Marc Stein: Spurs are #1 on LaMarcus Aldridge's list

[look_at_g_shred]

Because you can tell he doesn't like the fact that their GM said they wanted to build the team around Lillard. Plus his son is starting school. Before, he could travel whenever to visit his father. Now, LMA won't be able to see only on vacation days and during the Summer.

LMA best scenario if HE WANTS TO LEAVE PORTLAND, is to be S&T to another team. Probably will be a 4 year deal just for security reason, but with a player option after the first.

Going to Texas also means he makes more money than even staying in Portland due to the State Income situation.

If you look at all the trade able assets of the Texas teams (that aren't franchise players), Splitter is by far the best option for Portland as he is an elite defender and he is a top 5 player in the PnR offensive efficiency, something that would compliment Lillard. There is a reason Portland wanted Splitter a few years ago as well.

If the Spurs get LMA, I would about 90% positive at this point that it will be for a S&T involving Splitter.

Yeah I remember the Blazers being one of the teams who were trying to pry splitter away a couple years ago..makes sense for the S&T with Portland as they've always coveted him...

[cd021]

Because you can tell he doesn't like the fact that their GM said they wanted to build the team around Lillard. Plus his son is starting school. Before, he could travel whenever to visit his father. Now, LMA won't be able to see only on vacation days and during the Summer.

LMA best scenario if HE WANTS TO LEAVE PORTLAND, is to be S&T to another team. Probably will be a 4 year deal just for security reason, but with a player option after the first.

Going to Texas also means he makes more money than even staying in Portland due to the State Income situation.

If you look at all the trade able assets of the Texas teams (that aren't franchise players), Splitter is by far the best option for Portland as he is an elite defender and he is a top 5 player in the PnR offensive efficiency, something that would compliment Lillard. There is a reason Portland wanted Splitter a few years ago as well.

If the Spurs get LMA, I would about 90% positive at this point that it will be for a S&T involving Splitter.

to add on Oregans state tax is 11% on salaries over $250,00. If L.A were to make $18,500,000 next season, it would actually be $16,465,000. In Texas, there isn't any so he'd be saving more than two million dollars next year.

An S&T is probably the best bet, With Mills included along with Splitter and possibly a first rounder (not as big of a deal with players like LJC, Bertans, and Milutinov possibly joining the Spurs after next season) . Spurs won't have to gut their roster because they can use bird rights to resign Leonard, Green, Cojo, & Baynes. They could also bring back Beli with the MLE and bring over a Euro like Hanga with the LLE and Livio Jean Charles ( who is still bound to the rookie scale)

[Chinook]

I see a lot of talk about the Spurs not trading Splitter during the draft. OF COURSE THEY WEREN'T. As I said a month ago, if they trade Splitter, it will be directly to Portland in a Sign and Trade. This way the Spurs can have the Bird Rights to LMA and still be able to retain Green and all the rest of their FA (w/ bird rights) at any price

Let's just be clear; most of this reasoning is incorrect. First, sign-and-trading for Aldridge does NOT give the Spurs Bird rights or any other privilege over signing him outright. Second, trading Splitter alone for Aldridge is useless. The Spurs would still need to use cap space to take on LMA, so there'd be no difference between trading Splitter to Portland and trading Splitter somewhere else and just not taking back salary. Third, trading Splitter for a pick during the draft is just better asset management, provided they got LMA in both cases. That's why people were hoping it was going to happen.

This isn't the best board anymore, but we're getting to the point where most posters understand the different strategies, and their costs and benefits. If people aren't talking about something by now, it's probably because that idea's been refuted. It's gonna be hard to come at this from a fresh angle.

[Poolboy5623]

Portland was interested in splitter when they were contending. ...why would they want him and his contract, in a rebuild?

