Sheridan: Spurs frontrunners to land Al Jefferson

[TD 21]

I wouldn't do that trade. Jefferson is a horrendous defender. He's probably a top five worst pick-and-roll defender. Putting him next to Duncan would make the Spurs too slow. On offense, Jefferson isn't a great fit either. He needs a lot of post touches ... but the Spurs don't emphasize post-ups much anymore.

Splitter isn't necessarily always > Jefferson ... but he is for the Spurs at this point in time.

Exactly.

Even if the Spurs could do Jackson, Bonner + 2 1sts for Jefferson, I don't know that they'd do that. Since there's virtually no chance Jefferson would re-sign (he couldn't consistently play with Duncan, leaving him what, 20 mpg in a backup role?), they'd have to determine whether having him off the bench would be more beneficial than having Jackson around as a secondary Durant/James defender. Maybe they could get Carroll thrown in to offset that, but still, Jefferson wouldn't be a great fit in a 2nd unit that's Ginobili/pick-and-roll centric.

I don't know whether Sheridan's site is floundering or not, but it wouldn't surprise me if it is and this is just a feeble attempt to drum up interest, just like his claims that the lockout would end before a game was missed.

[KL2]

Once again ST fans should stop thinking you can attract teams by trading them all our garbage in once tbh

They may seem like garbage to us, but valuable to another team. Especially to a team's GM that has seen them play, remember Lindsey (Utah's GM) was working for SA just last year. Blair/Bonner are both former starters, one of them potentially the best 3pt shooter in the league, Neal is a scoring machine/PG, Jack is a quality player as well. Lorbek is also a very attractive piece, he's been compared to Okur.

I wouldn't be surprised if this trade goes down. The Spurs managed to trade the corpses of Bowen/Oberto/Thomas for a 20ppg scorer (Rgay), Memphis traded Gay for Prince and Davis etc.

[Richie]

They may seem like garbage to us, but valuable to another team. Especially to a team's GM that has seen them play, remember Lindsey (Utah's GM) was working for SA just last year. Blair/Bonner are both former starters, one of them potentially the best 3pt shooter in the league, Neal is a scoring machine/PG, Jack is a quality player as well. Lorbek is also a very attractive piece, he's been compared to Okur.

I wouldn't be surprised if this trade goes down. The Spurs managed to trade the corpses of Bowen/Oberto/Thomas for a 20ppg scorer (Rgay), Memphis traded Gay for Prince and Davis etc.

No, they're trash. If we aren't giving up Tiago or Kawhi, the only option is Green.

Green + 1st + salary (jackson) for Al sounds like a good deal

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

I wouldn't be surprised if this trade goes down. The Spurs managed to trade the corpses of Bowen/Oberto/Thomas for a 20ppg scorer (Rgay), Memphis traded Gay for Prince and Davis etc.

These were purely financial trades. Your proposed one isn't. Also , Lorbek isn't coming to the NBA, like ever. Bonner will be traded on draft day. Blair has zero trade value, Neal also close to zero.

[timtonymanu]

I would hate to lose Jack too. I know Spur fan thinks he's a scrub now but we need him. I would only trade Jack if the right trade comes along and Al doesn't seem like the solution, IMO.

[eDizzle20]

I don't completely mind this trade. The Spurs will have to pay for Splitter in the offseason, especially with him being a restricted free agent. My guess is that some team with cap room will offer him $10 million/year. Jefferson is the same age as Splitter and has a more versatile offensive game and is also averaging 1.2 blocks/game. A trade like this is more about playoff time than anything else as Splitter disappeared against OKC in the conference finals.

[George Gervin's Afro]

This thread is going to be a ten pager full of nothing isn't it?

I see you have been to this board before...

[SenorSpur]

Al Jefferson may be a far better offensive player than Splitter, but he's also a far worse defender. Giving up Splitter, under any cir stances, is too costly for the Spurs. Besides, Pop has willed and commanded this team be better defensively - and they have. I don't know why he would jepoardize that now. Therefore to Sheridan's rumor, I say "bah humbug".

[angelbelow]

Wouldn't do Jackson and Splitter for Jefferson though.

[Mal]

no to trading Tiago for anyone

[HeroSquad]

Al Jefferson seems much more like a replacement for Tim than for Tiago. It makes you wonder though, if the rumors are even remotely true that is, just how confident are the Spurs about resigning Tiago this offseason. I can't imagine they'd be more confident in resigning Jefferson should they make the trade than they would Tiago, who is a RFA.

[cd98]

Spurs aren't giving up Splitter unless the Spurs organization thinks he isn't worth what he'll want for an extension. Jefferson is a solid post player, but he'd clash with the Spurs system. Splitter is perfect for it because he sets great screens and is a great finisher. So for the Spurs system, Splitter is better than Jefferson.

[HeroSquad]

Another thought, how much do you think Aron Baynes factors into this if, again, the rumors are true? Do they think he can ascend to Splitter's role should they decide to part with the Brazilian big man?

[ChaseReynolds]

If Utah doesn't want to deal Jefferson away, I think we should give this a shot just for the of it: http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=ca4lk4s

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

Take out Splitter and insert Blair and this year's first round pick. Deal. Lots of upside (and backside) for Utah by bringing in Dejuan.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

On second thought, let's just blow this team up. Trade 'em all Pop. Best record in basketball...meh.

[Brunodf]

KG is different because he's more agile and his pick and roll defense is elite

[Richie]

Why do people keep thinking Duncan and Al Jeff can't play together? Letting Jefferson bang in the post and keep Duncan on pick and roll/pop is perfect going forward and keeping Timmy fresh. Much more tiring to play in the post, let young legs do it.

