Marc Stein: Spurs are #1 on LaMarcus Aldridge's list

[RD2191]

I trust the Spurs. I know they aren't dumb enough to move Splitter unless they can sign a defensive center.

[DPG21920]

It has been widely assumed in league circles that the Spurs would be forced to try to trade veteran forward Tiago Splitter to help create the needed salary-cap flexibility to handle the max deals San Antonio has earmarked for Leonard (and the likes of Aldridge or Memphis' Marc Gasol) and still have room to accommodate Duncan and Ginobili at reduced salaries, if the latter two choose to play on. But sources told ESPN.com that the Spurs actually rebuffed trade interest from teams hoping to pry Splitter away in conjunction with Thursday's NBA draft, raising the possibility that Splitter might stick around.

The futures are less clear for Spurs sharpshooters Danny Green and Marco Belinelli, two unrestricted free agents who played pivotal roles off the bench in helping San Antonio make back-to-back trips to the NBA Finals in 2013 and 2014 -- and win it all in '14 in a second consecutive Finals showdown with the Miami Heat.

Just stunning. I really, really hope Spurs aren't letting Danny go. Of course, if they are letting Danny go, I would rather them have Tiago for the C position, but they should be able to just let one of Tiago and Danny go and IMO it should be Tiago.

Damn, I was not expecting this at all - especially if they turned down actual offers to move up in the draft and clear the cap space. They have easily earned the right to be trusted, but wow. It must mean they really have no idea if LMA/Gasol will come and are not even thinking of taking a risk.

Good news is there is interest in Splitter.

[cd98]

Also, I don't think Spurs can part with both Green and Belinelli. They need shooting, and if they lose those two, basically their three point shooting goes way down. They'll need one of those two and hopefully can replace the other with a cheaper option in free agency. I'm guessing they do everything within reason to sign Danny as they will have a hard time replacing his defense and three point shooting.

[K...]

Maybe they have a deal and it's better than draft picks. Maybe

[SpursFan86]

I'm not sure it necessarily means they plan on letting Danny walk. I think they're just being prudent and and making sure LMA is actually intending on signing here before trading off a bunch of guys. It would've been terrible if we traded Splitter on draft night with the sole intention of freeing up cap space, and then Aldridge ends up going to Dallas or some .

If it comes down to letting Green walk vs. trading Splitter, it seems like a no-brainer to me. We already have Duncan + Diaw + LMA (in the scenario he chooses to come here, obviously)...who the would our starting SG be if Green doesn't return? Obviously not Manu. Mills? No thanks.

[raybies]

What I don't understand is if they like Splitter more than Danny, why not draft at least one wing for insurance. Instead we drafted two bigs. IMO they didn't get an offer they liked. Teams probably low balled them or they didn't like any prospects available. They could just be making a stand to drive up value for him in case they really do need to trade them. Just don't see how that's smart cause they would have lil leverage. They would have to find a team that really wanted him.

[DPG21920]

Other than the Tiago/Danny news, this is the first national account of Tim & Manu. It was also great to hear (even if it's not confirmed) that Tim/Manu seem to be willing to do what it takes financially to make things works as best as possible.

It's huge with Tim's money, but just as much for Manu. It would be even more amazing if the Spurs do what we have discussed (sign Tim, keep TP/Boris/Kyle/KL/Green while having LMA come into the fold.) Then add Manu to that unexpectedly?

[SpursFan86]

What I don't understand is if they like Splitter more than Danny, why not draft at least one wing for insurance. Instead we drafted two bigs. IMO they didn't get an offer they liked. Teams probably low balled them or they didn't like any prospects available. They could just be making a stand to drive up value for him in case they really do need to trade them. Just don't see how that's smart cause they would have lil leverage. They would have to find a team that really wanted him.

Again, I think they're just being cautious. Even if we free up enough room to offer LMA the max, it's far from a given at this point that he'd choose SA. What happens when they trade Splitter, LMA ends up choosing somewhere else, and we're stuck with Diaw/Duncan being our only competent bigs? I guess we would likely keep Baynes in that scenario, but it's not like a Diaw/Duncan/Baynes rotation is impressive either.

[DPG21920]

My only concern is letting Green go. I really hope that's not the case.

I can definitely understand why SA wouldn't move Tiago until they get the ok. Sure, getting a top 20 pick (speculating) for Tiago which free's up the cap space and gives you a shot at cheap talent is great, but not worth the risk. That player they drafted while cheap, isn't any more likely to contribute than a min level player they can sign and it's the same amount of money anyways.

Unless there was someone who blew you away like Kawhi, you can't take that risk.

