Dedmon<3..

[SAGirl]

At 27 years old and a birthday in August, just entering his prime, and started late playing ball, you have to lock him up long term all things considered. He's been getting minimum salary checks and will be very grateful for the raise, I'm guessing. He has a good situation here, so he could well give us a Danny Green discount. I'd pay up to 18 million for him in this market. The numbers speak for themselves. But I also don't think we'll have to. I peg him at 12-15 mill per year for four years. Lock him up now. He's the big we always wished Timmy could be paired with. He's like the center equivalent to Green as far as finds go. My question is this though. Since he only signed a one year with a player option, I'm assuming we don't have any rights on him? Meaning we can't go over the cap to sign him right? In which case we would have to sacrifice a lot to keep him... Can't just let him walk for nothing.

It's going to be tough.
Argument can be made that they shouldn't pay both him and Pau what amounts to a starting level salary while also having Lamarcus under contract. Chinook remarked somewhere that if he's going to get paid they need to trade Pau. I have trouble assuming Pop does that and Pau has talked of picking up his option already. They would also need to add to their guard rotation with Ginobili retiring though that's a separate issue.
I do hope Spurs can work things out.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

At 27 years old and a birthday in August, just entering his prime, and started late playing ball, you have to lock him up long term all things considered. He's been getting minimum salary checks and will be very grateful for the raise, I'm guessing. He has a good situation here, so he could well give us a Danny Green discount. I'd pay up to 18 million for him in this market. The numbers speak for themselves. But I also don't think we'll have to. I peg him at 12-15 mill per year for four years. Lock him up now. He's the big we always wished Timmy could be paired with. He's like the center equivalent to Green as far as finds go. My question is this though. Since he only signed a one year with a player option, I'm assuming we don't have any rights on him? Meaning we can't go over the cap to sign him right? In which case we would have to sacrifice a lot to keep him... Can't just let him walk for nothing.

It's highly unlikely the Spurs would have $12-15 min in cap space in the summer. Best case scenario is that very few teams with cap space have needs at center so he'd have to accept the MLE.

[RD2191]

So will Pau keep coming off the bench?

[Nathan89]

Look at him basically shutting down CP on the perimeter with terrific guard footspeed..

That outside defense was so impressive.

[Chinook]

It's highly unlikely the Spurs would have $12-15 min in cap space in the summer. Best case scenario is that very few teams with cap space have needs at center so he'd have to accept the MLE.

A big problem is that we don't know the new roster spots affect the cap. Do you have to have 15 guys as a minimum now? Are the 12th and 14th spots full roster charges? If so, everyone is going to have $2 Million fewer dollars in cap space. According to Basketball Insiders, the Spurs have like $4 Million in space not counting cap holds. The most I can see them getting is $9 Million if they don't trade somebody. That would be enough to make a compe ive offer to Dedmon, but it would cost Simmons and Mills (and that's assuming the Manu retires). So they'd only have the room exception to replace them.

I've been reading conflicting information on the MLE and LLE. People are saying that it might increase directly with the cap. If that's the case, the MLE next year will likely be large enough to potentially represent the same contract as the aforementioned best offer with cap space. That would allow the team to keep Patty and Simmons or to use them in S&T transactions as well as use their picks for players this year. Definitely seems like the best outcome.

Dedmon's market will be interesting, both because we don't know who all will have cap space (because as I said, holds may end up being much more burdensome), and because it's not clear that a guy who had this little hype coming into this season and who hasn't played big minutes in important games yet will get the same treatment as TT coming off a Finals appearance or Bismack after essentially anchoring a team to its best-ever finish. It might be in both sides' best interest for Dedmon to sign a three-year deal with a player option for the final season or a two-year deal with the same with a starting salary around $8-10 Million. That way, the Spurs get a chance to offer him a much bigger deal if he opts out and he gets to prove one year wasn't a fluke while also getting significant financial protection in case it was.

This is what the lineup would look like if he signs with the MLE:

Parker, Mills, Forbes
Green, Murray,
Leonard, Simmons
Aldridge, Bertans
Gasol, Dedmon

With four open spots along with two picks and a handful of prospects to fill in the cracks, as well as the LLE (about the size of the current room exception, I'd assume) to add depth on the perimeter, or maybe to bring Lee back.

