Spurs and Sprewell??

[Peter]

He's shooting under 30% from behind the arc, more TOs than assists, 7.7 a game and he's been starting.

He just dropped 25 on the Lakers the game before last. He fit well in SA as the primary reserve swing. Damn well.

[ChumpDumper]

I think we're out of MLE this season - Finley and Oberto.

[texasqb2]

He's shooting under 30% from behind the arc, more TOs than assists, 7.7 a game and he's been starting (well 9 games).

Here's a quote from John Hollinger's column.

Meanwhile, Brown left as a free agent for Utah but forgot to take his game with him. The 6-foot-5 swingman is shooting a career-low 39.8 percent and has nearly doubled his turnovers from a year ago in similar minutes. It's been so bad that he was passed over for a start this week in favor of Milt Palacio.

[Peter]

I don't think Thomas' production in NY merited an MLE deal. Remember there is a slight possibility of buying out Scola this summer too. I suppose it would depend on TT's performance.

I don't know. It was pretty solid. Not star level but definitely not chopped liver. It doesn't seem like much of a stretch that a solid showing in the last couple of months of this season might tempt a GM to put some money into the 29 year old.

[ChumpDumper]

Looking at Devin's game log, he's been pretty sporatic no matter the minutes. He did fit in well here, but you don't give a guy $2.5 million for the express purpose of sitting on the IR for a season.

[Peter]

I think we're out of MLE this season - Finley and Oberto.

True. I was trying to comprehend the post above about having to wait until their contracts ended or some such. Thomas or Sprewell would get the prorated vet min in SA.

[Peter]

Looking at Devin's game log, he's been pretty sporatic no matter the minutes. He did fit in well here, but you don't give a guy $2.5 million for the express purpose of sitting on the IR for a season.

Well, compare how Brown performed when he was the backup swing versus what the Spurs have now.

[ChumpDumper]

I don't know. It was pretty solid. Not star level but definitely not chopped liver. It doesn't seem like much of a stretch that a solid showing in the last couple of months of this season might tempt a GM to put some money into the 29 year old.

His production was on a definite skid. Again, I think the Spurs would give Tau another ring before calling TT's agent -- but as we both said it would depend on his performance.

[Peter]

I think Tau's a lost cause for now. That buyout has 2 more years on it, IIRC.

[ChumpDumper]

Well, compare how Brown performed when he was the backup swing versus what the Spurs have now.

Well, show me any free agent who was signed for $2.5 million with the express purpose of riding the IR.

[ChumpDumper]

I think Tau's a lost cause for now. That buyout has 2 more years on it, IIRC.

But the biggest reason Tau took such a hard line on Scola was that they had to qualify to stay in Euroleague based in part on their performance this season. That has been accomplished.

[Peter]

NJ does have the hometown thing going for it with Thomas too. Oh well, you never know. If Thomas fit in SA I don't think they balk at giving him a decent deal. Pop's wanted him before. He fits a need, etc.

[Peter]

But the biggest reason Tau took such a hard line on Scola was that they had to qualify for Euroleague again based in part on their performance this season. That has been accomplished.

And they still have a deal with a $13.5 mil NBA escape clause. No rush.

[ChumpDumper]

And they still have a deal with a $13.5 mil NBA escape clause. No rush.

But if they can get something now as opposed to nothing later -- who knows?

[Peter]

Well, show me any free agent who was signed for $2.5 million with the express purpose of riding the IR.

They've paid guys more to go away.

[ChumpDumper]

They've paid guys more to go away.

They were already under contract. If you can't think of a free agent signed for $2.5 million with the intent to ride the IR, just say so.

[Peter]

But if they can get something now as opposed to nothing later -- who knows?

The now is that they have Scola still on their team. I can't see them moving too far off that figure. So Scola would still have to get a hefty deal from the Spurs, especially when taxes are considered.

[ChumpDumper]

The now is that they have Scola still on their team. I said it was a slight possibility.

And they'll get no compensation when he leaves.

So Scola would still have to get a hefty deal from the Spurs, especially when taxes are considered.

But you were just talking about a full MLE deal for Thomas. That would be pretty hefty as well.

[Peter]

They were already under contract. If you can't think of a free agent signed for $2.5 million with the intent to ride the IR, just say so.

They've paid more to achieve their objectives in the past. They've signed players before to ride IR. Marks isn't usually sitting for cheap. Plus you have the option to play Brown and let someone else sit if the current cast isn't cutting it. Based on what I've seen this season, that's not too far fetched.

[Peter]

And they'll get no compensation when he leaves.

Sure, but they have him now and 2 years left on that buyout. They can afford to wait a little. It's not like Scola can offer them $2 mil and be done with it.

But you were just talking about a full MLE deal for Thomas. That would be pretty hefty as well.

Yeah, for two seasons. Scola would need one past three.

[ChumpDumper]

They've paid more to achieve their objectives in the past. They've signed players before to ride IR.

But they haven't signed a free agent for $2.5 million with the intent of sitting them on the IR. I couldn't find any team that has.

Marks isn't usually sitting for cheap.

He absolutely is. The league pays half his salary for chrissakes.

Plus you have the option to play Brown and let someone else sit if the current cast isn't cutting it.

So we IR the $5 million/yr man with 2 more years on his deal. Brilliant.

[ChumpDumper]

Sure, but they have him now and 2 years left on that buyout. They can afford to wait a little. It's not like Scola can offer them $2 mil and be done with it.

How about 7? It's not like he's scheduled to make $14 million from Tau the next two seasons.

Yeah, for two seasons. Scola would need one past three.

But you said you would promise TT a bigger payday after that. What would the tax consequences of that be?

[Peter]

But they haven't signed a free agent for $2.5 million with the intent of sitting them on the IR.

Assuming the intent was there. Again, this season has shown why that might not have been so.

I couldn't find any team that has.He absolutely is.

So the Spurs are paying him to sit. The Spurs have paid guys more to leave.

The league pays half his salary for chrissakes.So we IR the $5 million/yr man with 2 more years on his deal. Brilliant.

Well, they've paid guys more to go away. Would you rather the Spurs had a player who was good enough to beat him for a rotational spot or not?

[Peter]

How about 7? It's not like he's scheduled to make $14 million from Tau the next two seasons.

Unless someone comes up with the cash he's stuck there. Taxes plus buyout would wipe out about 75% of a MLE deal for 3 years, if not more.

But you said you would promise TT a bigger payday after that. What would the tax consequences of that be?

Promise? Feh, this is the NBA.

[ChumpDumper]

Assuming the intent was there.

No one can tell me that anyone expected more than 4th swing spot for Devin. Considering we already had a $5 million man there, spending more made no sense.

So the Spurs are paying him to sit. The Spurs have paid guys more to leave.

I understand you couldn't think of a free agent so signed. It's ok.

Would you rather the Spurs had a player who was good enough to beat him for a rotational spot or not?

It's not what I want -- it's what makes sense. After Finley was signed, getting Devin for anything more than the minimum -- effectively having $10 million of salaries fighting for the fourth swing spot -- made no sense.