Clarín: Manu´s interview.He is quite sure he will be a free agent

[TMTTRIO]

I'm starting to think with the things that he's expressing he's gone. In a recent article he said that he always have a good relationship with Pop even if he was playing somewhere else. I think if the Spurs fail to make it all the way to the finals Manu's gone. The Spurs won't want to spend a lot on him and he may decide that their chances of going all the way is over and may decide to another team. It was nice in 2004 because he was an Restricted Free Agent and it kept a lot of teams away but this time he's an Unrestricted FA and if he can continue these game changing plays at least he'll get a lot of interest.

[Mel_13]

Your out of your tree... At his current level, no one is going to offer an SG making 25% of his shots more than the MLE. He's having his worst year since 03/04.

All this worrying is massively overdone. The Spurs will offer him slightly more than the MLE, and no one else is going to offer more than that. Neither the lakers ($84 Million to 8 players including Kobe and Browns options) , nor the Celtics ($64 million to 7 player, including Paul Pierce's option) are in a cap position to offer more than the MLE. The Rockets (Scola), maybe, but I can't see them doing it. The Kings (Nocioni), say NO WAY, he's just too old for their core.

Well time will tell, notwithstanding who is in or out one's tree. Let's assume that you're right and none of the teams with cap space offer him a deal well in excess of the MLE. IMO, a healthy Manu takes an MLE offer from another contender before he accepts an offer slightly above the MLE from the Spurs. We'll find out the actual numbers when Manu signs his next deal.

[NostalgicSpursFan]

I hate this conversation but it's a simple conflict of interests. Lets just hope he plays well and it dissolves into a non-issue.

[arles]

Manu posted something about this in his forum:

Manu:
No lei todo el trade, pero solo comento lo que quise decir con "Ya no espero que los Spurs renueven mi contrato":

Aca renovar, se le llama a extender el contrato antes que expire, o sea... creo que voy a ser un free agent, sí. Pero dentro de las posibilidades a futuro, es que como free agent, firme con los Spurs nuevamente. Se entiende??

Repito, no creo que me extiendan, pero eso no significa que mis días en San Antonio estén terminados si no lo hacen. Existe alguna posibilidad que, tanto como yo, analicen el mercado y terminen firmandome de nuevo. A eso me refería.

Translation:

Manu:
I didn't read the whole thread, but I'll just comment about what I meant with "I don't expect the Spurs to renew my contract anymore.":

Here, to renew is to extend the contract before it expires, I mean... I think I'm gonna be a free agent, yes. But of all my future possibilities, as a free agent, I could sign with the Spurs again. Is it clear?

I repeat, I don't think they'll extend my contract, but that doesn't mean that my days in San Antonio are over if they don't do it. There is a possibility that, as well a I will, they'll analyze the market and end up signing me again. That's what I meant.

Source: http://www.manuginobili.com/foro/vie...32180&start=40


See ya

[SenorSpur]

I ripped TP for whining about his injuries. I'll have to be an equal opportunity critic and say that Manu needs to stop complaining about his contract situation. Being all emotional about how he thought it was more than just a business or whatever doesn't make much sense considering this is the bed he made. He could have already signed an extension but decided against it. After getting hurt, delaying his surgery, trying to regain his footing mid-flow, getting hurt again to end the season and then suffering a season-ending injury the subsequent season due to the improper gait brought on by the original injury ... I can't really fathom how Ginobili is seemingly confused by the situation. If he wanted, he could already have the money in hand. He rolled the dice; live with the consequences.

That said, I can't think of a scenario in that re-signing Ginobili doesn't make sense. Let's say *knock on wood* Ginobili gets injured again. Come the summer, what better option is there going to be than Ginobili? The championship chances without Ginobili would be slim to none. I'd like the chances better of re-signing Ginobili and hoping he didn't suffer an injury for the fourth year in a row.

Basically, no matter what happens between now and the end of the season, I believe that Ginobili needs to be re-signed. If he does well, a two-year, $18-22M deal could be fair. If he does poorly to end the season, you can probably retain him for two years and $12-15M.

When it comes down to it, even a hypothetically 70% Manu is more of a championship player than anyone the Spurs could get for the MLE.

Well stated.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

I ripped TP for whining about his injuries. I'll have to be an equal opportunity critic and say that Manu needs to stop complaining about his contract situation. Being all emotional about how he thought it was more than just a business or whatever doesn't make much sense considering this is the bed he made. He could have already signed an extension but decided against it. After getting hurt, delaying his surgery, trying to regain his footing mid-flow, getting hurt again to end the season and then suffering a season-ending injury the subsequent season due to the improper gait brought on by the original injury ... I can't really fathom how Ginobili is seemingly confused by the situation. If he wanted, he could already have the money in hand. He rolled the dice; live with the consequences.

That said, I can't think of a scenario in that re-signing Ginobili doesn't make sense. Let's say *knock on wood* Ginobili gets injured again. Come the summer, what better option is there going to be than Ginobili? The championship chances without Ginobili would be slim to none. I'd like the chances better of re-signing Ginobili and hoping he didn't suffer an injury for the fourth year in a row.

Basically, no matter what happens between now and the end of the season, I believe that Ginobili needs to be re-signed. If he does well, a two-year, $18-22M deal could be fair. If he does poorly to end the season, you can probably retain him for two years and $12-15M.

When it comes down to it, even a hypothetically 70% Manu is more of a championship player than anyone the Spurs could get for the MLE.

I think that sounds about right. Considering Manu's history of injuries I don't see another team offering him more than that.