If he needs cap space:

Parker, Murray
Green, Forbes
Leonard, Anderson
Aldridge, Bertans
Gasol, Dedmon

With likely only one first-rounder and the room exception as major additions. Obviously, this is a lot more scary, even if the rMLE is going to be in the neighborhood of the current MLE. With the right guard signed or drafted, the two units could work really well. But you'd then have to fill six spots with just the min.

[Snaq O'Meal]

At 27 years old and a birthday in August, just entering his prime, and started late playing ball, you have to lock him up long term all things considered. He's been getting minimum salary checks and will be very grateful for the raise, I'm guessing. He has a good situation here, so he could well give us a Danny Green discount. I'd pay up to 18 million for him in this market. The numbers speak for themselves. But I also don't think we'll have to. I peg him at 12-15 mill per year for four years. Lock him up now. He's the big we always wished Timmy could be paired with. He's like the center equivalent to Green as far as finds go. My question is this though. Since he only signed a one year with a player option, I'm assuming we don't have any rights on him? Meaning we can't go over the cap to sign him right? In which case we would have to sacrifice a lot to keep him... Can't just let him walk for nothing.

Timmy used to have a front court partner like that. Wore no. 50. Not a bad player. In fact, some have even remarked that Dedmon bears a physical resemblance to that guy.

[RD2191]

Timmy used to have a front court partner like that. Wore no. 50. Not a bad player. In fact, some have even remarked that Dedmon bears a physical resemblance to that guy.

He obviously means post Robinson.

[BillMc]

A big problem is that we don't know the new roster spots affect the cap. Do you have to have 15 guys as a minimum now? Are the 12th and 14th spots full roster charges? If so, everyone is going to have $2 Million fewer dollars in cap space. According to Basketball Insiders, the Spurs have like $4 Million in space not counting cap holds. The most I can see them getting is $9 Million if they don't trade somebody. That would be enough to make a compe ive offer to Dedmon, but it would cost Simmons and Mills (and that's assuming the Manu retires). So they'd only have the room exception to replace them.

I've been reading conflicting information on the MLE and LLE. People are saying that it might increase directly with the cap. If that's the case, the MLE next year will likely be large enough to potentially represent the same contract as the aforementioned best offer with cap space. That would allow the team to keep Patty and Simmons or to use them in S&T transactions as well as use their picks for players this year. Definitely seems like the best outcome.

Dedmon's market will be interesting, both because we don't know who all will have cap space (because as I said, holds may end up being much more burdensome), and because it's not clear that a guy who had this little hype coming into this season and who hasn't played big minutes in important games yet will get the same treatment as TT coming off a Finals appearance or Bismack after essentially anchoring a team to its best-ever finish. It might be in both sides' best interest for Dedmon to sign a three-year deal with a player option for the final season or a two-year deal with the same with a starting salary around $8-10 Million. That way, the Spurs get a chance to offer him a much bigger deal if he opts out and he gets to prove one year wasn't a fluke while also getting significant financial protection in case it was.

This is what the lineup would look like if he signs with the MLE:

Parker, Mills, Forbes
Green, Murray,
Leonard, Simmons
Aldridge, Bertans
Gasol, Dedmon

With four open spots along with two picks and a handful of prospects to fill in the cracks, as well as the LLE (about the size of the current room exception, I'd assume) to add depth on the perimeter, or maybe to bring Lee back.

If he needs cap space:

Parker, Murray
Green, Forbes
Leonard, Anderson
Aldridge, Bertans
Gasol, Dedmon

With likely only one first-rounder and the room exception as major additions. Obviously, this is a lot more scary, even if the rMLE is going to be in the neighborhood of the current MLE. With the right guard signed or drafted, the two units could work really well. But you'd then have to fill six spots with just the min.

It's really sad that veteran like Lee comes in, does everything the team asks him, plays well, but is almost certainly gone next season.

[Chinook]

It's really sad that veteran like Lee comes in, does everything the team asks him, plays well, but is almost certainly gone next season.

I'm not sure that he is. Definitely don't think he leaves if Dedmon moves on (which under most reasonable scenarios looks more likely than not). With Manu probably retiring and Mills/Simmons moving on, the bench needs a bench anchor, and he's shown he can do that. Or he can start with LMA while Pau becomes that anchor. Either way, I think he has that Diaw vibe going on where he and the team will look to get something done that works for everyone rather than him really testing free agency.

