Report: Spurs might get a free agent meeting with LaMarcus Aldridge

[Mel_13]

other then money why stay
why lakers
why knicks

1. Money
2. Community
3. Teammates
4. Coaching staff
5. Organization

Some or all of those. The same things that keep the vast majority of major free agents with the teams they're familiar with.

[Chinook]

Not enough cap space if TD returns. TD is not playing for the minimum, so don't even go there.

All a moot point anyway, the guy isn't leaving Portland.

I'm not sure anymore. He's starting to have that look in his eye that James had his last year in Cleveland (the first time). I think he knows the team will never get over the hump. The injuries are just an excuse -- they were healthy last season and were still outclassed by the Spurs. Given that the monetary difference is negligible, I think he could well leave.

Problem is, the Spurs aren't going to have the space to sign him, unless he's willing to take a HUGE discount. So it probably won't be SA. But I could see some teams in the East going for him. Atlanta has to be an option, along with maybe Boston

[hyhy]

I'm not sure anymore. He's starting to have that look in his eye that James had his last year in Cleveland (the first time). I think he knows the team will never get over the hump. The injuries are just an excuse -- they were healthy last season and were still outclassed by the Spurs. Given that the monetary difference is negligible, I think he could well leave.

Problem is, the Spurs aren't going to have the space to sign him, unless he's willing to take a HUGE discount. So it probably won't be SA. But I could see some teams in the East going for him. Atlanta has to be an option, along with maybe Boston

Yup, he is playing unmotivated these 2 games at memphis, probably leaving soon. His body language in the games is terrible

[Mel_13]

I'm not sure anymore. He's starting to have that look in his eye that James had his last year in Cleveland (the first time). I think he knows the team will never get over the hump. The injuries are just an excuse -- they were healthy last season and were still outclassed by the Spurs. Given that the monetary difference is negligible, I think he could well leave.

Problem is, the Spurs aren't going to have the space to sign him, unless he's willing to take a HUGE discount. So it probably won't be SA. But I could see some teams in the East going for him. Atlanta has to be an option, along with maybe Boston

I can't find much fault with this post. I still believe the most likely outcome has him staying in Portland, but Boston and Atlanta are attractive destinations. The Spurs won't have the money even if Aldridge is inclined to leave.

[monkeypunk]

They won't have the MLE if they use cap space to sign a free agent. The biggest exception will be the 2.7M dollar room exception. Tim's not playing for that either.

IMO, I don't think its impossible for TD to play for the min. He's not about the money and has already made more over his career than the vast majority of players in the league. He seems to only want to play and win so it's not far fetched for him to play for the min if it allows SAS to get more talent signed.

That being said, I think it's more likely that PATFO pay him more than the min just out of respect for his contributions, along the lines of Manu's last contract so he may well get 8-10 for another year but I don't think TD would be driving that valuation.

[benefactor]

I'd put my money on Atlanta. Warm climate, Eastern Conference, solid core of players and an up an coming elite coach.

[024]

"might get a meeting"

people getting excited over a possible meeting.

San Antonio, the city where no one wants to live

[Mel_13]

IMO, I don't think its impossible for TD to play for the min.

I can't see it, but it's just an opinion. It's not going stop folks from developing scenarios where the Spurs can have Aldridge while still bringing TD back.

If the Spurs can bring back their core while still signing a max free agent, I'll happily munch on the crow that will be served up.

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

You aren't considering that LA may just sign a 3 year deal with a player option in the 2nd year. Spurs give him a 15 mil a year deal and next year, when the Cap drastically increases, can sign him to a bigger deal, kinda what Lebron is doing with the Cavs. He left money on the table to sign a bigger deal next year.

This would leave 5 mil to resign Duncan and possibly sign Manu to the BAE. Its doable but would acquire LA taking a pay cut for at least a year. Being that Kawhi has emerged and the he would be playing with great defensive C in Splitter once Duncan does hang it up, the Spurs are the situation for him IMO.
We'll see, but I think the Spurs do have a shot. Probably not going to happen, but I wouldn't be surprise if it does. He looks like he wants to win and knows he won't in Portland with the rise of GS and the Rockets. Even Memphis is pounding them right now.

[RD2191]

LMA is trash. ZBo is bullying his ass on both sides of the ball. I'd rather the Spurs try to move in draft and take a chance on the best available big man of possible.

[Chinook]

I can't find much fault with this post. I still believe the most likely outcome has him staying in Portland, but Boston and Atlanta are attractive destinations. The Spurs won't have the money even if Aldridge is inclined to leave.

Yeah, Aldridge/Horford would be the best front court in the East, and obviously, they have the perimeter play and coaching to win it all. Boston is interesting, because they should have the assets to trade for at least one other great piece (Hibbert or Tyson Chandler, for example), and they're obviously very well coached. Detroit would also be interesting, but I don't know if they have the perimeter play to be any higher than top five in that conference. I think out West, Utah would be a great fit for his skills as well.

The question I have is this, though: If you were in charge the Spurs, and Aldridge came up to you and said, "I'll sign with you if you guys clear max cap space," would you do it? Would PATFO?

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

LMA is trash. ZBo is bullying his ass on both sides of the ball. I'd rather the Spurs try to move in draft and take a chance on the best available big man of possible.

Zbo makes a lot of people look bad when he turns it on in the post. That is why the Spurs have Splitter defending him as he has made even Duncan look bad quite a few times.

Who's to say his D doesn't improve under Pop as he wouldn't have to carry such a huge offensive load playing in the Spurs system and can devote more energy on D.