If we can get a deal of Green + a backup point (Mills/CoJo/De Colo) + Jackson (salary) + a 1st for Jefferson, I think that'd be a good deal for both teams.

Utah can probably get more for him if the team thinks they can get him to re sign, but thats always a gamble. Considering how Jefferson has said he idolised Duncan growing up, respects our organisation and seems like a perfect fit personality wise, we can be quietly confident we could get him to re sign at a reasonable price in the summer.

Would give us a line up of

Parker/De Colo
Neal/Manu
Kawhi/Diaw
Duncan/Bonner
Splitter/Jefferson

The allure of getting Neal back to shooting guard where he is a much better player is not to overlooked. Diaw would have to play significant minutes at the 3, and if Kawhi got hurt we'd be in a lot of trouble.

Also, we would be able to bring Jackson back in the summer using the MLE and he could retire with Manu and Duncan in 2015

[Brunodf]

These were purely financial trades. Your proposed one isn't. Also , Lorbek isn't coming to the NBA, like ever. Bonner will be traded on draft day. Blair has zero trade value, Neal also close to zero.

He has some value, chuckers are very overrated in this league tbh...

[tenbeersbold]

Just thinkin',Tim might view this as his last chance for a 'ship and the contract he signed tbh is probably more to keep people in the seats in SA,which is a no brainer for SA

But Tim's minutes are gonna have to come down at some point,so trading away Tiago for Jefferson w/ Baynes waiting in the backround makes business sense if not 'ship sense. Tiago isnt a fan favorite and doesnt have much fan loyalty/ties to the SA market afaik. AND his LAST chance at a big NBA contract is next year,I dont think his improved play this year is some coincidence...its market time and besides Tim,Tony and Manu pretty much everyone is on the block in a business sense.

[LarryDavid]

The Jazz boards are filled with non-stop hate for Al Jefferson....

Yes, because we all know that people in fan forums never overreact or have idiotic takes.

Also, I wonder if any of these rumors started after Duncan went down before anyone knew the extent of the injury. I don't know the inner workings of a front office, but it wouldn't be hard to imagine the Jazz FO, or any FO for that matter, to put out feelers on a "replacement" for Duncan. Either way, trade is stupid and if the Spurs pull the trigger I'll trip Duncan on his way down the court like I did to Shaq all those years ago.

[Maddog]

Another thought, how much do you think Aron Baynes factors into this if, again, the rumors are true? Do they think he can ascend to Splitter's role should they decide to part with the Brazilian big man?

Good thought- But I don't think so. As promising as Baynes seems (based on one game) you aren't going based championship hopes on a fresh off the boat Euro. A lot of Euro bigs have had adjustment issues with the NBA- Tiago, Oberto both had some problems- probably others. Someone can probably name a few who didn't.

I do think Bruno has pretty much summed it up perfectly. The Spurs may be interested in Jefferson. The rest is speculation.

[Juggity]

Yes, because we all know that people in fan forums never overreact or have idiotic takes

I'm just providing a metric by which to compare fan frustrations. Bad players incite fan frustrations. Taken as a collective, Jazz fans' complaints are valid criticisms of Jefferson's play, not because they exist, but because they are an overwhelming perception that I happen to agree with, having seen Jefferson's flaws myself.

[MR-Clutch]

• I'm totally willing to do the trade if Tiago is not part of the package. Tiago is by far our most mobile big on defense and fits in our starting lineup too well, to trade for Jefferson, in fact, our starting lineup, by measure of points per possession/ points allowed per opponent possession is one of the best in the league if not the best.

• I think we can all agree that the spurs wouldn't surrender Tiago to get Jefferson when they have placed such an emphasis on defense this year. That said If were to give up some package not including Splitter, such as the one Bruno mentioned, you do it every time. Tiago and Al Jeff would be the future, for at least the next 5-8 years, and would also help possibly extend Duncan's career further.

• If the spurs were to execute a trade and get Al Jeff without giving up Splitter, you have to wonder what that would do to the lineup rotation. Would Al agree to come off the bench? At the moment, it seems like that would be the best option for Jefferson and the team because of the first point I mentioned. Jefferson and Tim would just be way too slow on defense. IF the spurs could get Al jefferson to come of the bench, we would always have a threat to score down low. I would love to see the combo of Duncan/Splitter/Al Jefferson punishing the thunder or heat in a series.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Why do people keep thinking Duncan and Al Jeff can't play together? Letting Jefferson bang in the post and keep Duncan on pick and roll/pop is perfect going forward and keeping Timmy fresh. Much more tiring to play in the post, let young legs do it.

If we can get a deal of Green + a backup point (Mills/CoJo/De Colo) + Jackson (salary) + a 1st for Jefferson, I think that'd be a good deal for both teams.

Utah can probably get more for him if the team thinks they can get him to re sign, but thats always a gamble. Considering how Jefferson has said he idolised Duncan growing up, respects our organisation and seems like a perfect fit personality wise, we can be quietly confident we could get him to re sign at a reasonable price in the summer.

Would give us a line up of

Parker/De Colo
Neal/Manu
Kawhi/Diaw
Duncan/Bonner
Splitter/Jefferson

The allure of getting Neal back to shooting guard where he is a much better player is not to overlooked. Diaw would have to play significant minutes at the 3, and if Kawhi got hurt we'd be in a lot of trouble.

Also, we would be able to bring Jackson back in the summer using the MLE and he could retire with Manu and Duncan in 2015

De Colo isn't ready at all for big minutes. Neal is still a terrible defender and should only get spot minutes. Diaw at the three is just no.
And Jackson wouldn't be able to sign back with the Spurs until after a year has passed.