Potential Acquisition: Lamar Odom

[picnroll]

It's possible/likely the Spurs have sized up the Clippers RFAs and asked them or their agents "If we make you an offer (including for some a max offer) would you be willing to sign and risk Sterling matching" and the players, or the ones we're interested in, have said no. If that's the case the Spurs are SOL.

[timvp]

If the Spurs don't land either Kidd or O'Neal, they have considered giving one of the next-tier free agents — Alonzo Mourning, P.J. Brown, Michael Olowokandi and Karl Malone are among the candidates — an inflated one-year contract to give themselves the option of pursuing Brand at the end of next season, provided he signs only a one-year deal with the Clippers this summer.

The Spurs spoke with representatives of most of the league's top free agents Tuesday, including David Falk, the agent for Los Angeles Clippers forward Elton Brand. The Spurs have not given up hope that a sign-and-trade deal could be worked for Brand. Because Brand is a restricted free agent, the Clippers can take up to 15 days to match any offer he receives July 16.

Apology Accepted.

[Whottt]

So basically if Brand only take the QO from the Clips there's a very good chance the Spurs are gonna go after him?

Sweeeeeeet. I knew Brand, not Kidd, was Pop's wet dream.

[Ghost Writer]

I didn't accuse you of lying, timvp, so No Apology Needed™.

Alright. Well at least they expressed interest in Brand. I would still wait to extend an offer sheet to him before committing to Kidd, though. If Sterling matches, sobeit. If Kidd is serious about the Spurs, he won't sign with NJ right away. I'll take my chances.

[timvp]

Sterling has scared the league into thinking he will match any offer. So no way in Brand accepts a max deal. You can put that idea to rest.

The Spurs can get Brand one of two ways.

1) Sign and trade.

2) Let him accept the QO and then go after him next year when he is an UFA.

[picnroll]

Timvp, if we do a one year deal with someone and then go after Brand next year won't we be below the cap and thereby not have the MLE to offer Manu?

[scott]

By the way, Ghost, it is now being reported that Kidd wants to make his decision no later than Monday.

So much for the idea that he wants to wait around to see what happens with Elton Brand.

[MadeFromDust]

No potheads allowed! Just say NO! to Modo Ramal!

[Ghost Writer]

"By the way, Ghost, it is now being reported that Kidd wants to make his decision no later than Monday.

So much for the idea that he wants to wait around to see what happens with Elton Brand." — scott

We'll never know, scott. It seems like the Spur sinquired about a S&T like you suggested and Sterling wasn't interested. Now the Spurs have put all the eggs in the Kidd basket.

Kidd is playing games between the Nets and the Spurs. If the Nets meet his demmands and he re-signs with them, maybe the Spurs will call the Clippers' bluff.

The Jazz have communicated an offer for the max to Brand, so they must not believe Sterling will re-up the big man.

Amidst the Brand confusion are four other desirable Clippers free agents.

My main thing is that the Spurs must want Kidd more if they're not willing to wait and gamble on Brand.

[picnroll]

Ghost two possibilities:

1) Spurs approached Brand and said if we make a max offer will you accept and risk Sterling picking up the contract and Brand said no it's S&T or I'm waiting a year.

or

2) Maybe the Spurs would rather go after Brand next year not risking making an offer, having Sterling match, and take Brand out of the picture for good

[Ghost Writer]

I understand that, picnroll, but Utah seems all set to offer Brand the max and force Sterling's hand anyway. That's the key point that made me think we should get in on that bidding, too.

[picnroll]

Has Utah actully made an offer or just talking about it?

Seattle Times is reporting that Payton's stay in Seattle is a one year thing then he's moving on to get paid so the window may re-open even if Spurs can't bulk up this year.

[Ghost Writer]

picnroll, no one can officially extend an offer sheet to a free agent until this Wednesday. Utah is reportedly prepared to do so to Brand. I think the Spurs should, too.

[scott]

I agree that we should allow Utah to make the Max offer to Brand if we have equal opportunity to do so.

Even though I don't want Kidd- I think we have to see what happens with him first, though.

If Kidd resigns with the Nets (which I hope he does) we have two options.

1) We can offer Brand the max before he signs Utah's offer sheet (thus meaning he will be a Clipper or a Jazz... is that how you refer to a member of the Jazz... a Jazz?)

