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

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Might be a little longer... IIRC, players can't sign until July 10, which I suppose gives them a little more drama time to toy with teams...

There's also no certainty they're meeting on the first day, and even then, the Spurs will have to work some Riley-esque magic through trades to sign him and retain Green, which may take awhile.

[Sean Cagney]

Thanks for bringing this up. I hate it when people don't bring this up, or use it as an example for big name free agent signings not working out. That was pretty much one of the only seasons I was happy with the free agent signings that the Spurs made after winning the Championship the year before. If only Tony Massenburg could have come back, then I would have been 100% satisfied and happy with that off-season.

I always want the Spurs to reload after a Championship and I thought they had a great off-season there. Some people say that it was a failure and it didn't work out, but I disagree completely. As far as I'm concerned, that off season was a success and that team was the best team in the NBA. Definitely should have won the Championship and I'm still pissed about it anytime I see footage of Miami celebrating.

There's so many things that ed the Spurs over. Pop going small, Pop playing Van Exel over Beno when Van Exel clearly didn't have it, the horrendous officiating in the Dallas series in the 4th quarters of games 3 and 4 on the road with critical bad calls that fouled Tim and Manu out when they were both dominating the quarter, Tim having plantar fasciitis (playing through it and still playing well), Manu's foul etc. That team was definitely the best in the NBA that year and they should have won it. That is a definite championship that was left on the table IMO.

I never make excuses or blame the refs so much, but that series against Dallas to this day still pisses me off because the calls were insane! I remember Charles after game 3 or 4 saying NBA REFS SUCK, that still sticks out to me to this day. That was a horribly called series man, Mavs fans to this day have some nerve complaining over the finals when they got gifted a game or two that series and conveniently forget about that series there for some reason? They should have never been in the finals to get cheated, period. BTW to me that was Tims best series ever, I think he even said it was the best series he played? He put up 33 or so PPG and shot over 56%, insane! That on a bad foot. That is the only le that bothers me in which should have been (More so than 013 believe it or not), that was their threepeat there, period.

[BatManu20]

Any takers?

[BatManu20]

majority of Spurfan are way too confident about signing Aldridge right now

[Robz4000]

majority of Spurfan are way too confident about signing Aldridge right now

Eh, they have a right to. With all the talk around it there's definitely something there as opposed to past FA pursuits. If he signs cool, if not the Spurs hopefully resign all the key cogs and make another go of it. My only concern is if they get LMA and Green leaves. Don't think that team can truly contend.

[hooperflash]

Doesn't look too bad. Gonna have to get a new # though...

23.

[Silver&Black]

My only concern is if they get LMA and Green leaves. Don't think that team can truly contend.

Would be the end of "WingStop"

[Robz4000]

Would be the end of "WingStop"

Oh , forgot about det. Wingstop must remain open for business

[Silver&Black]

Oh , forgot about det. Wingstop must remain open for business

At all costs Robz....at all costs.

[HI-FI]

Eh, they have a right to. With all the talk around it there's definitely something there as opposed to past FA pursuits. If he signs cool, if not the Spurs hopefully resign all the key cogs and make another go of it. My only concern is if they get LMA and Green leaves. Don't think that team can truly contend.

this.

[BatManu20]

[hater]

Word on the Streets of Envigado Medellin Is That Is going to da Lakers

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

I see a lot of talk about the Spurs not trading Splitter during the draft. OF COURSE THEY WEREN'T. As I said a month ago, if they trade Splitter, it will be directly to Portland in a Sign and Trade. This way the Spurs can have the Bird Rights to LMA and still be able to retain Green and all the rest of their FA (w/ bird rights) at any price.

Portland would love to have Splitter as he would perfectly compliment Lillard's pnr game as Lopez is a horrible finisher around the rim. Splitter is an upgrade for the offensive and defensive end over Lopez and he would probably cheaper to have at this point.

IMO, if the Spurs land LMA it will be trading Splitter directly to Portland. Possibly throw in Cojo (via Sign and Trade) or some other player to make the salaries work. Portland will be giving up more salary than taking on, so they probably get a Trade exception as well for this trade.

[spurspokesman]

There has been legit reports that indicated he's interested in playing for the Spurs. Not to mention, he has a son in SA. Who knows? He may not end up coming here. It's just silly how people think he won't come here simply because the Spurs have been rejected by big names too many times before.

+1. After striking out so much you eventually hit something.

[baseline bum]

Not nearly as ed up as Bonner and Ayres having rings unlike HOFs like Ewing, Barkley, Stockton, and Malone...Well Malone and Barkley, actually, but still.