[Chinook]

An S&T is probably the best bet, With Mills included along with Splitter and possibly a first rounder (not as big of a deal with players like LJC, Bertans, and Milutinov possibly joining the Spurs after next season) . Spurs won't have to gut their roster because they can use bird rights to resign Leonard, Green, Cojo, & Baynes. They could also bring back Beli with the MLE and bring over a Euro like Hanga with the LLE and Livio Jean Charles ( who is still bound to the rookie scale)

There's actually no reason to do this, as the Spurs have Beli's early Bird rights. They can give Beli up to the MLE (but not actually using up that exception) and with bigger raises. They could bring Beli back with that and then use the MLE to sign a center.

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

Spurs shouldn't trade Mills. Just his character alone does wonders for this team. Spurs will probably looked to another team to fill the salaries gap. Trading mills wouldn't even do it as the total salary given up needs to be 13mil on the Spurs part.

Spurs will probably look to another team with a 5mil player they want to trade to send to Portland. Spurs will probably give both Portland and the other team future picks to make the trade work. Both picks will probably be lottery protected 1st rounders. But considering the Spurs more than likely won't be lottery w/ LMA even after Duncan retires for the foreseeable future, giving up those picks is low risk for the Spurs.

A good team to make this happen would be the Timberwolves and Bennett. With Batum gone, maybe Portland would like to take a flyer on this guy to see if he can pan out. They can give Minny a lottery pick as well. Timberwolves would be ecstatic if they could get two 1st rounders for Bennett, even if they are lottery protected to some degree.

[look_at_g_shred]

There's actually no reason to do this, as the Spurs have Beli's early Bird rights. They can give Beli up to the MLE (but not actually using up that exception) and with bigger raises. They could bring Beli back with that and then use the MLE to sign a center.

Out of all the teams in the mix for LMA, who do you think realistically has the best offer?

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

Portland was interested in splitter when they were contending. ...why would they want him and his contract, in a rebuild?

8.2 mil salary for Splitter at this point is A STEAL. They WANT to REBUILD around LILLARD. Why not start with one of the best PnR centers in the league that would fit your offensive perfectly.

Any GM would.

[Chinook]

Spurs shouldn't trade Mills. Just his character alone does wonders for this team. Spurs will probably looked to another team to fill the salaries gap. Trading mills wouldn't even do it as the total salary given up needs to be 13mil on the Spurs part.

Spurs will probably look to another team with a 5mil player they want to trade to send to Portland. Spurs will probably give both Portland and the other team future picks to make the trade work. Both picks will probably be lottery protected 1st rounders. But considering the Spurs more than likely won't be lottery w/ LMA even after Duncan retires for the foreseeable future, giving up those picks is low risk for the Spurs.

A good team to make this happen would be the Timberwolves and Bennett. With Batum gone, maybe Portland would like to take a flyer on this guy to see if he can pan out. They can give Minny a lottery pick as well. Timberwolves would be ecstatic if they could get two 1st rounders for Bennett, even if they are lottery protected to some degree.

Most of what you said actually doesn't make sense. But the bolded part is what I'll address. Splitter and Mills make $12 Million together, and Reggie Williams has a non-guaranteed contract worth a bit over a million. So the Spurs can send back about $13.2 Million using those three guys, which means LMA can sign a deal starting at $18.3. Not the full max, but definitely close enough.

[bklynspursfan]

Spurs shouldn't trade Mills. Just his character alone does wonders for this team. Spurs will probably looked to another team to fill the salaries gap. Trading mills wouldn't even do it as the total salary given up needs to be 13mil on the Spurs part.

Spurs will probably look to another team with a 5mil player they want to trade to send to Portland. Spurs will probably give both Portland and the other team future picks to make the trade work. Both picks will probably be lottery protected 1st rounders. But considering the Spurs more than likely won't be lottery w/ LMA even after Duncan retires for the foreseeable future, giving up those picks is low risk for the Spurs.

A good team to make this happen would be the Timberwolves and Bennett. With Batum gone, maybe Portland would like to take a flyer on this guy to see if he can pan out. They can give Minny a lottery pick as well. Timberwolves would be ecstatic if they could get two 1st rounders for Bennett, even if they are lottery protected to some degree.