2) We can call Sterling again and say: "This is really happening Donny Boy... if you aren't ready to match that Max offer, you still have time to work a S&T with us.

[Ghost Writer]

Either way is fine by me, scott. Finally, something we can both agree on!




If we strike out on Kidd, I can't see the Spurs pussyfooting around a Brand acquisition.

Utah having the balls to extend him an offer tells me they don't believe Sterling will match. We should think the same way.

[scott]

Yes, it would be a DAMNED shame to watch the Holting Pattern result in Kidd staying put, ONeal staying put, Brand going to Utah, and Payton/Malone going to LA. The hardest part to swallow being Brand, Payton and Malone. There is no reason these other teams should be outbidding the World Champion San Antonio Spurs.

[Archie]

Short of Parker I don't see anything the Spurs have that Sterling would want in a sign and trade.

If you challenge him straight up on Brand then (assuming Brand goes along) you have to wait 15 days. During that time you will lose out on a number of solid free agents. PJ Brown is one that comes to mind. Other younger free agents that the Spurs might be interesting in might find new homes by then. And of course Sterling might 'go crazy' and match that offer.

[Ghost Writer]

"Short of Parker I don't see anything the Spurs have that Sterling would want in a sign and trade." — Archie

Um, how about money and picks, Arch. When has Sterling ever been satiated by that before?

Once again, if you want to pass on Brand for Brown or some other Unidentified Free Agents (U.F.A.s), then be my guest.

I'll negotiate for Brand's services for two weeks.


He's worth it and there's no one left worth hurrying for.

[Archie]

You are assuming that the Clippers are a normal NBA operation. They aren't. They would be more than happy to have Elton Brand for one more season and then see him walk instead of giving him up now for 'picks and cash'.

[scott]

Some picks and cash might be all it takes for Sterling, though, if he isn't going to Match Utah's offer.

He offered Brand 5 years for $65 million- but that is about what our max 5 year deal would be with the 10% raises (given a $42 million cap). That is about 3 million less than what the 5 year max from LAC would be for Brand.

A 6 year max deal from us would be for $81 million (a 6 year max from LAC would be $86 million)

If Sterling doesn't want to pay more than $65 million, we just need to find out how much he values not paying that extra 16 million in year 6 if he matched.

I think A couple #1's and some cash could do it.

[Ghost Writer]

Now we're cokkin', scott.

I am going under the premise that the Spurs approached Sterling with the intent of a S&T and he refused, as reported by timvp.

It comes down to SA joining Utah in offering Brand the max.

If Brand doesn't mind calling Sterling's bluff and perfers us over Utah (who wouldn't?), we're good to go.

We wait out the 15 days and dare Sterling to match.

In the end, we either wind up with Brand, or we look at other alternatives, like the 4 other Clippers free agents that won't likey committ anywhere until Brand makes his decision.

[Archie]

From the Spurs' POV what is the cost of making a max offer to Brand (which he accepts) on July 16th, waiting 15 days, and having Sterling match?

Pretty much the Spurs would lose out on most desirable free agents. My guess is that they would then start looking for trades using their cap flexibility to acquire a decent big.

[Ghost Writer]

Who?

Who are these desirable free agents that they will miss out on?


Odom and Olowokandi aren't gonna do a damn thing until Brand's contract is resolved.


Where's PJ Brown, Nesterovic, Mourning and Arenas all going to go without exploring a Spurs opportunity?


None of those free agents are worth skipping due diligence with Brand anyway!

[scott]

Because of Brand's lower max (25% vs. 30%), we'll still have a decent amount of capspace while Brand is waiting for the match.

Given that we already have Malik Rose as our primary backup big, we probably won't use that space to go after PJ Brown or Brad Miller (which are the only FA Bigs I'd care about losing out on), because then we'd have a logjam at our big spots if Brand does sign with us.

But we can still go after some other FAs with that money. Maybe a backup point? Maybe a 2/3?

If the cost of going after Brand is losing out on PJ Brown or Brad Miller- I take that chance and then try to trade for a big man if I lose out on Brand.

IMO, Brown and Miller are not worth giving a half-assed effort at getting Brand. Sure there is a risk involved, but there is also a huge upside to that risk.

[Archie]

PJ Brown would probably go to Orlando, who is offering him their full MLE for 4 years, I believe.