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

[look_at_g_shred]

[AFBlue]

Listening to people speculate and reading the tea leaves is exhausting. The easiest thing to do is follow the money. He can get paid way more to stick in Portland. I don't care about the rest of it. Money usually talks, and I'll be surprised if it doesn't this time around.

[Blizzardwizard]

Screw Woj, anyone got TSpence's number?

[pgardn]

Yup Nono - at the end of they day signing LMA while keeping Green is the plan. That's plan ABC. Then if you can luck out and do stuff over the cap to retain MLE and really fill out roster, that's extra bad ass.

We need a PG to step up. Green is reduced in value unless he has handlers on the court with him. LMA will not solve a big problem we still face.

Tony, get to work if possible.

[pgardn]

Listening to people speculate and reading the tea leaves is exhausting. The easiest thing to do is follow the money. He can get paid way more to stick in Portland. I don't care about the rest of it. Money usually talks, and I'll be surprised if it doesn't this time around.

You undervalue pride methinks.

[Sean Cagney]

Listening to people speculate and reading the tea leaves is exhausting.

And that about sums up my thoughts. That is all any of this is now and nobody knows for sure, bet you Alridge doesn't even know himself yet.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Listening to people speculate and reading the tea leaves is exhausting. The easiest thing to do is follow the money. He can get paid way more to stick in Portland. I don't care about the rest of it. Money usually talks, and I'll be surprised if it doesn't this time around.

Don't forget the 10% state income tax he gets to pay in Portland.

[pgardn]

Maybe Tim could talk to Aldridge about what a big hit taking a salary cut means in the long run. Even after losing 25 million.

[TD 21]

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/th...ncy-questions/

The Blazers can offer Aldridge a five-year max deal totaling about $108 million, while rival offers top out at four years and $80 million.

That advantage means much less with the coming cap boom, which opens up options that used to be too risky for players or teams. Aldridge could sign a two-year max deal with another team, then hit free agency again, sign another two-year max deal, and make more money in just the next four years — about $111 million — than Portland can offer in that traditional five-year max contract. Over the full five years, Aldridge could earn about $35 million more double-dipping in free agency than by signing the longest possible contract with the Blazers this summer. THIRTY-FIVE MILLION. Only a fool would ignore that.

[look_at_g_shred]

^sure but what are the chances of the Blazers putting him in a better position to win a le?

[Russ]

Listening to people speculate and reading the tea leaves is exhausting. The easiest thing to do is follow the money. He can get paid way more to stick in Portland. I don't care about the rest of it. Money usually talks, and I'll be surprised if it doesn't this time around.

The last time the Spurs were considered the front-runner for a star FA (Jason Kidd in 2003), he did just that -- returned to his team.

It was a blessing in disguise, IMO, because a much younger Tony Parker stayed with the Spurs.

[tholdren]

for chinook - how could Danny Green to POR facilitate the the coming of LMA.

[littlecoyotecoin]

Maybe Tim could talk to Aldridge about what a big hit taking a salary cut means in the long run. Even after losing 25 million.

I also think that it is understated, maybe even unstated, that LA is not so blind that he can't see this organization may have him playing until he is 40 years old, instead of 36, etc. This longevity can also translate into more money on the back end to make up some of what he may lose (by not staying) in Portland. That could be something that might be enticing to a big man.

The Spurs may not be able to duplicate Duncan's results, but there is evidence that they will manage those minutes at all cost. Limited back to backs, etc.

[Duncan2177]

The last time the Spurs were considered the front-runner for a star FA (Jason Kidd in 2003), he did just that -- returned to his team.

Thanks to his wife.

[Russ]

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/th...ncy-questions/

The Blazers can offer Aldridge a five-year max deal totaling about $108 million, while rival offers top out at four years and $80 million.

That advantage means much less with the coming cap boom, which opens up options that used to be too risky for players or teams. Aldridge could sign a two-year max deal with another team, then hit free agency again, sign another two-year max deal, and make more money in just the next four years — about $111 million — than Portland can offer in that traditional five-year max contract. Over the full five years, Aldridge could earn about $35 million more double-dipping in free agency than by signing the longest possible contract with the Blazers this summer. THIRTY-FIVE MILLION. Only a fool would ignore that.

To be contrarian, wouldn't the difference be much less over a shorter two year deal?

And might that not be what LMA would sign in either place (setting up a mega deal when the new cap kicked in).

Edit -- That's exactly what you said -- I misread your post.

[Russ]

Thanks to his wife.

His then wife.

[ElNono]

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/th...ncy-questions/

The Blazers can offer Aldridge a five-year max deal totaling about $108 million, while rival offers top out at four years and $80 million.

That advantage means much less with the coming cap boom, which opens up options that used to be too risky for players or teams. Aldridge could sign a two-year max deal with another team, then hit free agency again, sign another two-year max deal, and make more money in just the next four years — about $111 million — than Portland can offer in that traditional five-year max contract. Over the full five years, Aldridge could earn about $35 million more double-dipping in free agency than by signing the longest possible contract with the Blazers this summer. THIRTY-FIVE MILLION. Only a fool would ignore that.

It's a double-edge sword though. He can have a career-ending injury next season and miss out on guaranteed $80m or so... this stuff is always a gamble

[AFBlue]

You undervalue pride methinks.

Last player to reject the money and choose to go somewhere else that was not "home" was.....?

[AFBlue]

Don't forget the 10% state income tax he gets to pay in Portland.

Net is still greater than a 4yr deal with the Spurs.

[AFBlue]

The last time the Spurs were considered the front-runner for a star FA (Jason Kidd in 2003), he did just that -- returned to his team.

It was a blessing in disguise, IMO, because a much younger Tony Parker stayed with the Spurs.

Happened just last year with Bosh and Houston. There are plenty of examples of someone choosing the money. Players leaving money on the table for a new opportunity with a new team? Not so much.

Spurs are smart enough to work an alternate plan if this falls through, but unfortunately there is no Parker waiting in the wings on this roster.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Last player to reject the money and choose to go somewhere else that was not "home" was.....?

Dwight?

[TheGoldStandard]

The biggest chip that the Spurs have outside of the money is success. 4 trips deep into the playoffs, 2 finals appearances and 1 ring. Money is great but you want to leave a legacy while making money and the Spurs offer that with the pieces they have. There are a couple of scenarios that could occur; LMA signs and its a good deal, he fits in and they make a deep playoff run, LMA signs and its a terrible fit and they don't make the playoffs and end up being a lottery team and get a good player in return. If he doesn't come here then we don't lose a section of our bench and we all get to about how Parker screwed us and how PAFTO doesn't do anything to move the needle during summer.

[Russ]

Last player to reject the money and choose to go somewhere else that was not "home" was.....?

Dwight?

Yeah, but Kobe Bryant was at "home."

[manufan10]

[Dingle Barry]