This next offseason is going to be very interesting. The Manu situation should make for some good drama. RJ's expiring contract also could create some interesting trade possibilities.

Of course, my hope is that the Spurs win it all this year, putting a little more pressure on the FO to keep Manu happy.

[carina_gino20]

Didn't see this posted anywhere, so I think I'll just put it here.

Ginóbili: "Sé que si no voy al Mundial, me van a terminar matando

[MmP]

Manu ended the controvery with that post in his forum. He's saying he'll be a free agent but doesn't mean he can't continue to be a Spur. He just doesn't think he'll be extended and that at this point of the season (with the Spurs struggling) wouldn't make much sense.
What I do perceibe is him being a little tentative about leaving, putting pressure on the other side of the table.

Please please, watch out when you translate a Spanish articles, words in two languages can be tricky.

[Manu-of-steel]

I think Manu has already realized he can't be doing international bball at his age. He has his gold medal, he had his glory days, now it's time to let it all go and focus on the team that got him 3 rings in the most prestigious league in the world

I agree. Manu at this point will likely stay out of the NT. Getting injured in international games would most likely signal an end to his career, and he has a family to feed. He has shown his loyalty to his country, it's now time for him to focus on his personal life.

[raspsa]

I really hope things work out and Manu retires a Spur.

[Manu-of-steel]

I ripped TP for whining about his injuries. I'll have to be an equal opportunity critic and say that Manu needs to stop complaining about his contract situation. Being all emotional about how he thought it was more than just a business or whatever doesn't make much sense considering this is the bed he made. He could have already signed an extension but decided against it. After getting hurt, delaying his surgery, trying to regain his footing mid-flow, getting hurt again to end the season and then suffering a season-ending injury the subsequent season due to the improper gait brought on by the original injury ... I can't really fathom how Ginobili is seemingly confused by the situation. If he wanted, he could already have the money in hand. He rolled the dice; live with the consequences.

That said, I can't think of a scenario in that re-signing Ginobili doesn't make sense. Let's say *knock on wood* Ginobili gets injured again. Come the summer, what better option is there going to be than Ginobili? The championship chances without Ginobili would be slim to none. I'd like the chances better of re-signing Ginobili and hoping he didn't suffer an injury for the fourth year in a row.

Basically, no matter what happens between now and the end of the season, I believe that Ginobili needs to be re-signed. If he does well, a two-year, $18-22M deal could be fair. If he does poorly to end the season, you can probably retain him for two years and $12-15M.

When it comes down to it, even a hypothetically 70% Manu is more of a championship player than anyone the Spurs could get for the MLE.

Agree. a 70%Manu is still a valuable asset for the spurs than any free agent with the same salary as his. There are many talented players available, but to the spurs, manu fits to a tee.

[barbacoataco]

If the Spurs win a championship or get real close, I think Ginobili will be back. Winning has a way of smoothing over hard feelings on all sides.

Given this interview, if the FO might not want to sign Ginobili to a new contract, wouldn't that mean there is a chance he will be traded before the deadline? If they really are not including him in future plans, why not use his expiring contract to get someone if possible?

[ffadicted]

Looks like Manu was reading spurs talk this morning

[exstatic]

If he stays healthy he will be re-signed. I would be pretty shocked otherwise.

I think the Spurs are just playing it cautious. I believe they can offer him an extension right up to 30 June. If he shows good health all the way through the playoffs, SA will get it done.

[Rick Von Braun]

I can see some contenders offering him a $19M/3 years contract but I don't see at all Lakers being interested to have him as starting PG mainly because it would be a disaster on the defensive end.

I am reading this thread sequentially, so I apologize if this comment has been made already (later in the thread).

You may need to reevaluate that statement. A starting lineup of:

PG Manu
SG Kobe
SF Artest
PF Gasol
C Bynum

would wreck havoc in the NBA. Can you imagine the triple threat of Manu/Kobe/Artest roaming the perimeter while Gasol and Bynum protect the paint! Sheesh... it gives me goose bumps to just think about it.

[Allanon]

I am reading this thread sequentially, so I apologize if this comment has been made already (later in the thread).

You may need to reevaluate that statement. A starting lineup of:

PG Manu
SG Kobe
SF Artest
PF Gasol
C Bynum

would wreck havoc in the NBA. Can you imagine the triple threat of Manu/Kobe/Artest roaming the perimeter while Gasol and Bynum protect the paint! Sheesh... it gives me goose bumps to just think about it.

I approve. Sounds like Manu has the desire but the Spurs aren't interested in re-signing Manu.

Even Manu off the Bench would be pretty bad-ass:
Manu
Odom
Shannon Brown
Farmar

Get it done Mitch. Hispanic LA would idolize Manu.

[DesignatedT]

Ginobili saying that he wouldnt accept an extension if we offered it right now? wtf is that all about.

Its not the spurs fault that they continously told him not to play overseas because something like an injury would happen. its not the spurs fault that he single handedly ruined our chance for a championship last year.

he should know why the spurs are being tentative and he should understand why they are.

him saying he wouldnt accept an offer and is looking forward to seeing his options show more disrespect on his part than what the spurs have done.

All this SPURS want is proof that he can last an NBA season healthy with no significant injuries... Him saying that HE WILL NOT participate in international basketball would also give the spurs some reassurance......

He still after what happened to him wont say that hes done with FIBA ball....and that IMO is ridiculous. not anything the spurs have done

[e20dylan]

this . manu is a hall of fame player. his jersey will be retired here. AND he will be resigned. SHUT THE UP