I'd peg his value at around $4 Million given his age, flaws and skills. The Spurs can offer $6.8M/2 with just the LLE, so I think he'll be able to stay if the team wants him to. With the room exception, he can get like $8.9M/2, so I'd consider it a guarantee if they had that offer.

Incidentally, RealGM has updated their projections for the relevant cap numbers (including exceptions) based on what they know about the new CBA:

http://basketball.realgm.com/nba/info/salary_cap

Looking at this, the full MLE would be $35.7M/4. I think that all things considered, that may well be enough to keep Dedmon. I'll toss these into a spreadsheet and try to see what the financial outlook of team could be probably tonight, but if not tomorrow.

[cd021]

It's highly unlikely the Spurs would have $12-15 min in cap space in the summer. Best case scenario is that very few teams with cap space have needs at center so he'd have to accept the MLE.

I agree; If we were to look at every team in the NBA and figure out their needs and, also whether it makes sense to throw money at a center, that is a rather short list. Luckily, I have nothing better to do, so:

GSW- No cap space; may end up losing Iggy and Livingston if KD wants the full max.

HOU-Have Capella and Harrell, both much cheaper and younger.

Jazz-Have Gobert and Favors and focusing on resigning Hayward and Hill

LAC-Have 'Dre Jordan and no cap space while also trying to retain their core players.

MEM-Gasol, ZBO, and also doesn't fit a need. Memphis always seems to need additional shooting.

OKC-Have Adams and Kantor.

DEN-Have Jokic starting but they do have cap space and are terrible defensively.

SAC-Have cap space but also have Callie-Stein and Kufous and a couple of other former first round picks

POR- Capped out and at $133 million dollars in salary, could have the second largest team salary next season

NOP-Brow and Boogie, also Ajencia and Osik on the books.

MIN-Dieng and Towns, but they do have cap space. Gasol is someone they've been interested in...

MAVS-Already made a move for Noel. Seems like he's their starting C going forward. Not sure how much they'd throw at Dedmon to be a backup, even though he has been better to Noel this season.

LAL-Have Mosgov on a big deal, plus they seem to be looking for more home run deals with Magic there now.

Suns-Have the cap space but also have Len as an RFA and Chandler is having a really solid season (8.5 ppg, 11 rpg)

Cavs-Capped out, may have the largest team salary in the league.

Celtics-They get killed on the glass but do have Horford as the C with Zeller backing him up. They do have cap space though.

Eastern Conference

Wizards- Have Ian and Gortat, doesn't really fit a need

Raps-Have Ibaka and Vitamin V. Have to resign Lowry and Ibaka while also maybe having to dump COJO

Hawks-Have Howard on a long term deal, he's actually playing decently.

Pacers-Have Turner as a starter (already playing 31 mpg in his second season and will likely to continue to have an increased role season to season but the do have cap space and an aging Al Jefferson as his backup.

Bulls-Have Lopez but no one really behind him. Poor shooting team so that should be their priority

DET- AKA S.S.S (Spurs sloppy seconds)Already have Drummond and Boban, Baynes will probably walk in FA though

76ers-Still have Embidd and Okafor at C

Bucks-Could be capped out with Hawes and Monroe opting into player options, front court crowded.

Hornets-Very little cap space to sign Dedmo, if they wanted to, (around $8 million if they decline Sessons and Wood's team options)

Heat-Whiteside. Doesn't make much sense.

Knicks-Cap space but have Noah on a big deal and Hernagomez may play a bigger role, given Noah's play.

Magic-Have a lot of cap space but are already paying Vucevic and Biyombo around $30 million a year.

Nets-Have Brook Lopez, who is less than a year older than Dedmon, but massive amount of cap space ($30, at least) and no real backup C. They could make offers to Mills, Simmons, and or Dedmon give how terrible they are at PG and SG.

MLE is expected to be around $8.5 million, he could always take a short term deal with the hopes of opting out and getting paid again but I would hope he does a 3 +1 (3 years fully guaranteed with the final year a team option. Something like a 4 year $35 million dollar deal could be an option unless, Brooklyn throws out a big offer.

