Spurs' future draft picks

[AFBlue]

Offering Mahinmi a contract from what I understand is just a formality thing. They don't have to offer it with any intention of him taking it (or wanting him to take it). And from what I hear from people playing in Euroleague, Scola doesn't think he'll be a Spur next year.

But they absolutely will not both be here if the Spurs current bigs are all still under contract. The Spurs aren't going to carry nine big men.

The Spurs still have to offer it, and no matter how much talking they do, if he wants to take it, he'll take it.

[Kori Ellis]

The Spurs still have to offer it, and no matter how much talking they do, if he wants to take it, he'll take it.

That's not exactly how it works.

[Bruno]

The Mahinmi contract is more of a formality than anything, isn't it? A team isn't forced to sign a player and that team doesn't automatically lose that player's rights. Mahinmi doesn't necessarily come this summer if the Spurs don't want him yet.

It's more than just a formality. It's a rule to avoid that teams keep player who wnats to play in nba outside the nba.

[AFBlue]

That's not exactly how it works.

Okay, so then I'm confused. You're saying that if they don't offer him the contract, they won't lose his rights?

[AFBlue]

It just doesn't seem quite so draconian as that. What about Orlando with Fran Vasquez? Rules are generally aligned to help teams over players and I don't see why this would be any different. Rookies or players not even in the league do not hold teams hostage. The Mahinmi case is different, anyway: if they tell him to play abroad another year, he will.

Honestly, I hope you're right. Mahinmi isn't ready to contribute and would be better served to come over in 2008 when there will be less of a roster crunch.

[Kori Ellis]

Okay, so then I'm confused. You're saying that if they don't offer him the contract, they won't lose his rights?

No, that's not what I'm saying. They will offer him a tender contract, if they don't he would become a free agent. But I have never in my life heard of a player accepting such a deal if the team doesn't want him here. It's normally understood between the player and the team what their plans are. Sure, he could force himself here if he wanted, but that's not in his best interest long term.

If the Spurs want him here next year, he'll be here. If they don't, he won't be.

[AFBlue]

No, that's not what I'm saying. They will offer him a tender contract, if they don't he would become a free agent. But I have never in my life heard of a player accepting such a deal if the team doesn't want him here. It's normally understood between the player and the team what their plans are. Sure, he could force himself here if he wanted, but that's not in his best interest long term.

If the Spurs want him here next year, he'll be here. If they don't, he won't be.

Bruno offered an example of Chris Duhon...though you'll have to ask him the details.

[Kori Ellis]

Anyway, my point really wasn't that Scola and Mahinmi won't come this summer. My point was that most NBA teams carry around six/seven big men. It's unheard of to carry nine. So, if those two are coming, Ely plus two of the Spurs other bigs likely won't be here.

But IMO, Scola won't ever be a Spur.

[Kori Ellis]

Bruno offered an example of Chris Duhon...though I don't know how legit that is.

Chris Duhon was a second round pick.

[mountainballer]

If Mahinmi doesn't want to play 5 minutes a game in France and wants to earn a paycheck, he'll take the offer the Spurs HAVE to give.

as I understand it, they have to give it, or they lose his rights.
so (in theory) it could happen, that Ian informs the Spurs (till 1st of July) that he isn't under contract and isn't going to sign with another (non NBA) team for the upcomming season and wants to play in the NBA, then Spurs have till 10th of september to make a Required Tender. if they don't he becomes a FA.
so, Ian isn't able to decide to just come for the paycheck, no matter if Spurs want him or not.

[AFBlue]

Anyway, my point really wasn't that Scola and Mahinmi won't come this summer. My point was that most NBA teams carry around six/seven big men. It's unheard of to carry nine. So, if those two are coming, Ely plus two of the Spurs other bigs likely won't be here.

Ely, Horry, and Bonner are the ones not under fully guaranteed contracts next year...that's a place to start

[Mr. Body]

And second round picks aren't protected the same way as first rounders, if I recall. IIRC, Scola's rights are retained by the Spurs in perpetuity or unless he stays out of professional basketball for a year, in which case his rights revert back to him.

[AFBlue]

Anyway, my point really wasn't that Scola and Mahinmi won't come this summer. My point was that most NBA teams carry around six/seven big men. It's unheard of to carry nine. So, if those two are coming, Ely plus two of the Spurs other bigs likely won't be here.

But IMO, Scola won't ever be a Spur.

