State of the Cap: San Antonio Spurs

[picnroll]

Doesn't Duncan have a player's option in '08? Spurs hopefully have a convincing game plan to keep him from straying.

[Marcus Bryant]

Potential '08 Free Agents

Josh Childress
Gerald Wallace
Primoz Brezec
Luol Deng
Chris Duhon
Ben Gordon
DeSagana Diop
Devin Harris
Carlos Delfino
Andris Biedrins
David Harrison
Shaun Livingston
Kwame Brown
Ricky Davis
Nenad Krstic
Bostjan Nachbar
Jannero Pargo
Carlos Arroyo
Jameer Nelson
Dwight Howard
Kevin Martin
Mickael Gelable
Gordan Giricek
Jose Calderon

Some nice names, but experience has shown that it would be extremely difficult for the Spurs to try to attract an elite free agent to play with 3 other stars in small market San Antonio. Hopefully the Spurs aren't setting themselves up for yet another offseason disappointment. They could perhaps land a decent starter if they should open up some cap room but they might as well do what they can now to bring in talent via trades and smart role player free agent signings.

[Marcus Bryant]

I guess I am of the belief that the Spurs '08 plan is to find the next Spurs saviour.

They already have those guys.

[milkyway21]

i like Jose Calderon

[Big P]

I don't see why the Spurs are thinking of extending Duncan's contract.

isn't it a little bit early to extend his contract this yr?

Its never too early to lock up the best basketball player in the game. If SA gets the chance to extend TD this summer, you do it, especially since if he did sign a extension, it would void his player option in 08'.

[milkyway21]

Finley will be the one that stays, they will probably use Barry's expiring & Scolas rights as the centerpiece to a S&T for a SF

We need a young SF more than we need a SG, but I would take Pietrus(he can play both) if we cant get Nocioni.

I'm sorry I meant SF like Bruce.

[Marcus Bryant]

Doesn't Duncan have a player's option in '08? Spurs hopefully have a convincing game plan to keep him from straying.

I think that unfortunately that is why the Spurs seem to have an '08 plan'. The way you keep TD is by doing whatever you can to improve this team today.

[Big P]

You can mark off:

Gerald Wallace
Luol Deng
Ben Gordon
Devin Harris
Andris Biedrins
Dwight Howard off that list, those guys will probably be extended this summer.

Childress, Brezec, Diop, Delfino,Kristic,Gelabale & claderon are interesting, although most of them will sign extensions as well.

The other players, I would be interested in for short cheap contracts, they are all roleplayers.

[Despot]

They already have those guys.

I don't mean to sound combative, but can Tony lead us to a couple of Finals after Duncan retires? Manu is winding down, I hope you are not betting the house on White and Butler.

I always hear about the '08 plan, the most obvious target would be Howard, now if he extends, that may make the spurs pursue a big trade next year. I am sure Deng and Gordon will extend.

[Marcus Bryant]

I don't mean to sound combative, but can Tony lead us to a couple of Finals after Duncan retires? Manu is winding down, I hope you are not betting the house on White and Butler.

I always hear about the '08 plan, the most obvious target would be Howard, now if he extends, that may make the spurs pursue a big trade next year. I am sure Deng and Gordon will extend.

If Duncan was 35 I might be worried.

[milkyway21]

You can mark off:

Gerald Wallace
Luol Deng
Ben Gordon
Devin Harris
Andris Biedrins
Dwight Howard off that list, those guys will probably be extended this summer.

Childress, Brezec, Diop, Delfino,Kristic,Gelabale & claderon are interesting, although most of them will sign extensions as well.

The other players, I would be interested in for short cheap contracts, they are all roleplayers.

Gerald Wallace is already a lock?

only 24 yrs of age. 18 ppg this reg season(2 stl PG, 1 blk PG), you think he's got what it takes to be the next Bruce Bowen? He's good defensively, right? and he can score.

[Marcus Bryant]

I'm not sure Wallace will be extended this summer.

