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

[DPG21920]

So the Spurs have a better 2 year window to win than all but maybe 2-3 other teams, then after that will have one of the top young players to build around plus a ton of flexability. I'd say that's appealing and conducive to winning. Nothing's guaranteed but I can't think of any team that has less questions long or short term.

[spurraider21]

Also, if he's interested in extending his career/effectiveness, the Spurs would be the best spot to do so. leonard as a running mate should be appealing because he isn't ball/spotlight dominant

[DPG21920]

Plus if DG stays, KL/DG are proven, young pieces that allow you to build a flexible contender. The core would be there.

[TheGreatYacht]

NBA Lockdown's latest podcast is worth a listen. Marc Stein basically confirms that all signs lead to Aldridge picking the Spurs. The Mavs chasing Deandre Jordan basically confirms it as well.

Just give it time IMO. PATFO didn't draft a guy similar to Tiago's skill set for no reason, and I'm sure they have a trading partner lined up when it's time.

[Poolboy5623]

8.2 mil salary for Splitter at this point is A STEAL. They WANT to REBUILD around LILLARD. Why not start with one of the best PnR centers in the league that would fit your offensive perfectly.

Any GM would.

Paying 8.2 for an injury riddled center, is not a steal...

[Mugen]

There's going to be some salty ass nigs in this thread in about a week tbh

[DPG21920]

Salty from the tears of joy streaming down their faces tbh.

[SpursFan86]

What are the chances we keep Green AND Mills, + land LMA? Basically nonexistent?

[DPG21920]

Pretty much ^

[spurraider21]

i'm ok with shipping off Mills. a fan favorite, obviously, but if if he's in the way of bringing Aldridge on board

[SpursFan86]

Pretty much ^

Even if Manu retires?

[look_at_g_shred]

Not sure which situation was more probable.. last year's gasol fiasco or this year's LMA saga

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

No, it doesn't. If the Spurs S&T Aldridge on a 1+1 deal, and LMA opts out, the Spurs don't have the Bird rights to re-sign him. , if Portland just straight re-signs LMA to a 1+1 and then trades him to the Spurs later, then the Spurs STILL wouldn't have his Bird rights.



No, they can't. The Spurs can't get Aldridge by trading Splitter to the Blazers and getting a third team to trade a guy like Bennett to Portland as well. It doesn't work that way. The Spurs have to send out enough salary to match; Portland does NOT have to receive enough. That's why a four-team trade where Splitter and Mills go else where and the Spurs get picks and LMA would work even though Portland would take back no salary.



Besides what I said above, the Spurs would keep Green's Bird rights in this scenario and would retain the room exception. A cheap sign-and-trade would definitely be ideal, but they can certainly field a good team with just cap space.

Again, though, it's really hard not come at this from some angle no one's ever thought of before. That's not a slight against you. It's just a reality due to how long we've all been obsessing over this.

Spurs have Green right's regardless of what happens with LMA. But if the Spurs sign LMA with Cap Space and Green just walks, the Spurs won't have the MLE or BAE to resign a replacement. They would be looking for Minimum level player or best case a Vet minimum.

I see what your are saying about the salaries. It's possible I guess the Spurs could convince Beli or Joseph to resign and be included to the trade to Portland as well. Because I wouldn't want the Spurs to lose Mills in that scenario. Cojo would fit w/ Portland as Blake just exercised his PO. He would be the Spurs 3rd PG at this point and going to Portland, he would get more playing time.

But the fact the Spurs didn't trade Splitter for a pick, which would have been the best option to clear cap space (as you mentioned), has me believing that the plan on including Splitter in a S&T for LMA, just saying.

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

Paying 8.2 for an injury riddled center, is not a steal...

What about 14.5 mil for a injure riddled PG.

[spurraider21]

Not sure which situation was more probable.. last year's gasol fiasco or this year's LMA saga

gasol might have been more probable. the spurs were his top MLE choice, but the bulls became the obvious pick once they amnestied boozer, which the owner was really reluctant to do at first

[Chinook]

Spurs have Green right's regardless of what happens with LMA. But if the Spurs sign LMA with Cap Space and Green just walks, the Spurs won't have the MLE or BAE to resign a replacement. They would be looking for Minimum level player or best case a Vet minimum.

They'd have a Green-sized amount of cap space and the room exception.

