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Pop speaks with forked tongue..
If they wanted to, they could re-sign Ginobili, Splitter, Jackson and Neal, while easily avoiding the tax. Two things on Mills: 1) He can't consistently work next to Joseph (which is a problem considering Joseph is probably the odds on favorite to be the primary backup PG next season), because Joseph can't consistently defend SG's and 2) If he get's the sense that they're going to re-sign Neal, he probably opts out.
It won't get the Spurs into trouble though, because they're not loaded with an abundance of extremely high or mid level long term salaries.Re-signing every half-decent player is what got Memphis into trouble. It's what is going to be Denver into trouble in a couple of years.
Players who can create their own shot at this level don't grow on trees. The odds of finding it at 28-30 in a weak draft are not good. This is why Pop, on numerous occasions, has went out of his way to mention "how important Neal is to us".Worst comes to worst, they can just draft a scorer. That's about the most common skill set players coming out of college have.
Pop speaks with forked tongue..
Joseph can defend shooting-guards a lot better than Neal can. Neal's only an inch taller. If Joseph locks down the backup point spot, then De Colo instantly becomes the fifth guard. I know you don't think he's offensive enough, but I disagree. I think they'd be a fine back court.
And if Mills opts out, the Spurs can take whichever of the two of them is cheaper.
The Nuggets didn't either until the summer after the Carmelo trade. Memphis didn't either before the summer of 2010. Those contracts pile up quickly when you're a young team with players on cheap deals. Once Leonard, Splitter and potentially Green, Joseph and Bertans get contracts, that space will be gone. There's no reason to let any of them go just because Neal is making $3-4 Million to be the fifth guard.It won't get the Spurs into trouble though, because they're not loaded with an abundance of extremely high or mid level long term salaries.
Of course they do. The d-league is full of players who can get their own shot but lack other skills. There isn't a more-common skill out there. There're even more of them in Europe. Of course, many of them are locked into longer-term deals, and some don't want to come over. The best in the group who would be willing can probably make more than the minimum by just staying where they are, but we're talking about paying Neal near the MLE here. There's better value out there.Players who can create their own shot at this level don't grow on trees. The odds of finding it at 28-30 in a weak draft are not good. This is why Pop, on numerous occasions, has went out of his way to mention "how important Neal is to us".
Neal's not important to the Spurs. They've had several guys over the years who have filled that same role as well or better than he has. He can still be useful, but his value decreases sharply when he's not making less than a million dollars. All things equal, he'd see the floor about as often as Blair would next season. I'd rather have a cheaper player with more upside ride the pine.
I don't know about that (according to their listings, Neal's got 25 pounds on him). I will, however, concede that there's numerous examples of similar sized guards guarding SG's, from Bradley to Ellis to Hill, when he was with the Spurs.
They won't pile up though, because by the time Leonard is due to get paid (Green's contract is also up at this time), Duncan and Ginobili will most likely be retired. Joseph is unlikely to make anything significant on his next contract and the mere possibility of Bertans getting paid is so far down the line that it's irrelevant at this point.The Nuggets didn't either until the summer after the Carmelo trade. Memphis didn't either before the summer of 2010. Those contracts pile up quickly when you're a young team with players on cheap deals. Once Leonard, Splitter and potentially Green, Joseph and Bertans get contracts, that space will be gone. There's no reason to let any of them go just because Neal is making $3-4 Million to be the fifth guard.
They can get their own shot at the D-League level, but I said this level and at this level, that skill is at a premium. Why else would inefficient types like Crawford, Ellis, Smith, etc. be valued as much as they are?Of course they do. The d-league is full of players who can get their own shot but lack other skills. There isn't a more-common skill out there. There're even more of them in Europe. Of course, many of them are locked into longer-term deals, and some don't want to come over. The best in the group who would be willing can probably make more than the minimum by just staying where they are, but we're talking about paying Neal near the MLE here. There's better value out there.
