Woj: Pau Gasol to opt out and re-sign long-term with Spurs

[tonight...you]

Heard Spurs aren't interested in Lowry, which is what I expected. Can't imagine they'd be interested in Rose.

Hill wouldn't necessarily have to agree to less, but I don't think Spurs would be high bidder. If he's signed, they'll probably structure his contract with a partially guaranteed 4th season that makes him whole financially, but lowers average annual value/cap hit in first 3 seasons.

If Paul re-signs with Clippers and Hayward signs with Celtics/Heat (Lowe thinks it's now a real possibility), I'd be surprised if Hill doesn't end up a Spur again.

Hill is also pretty okay splitting time at SG, depending on the match-ups. I actually like Georgie Big Peener as the starter, splitting time with Murray while he also spells the SG position some.

[PopTheGOAT]

I think this hurts 2018 because instead of having Pau off the books completely (if 2018 was the plan) he is now on there for whatever salary he agrees too.

Pau would add maybe 10 mil (?) to next season's books. Manu's salary may be off, Parker would either be gone or cheaper, Aldridge would have an option (I think). So more money would be cleared than lost. Idk what they're up to, but maybe the results of this offseason will be worth whatever money they add to next seasons books.

[DPG21920]

Pau would add maybe 10 mil (?) to next season's books. Manu's salary may be off, Parker would either be gone or cheaper, Aldridge would have an option (I think). So more money would be cleared than lost. Idk what they're up to, but maybe the results of this offseason will be worth whatever money they add to next seasons books.

Sure, as of now nothing has changed for 2018. But seems likely that the end result is Pau has money in 2018 vs not having any if he does not decline his option is what I'm saying.

In that light, this move makes 2018 cap space less likely. Things can change and player moved to open up space, just about what is known.

[tholdren]

everyone in this thread who suggested stashing the 29th pick of the deepest draft in years, or trading for Ricky Scrubio.

Its the deepest draft in years every year. But yes, rubio sucks

[Uriel]

[tholdren]

The most logical thing is this: Pau & SA spoke about their off season plans and basically said we would like to keep you and this is the plan. However, in order to achieve this plan we have to have money. That is either going to come through a trade or you can opt out and give us flexibility.

If we have to trade you, you don't have a say possibly in where you go. If you opt out, we will try to re-sign you but depending on who we get, we may need all that money. If we end up needing all the money at least you have a say in where you sign in free agency vs us being forced to trade you. But ideally, we can make other moves, accomplish our goals and give you security long term.

It's just so damn hard to know what it means because it's nothing definitive other than SA has more flexibility (not accounting for the ability to trade Pau being gone) and that Pau has a say in where he plays guaranteed now.

Good take

[GSH]

The most logical thing is this: Pau & SA spoke about their off season plans and basically said we would like to keep you and this is the plan. However, in order to achieve this plan we have to have money. That is either going to come through a trade or you can opt out and give us flexibility.

If we have to trade you, you don't have a say possibly in where you go. If you opt out, we will try to re-sign you but depending on who we get, we may need all that money. If we end up needing all the money at least you have a say in where you sign in free agency vs us being forced to trade you. But ideally, we can make other moves, accomplish our goals and give you security long term.

It's just so damn hard to know what it means because it's nothing definitive other than SA has more flexibility (not accounting for the ability to trade Pau being gone) and that Pau has a say in where he plays guaranteed now.

At this point in his career, after all the he took in LA and Chicago, to have a team say, "We like you, and we want you to stay here longer"? That's got to feel good. I'm sure he'd like to retire here, rather than on some scrap heap team.

As for the flexibility - I think the Spurs have a deal waiting, and they know exactly how they plan to use it. Maybe it really is CP3. It may be as simple as George Hill and keeping Dedmon or Simmons, but I think they probably aren't just clearing space to go prospecting. They likely told Pau, "we need this much flexibility to do this".

[Mr. Body]

At this point in his career, after all the he took in LA and Chicago, to have a team say, "We like you, and we want you to stay here longer"? That's got to feel good. I'm sure he'd like to retire here, rather than on some scrap heap team.

As for the flexibility - I think the Spurs have a deal waiting, and they know exactly how they plan to use it. Maybe it really is CP3. It may be as simple as George Hill and keeping Dedmon or Simmons, but I think they probably aren't just clearing space to go prospecting. They likely told Pau, "we need this much flexibility to do this".

They most certainly have a tier of priorities and probably wanted to do this with Gasol all season. Paul is probably first and then they cascade to smaller targets, but I doubt anything is set in stone just yet.

