PTR: "Leonard's Extension Tied to Retirement of manu & Tim"

[ElNono]

After Duncan Era, it could be time to change this frugal economy in orden to get compe ive quickly again?.

They've a strong financial group, the owners try to explore other leagues and invest in other teams...they really can't spend more money?
Don't get me wrong, I appreciate how they've managed to not exceed the luxury tax and I don't expect a big jump #23 at the cap list to #5 but maybe the team will need a bit more money to have a shot again. I mean at least for two/three years.

I know, it's not my money and I'm blasphemer.

Unfortunately, the days of just tipping your feet into luxury tax waters without much consequence are no longer here. The luxury tax has become extremely punitive since the last CBA. Maybe you do it one year, but I can't see it happening longer than that. Obviously, the Spurs might just be trying to push everything down the road when the new TV contract should expand the cap space considerably, and provide some help to solve all of this. There will also be negotiations for a new CBA at some point too, perhaps relaxing the luxury tax rules.

In the meantime, I expect the Spurs to try to juggle with this situation and avoid going over the tax line. We're just going to have to hope for the best.

[cd021]

I agree that both guys will probably stay, but no way Gasol looks at Memphis and thinks they have a brighter future than the Spurs do. Their roster sucks, especially for a Western team.


The Blazers' roster is also pretty weak. Their young guys (the really young ones) have to take a step or two forward in order for their bench to not be horrible again. I think Aldridge will stay since the money seems to be really important to him. But he's at the point of his career where the Blazers' youth is actually a bad thing for him. Lillard will need to become a true superstar (not just an overrated player like he is now) in order for Portland to ever be even a fringe contender.

I don't think Hibbert would be a good option at all. He's just not what the team needs, and he's not very good. Millsap would be nice if the team could also bring in another mid-level FA to play the two off the bench.

I meant Portland could be a top 4 team in the west, probably 6th in the league after next season, assuming everything works to their advantage. Duncan and Manu retiring and the Clippers potentially losing Jordan.

Even looking further down the road with Durants free agency and the reports that he could be interested in playing for the Wizards.

In the immediate future the Spurs should be fine with Parker, Green (assuming he resigns, Splitter, and Leonard along with Ginobili potentially returning.

I don't think that Gasol and Aldridge (money aside) would see the Spurs being any better a option. Parker is going on 32 with high mileage, he would be the biggest draw (besides maybe Pop).


I get the problems with Hibbert playing in San Antonio. Paring him with Splitter means that there is no floor spacing between them and Hibberts an average post player and a mediocre rebounder.

He intrigues me though and Pop may be able to better utilize him.

If he did decide to leave Indy, I could see the Knicks, or Hawks making a play for him.

[DPG21920]

Why not? It makes more sense to give him a five-year deal than a four-year one. The Spurs paying an extra $8 Million to do that would be very smart.

I must be missing something; I thought Spurs max extension was 5/80+

[SpursDynasty21]

I understand that some think that big free agents don't want to play with the Spurs, but I'm not sure. After Duncan/Ginobili retires, the Spurs might have the cap space to really go after some top players in free agency or trade. I think that Kawhi Leonard has to be the priority, though.

[Chinook]

I must be missing something; I thought Spurs max extension was 5/80+

Yes, as opposed to $68M/4.

Essentially, any other team can offer him a four-year deal at 4.27 times the max. The Spurs can offer five years at 5.75 times the max. The only difference between those contracts really is .3 times the max (as that's the difference between 4.5-percent raises and 7.5-percent raises four five years. .3 times the max is about $4.5 Million.

I added in the extra if you weren't assuming any fifth-year raise.

[itzsoweezee]

I heard the cap will be going up. Won't the spurs be paying more if they don't sign him this year? Maybe they don't mind. Maybe Kawhi doesn't mind for the same reason?

[exstatic]

I heard the cap will be going up. Won't the spurs be paying more if they don't sign him this year? Maybe they don't mind. Maybe Kawhi doesn't mind for the same reason?

No. He makes what he makes this season, and whether it's an extension or a new contract, his new deal will be based on NEXT year's cap, since that's when it starts.