RICHARD JEFFERSON opts OUT!!

[Agloco]

*takes down names of Richard Jefferson supporters so he can make them eat crow when RJ splooges all over this franchise if he resigns*

Just make sure you spell it correctly, slappy.

[AFBlue]

Like it or not, Jefferson coming back is probably the best option.

As it stands, the Spurs have to fill the void at SF. They can do that four ways:
1) Offer Jefferson a new contract for a few years, at a slightly lower rate. Spurs can offer as much as they want because of RJs Bird Rights, so this is probably the best value the Spurs can get.
2) Use the LLE to sign a FA small forward. This is a possibility, but with the MLE already committed to Splitter, this would leave no money left for the Spurs to address any other needs such as another big or point guard (outside of minimum contracts, of course)
3) Sign some scrubs or bring in a groomer from the DLeague, and then distribute Jeffersons minutes between the wings. I think this works in theory for guys like Hairston, but other guys like Ginobili and Andersen don't really have the tools for SF.
4) Some unforeseeable sign and/or trade.

I'm sure the Spurs FO will be pulling the strings. But out of those options, I think the Spurs are probably going to get the most production out of Jefferson returning. I don't think they are necessarily rewarding Jefferson with a long contract, as much as Jefferson is putting them in a tough situation, but they still may need to bite the bullet.

I'd put it #3 behind, S&T for a different role player (#1) and letting him walk (#2). Honestly, what has Jefferson done to prove he deserves a long-term contract with the Spurs...even at half the cost per season?

[Creation88]

did i not watch the same Richard Jefferson that everyone else watched this year? because the one i saw couldn't play with Tim on the same court, wouldn't drive the basketball, had no lateral movement, and missed 16 rotations a game.

you guys are the worst flip floppers fans in the league.

we go from: Jefferson trade being awesome, to him sucking it up, to wanting him gone, to him opting out, to everyone wanting him back...long term.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Lakers won because they had length on every team.

Again Ron Artest who started them for at the 3 was 6-7. When they talk about length its because with Bynum and Gasol they had two 7-footers and a 6-10 Odom coming off the bench.

Assuming Splitter comes then we get another 7 footer but if there are any 6-10 3/4s out there be sure to point them out.

And RJ is 6-7 anyway so its ing moot anyway. We are not the Lakers nor have we won with a huge 3 in Pop's system ever.

[ohmwrecker]

i don't think ANYONE can explain why a long term deal for an aged Richard Jefferson is a GOOD thing. you're ing re ed if you think so.

Aged? WTF? If any other team was interested in RJ as a FA they would sign him to a similar deal. Savvy? If we sign him to his fair market value then the Spurs can get something in return via trade instead of letting him walk.

Is any of this getting through?

[FuzzyLumpkins]

If the spurs had another Bruce Bowen your point would be valid.

RJ or not there is no Bowen replacement so whats your point in the context of this discussion?

[Creation88]

who the is gonna wanna trade for him coming off the worst season in his career? you're pipe dreams are laughable. you expect a demand that is not out there.

[AFBlue]

a sign and trade IS the best option but who would want RJ long term? he was more valuable as an expiring deal then a long-term.

Maybe no one, but he would definitely have more value in different systems (i.e. Knicks up-tempo offense). I bet there's someone out there (hometown Clippers?) willing to take him on for a few years.

[Creation88]

need i remind you that no one wanted him THIS past trade deadline. there was "no market"

[ohmwrecker]

And RJ is 6-7 anyway so its ing moot anyway. We are not the Lakers nor have we won with a huge 3 in Pop's system ever.

RJ plays taller than 6'7" because he is athletic. I didn't see Sean Elliott or Ime Udoka or Bruce Bowen for that matter block shots and rebound like RJ.

[Agloco]

Aged? WTF? If any other team was interested in RJ as a FA they would sign him to a similar deal. Savvy? If we sign him to his fair market value then the Spurs can get something in return via trade instead of letting him walk.

Is any of this getting through?

Don't bother.......just be glad that you're on his list.

[Dex]

I'd put it #3 behind, S&T for a different role player and letting him walk. Honestly, what has Jefferson done to prove he deserves a long-term contract with the Spurs...even at half the cost per season?

Well, I agree that a S&T is probably the best option; Spurs only do that if they get some benefit out of it. But that's dependent on some other team agreeing to it, and that remains to be seen in the cards.