Yea I agree on Mills. I would work hard to make sure he stays a Spur.

[tav1]

I wonder if James Borrego's presence and market conditions could allow Spurs to use part of MLE on Kyle O'Quinn?

After a max free agent (Aldridge) and Danny Green, both KJ McDaniels and Kyle O'Quinn rate highly on my personal wish list.

Parker/Joseph/League Minimum
Green/McDaniels/Beli
Leonard/Anderson/LJC or empty
Aldridge/Diaw/O'Quinn
Duncan/Baynes/Lalanne or vet min

[Chinook]

Out of all the teams in the mix for LMA, who do you think realistically has the best offer?

Depends on how the potential trades go. If Portland will agree to a S&T, the Spurs win hand's down. If they agree to a Houston S&T, then the Rockets may have it. If Portland gets a maxish player to join them, then they may have it. But with straight cap space, the Spurs probably still win.

[look_at_g_shred]

Mills just provides too much to the team!!

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

Let's just be clear; most of this reasoning is incorrect. First, sign-and-trading for Aldridge does NOT give the Spurs Bird rights or any other privilege over signing him outright. Second, trading Splitter alone for Aldridge is useless. The Spurs would still need to use cap space to take on LMA, so there'd be no difference between trading Splitter to Portland and trading Splitter somewhere else and just not taking back salary. Third, trading Splitter for a pick during the draft is just better asset management, provided they got LMA in both cases. That's why people were hoping it was going to happen.

This isn't the best board anymore, but we're getting to the point where most posters understand the different strategies, and their costs and benefits. If people aren't talking about something by now, it's probably because that idea's been refuted. It's gonna be hard to come at this from a fresh angle.

Next year it does. And yes, Sign and Trade does give the Spurs his Bird Rights WHICH MEANS, the Spurs can resign their OWN players over the cap. Only Portland can sign LMA and then trade his rights to a team, which is what you are suggesting and I know.

Spurs can involve a 3RD TEAM to make the Salaries work. So trading Splitter, involving a 3rd team, getting LMA bird rights so the Spurs can resign Green, Duncan, Manu, etc over the cap this year and if they aren't over the Tax line or with, they still will have the BAE and MLE to use.

Signing LMA outright (after trading Splitter to some other team) means they won't have the MLE or BAE to use period this season. And that would hit the Spurs hard if they lose Green and Beli to free agency.

[ElNono]

Why do people keep saying "if he wants to win, he should pick the Spurs", tbh? The Spurs long term outlook is pretty bleak at the moment, IMO, you have a ball dominant PG (something LMA is already running away from) on the wrong side of 30, injury prone and out of shape to put it mildly locked up at a contract that limits flexibility, two aged veterans that make up the backbone of the team close to retirement, Green might walk, picked nobody that matters on the draft, a FO that's generally reluctant to make big trades... is Pop gonna stick around for the next 5-6 years? I think there's a lot of questions...

[Chinook]

Next year it does. And yes, Sign and Trade does give the Spurs his Bird Rights WHICH MEANS, the Spurs can resign their OWN players over the cap.

No, it doesn't. If the Spurs S&T Aldridge on a 1+1 deal, and LMA opts out, the Spurs don't have the Bird rights to re-sign him. , if Portland just straight re-signs LMA to a 1+1 and then trades him to the Spurs later, then the Spurs STILL wouldn't have his Bird rights.

Spurs can involve a 3RD TEAM to make the Salaries work.

No, they can't. The Spurs can't get Aldridge by trading Splitter to the Blazers and getting a third team to trade a guy like Bennett to Portland as well. It doesn't work that way. The Spurs have to send out enough salary to match; Portland does NOT have to receive enough. That's why a four-team trade where Splitter and Mills go else where and the Spurs get picks and LMA would work even though Portland would take back no salary.

