Clearing Cap Space Will be the Wrong Move For the Spurs

[DMC]

Duncan sure looked like he knew it was his last game when he held up a finger to the OKC fans in Game 6, so clearing cap space looks like it's going to be forced onto the Spurs.

I didn't see that. Which finger did he hold up?

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

In an off-season with a mediocre FA crop and a huge increase in capspace the last thing the Spurs would do is over-commit to capspace and jump into the deep-end with all the ravenous sharks. The only reason they'd do this is if they have a solid commitment from a premier FA (like Horford or Conley) they really want who fills a need. All of that is highly unlikely.

It's far more likely that the FO makes a couple of smart, low-cost FA/trade moves, brings in a couple of youngsters, calls it an off-season, and waits for 2017.

Something like Mills and flotsam for MCW and Plumlee, re-sign Boban, bring over a foreign stash, add the rookie at #29, win 53 games, go out in the second round.

Then you have Parker's expiring, another cap increase when other teams clogged their cap in 2016, and a shot at something meaningful in FA... and you might just have developed a couple of gems in the rough in MCW and Plumlee.

[DMC]

If Tim comes back I'm going to make fun of him all season.

[GSH]

In an off-season with a mediocre FA crop and a huge increase in capspace the last thing the Spurs would do is over-commit to capspace and jump into the deep-end with all the ravenous sharks. The only reason they'd do this is if they have a solid commitment from a premier FA (like Horford or Conley) they really want who fills a need. All of that is highly unlikely.

It's far more likely that the FO makes a couple of smart, low-cost FA/trade moves, brings in a couple of youngsters, calls it an off-season, and waits for 2017.

Something like Mills and flotsam for MCW and Plumlee, re-sign Boban, bring over a foreign stash, add the rookie at #29, win 53 games, go out in the second round.

Then you have Parker's expiring, another cap increase when other teams clogged their cap in 2016, and a shot at something meaningful in FA... and you might just have developed a couple of gems in the rough in MCW and Plumlee.

LOL... the only big difference between that and what I'm talking about is instead of winning 53 games, they wind up winning 40 games and snagging the 12 pick for 2017, like Utah did this season. Or maybe lightning strikes (again) and one of their 7 ping-pong balls gets them a Top 3 Pick in 2017. Keep everything else in your scenario the same, but add a solid rookie in 2017. See, I could live with one 40-win season for that.

This year, Utah's 12 pick could get them Denzel Valentine, who I would have loved to see come to the Spurs. Some people are saying that Denver will trade their 15 and 19 picks for Utah's 12, so they can get Valentine. That would give Utah 2 Top 20 picks, in exchange for their 40-win season. If you really believe that the alternative is 53 wins, and a second round exit? The draft pick(s) are sure inviting.

But, yeah, if Conley or Horford are possible, that changes everything.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

LOL... the only big difference between that and what I'm talking about is instead of winning 53 games, they wind up winning 40 games and snagging the 12 pick for 2017, like Utah did this season. Or maybe lightning strikes (again) and one of their 7 ping-pong balls gets them a Top 3 Pick in 2017. Keep everything else in your scenario the same, but add a solid rookie in 2017. See, I could live with one 40-win season for that.

This year, Utah's 12 pick could get them Denzel Valentine, who I would have loved to see come to the Spurs. Some people are saying that Denver will trade their 15 and 19 picks for Utah's 12, so they can get Valentine. That would give Utah 2 Top 20 picks, in exchange for their 40-win season. If you really believe that the alternative is 53 wins, and a second round exit? The draft pick(s) are sure inviting.

But, yeah, if Conley or Horford are possible, that changes everything.

I think you underestimated the number of wins Kawhi and LMA will rack up, no matter who is around them.

We basically agree, I just doubt a team with those guys dips to .500.

[GSH]

I think you underestimated the number of wins Kawhi and LMA will rack up, no matter who is around them.

We basically agree, I just doubt a team with those guys dips to .500.

Out of this whole conversation, that probably makes the most sense to me. You're right, I'm wrong. I really doubt that the Spurs could fall as low as 40 wins, unless one of those guys was injured. And they would have to get a few games below .500 to be sure of getting a lottery pick. They really would have to intentionally tank games to fall that far, wouldn't they?

Damn it must be depressing to be a Knicks or Bucks fan. A 40-win season sounds like a tank-job here. For those guys it's just business as usual.

[SAGirl]

Out of this whole conversation, that probably makes the most sense to me. You're right, I'm wrong. I really doubt that the Spurs could fall as low as 40 wins, unless one of those guys was injured. And they would have to get a few games below .500 to be sure of getting a lottery pick. They really would have to intentionally tank games to fall that far, wouldn't they?

Damn it must be depressing to be a Knicks or Bucks fan. A 40-win season sounds like a tank-job here. For those guys it's just business as usual.

I have been trying to tell you that too but too many words about too many projects got my message lost I think. You'd have to want to lose games on purpose. We don't even need a star player in FA except the replacement for Tony. That will be uphill. Tim and Manu can retire and we can pick up suitable replacements in FA and be right back bc they had a very small role. It was so small in fact that both git injured at the same time and we kept on winning. Now the playoffs are another matter, which is why we'd want to pick up a couple of veterans and not rely entirely on LMA/Kawhi/Danny + projects. You just pick up some veterans who are not over the hill, and hope for the improvement of players who have already played in the NBA. Cady, Bertans and Co or anyone we haven't yet seen are a bonus if they can contribute, but a team like that will not be in the lottery unless the big 2 go through some injuries.

This is the truth, same as I tell you how hopeful I am in a younger version of our team, I will admit this, it will be a top heavy team unless those FA pick ups have Diaw 2.0 like seasons or at least one of the young 3 (to avoid repeating their names, you know so they are) makes a huge leap in win shares or whatever and I am not counting on that. I hope they improve but I am not coming up with "_____ is going to be incredible" Nostradamus like predictions next season. If one of the big 2 is injured for a big part of the season we'll be like the 2015 Thunder, miss the postseason but just have Cameron Payne to show for it. I bet they are wishing they were healthy and didn't miss the postseason (though I will say Payne is very young still and has flashed some talent, he may improve in the next couple of seasons too).