[Chinook]

You aren't considering that LA may just sign a 3 year deal with a player option in the 2nd year. Spurs give him a 15 mil a year deal and next year, when the Cap drastically increases, can sign him to a bigger deal, kinda what Lebron is doing with the Cavs. He left money on the table to sign a bigger deal next year.

This would leave 5 mil to resign Duncan and possibly sign Manu to the BAE. Its doable but would acquire LA taking a pay cut for at least a year. Being that Kawhi has emerged and the he would be playing with great defensive C in Splitter once Duncan does hang it up, the Spurs are the situation for him IMO.
We'll see, but I think the Spurs do have a shot. Probably not going to happen, but I wouldn't be surprise if it does. He looks like he wants to win and knows he won't in Portland with the rise of GS and the Rockets. Even Memphis is pounding them right now.

James took a max deal with Cleveland. He didn't leave any annual salary on the table. While I agree that it shouldn't be a big deal for LA to sign a two one-and-ones then a max early-Bird deal, it seems like he really does care about the money enough to worry about a couple million bucks.

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

The question I have is this, though: If you were in charge the Spurs, and Aldridge came up to you and said, "I'll sign with you if you guys clear max cap space," would you do it? Would PATFO?

That's tough. The Spurs would have probably give up Splitter in a sign and trade to make room to resign Duncan. I am sure the Blazers would take Splitter because with Lillard and him on the PNR would be pretty deadly for teams as Portland wants to build around Lillard anyways. And Splitter as I mentioned before is a top 3 man to man defender and probably PnR defender as well in the league.

It depends if Pop and co. think an LA Duncan FC can get it done defensively. Offensively it would be a nightmare for teams. This would be a tough one, but with the decline of Parker, the Spurs need more scoring in the Future and LA provides just that.

It would be a tough call. Because you are basically switching defense for offense with this move.

[Chinook]

I guess I should have stated that I think there's zero chance the Spurs even use cap space if Tim comes back. They'd probably just reup everyone and look to improve with the MLE.

[024]

Good 2 way bigs in the league are rare. There is probably Duncan, Anthony Davis, Marc and Pau Gasol, Al Horford and maybe Dwight.

Roy Hibbert used to be up there but now he just sucks on offense. Ibaka is a good shot blocker and has a jump shot but he's more of a spot up shooter instead of someone who can create. Cousins can be part of the list but he's too immature to reliably anchor a defense. But the point is the pickings are slim and if I had to choose between a big that can play great offense or a big that can play great defense, I'd choose defense. Spurs can always find more offense through guards since the league is loaded with them.

[ducks]

LMA is trash. ZBo is bullying his ass on both sides of the ball. I'd rather the Spurs try to move in draft and take a chance on the best available big man of possible.

do you think he is worse then leonard

[Mel_13]

The question I have is this, though: If you were in charge the Spurs, and Aldridge came up to you and said, "I'll sign with you if you guys clear max cap space," would you do it? Would PATFO?

As long as they keep Leonard, Green, and Splitter (and TD and Manu, of course, if either wants to return), I'd be ok with any other moves to clear cap space. Getting Aldridge at the 2015 max, much like getting Leonard locked up for as long as possible this summer, will look like a bargain when the 2016 cap increase takes effect.

[cjw]

I can't find much fault with this post. I still believe the most likely outcome has him staying in Portland, but Boston and Atlanta are attractive destinations. The Spurs won't have the money even if Aldridge is inclined to leave.

Then give me some Horford or Milsap...

Even if Spurs don't end up with one of the big two, plenty of good pieces that can replace lesser ones on the current roster.

My ideal scenario would be if they could keep the gang together one more year, keep Green on a descending value deal like Splitter's, and have cap space when the cap really jumps.

[Mel_13]

Then give me some Horford or Milsap...

Even if Spurs don't end up with one of the big two, plenty of good pieces that can replace lesser ones on the current roster.

My ideal scenario would be if they could keep the gang together one more year, keep Green on a descending value deal like Splitter's, and have cap space when the cap really jumps.

Milsap won't be much cheaper than Aldridge, and Horford won't be a FA until 2016 when almost every team in the league will have room for at least one max player. Horford will get multiple offers for the max in that market.

I like the idea of Danny on a five year descending contract, as I expect the Spurs to bring almost everyone back and have nothing greater than the MLE for free agents this summer.

[CGD]

FIFY, seeing as that's who's going to actually be a free agent in 2017.

I wonder with the projected cap increase if he just sign the QO next summer. I'm skeptical he'd signs the extension this fall for the same reason.

Isn't that the risk the Spurs took by not extending Leonard this past fall?

[spurraider21]

who is the best Free Agent the spurs have ever signed? brent barry?

[Robz4000]

who is the best Free Agent the spurs have ever signed? brent barry?

Michael Finley

[Seventyniner]

As long as they keep Leonard, Green, and Splitter (and TD and Manu, of course, if either wants to return), I'd be ok with any other moves to clear cap space. Getting Aldridge at the 2015 max, much like getting Leonard locked up for as long as possible this summer, will look like a bargain when the 2016 cap increase takes effect.

I completely agree. The 2015 max will look even better in 2017.

[look_at_g_shred]

As long as they keep Leonard, Green, and Splitter (and TD and Manu, of course, if either wants to return), I'd be ok with any other moves to clear cap space. Getting Aldridge at the 2015 max, much like getting Leonard locked up for as long as possible this summer, will look like a bargain when the 2016 cap increase takes effect.