we saw in the Clippers series when he wasn't healthy. If Splitter wasn't so injury prone I wouldn't even entertain the idea of trading him for Aldridge in a sign and trade, much less salary dumping him at the draft before the Spurs can even contact LMA. I don't know if they're really confident in signing LMA or if Pop has just soured on him after his calf injury wrecked the 2014-15 season.

I agree with everything you say. I also think removing Splitter will make Timmy look older on defense. The one area Tim does seems to have aged the most is his lateral quickness. Tiago compensated for that a lot.

[LongtimeSpursFan]

Pop sounded pretty salty when he was talking about a couple of unnamed players not showing up in the playoffs. It's hard to imagine Splitter isn't who he was talking about. I just hope Green wasn't one of them he was pissed at too.

Green has always been on a short string here. I'm sure Pop referenced him when he was talking about players not showing up. Couple of plays during the Clips series Green was nearly at half-court pressing Paul that just left me shaking my head. It's bonehead moves like that that have me wondering about Green.

[look_at_g_shred]

So if Tiago is traded how much does this change the amount we can offer to LMA? Considering Duncan and Manu take what has been reported?

[baseline bum]

The Spurs need a guard to be their play-maker anyway. They need Splitter's defense more. Also, there are some pretty good PFs in the middle of the first, but there aren't a ton of good centers.

I'd agree if Splitter was someone you could actually depend on being able to make it through a season. But the constant nagging injuries make Splitter a real unknown every year. He was a liability in 2013, a top 10 center in 2014, and completely worthless in 2015. I'd rather take the bird in the hand, especially since the Spurs have no shot at a good playmaking guard if they're able to land Aldridge.

[Chinook]

Tiago is very much overrated for his job on the spurs. He does what he is asked to do very well but the comparisons of what we have seen to what we have had in the past is night and day. Gms don't want to trade offense for a big who is oft injured and can't be used in small ball situations.

Splitter's fine in small-ball. He's a center and does perfectly well as the only big. In fact, his offense looks great when he can play PnR with three shooters around him. People forget how awesome he was offensively in that Neal/Manu/Jack/Bonner second unit a few years ago.

[SpurPadre]

Yeah, Splitter was worthless for all but about 15 games this season.

He wasn't 100% when it mattered last year and he'll be 31 next season. It's not a surprise that he's not in high demand as effective as we all know he can be.

[Chinook]

I'd agree if Splitter was someone you could actually depend on being able to make it through a season. But the constant nagging injuries make Splitter a real unknown every year. He was a liability in 2013, a top 5 center in 2014, and completely worthless in 2015. I'd rather take the bird in the hand, especially since the Spurs have no shot at a good playmaking guard if they're able to land Aldridge.

That's a GROSS over-exaggeration

[K...]

The market for him should be robust however the timing is important. He's useful to quite a few teams even if he's an injury risk. The problem is that there are guys like cousins, f. Jordan, love, Tyson Chandler, etc who could be available, hopefully the market clears up quick and we can determine his draft day value. Hopefully the spurs don't fire sale any player of value. The status quo is decent opportunity cost

[TheGoldStandard]

Was there ever a real explanation of his calf injury?

[RD2191]

Was there ever a real explanation of his calf injury?

Parkeritis. Mysterious injury that comes and goes at the most inopportune time.

[dabom]

Parkeritis. Mysterious injury that comes and goes at the most inopportune time.

must be contagious.lol

[Texas_Ranger]

I won't miss him. The guy is made out of glass and even when 100% he can't be used against some of the teams.

[spurraider21]

Trading him away without a virtual wink wink guarantee from LMA is death knell for the Spurs championship chances next year.

even then, i dont think it makes much sense. if LMA is the plan, its probably smarter to trade Diaw than Splitter

[cd98]

Well if Splitter is as good as we think he is, Spurs should be getting a lot of phone calls. Trading Splitter probably means they've targeted a big in the draft.

[timtonymanu]

Yep, I like Splitter a lot and his defense is too valuable.

It makes no sense to trade him unless we are about to hit a home run.

[DPG21920]

even then, i dont think it makes much sense. if LMA is the plan, its probably smarter to trade Diaw than Splitter

Boris is still really good for SA. While I agree in a perfect world trading Boris instead of Tiago makes sense with LMA, it's about value. If teams prefer Tiago (which they will most likely) over Boris and that's what it takes to get LMA, you have to do it.

[RD2191]

@ not missing Tiago. Dude is the sole reason the Grizz aren't still ting all over the Spurs.

[TheGoldStandard]

@ not missing Tiago. Dude is the sole reason the Grizz aren't still ting all over the Spurs.

Helps that bonner isn't the starter either.

[apalisoc_9]

Parkeritis. Mysterious injury that comes and goes at the most inopportune time.

[look_at_g_shred]

He ain't coming. Change the avi

[313]

I won't miss him. The guy is made out of glass and even when 100% he can't be used against some of the teams.

[Juan]

Splitter has had his minutes managed his whole career and still can't stay healthy. What good is he if he can't stay on the court and he isn't getting any younger. Would people really blame the Spurs for trying to move him if the team doctors are possibly saying that he will always have this lingering leg/calf/back issue as long as he plays? He's had the issue his whole career up to this point. A wise individual would think it would continue to get worse as he ages.

Love Tiago but there's just as much a chance he he's traded and makes a very minimal impact wherever he ends up.