ESPN's trade assets (Tiago Splitter)

[EricB]

That's all well and good in an ideal world. But we all know that business has nothing at all to do with an ideal world. The majority of people would've done the same thing.

Because the majority is always right.

[SenorSpur]

And if that list continues to grow? That is the reason that I suggested some type of waiver/form being signed indicating whether or not the player wanted to be drafted. It is unfair to NBA teams to draft players only to see them not come. This effectively makes the pick a wasted one in the short term. And most teams' focus is the short term. That's just the nature of the beast. In the Spurs case if Tiago were to ever come over - say 2012 - then most likely TD's playing ability at that time would be far less than now. The Spurs would have been better off drafting someone that could contribute immediately or within a year or two. If he comes over sooner - say 2010 - then maybe the pick turns out to be a good one.

When it comes to Euro players it seems like a crapshoot to me. But I frankly doubt if any waiver/form would be put into effect by the NBA. That might create some hostility between the NBA and potential Euro players.

I understand there was no way the Spurs could've predicted this outcome with Spilitter. Yet this is still a costly blow for a team that already sports "the oldest roster in the league". Essentially, the Spurs will have blown #1 picks in 2 out the last 3 drafts ('07 & '09).

This is not to say that the Spurs strategy of exploring and mining the Euro leagues for talent was a bad idea. On the contrary. The problem is they became TOO dependent on that market as a singular source for player drafts. Often times, at the expense of domestic talent that could have suited a need.

To that end, I'm pleased the Spurs finally got back into the practice of drafting and developing domestic talent. I hope this trend continues.

[SenorSpur]

Because the majority is always right.

No, because people look out for themselves and their situations first. That's not to say it right. That's just the way it is.

[EricB]

No, because people look out for themselves and their situations first. That's not to say it right. That's just the way it is.

Like I said, I'm well within my rights to call such people bags, for going against their word in business dealings such as that.

[SenorSpur]

Like I said, I'm well within my rights to call such people bags, for going against their word in business dealings such as that.

Yes you are. However, since none of know exactly what was said or what was agreed to by either side - might want to tap the brakes, a bit.

[TDMVPDPOY]

i would not trade spiltter any time now till the what is going to be introduced in the new bargaining agreement coming up soon.....maybe they might restructure a few things like rookie salary for players who play in europe and declare for the draft but still under contract with current employer......

[NFGIII]

I understand there was no way the Spurs could've predicted this outcome with Spilitter. Yet this is still a costly blow for a team that already sports "the oldest roster in the league". Essentially, the Spurs will have blown #1 picks in 2 out the last 3 drafts ('07 & '09).

This is not to say that the Spurs strategy of exploring and mining the Euro leagues for talent was a bad idea. On the contrary. The problem is they became TOO dependent on that market as a singular source for player drafts. Often times, at the expense of domestic talent that could have suited a need.

To that end, I'm pleased the Spurs finally got back into the practice of drafting and developing domestic talent. I hope this trend continues.

Agreed.

I think that since the Spurs came up with TP and Manu maybe they felt it was more in their interset to concentrate on the Euro players and not enough on domestic ones. After finding two players of that caliber it wouldn't be hard to understand why they felt that way. But this has turned into a gamble lately and we need to turn our attentions towards the domestic market now.

Wasting draft picks on players who are either unable, be it contractually as it was with Scola for many years, or unwilling, as with Splitter's hefty contract, isn't a smart way to fully ultilize the remaining portion of TD's career.