[Obstructed_View]

I don't mean to sound combative, but can Tony lead us to a couple of Finals after Duncan retires? Manu is winding down, I hope you are not betting the house on White and Butler.

I always hear about the '08 plan, the most obvious target would be Howard, now if he extends, that may make the spurs pursue a big trade next year. I am sure Deng and Gordon will extend.

Duncan isn't retiring after next year. Barring injury, he's got at least four years at his current level and maybe seven or eight. He doesn't dominate with his leaping ability or his speed.

[picnroll]

Howard will extend. Waste to discuss him. That's like the Lakers' '07 plan where they were targeting Yao, Amare, Bosh but even less likely since SA is a small market.

[Big P]

I'm not sure Wallace will be extended this summer.

Wallace has a PO next year for $6 mil...he already said he is opting out & is looking for a contract starting at around $9-10 mil per year.

[Despot]

Duncan isn't retiring after next year. Barring injury, he's got at least four years at his current level and maybe seven or eight. He doesn't dominate with his leaping ability or his speed.

I know, his contract ends in '10, and I believe he could play at close to the same level until his body starts to break down since he does not rely on athleticism or speed.

My concern is will he want to play past 2010? If we win this year, annd get at least one, maybe two before then, will he consider leaving the game? And if he does, will we be prepared? Having another big man might help him decide to keep going at it a few more years.

I just don't think it is a sure thing that he will keep playing after '10. I am pretty sure that Spurs fans are more concerned about his legacy than he is.

[whottt]

It's eerie how much Posey 2007 = Bowen 2001.

Really it isn't...they've both been coached and given good advice by Pat Riley.

I am not as impressed with Posey as you guys(although I'd take him)...but Bruce has long said Riley is the guy that told him if he wanted to stay in the NBA he needed to focus on his defense.

[MrChug]

Just the ing THOUGHT of Gerald Wallace on this team makes me believe in four MORE championships till TD retires...

[whottt]

Who knows...Nelly may want Scola...he needs a scoring big, he also wants to screw Cuban, yet at the same time is probably confident enough that he can beat us even if he does a trade with us...

I see the Spurs possibly landing Jack or Pietrus.


And James White is not a long three by any stretch. He's also not a rebounder.

[whottt]

Just the ing THOUGHT of Gerald Wallace on this team makes me believe in four MORE championships till TD retires...

Yeah...I just don't see any scenario that ends with us landing a player of that caliber with what we have to trade.

[milkyway21]

Wallace has a PO next year for $6 mil...he already said he is opting out & is looking for a contract starting at around $9-10 mil per year.

good news : opting out

bad news(?) : $9-10m/yr

[Marcus Bryant]

It's eerie how much Posey 2007 = Bowen 2001.

No doubt. The only thing uncertain is how much Posey would go for an unguaranteed starting role in SA. But otherwise he would be a very nice fit. Also interesting to think of him and Bowen playing together.

When the Spurs face Dallas the Spurs could go small with Posey at the 4 on Dirk and Bruce at the 3 on Howard.

Hmmm.

[whottt]

Hopefully the Spurs aren't setting themselves up for yet another offseason disappointment. .

That worm has long since turned Mr. Bryant...

These days young ballas like James White and Jackie Butler giggle like schoolgirls when the Spurs come calling...as do aging vets. Since 2005 the Spurs haven't had much trouble getting FA to want to play here.


I think it's because...

#1. Jack has probably told them the quality of Centex Weed.
#2. That third championship put us at elite status with the players, if not the fans.
#3. Robert Horry exudes coolness...if he wants to be here...others are taking notice.



Pietrus is on record as saying he wants to play for the Spurs.

Most of the kids in the NBA thesedays have grown up watching the Spurs play for championships.

[Marcus Bryant]

Nah, the Spurs will still have trouble trying to land a free agent who can be a #2 man elsewhere. Guys like Butler and White are still trying to make it in this league.

[Despot]

Just a question, not saying it will happen.

If Duncan opted out in '08, could he resign for less? $10m, vet min., whatever?