[DPG21920]

I don't know. I mean, SA definitely has a plan and I do think they will balance the risk (meaning they won't trade LMA or TP or DG unless they get insane offer and/or they know they are getting their players).

With the opt out route (which was the only player of the four tradeable players that had that option) it helps no matter what they do.

[MultiTroll]

Spurs can still trade Pau before next seasons trade deadline.
So there's that.

[GSH]

I don't know. I mean, SA definitely has a plan and I do think they will balance the risk (meaning they won't trade LMA or TP or DG unless they get insane offer and/or they know they are getting their players).

With the opt out route (which was the only player of the four tradeable players that had that option) it helps no matter what they do.

Let's face it - bargain basement deals on star-caliber players just don't fall in your lap. I'm sure they are pursuing some of these big names floating around. But under all that, they know that it's usually plain vanilla that gets served. And they know exactly what that looks like.

If lightning struck, and some star wanted to come here on the cheap, for the honor of playing with Kawhi and for Pop? I'm sure they'd adapt. But I would still be that they have a pretty good idea of what they're likely doing this offseason.

[Uriel]

Relevant now that Pau Gasol has opted out. Excerpt from an article by Kevin Pelton on the cap maneuvering required to get Chris Paul.

If Paul picks San Antonio, and the Spurs pay him the max, clearing enough room under the salary cap to fit his $35.3 million salary will be tricky. Even if center Pau Gasol declines his $16.2 million player option for 2017-18 and the Spurs renounce all their other free agents -- a group including key reserves Manu Ginobili, Patty Mills and Jonathon Simmons -- they'd still have less than $23 million in projected cap space based on the NBA's current $101 million salary-cap projection.

San Antonio could waive Parker and stretch his $15.4 million 2017-18 salary over the next three seasons to get to $33.2 million in cap space. Giving Paul his max would also require trading young reserves Kyle Anderson, Davis Bertans and Dejounte Murray as well as this year's first-round pick (drafting a player who intends to remain overseas would also work), which would leave the Spurs with just three players under contract before signing Paul.

Alternatively, San Antonio could try to use draft picks to entice a team under the cap to take on Parker's entire $15.5 million salary, which under current projections would allow the Spurs to avoid trading any young players and to retain the rights to free agents Simmons and David Lee while still creating the necessary cap space.

[DPG21920]

Ya - we already all hashed that out on our own. SA isnt going to go the gut the team route. They will go the trade TP/DG or LMA route.

[TimDunkem]

Its the deepest draft in years every year. But yes, rubio sucks

Yeah I don't buy into that every year. Could be wrong this year but I'm feeling good about this draft. It's worth a shot nonetheless. Good young players on cheap contracts? I'll take that.

[DPG21920]

Let's face it - bargain basement deals on star-caliber players just don't fall in your lap. I'm sure they are pursuing some of these big names floating around. But under all that, they know that it's usually plain vanilla that gets served. And they know exactly what that looks like.

If lightning struck, and some star wanted to come here on the cheap, for the honor of playing with Kawhi and for Pop? I'm sure they'd adapt. But I would still be that they have a pretty good idea of what they're likely doing this offseason.

I agree they have a plan. I'm just saying that if SA trades DG or TP before the draft you can celebrate that SA got CP3.

[Uriel]

Ya - we already all hashed that out on our own. SA isnt going to go the gut the team route. They will go the trade TP/DG or LMA route.

Just posting the numbers so everyone's on the same page

[Uriel]

With Gasol at least temporarily off the books come July 1 — along with David Lee, who a league source said Tuesday is also planning to decline his $2.3 million option — the Spurs will enter free agency on the hook for about $76 million in guaranteed salary.

That puts the Spurs in position to begin free agency with as much as $24 million in cap space — enough to bolster the roster, though not quite enough for an All-NBA superstar like Paul.

In order to scrape together the $35.7 million needed to pay Paul or a similar maximum free agent next season, the Spurs would have to shed an additional $10 million or so in payroll.

Finding a trade partner for guard Danny Green would likely do the trick. So would waiving Tony Parker, the franchise point guard whose recovery from a devastating knee injury last month has cast an unexpected question mark over the Spurs’ offseason.

http://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/In-declining-option-Gasol-gives-Spurs-an-assist-11234165.php

[DPG21920]

Just posting the numbers so everyone's on the same page

Oh sorry - not dogging you. Just saying that we already hashed it out and what he's writing is "technically" correct but highly unlikely.