Neal's not important to the Spurs. They've had several guys over the years who have filled that same role as well or better than he has. He can still be useful, but his value decreases sharply when he's not making less than a million dollars. All things equal, he'd see the floor about as often as Blair would next season. I'd rather have a cheaper player with more upside ride the pine.
He's more important than people realize. The number one seed is important to this team and a healthy Neal can help get them through certain games where the schedule is hectic and key players aren't playing.
All this being said, I do think you guys will get your wish and that they'll let him go.
There's almost no cost associated with tendering the QO and letting the market set his price.
Tonight's game (and this entire stretch, really) is a perfect example of why it would be foolish to hand the reigns to Joseph/De Colo next season. Trying to win another championship should far exceed trying to develop marginal prospects.
I'm not saying Neal is the answer, but they need to find someone who is. The best candidate I see in free agency, is Harris. Robinson wouldn't be bad, either.
Eh, it's looking more and more like the Spurs may have to spend big money on another guard. If they bring in a player like Re , then the whole dynamic of the guard rotation will change. If they still think Ginobili can get it done, then signing Neal as a backup may work if they find a way to get a good bench player at another position.
If you re-sign Ginobili, adding a third quality SG in addition of Green and Ginobili is too much even when considering Ginobili's injuries.
The best way to get some insurance at SG without creating a logjam would be that this third string SG played also another role.
For example, Spurs could go after a very good SF that has also the ability to play SG. This player will primary be Kawhi backup but will also play SG when Manu is injured.
And if you believe in Joseph and/or De Colo, they might be enough to hold the backup PG slot and this third string SG slot.
To me, a player like Re would only makes sense if Manu isn't re-signed.
That is why I was thinking Corey Brewer would be a good target; back up to Kawhi and is quick enough to stay with the league's SGs. Plus he can be used in small ball line ups.
I like Brewer but I really doubt a Parker/Brewer/Leonard lineup at PG/SG/SF would work spacing wise.
And personally, I do believe in Joseph and De Colo. Next year, they should both be better.
Parker, Green, Ginobili, Joseph and De Colo is fine with me to play the guards minutes next season.
You're either much higher on their potential than me or you just think there's nothing that can be realistically done to get this team over the hump . . . which is probably true, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't strive to do so.
The way I see is, they have to construct this team so that Ginobili being healthy/playing at a high level is more luxury than necessity. It's not going to be easy, but if they could sign Harris and Leonard takes another step, then they've got a chance at that.
I agree about Re . Defensively, he can't guard PG's, so the only way that would work is to start Ginobili, make him the 6th man and Green the backup SF. Suffice it to say, I don't see that happening, nor should it. They shouldn't waste their cap space on a SG, when PF and backup SF and PG are much bigger holes.
Even Brewer doesn't make much sense. Sure, he's an SF, but if he lacks the strength to defend Bryant, then he's got no chance with James or even Durant. He's also, as you said, a sub par three-point shooter. Wright is the guy, as far as backup SF is concerned.
It's not like a lot will be asked to the Joseph/De Colo pair.
What will be needed from them is:
- 15 mpg at PG to backup Parker.
- When Ginobili is injured, 20 mpg at SG.
With what they have shown this year and the usual improvement between the rookie/sop re season (I know Joseph isn't technically a rookie), I'm somewhat confident they will be able to play that role next season. I just rather see Spurs using their money and resources on other needs.
To me, Spurs offseason plan should be:
- Re-sign Splitter and Ginobili.
- Use the cap space on a bigman.
- Use the room exception for a backup SF.
Next season, Spurs rotation will be:
PG/SG: Parker, Green, Ginobili, De Colo and Joseph.
SF: Leonard and a backup SF signed with the room exception.
PF/C: Duncan, Splitter, cap space bigman and Diaw.
Disagree. The days of getting by with a caretaker type next to Ginobili are over. They need someone who can assist him in carrying the bench, but more importantly, take the reigns when he's either injured or struggling. Neither De Colo or Joseph fit the bill.