Signing LMA outright (after trading Splitter to some other team) means they won't have the MLE or BAE to use period this season. And that would hit the Spurs hard if they lose Green and Beli to free agency.

Besides what I said above, the Spurs would keep Green's Bird rights in this scenario and would retain the room exception. A cheap sign-and-trade would definitely be ideal, but they can certainly field a good team with just cap space.

Again, though, it's really hard not come at this from some angle no one's ever thought of before. That's not a slight against you. It's just a reality due to how long we've all been obsessing over this.

[spurraider21]

so Chinook if LMA was to happen, a S&T is the only realistic scenario where we can both get LMA and retain Green?

[DPG21920]

so Chinook if LMA was to happen, a S&T is the only realistic scenario where we can both get LMA and retain Green?

Chinook is currently out of office with limited access to voicemail & email. I am his back up. The answer is no. It's not really any more likely one way or the other with regards to Green.

The only difference in a S&T vs cap space is in a S&T you can have less cap space and get to the 18M needed for LMA a little easier since you can take back more money in a S&T than you send out.

[DPG21920]

Why do people keep saying "if he wants to win, he should pick the Spurs", tbh? The Spurs long term outlook is pretty bleak at the moment, IMO, you have a ball dominant PG (something LMA is already running away from) on the wrong side of 30, injury prone and out of shape to put it mildly locked up at a contract that limits flexibility, two aged veterans that make up the backbone of the team close to retirement, Green might walk, picked nobody that matters on the draft, a FO that's generally reluctant to make big trades... is Pop gonna stick around for the next 5-6 years? I think there's a lot of questions...

Sons, despite that there are still less questions surrounding the Spurs than most + they have a top 3 attractive young player to pair with. Plus a FO that has proven to be amazing.

[spurraider21]

Chinook is currently out of office with limited access to voicemail & email. I am his back up. The answer is no. It's not really any more likely one way or the other with regards to Green.

The only difference in a S&T vs cap space is in a S&T you can have less cap space and get to the 18M needed for LMA a little easier since you can take back more money in a S&T than you send out.

i see. also with cap space, you'd have to sign LMA first while Green/Kawhi are still on their cap holds and not their actual new deals

if green signed an offer sheet elsewhere in the meantime, would his cap hold equal that offer sheet or still just the QO

[DPG21920]

Unfortunately Green can't sign an offer sheet. He's unrestricted so if he signs anything, he's gone.

[Chinook]

so Chinook if LMA was to happen, a S&T is the only realistic scenario where we can both get LMA and retain Green?

DPG got it. S&T allows the Spurs to keep Joseph, Baynes and the MLE. Green is accounted for is almost every scenario.

[Chinook]

i see. also with cap space, you'd have to sign LMA first while Green/Kawhi are still on their cap holds and not their actual new deals

if green signed an offer sheet elsewhere in the meantime, would his cap hold equal that offer sheet or still just the QO

Again, DPG answered. If you meant Leonard instead of Green by the off chance, then the cap hold increases to the amount of the first year in the offer sheet for those three days. However, that's not a big deal, since offer sheets can't be signed until after the moratorium, and the Spurs should have everything sorted by then.

[spurraider21]

Unfortunately Green can't sign an offer sheet. He's unrestricted so if he signs anything, he's gone.

yeah that went over my head, thanks for correcting

[Hoops Czar]

Why do people keep saying "if he wants to win, he should pick the Spurs", tbh? The Spurs long term outlook is pretty bleak at the moment, IMO, you have a ball dominant PG (something LMA is already running away from) on the wrong side of 30, injury prone and out of shape to put it mildly locked up at a contract that limits flexibility, two aged veterans that make up the backbone of the team close to retirement, Green might walk, picked nobody that matters on the draft, a FO that's generally reluctant to make big trades... is Pop gonna stick around for the next 5-6 years? I think there's a lot of questions...

This post is underrated.