[Vic Petro]

Yeah I don't buy into that every year. Could be wrong this year but I'm feeling good about this draft. It's worth a shot nonetheless. Good young players on cheap contracts? I'll take that.

I'd be pissed if they traded the pick but taking a stash guy doesn't exactly mean you're punting on a deep draft.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

http://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/In-declining-option-Gasol-gives-Spurs-an-assist-11234165.php

Yeah it's $76m with the dead money in the amount and then if you keep Patty and JSimms it's an additional $8.5m.

You can save $10m this year by stretching Tony over 3 years since he has 1 year left. That puts you at $25m under the cap and the (early) Bird rights to go over the cap for Patty and Simmons.

Murray
Patty
Green
Simmons
Forbes
Leonard
Anderson
Bertans
Aldridge

That doesn't make CP3 viable unless he takes a discount but stretching Tony is the smartest if heartless move nonetheless.

[Uriel]

Yeah it's $76m with the dead money in the amount and then if you keep Patty and JSimms it's an additional $8.5m.

You can save $10m this year by stretching Tony over 3 years since he has 1 year left. That puts you at $25m under the cap and the (early) Bird rights to go over the cap for Patty and Simmons.

Murray
Patty
Green
Simmons
Forbes
Leonard
Anderson
Bertans
Aldridge

That doesn't make CP3 viable unless he takes a discount but stretching Tony is the smartest if heartless move nonetheless.

The Spurs will almost certainly renounce all of their free agents to make a run at Chris Paul.

[GSH]

I agree they have a plan. I'm just saying that if SA trades DG or TP before the draft you can celebrate that SA got CP3.

Oh for sure. If they've had good talks with CP3, and have an idea that he really would like to come here, they probably know exactly what they need to re-arrange to make it happen. And it sounds like Paul is more than just a pipe dream. But this talk about PG and Porzingis? The chance of landing one of those guys off a cold call is pretty close to zero. I don't think they would be making any kind of moves just to go speculating.

I said back in the RS that I expected Pau to opt out and sign for something like 3/$25M. And I thought Manu would play 1 more year for the vet min, which means he would get just under $2.4M, and only cost the Spurs half that. The last domino, IMO, is whether or not they waive and stretch Tony. I think they almost have to, because they can't afford that much cap, knowing that they will have to have someone to cover for at least half a season.

Bottom line, I expected all those things to happen no matter what they were up to this offseason. So far, this doesn't signal much, IMO.

The Spurs will almost certainly renounce all of their free agents to make a run at Chris Paul.

Yeah... I just don't think they renounce everyone like that, unless they're pretty sure they have Paul in the bag.

[DPG21920]

Yeah it's $76m with the dead money in the amount and then if you keep Patty and JSimms it's an additional $8.5m.

You can save $10m this year by stretching Tony over 3 years since he has 1 year left. That puts you at $25m under the cap and the (early) Bird rights to go over the cap for Patty and Simmons.

Murray
Patty
Green
Simmons
Forbes
Leonard
Anderson
Bertans
Aldridge

That doesn't make CP3 viable unless he takes a discount but stretching Tony is the smartest if heartless move nonetheless.

The smartest move by far is trading TP. That way he's off the books and not dead money for 2 more years at 5M per year. Accomplishes the same goal but with no longer term ramifications

[DPG21920]

Oh for sure. If they've had good talks with CP3, and have an idea that he really would like to come here, they probably know exactly what they need to re-arrange to make it happen. And it sounds like Paul is more than just a pipe dream. But this talk about PG and Porzingis? The chance of landing one of those guys off a cold call is pretty close to zero. I don't think they would be making any kind of moves just to go speculating.

I said back in the RS that I expected Pau to opt out and sign for something like 3/$25M. And I thought Manu would play 1 more year for the vet min, which means he would get just under $2.4M, and only cost the Spurs half that. The last domino, IMO, is whether or not they waive and stretch Tony. I think they almost have to, because they can't afford that much cap, knowing that they will have to have someone to cover for at least half a season.

Bottom line, I expected all those things to happen no matter what they were up to this offseason. So far, this doesn't signal much, IMO.

I agree. Nothing signaled at all which is what I meant with my original Pau/SA conversation. SA "could not" have spoken with CP yet because he's with LAC and that would be tampering.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

The Spurs will almost certainly renounce all of their free agents to make a run at Chris Paul.

They have to stretch Tony or trade someone else to make it work. The max amount for a 12 year vet is ~$36m.