You think he'll be traded in the off-season, or you think he'll just never make it across the pond?

[Kori Ellis]

And second round picks aren't protected the same way as first rounders, if I recall. IIRC, Scola's rights are retained by the Spurs in perpetuity or unless he stays out of professional basketball for a year, in which case his rights revert back to him.

That's correct.

[Kori Ellis]

You think he'll be traded in the off-season, or you think he'll just never make it across the pond?

From what I hear, he thinks he'll be in the NBA next year.

I am guessing the Spurs will trade his rights but I'm just guessing.

[Mr. Body]

I'm with Kori here: Scola will be traded and to a team that wants him over right away. He'll be seen in an NBA uniform next season, but not as a Spur.

Question is what they get for him.

[AFBlue]

Well since Kori made her point, I'll make mine....

There WILL be a roster crunch this off-season, where I see a maximum of two (2) 2007 draftees being on the roster next year...and I think it'll be more like one.

[Bruno]

No, that's not what I'm saying. They will offer him a tender contract, if they don't he would become a free agent. But I have never in my life heard of a player accepting such a deal if the team doesn't want him here. It's normally understood between the player and the team what their plans are. Sure, he could force himself here if he wanted, but that's not in his best interest long term.

It happens almost never because it's a bad situation : playing for a team that doesn't want you.
If Mahinmi say that he really wants to play in nba, Spurs can't just say : "No, stay in europe one more year". They will have to negotiate to find a solution ann if they can't find one, Mahinmi will have the last word.

[Kori Ellis]

Well since Kori made her point, I'll make mine....

There WILL be a roster crunch this off-season, where I see a maximum of two (2) 2007 draftees being on the roster next year...and I think it'll be more like one.

Oh I don't think they'll be any draftees on the Spurs team next year, unless they trade up and get someone above 15 or so.

Otherwise, I think they'll dump their picks.

[Kori Ellis]

It happens almost never because it's a bad situation : playing for a team that doesn't want you.
If Mahinmi say that he really wants to play in nba, Spurs can't just say : "No, stay in europe one more year". They will have to negotiate to find a solution ann if they can't find one, Mahinmi will have the last word.

Or the Spurs lose his rights.
But my point was that it never really goes down like that. If Mahinmi tries to be a hardass with the stats he's put up (which I don't think are all his fault) he'll look horrible.

So that's why I'm saying if the Spurs want him here, he'll be here.

[AFBlue]

Oh I don't think they'll be any draftees on the Spurs team next year, unless they trade up and get someone above 15 or so.

Otherwise, I think they'll dump their picks.

If that happens in a draft as deep as this and with the Spurs need to get younger....so help me God, I'll....

[Kori Ellis]

If that happens in a draft as deep as this and with the Spurs need to get younger....so help me God, I'll....

Good use of emoticons.

[mountainballer]

I'm with Kori here: Scola will be traded and to a team that wants him over right away. He'll be seen in an NBA uniform next season, but not as a Spur.

Question is what they get for him.

IMO the whole thing would only work, if the other team has some security that Scola signs the kind of contract, he was asking last years from the Spurs. (reported were 3 years /10 million).
there will be some teams, that would bite, because it is a very reasonable contract for a player like him.
I could see that the Nets, Bulls, Sixers, Raptors (depending on what they know about Garbajosa's injury and his chance to come back), Bobcats, Rockets, Lakers might have some interest, considering their needs and their system.
if at least two teams have a significant interest it would help to raise the price.

[Mr. Body]

Yeah, I'm not sure the Spurs pass on this draft, not with a good draft and especially not with an aging roster. I'm not sure what they could toss their picks away for and I'm not sure how they come away after having three to four picks with not even a single rookie on the roster.

[AFBlue]

IMO the whole thing would only work, if the other team has some security that Scola signs the kind of contract, he was asking last years from the Spurs. (reported were 3 years /10 million).
there will be some teams, that would bite, because it is a very reasonable contract for a player like him.
I could see that the Nets, Bulls, Sixers, Raptors (depending on what they know about Garbajosa's injury and his chance to come back), Bobcats, Rockets, Lakers might have some interest, considering their needs and their system.
if at least two teams have a significant interest it would help to raise the price.

From a trade-up perspective...(as of 2 Apr)

Charlotte from Toronto at 22
Lakers at 19
Philly from Denver at 18
New Jersey at 16

[Mr. Body]

I'd think Scola's agent would be put in contact with any team wanting to trade for Scola's rights.