Ewing had his chance, and decided to shoot 36% against a pretty average Rockets team. Sucks for Stockton though, he was trying to drag Malone kicking and screaming to a ring in 98 with that three he hit to take a three point lead with 41 seconds left in Game 6. And then Warm Karl got stripped on the block and ended up laying on the floor as Jordan took away Stockton's le.

[exstatic]

I see a lot of talk about the Spurs not trading Splitter during the draft. OF COURSE THEY WEREN'T. As I said a month ago, if they trade Splitter, it will be directly to Portland in a Sign and Trade. This way the Spurs can have the Bird Rights to LMA and still be able to retain Green and all the rest of their FA (w/ bird rights) at any price.

Portland would love to have Splitter as he would perfectly compliment Lillard's pnr game as Lopez is a horrible finisher around the rim. Splitter is an upgrade for the offensive and defensive end over Lopez and he would probably cheaper to have at this point.

IMO, if the Spurs land LMA it will be trading Splitter directly to Portland. Possibly throw in Cojo (via Sign and Trade) or some other player to make the salaries work. Portland will be giving up more salary than taking on, so they probably get a Trade exception as well for this trade.

For the latest CBA, the NBA further rigged the game for the "home" team, so that free agents stay put. Portland can S&T him, and he will get the higher raise rate, but a S&T costs the player that extra year that he can get "at home".

[spurspokesman]

I felt bad for guys like Terry Porter and Antonio McDyess who busted their ass with the Spurs to get a ring but came up short.

My thoughts also. I really wanted one for Dice.

[littlecoyotecoin]

Not sure if it affects their plan at all, but the Mavs just drafted Justin Anderson, who's pretty much a Danny Green clone.

Impossible. Danny Green is irreplaceable at any price.

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

For the latest CBA, the NBA further rigged the game for the "home" team, so that free agents stay put. Portland can S&T him, and he will get the higher raise rate, but a S&T costs the player that extra year that he can get "at home".

But I think he is going to Sign and Trade on a three year deal w/ a player option after the first. This would allow LMA to opt out and resign with the Spurs for more in 2016 when the CAP increases by 20 mil.

I don't think LMA is thinking Long term with this first contract. Same with Love and many other FA. They are looking for only two year-deals with a PO after the 1st. LMA on paper needs to be a 3 year deal, but it essentially would only be a 1 year deal.

Most teams would never agree with a deal that allowed for a player option after the 1st year, but because of the 2016 cap situation, most teams are going to obliged these players in this coming FA.

Teams seemed to really want Splitter. Don't blamed them. Like I said, he is a top 3 Big man defender in this league when he is healthy. It would hurt losing Splitter, but the Spurs need more offense at this point, with TP decline (due to age) and Duncan not sticking around for ever.

Spurs drafting two Centers in this draft essentially tells you they are looking for someone to replace Splitter in the future.

[look_at_g_shred]

Only 2 more days until this dream becomes a reality.

Fap fap fap (no )

[look_at_g_shred]

If he really wants to win, which it seems like he does, I'm sure he's willing to work with the Spurs when they say look bro, we could give you the money your looking for but the team is gonna essentially be the trailblazers, where as if you sacrifice a few million the first year, we'll have all the peices intact to compete for a championship.

[look_at_g_shred]

Cuz if the dude is really aiming for the money, isn't he better off just staying in POR? They're the only team who can offer him the most correct?

[K...]

Cuz if the dude is really aiming for the money, isn't he better off just staying in POR? They're the only team who can offer him the most correct?

True except for the cap rise. If there were no cap rise, yes. But if he wants a short term contract to time free agency the blazers advantage disappears

[look_at_g_shred]

True except for the cap rise. If there were no cap rise, yes. But if he wants a short term contract to time free agency the blazers advantage disappears

If that's the case, then why doesn't he just sign one more year with POR and wait for FA next summer?

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

If that's the case, then why doesn't he just sign one more year with POR and wait for FA next summer?

Because you can tell he doesn't like the fact that their GM said they wanted to build the team around Lillard. Plus his son is starting school. Before, he could travel whenever to visit his father. Now, LMA won't be able to see only on vacation days and during the Summer.

LMA best scenario if HE WANTS TO LEAVE PORTLAND, is to be S&T to another team. Probably will be a 4 year deal just for security reason, but with a player option after the first.

Going to Texas also means he makes more money than even staying in Portland due to the State Income situation.

If you look at all the trade able assets of the Texas teams (that aren't franchise players), Splitter is by far the best option for Portland as he is an elite defender and he is a top 5 player in the PnR offensive efficiency, something that would compliment Lillard. There is a reason Portland wanted Splitter a few years ago as well.

If the Spurs get LMA, I would about 90% positive at this point that it will be for a S&T involving Splitter.