[AFBlue]

need i remind you that no one wanted him THIS past trade deadline. there was "no market"

No market for a player making $13M then and $15M the next season. RJ at a lower number is probably more palatable to certain teams. I just wouldn't want it for the Spurs.

[Mel_13]

Honestly, what has Jefferson done to prove he deserves a long-term contract with the Spurs...even at half the cost per season?

We'll have to see the numbers on any new deal, but it's entirely possible that sufficient cost savings can be realized in year 1 to pay all or most of the costs in years 2 and 3. So it wouldn't be so much that he 'deserved' a long-term contract, but rather that the Spurs could have RJ for 3 years at the same cost as one year.

[AFBlue]

Well, I agree that a S&T is probably the best option; Spurs only do that if they get some benefit out of it. But that's dependent on some other team doing us a solid, and that remains to be seen in the cards.

"Solid" is in the eye of the beholder. If the Spurs get someone to take on RJ for multiple years, my assumption is that they're getting back a much less talented player (albeit one that has more value than current alternatives like Hairston/Gee or LLE pickup).

I need to think on the possibilities of this scenario, but I don't think it's improbable.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

RJ plays taller than 6'7" because he is athletic. I didn't see Sean Elliott or Ime Udoka or Bruce Bowen for that matter block shots and rebound like RJ.

Did you miss the part where we won championships with Bowen and Elliott?

I would prefer to keep RJ over the present alternative but this notion that RJ is going to be an assett as long as he misses 3s and rotations is asinine.

RJ can jump and hes fast in a straight line down the court but he was entirely too large at 235 and his lateral quickness or lack thereof was a liability.

In order for RJ to really take us over the hump he needs to hit his jumper and play perimeter defense. If he cannot we need to find someone who can or were not going anywhere

[AFBlue]

We'll have to see the numbers on any new deal, but it's entirely possible that sufficient cost savings can be realized in year 1 to pay all or most of the costs in years 2 and 3. So it wouldn't be so much that he 'deserved' a long-term contract, but rather that the Spurs could have RJ for 3 years at the same cost as one year.

If it's "6 in one hand, half a dozen in the other", where is the incentive for RJ to take that deal? There has to be some additional dollars on any contract he signs or he wouldn't have opted out...right?

[ss1986v2]

If it's "6 in one hand, half a dozen in the other", where is the incentive for RJ to take that deal? There has to be some additional dollars on any contract he signs or he wouldn't have opted out...right?

you have to factor in our tax savings into the equation as well.

[Ice009]

Who are the Spurs looking at for the LLE???

EricB said someone surprising according to his source. Anyone care to guess?

[Mel_13]

If it's 6 in one hand, half a dozen in the other, where is the incentive for RJ to take that deal? There has to be some additional dollars on any contract he signs or he wouldn't have opted out...right?

The money that the Spurs save in salary, luxury tax, and tax distribution in year 1 are used to pay all or most of the costs in years 2 and 3. RJ goes from 1yr/15M to say 3yrs/24M or perhaps a bit more, so there's his incentive.

[ohmwrecker]

Did you miss the part where we won championships with Bowen and Elliott?

Like I said before . . . different times. The good teams are ALL longer and more athletic AND they've figured out how to stop the Spurs. Or, at least slow us down.

I would prefer to keep RJ over the present.

RJ can jump and hes fast.

In order for RJ to really take us over the hump he needs to hit his jumper and play perimeter defense. If he cannot we need to find someone who can or were not going anywhere.

Then we are in agreement.

[AFBlue]

you have to factor in our taxing savings into the equation as well.

Who is "our" in this tax saving situation?

I see the incentive for the Spurs if it's a like-money contract, but I don't see why RJ does that deal. RJ opted out to either a) put himself in a better situation on a different team or b) make more money in the future than he would have made by taking the $15M and entering FA in 2011 with a possible lockout.

I don't see how he settles for a contract that pays him no more than he would have gotten for this year alone. Makes no financial sense.

[ohmwrecker]

I can't do this anymore. Goodnight all. Finger's crossed that this whole deal works out.

[Ice009]

How about adding some incentives in an RJ contract? Make it 8 million per season with some incentives if he does well.

[AFBlue]

The money that the Spurs save in salary, luxury tax, and tax distribution in year 1 are used to pay all or most of the costs in years 2 and 3. RJ goes from 1yr/15M to say 3yrs/24M or perhaps a bit more, so there's his incentive.

Got it, but I still don't see it. All you're doing is spreading out the pain and paying less tax on a player that may well not be worth the $8M/yr you're throwing his way.