[Chinook]

New salary thread up in the Think Tank. Prognosis is actually pretty horrible. Might have to refinance Pau just to be able to bring the same team back and avoid the tax.

[apalisoc_9]

Lee is rich even without Basketball

He might even opt in.

Chances are, he's eyeing an organizational role Post pop. If he is, he will opt in or accept a cheap rate. He's not getting any younger.

[bigfan]

Man this really blows when we finally find an undiscovered big guy and we know more than likely he's probably gone at the end of the season. I really think Leonard/Dedmon could be one of a long term combo.

[Ice009]

I can't handle it if we lose Dedmon. His ability to be able to guard one of the top 3 PGs in the NBA in Chris Paul a couple of times for full possessions is amazing. I'm a defense first guy and I love defense more than offense. I was more excited and pumped up from those sequences over anything on the offensive side of the ball during the game. Suffocating defense and locking down for full 24 second possessions is more beautiful to me than the beautiful game itself.

Of course in order to win a Championship you need balance. It can't be all defense and no offense as I learned over the years that the Spurs had a great defense, but just couldn't score enough points at times to win games. Most of Phil Jackson's teams had a top 5 offense and a defense in the top 5 too, or if not in the top 5 defense, very, very close to it.

[dabom]

Do teams even wanna throw money at our Big's after the last 2 years?

[spursistan]

Both Dedmon & Pau have looked great in their new roles..let's hope Pop ride this thing..LMA-Dweayne duo is starting to work better on offense, but most importantly they have given the Spurs the solid defensive foundation to get their teeth into games from the get go..no more +30 point first quarter and early holes..

[apalisoc_9]

Both Dedmon & Pau have looked great in their new roles..let's hope Pop ride this thing..LMA-Dweayne duo is starting to work better on offense, but most importantly they have given the Spurs the solid defensive foundation to get their teeth into games from the get go..no more +30 point first quarter and early holes..

Yup. The offense might start slower with Dedmon, but the spurs are better half court team than most team anyways.

Not just the first quarter, but the third quarter too.

Gasol-Lee-Dedmon might be the three biggest keys in a potential GSW-SAS martchup. If those Guys can average around 26-30...the spurs might find themsevles in the game against GSW in every game.

All you can ask for against the most talented team ever.

[emanueldavidginobili]

This dude is really good. Bill said it perfect where was he when Pop said I want some nasty. He's aggressive he can jump he can bang, he runs the floor better than 99% of the big man. And he started playing the game late, he's going to get a lot better than he is now.

[TD 21]

Even with less money floating around and most teams being set or overloaded at center, it's still difficult to envision someone not making him a massive offer. The two I've zeroed in on, are . . .

Celtics: Have long needed a glass cleaning, rim protecting/rolling center and have significant cap space. They'll still have it even if they acquire one of Butler or George. They won't if they Hayward instead, but he'll probably re-sign with the Jazz and even if he doesn't, they could attach one of the lesser of their myriad assets to get someone to take Zeller.

Rockets: Had interest last off season, have significant cap space and appear to have nothing big on horizon. Have a comparable in Capela and though they've gotten good mileage out of Harrell, he's an undersized power forward masquerading as a center and isn't nearly the rebounder/rim protector/lob threat Dedmon is. Always having one of those playing with Harden and army of shooters could be appealing.

Talking Gasol into pulling a Jefferson might be the only way to retain Dedmon.

[spursistan]

Virtually all metrics have him as a top 5 defensive big this season..I think sticking with him as starter is the right move..Pop can always have a quick hook if the offense severely bogs down or if Dedmon is beset by foul trouble..

[ceperez]

That outside defense was so impressive.

Honestly, ridiculously impressive. If Spurs can morph this guy into Kawhi 2.0, then he's worth every penny.

[bic50]

Dedmon is someone the Spurs have desperately needed for a while.

[SpursFan86]

Really hope Pop gives him a fair shot in the postseason...worried that even with Dedmon proving himself in the regular season, Pop will stick with Pau in the postseason regardless of the matchup (especially in big moments).

[Spur|n|Austin]

Dedmon is someone the Spurs have desperately needed for a while.

It goes both ways, which is great!

[FkLA]

It's probably been discussed already, but how much money will the Spurs have to play around with this off-season? Trying to get an idea of how much the Spurs can throw at the deadman, tbh.