Regardless what happens.... The future is bright

[Spursfanfromafar]

As far as I know, it's the Hawks who want to move Horford, not Al who wants to leave. I imagine Atlanta could sell Horford on the fact that they were a playoff team without him and have both cap space and young prospect to improve. I don't see them moving him until 2015 at least, which is why I consider him a Spurs' target. He's probably the most unrealistic of the potential Tim replacements, though.

As I've said before, I don't think the Spurs will try to keep the same "system" once Duncan retires. I think they'll go with a more-dynamic offensive option next to Splitter and avoid a plodding twin towers if they can. The only reason why they run the offense they do now is because Duncan can't defend out in space well enough to consistently play a stretch-four next to him. Playing Splitter and Duncan makes for a good defensive combo, but the only reason it's truly viable is because Duncan can flash GOAT talent in spurts to score. Even from a spacing perspective, Duncan's midrange is not reliable enough to keep Splitter on the floor.

It's also worth noting that Splitter and Marc are going to be slowing down over the next few years. That combo will quickly go from being elite defensively to being porous as their agility goes.

Strange news about Atlanta. I would like to see a link. Horford has among the cheapest contracts for an All Star Big and I wonder why they might want him to leave. Anyways.

I disagree with you over Gasol, M. His game is skill based and less on athleticism and I think he will age much better. He has a reliable mid range shot, can play the high post as a passer/playmaker and I think he can combine with Splitter and/or Diaw till the latter ages. As regards Gasol's defense. He is 7'2'' and is an elite low post defender. I think he will be relevant till he is 34/35 and thats 6 years from now.

[Chinook]

Strange news about Atlanta. I would like to see a link. Horford has among the cheapest contracts for an All Star Big and I wonder why they might want him to leave. Anyways.

I disagree with you over Gasol, M. His game is skill based and less on athleticism and I think he will age much better. He has a reliable mid range shot, can play the high post as a passer/playmaker and I think he can combine with Splitter and/or Diaw till the latter ages. As regards Gasol's defense. He is 7'2'' and is an elite low post defender. I think he will be relevant till he is 34/35 and thats 6 years from now.

This is the only thing I've seen on the Horford situation.

http://grantland.com/features/the-co...ce-stephenson/

Atlanta Hawks: No one can figure these guys out, which means Danny Ferry is doing his thing. They have cap flexibility and a good roster, though they dangled Al Horford at last year’s trade deadline in a very targeted fashion, per sources around the league.

Could mean he's no longer on the block. Could mean he'll be moved in a few weeks. You never know. Since this is the only thing I've seen about it, I didn't want to bring it up in the Think Tank. But Lowe should be somewhat credible.

As far as Gasol goes, I am not worried about him losing effectiveness as he ages. I am worried about the duo of him and Splitter losing effectiveness as they age. Essentially, the Spurs are only able to get away with using a two-center lineup because Splitter has elite mobility. Once that's gone, he's a five-man, through and through. Gasol is a fine center, but he does not have Duncan's flashes of brilliance that make up for the poor spacing having two centers creates (even if one can shoot from midrange). If the Spurs were to trade Splitter for a power-forward (let's say Horford), then Gasol would absolutely make sense to sign in 2015. But in today's league, a Splitter/Gasol duo would have the same weaknesses that a West/Hibbert duo has defensively with at best the same offensive upside.