[Juan]

Wouldn't read too much into this. IMO this just means Aldridge has not committed to the Spurs 100% yet and the Spurs would never get rid of Splitter without assurance from Aldridge that he's signing. They would be fools to do so. Article doesn't shed insight into anything other than Aldridge is clearly still undecided

[Mr. Body]

I really don't want to see Green go. He's a tremendous starter for us, really. I'm firmly in the camp of giving up Splitter for Aldridge if necessary. But if a team can dump a pick for Splitter last night, as suggested, they may be happy to give future picks.

Teams overrate their current picks and discount their future ones. It could be good to take advantage.

[Outlier]

I'd rather lose Green than Splitter if we were able to get Aldridge. All that front court depth. And synergy with Aldridge and Splitter for the future... Theyre both 30?

[SpursFan86]

I'd rather lose Green than Splitter if we were able to get Aldridge. All that front court depth. And synergy with Aldridge and Splitter for the future... Theyre both 30?

All that frontcourt depth...and absolutely terrible guard depth.

Makes no sense to choose Splitter over Green. Aldridge/Duncan/Diaw is a fantastic rotation already. Our SG situation is abysmal without Green. What are we going to do, start Manu? Start Mills at SG? Sign some random scrub for the minimum and have him be a starter on a supposed le contender?

It'd be a huge mistake to choose Splitter over Green. Not to mention Splitter's health is an issue, whereas Danny hasn't even missed 20 games over the past 4 seasons combined.

[bklynspursfan]

Could also be that they're holding off on trades until they get a promise from Aldridge.

This is what I'm hoping/assuming

[Outlier]

Shooters are easy to find. Bring Duncan off the bench, it makes sense because his game and Aldridge don't mix. Youre underrating that aspect of having an all star PF for all of 48 minutes with complementing big men in Diaw and Splitter. We'd absolutely wreck teams.

[Outlier]

You can find more serviceable guards in free agency for cheap than serviceable big men. Fact. You'd have to s at least 8 mil for an average big man.

[Outlier]

We cant depend on Duncan anymore to carry us with his superhuman ability during the playoffs. Its not fair to him.

[BillMc]

This is what I'm hoping/assuming

Me too.

[Malik Hairston]

Shooters are easy to find. Bring Duncan off the bench, it makes sense because his game and Aldridge don't mix. Youre underrating that aspect of having an all star PF for all of 48 minutes with complementing big men in Diaw and Splitter. We'd absolutely wreck teams.

it's 2015, wing depth is much more valuable than big depth, at this point..

Spurs' defense with Parker/random SG/Aldridge/Duncan would fall off a cliff..

[look_at_g_shred]

People who are saying to let green go cause we can find shooter easily are beyond crazy! When it comes to green, his shooting is the last thing that comes to mind his defense is what I'm concerned about losing. Sure we could let him go and find another shooter, but there is no way his defense will be replaceable. I've said this before and I'll say it again. If We lose green, we lose our championship aspirations as well regardless if we have LMA/gasol

[FuzzyLumpkins]

it's 2015, wing depth is much more valuable than big depth, at this point..

Spurs' defense with Parker/random SG/Aldridge/Duncan would fall off a cliff..

Aldridge is not ever going to make an all defensive team but the Blazers have played pretty good team defense the past few years with Lillard and Matthews as on the ball defenders 40+ mins a night. Backups like Williams and Blake have compounded that. Batum was dynamic but Lopez and Matthew have trouble with quickness. Lillard is one of the weakest defenders I have ever seen. Watching him 'fight' through ball screens, I don't blame LA wanting to leave.

Aldridge is not a shot blocker but he would be more than capable of the positional get your hands up and cut off penetration rotation that we ask our PF and C to run. I don't think replacement level talent is much worse than what he has seen from the guards he has been playing with. He isn't a plodder and he is one of the better defensive rebounders in the NBA.

[Outlier]

it's 2015, wing depth is much more valuable than big depth, at this point..

Spurs' defense with Parker/random SG/Aldridge/Duncan would fall off a cliff..

The Spurs always set their own trend and the rest of the league follows. Not the other way around.

[AFBlue]

Could also be that they're holding off on trades until they get a promise from Aldridge.

This. Why would the Spurs trade Splitter without assurance they can land Aldridge? Once that is determined there should be no problem trading Splitter...a serviceable big on a manageable contract.

[AFBlue]

Plus, if it plays out that Green signs elsewhere before Aldridge makes his decision, the Spurs could trade Splitter for guard depth. He's a good trade asset.

[Chinook]

Plus, if it plays out that Green signs elsewhere before Aldridge makes his decision, the Spurs could trade Splitter for guard depth. He's a good trade asset.

To the Celtics for Dekker and Thornton.