But the fact the Spurs didn't trade Splitter for a pick, which would have been the best option to clear cap space (as you mentioned), has me believing that the plan on including Splitter in a S&T for LMA, just saying.

Or that the Spurs don't want to dump Splitter before making sure LMA flies from the bush into their hands. I don't think they consider signing-and-trading Tiago to Portland unless as part of a trade that keeps them over the cap or unless Splitter specifically asks to be traded to Portland. I think they'd honor Tiago's wishes over getting a pick, but they aren't going to forgo a pick to pay Portland value they don't have to.

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

Chinook is currently out of office with limited access to voicemail & email. I am his back up. The answer is no. It's not really any more likely one way or the other with regards to Green.

The only difference in a S&T vs cap space is in a S&T you can have less cap space and get to the 18M needed for LMA a little easier since you can take back more money in a S&T than you send out.

Keeping the MLE and BAE is also a key difference.

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

They'd have a Green-sized amount of cap space and the room exception.



Or that the Spurs don't want to dump Splitter before making sure LMA flies from the bush into their hands. I don't think they consider signing-and-trading Tiago to Portland unless as part of a trade that keeps them over the cap or unless Splitter specifically asks to be traded to Portland. I think they'd honor Tiago's wishes over getting a pick, but they aren't going to forgo a pick to pay Portland value they don't have to.

If they sign LMA using cap space and Green walks, they will only have the ability to sign minimum contracts and the BAE. That's not a lot to work with to replace Green, especially if Beli gets a huge offer from another team. It would almost force the Spurs to match unless they can get someone comparable for a vastly reduced price.

[Chinook]

If they sign LMA using cap space and Green walks, they will only have the ability to sign minimum contracts and the BAE. That's not a lot to work with to replace Green, especially if Beli gets a huge offer from another team. It would almost force the Spurs to match unless they can get someone comparable for a vastly reduced price.

If you're going to switch gears and say if the Spurs sign LMA without trading Splitter or anyone else, that's true. But none of the above scenarios assumed that. If they trade Splitter, then the Spurs would have a Green-sized amount of cap space. They would NOT have the BAE.

Obviously, the Spurs could trade Splitter, Diaw or Mills to try to get a starting two-guard, though that is significantly more easily said than done.

[Chinook]

Keeping the MLE and BAE is also a key difference.

No. That's only true if you can match salaries. S&Ting Splitter for Aldridge alone doesn't preserve exceptions.

[ElNono]

Sons, despite that there are still less questions surrounding the Spurs than most + they have a top 3 attractive young player to pair with. Plus a FO that has proven to be amazing.

So the Spurs have a better 2 year window to win than all but maybe 2-3 other teams, then after that will have one of the top young players to build around plus a ton of flexability. I'd say that's appealing and conducive to winning. Nothing's guaranteed but I can't think of any team that has less questions long or short term.

Also, if he's interested in extending his career/effectiveness, the Spurs would be the best spot to do so. leonard as a running mate should be appealing because he isn't ball/spotlight dominant

There's no doubt that if what he wants is stability, then the Spurs are probably the best destination for him. Stability and winning not always go hand in hand though.

Frankly, a lot of the FO 'awesomeness' comes directly from Tim, tbh... from still wanting to be coached, to taking paycuts for the benefit of the team, to having an elite HoF player like him makes it much easier to make do with subpar talent.

I think the FO will be heavily tested in the upcoming years once TD hangs them up, that's why I'm saying there's a lot of questions looming, especially when you have to commit to a team for the next 5-6 years.

[ElNono]

Plus if DG stays, KL/DG are proven, young pieces that allow you to build a flexible contender. The core would be there.

I agree with this, but it's complicated for the Spurs to retain everyone's services. I suspect DG will get offered stupid money.

[timtonymanu]

There's going to be some salty ass nigs in this thread in about a week tbh

Reading the Green thread, those fat Spurs fans will be salty if he resigns for over 10 million a year too.

[cd98]

Has anyone discussed the impact of Ginobili retiring (potentially) on Green and Splitter staying (and a max deal to another free agent)? I could see Manu retiring to keep the team together as much as possible, if he knows it would be his last season and his heart isn't in it 100%. Brent Barry did the same thing in Houston. He thought it better to give a younger player a roster spot then to take it and play another season when his heart wasn't in it.

[buttsR4rebounding]

I think Manu is gone. Why would you "announce" that you are coming back? You announce that you are retiring.