Ludden: Spurs, Parker at impasse

[Spurminator]

Hopefully Parker will WANT to come back next summer.

Considering the Soap Opera that has been his first three seasons with the Spurs, I'm not so sure how confident I am about it.

[FromWayDowntown]

Sure, the likely area in which the owners will give up will be the starting annual salary ceilings. But what I suspect would happen is that would benefit star and superstar level talent the most. Also, while players would be giving up guaranteed years, they would also be gaining the opportunity to not be locked into a long term deal paying them a below market rate.

But, in a case like Parker's that's precisely the point. Parker goes onto the open market with the perception that he is a star or superstar talent. Fleisher can certainly sell him that way because GMs across the NBA have told us that Parker is that kind of talent. If you increase the max salary to benefit star and superstar talent, you're in Fleischer' wheelhouse as a negotiator. His tack, I suspect, would be to argue that Parker is worth somewhere between $64 and $84 million, whether it be over 6 years or 4. Now, I'm not going to buy that any NBA owner will drop $84/4 on Parker, but it's conceivable to me, that Parker could draw pretty close to $64/4 from somebody who's interested in a young, talented point guard. For crissakes, teams may not be that enthused about paying big bucks to the Brian Cardinals, Adonal Foyles, and Malik Roses of the world, but they've been paid that because somebody has set the market at those values (often, teams seeking to vulture those players). In a fairly free market with scarce supply and decided incentives for those who put together the best product, spending on talent speculation will continue, regardless of how the owners try to constrain themselves.

[Marcus Bryant]

Again, it's not star and superstar level talent that concerns Holt and other owners. It's the role player contracts that are the primary concern.

Holt's argument would be something along the lines of...'I can't afford to pay for the star level talent I have because of the long term contracts I had to give to role players in order to stay compe ive.'

[FromWayDowntown]

Holt's argument would be something along the lines of...'I can't afford to pay for the star level talent I have because of the long term contracts I had to give to role players in order to stay compe ive.'

I can see that point, but it still doesn't seem to be a point that would engender much sympathy from other owners, given the slight margin between what he's offered Tony and what Tony is willing to take.

[maxpower]

Going with the CIA Pop speculation...I would have to say that it is odd that Pop would break his CARDINAL rule of in-house situations and contract talks. Before today, it was not his MO to speak publicly about negotiations.
Moreso the total lack of any mention of the General Manager, R.C. Buford makes it appear that there is a very visible divisibility between the owner and the defacto GM. As others have mentioned this diverts the "Blame" to the owner. Management can now appeal to the player with the argument that they tried everything they could even as far as to go to the media to air their displeasure and disagreement with the owner.

[Marcus Bryant]

But next summer it's probably going to be a Tony Parker who is likely looking at near-max to max offers. I think most people, at least outside of SA, will forget the rather narrow public difference between the two sides of today. Honestly, I believe the Spurs' real goal in these negotiations all along was to reach an impasse, no matter how absurd.

This is the main reason the Spurs suddenly discovered problems last season with Malik Rose and tried to move him for nothing in return. It's been about the long term payroll all along.

[Brodels]

Going with the CIA Pop speculation...I would have to say that it is odd that Pop would break his CARDINAL rule of in-house situations and contract talks. Before today, it was not his MO to speak publicly about negotiations.
Moreso the total lack of any mention of the General Manager, R.C. Buford makes it appear that there is a very visible divisibility between the owner and the defacto GM. As others have mentioned this diverts the "Blame" to the owner. Management can now appeal to the player with the argument that they tried everything they could even as far as to go to the media to air their displeasure and disagreement with the owner.

I think it's more likely that R.C. is a bit of a lame duck GM with Pop in control and that R.C. has less say than both Pop and Holt in matters like this.

[Rick Von Braun]

I think it's more likely that R.C. is a bit of a lame duck GM with Pop in control and that R.C. has less say than both Pop and Holt in matters like this.

The Spurs organization is very secretive. We don't know if RC is a figurehead or he just hasn't gone public exercising some restrain.

[ShoogarBear]

The problem with the "lame duck" R. C. theory is that (assuming that R. C. wouldn't want a figurehead position), R. C. could have had (and probably still can get) another GM slot if he wished (you think the Lakers, for instance, wouldn't be interested?).

The way it's currently set up, Pop is blameless, R. C. is blameless, it's all on evil Holt. Since I presume Holt is never actually in the room with any of the agents, that will help smooth any future negotiations between TP or other players.

Pop and R. C. have always had as much power with regard to personnel as they want. I find it difficult to believe that they suddenly have no power in a $2 million decision.

[Brodels]

The problem with the "lame duck" R. C. theory is that (assuming that R. C. wouldn't want a figurehead position), R. C. could have had (and probably still can get) another GM slot if he wished (you think the Lakers, for instance, wouldn't be interested?).

The way it's currently set up, Pop is blameless, R. C. is blameless, it's all on evil Holt. Since I presume Holt is never actually in the room with any of the agents, that will help smooth any future negotiations between TP or other players.

Pop and R. C. have always had as much power with regard to personnel as they want. I find it difficult to believe that they suddenly have no power in a $2 million decision.

I dunno. Maybe you're right. It's tough to say without knowing more about the situation.

[maxpower]

How likely or unlikely is it that the luxury tax will remain in the next CBA? I was under the impression it seemed likely not to be.