Even if they follow through with your (and what I believe to be their) plan, once again they'd be a Ginobili injury away from being screwed. Clearly, they'd need him to beat the Thunder/Heat, but everyone else? They need to construct the team in a way that they can get by without him.
Bruno who do you think is a legit SF that can back up Kawhi and play SG; I'm guessing you are thinking of someone that has a good 3 pt% ? I also think the back up SF should be able to play some defense.
An area where I would expect a lot of growth from De Colo and Joseph, would be their ability to do more offensively. I think, they, especially De Colo, can be more than a caretaker offensively.
Now, if your expectations for next season De Colo and Joseph are slightly improved versions of what they are doing this year, then Spurs needing another good guard is much more evident.
I'm not really sure there is a good option. Kyle Korver might be the less worst solution.
Now, my pick would be to do a leap of faith with Joseph and De Colo and just go with a classic backup SF.
It all depends on what it takes to bring Neal back. If he's cheap, and he's willing to accept being injury insurance and instant offense, then it makes some sense to be to use some money to re-sign him. The Spurs can always agree to a deal in principle with him and leave his $1.2 Million cap hold until after they sign/re-sign everybody. I'd rather do something like that than to spend big on another guard, since I agree that a big man is the priority. But I think it's time to face facts that the bench is broken. Ginobili just doesn't seem able to carry the bench, and it's really hurting the Spurs. This is the last off-season where the Spur have any true means to bring back a really good player.
I think they need to get the best player they can and figure out the rotation afterwards. It's possible that the best option is getting a good power-forward and moving Splitter back to the bench. It's possible that they get a good point and shift Ginobili over to the three (where he's actually not that bad). It's possible it's a combo-forward, and they play a lot of small-ball. If they can re-sign Neal, bring in an $8 Million bigman and find a good wing for the room exception, they may be able to really remake the bench.
To me, it's just too risky.
But if they decide to let Neal go and lose Mills, but don't want to splurge on a backup or block De Colo/Joseph with a veteran, I wouldn't be surprised if they targeted Canaan with their 1st round pick. He's supposed to be in their range, played four years in college and is supposedly an instant offense scorer and a high character type.
As far as a backup SF who can play some SG, that shoots the 3 well and defends at least decently, the only free agent I see who fits that description is Webster. But he's had a good season and will probably be overpaid by the Wizards. Leonard is better than any one they could get to play that role, which is all the more reason the bigger concern on the wings should be getting a quality backup SF.
With a summer of Chip's shooting coaching, DeColo should develop the shooting touch that is necessary for him to be a backup SG for the Spurs. I say let Neal make his money elsewhere and have DeColo develop into a good combo guard here.
I'd rather see Mike Dunleavy than Korver. IMO as good a shooter, more general B-ball skills. Better size, both are limited defenders...
For next year I have high expectations on Baynes as a good part of the big rotations.
If he can contribute, a rotation of Duncan, Diaw, Splitter and Baynes (plus a strerch four, like Bonner for the minimum, for some situations) could be enough.
We lack perimeter defense and imho our wiew should be on a (very) good and athletic wing, if available...that's 'cause the thing we're gonna miss the most is the production of Manu and SJ, players that probably next year are not going to contribute at a level good enough for win it all.
Iguodala, or someone with the same skills (Webster ? Oladipo via trade on the draft day?), is the kind of player I'd like.
Dunleavy might be better than Korver. He is too slow to defend SG but if he is paired with Kawhi you can make it work with Kawhi defending the opposite SG.
The reason I would pick Dunleavy is that I think we will need the offensive capability he will bring. He is much more versatile offensively - more than just 3pt shooting, he can pass, and go inside. With Manu as limited as he currently appears to be, we need much more than just shooting from our roleplayers, as Green and Neal are currently illustrating. Dunleavy has been a go to offensive option on a couple of teams (they weren't good teams, but he was a guy...IND 07/08 for example)
I don't want Neal back with or without Manu. Just too small, too bad defensively, too inefficient.
Don't want Dunleavy either, even for the minimum. He'd be 33 next year and is falling off.
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