Official Trade Deadline Speculation Thread

[DPG21920]

I am asking you though, is the big 3 still capable of winning a le against other healthy teams? If so, under what cir stances? What would need to happen?

[HarlemHeat37]

I would say no, not without acquiring a legit scorer, similar to what Jefferson was supposed to bring..except make sure it's not a fringe borderline all-star..

If they aren't going to give up though..it seems like moving Jefferson won't be a legit option, so acquiring an all-star caliber talent is unlikely, the best option would be to actually try to bring back the Spurs defense, that would probably be the only option that could give us some kind of hope for this season, at least to make it compe ive..so try to get some athleticism/quickness on the team, since size doesn't seem like an option anymore..

Jefferson doesn't help the Spurs with his scoring and he hurts us with his defense, so it wouldn't make a difference if the Spurs actually want to build a top defensive team IMO..

If the FO wants to reload and decides to change up and play the younger players, I won't be disappointed at all..

[DPG21920]

So no more les with Duncan?

[HarlemHeat37]

Not this year..next year is probably the last chance and moving Jefferson's expiring would probably be the only way to make it happen IMO..

[DPG21920]

I still don't see how it happens even if you do that. If you move RJ and sign Manu (estimating 10M), that leaves you at 51M in payroll with 7 players. That gives you the MLE to spend. Assume that goes to Tiago. Is that a le team?

[8FOR!3]

The only trades that I have heard about that are realistic that I would feel are worth going for are for Anthony Randolph/Corey Maggette and Tyrus Thomas.

[HarlemHeat37]

I'm assuming they'll go in the luxury tax one more time, and there's no way I would sign Manu to a 10 mil a year deal..

[DPG21920]

Well even assume 8 million for Manu. That is 49M with 7 players. You then sign Tiago to the equivalent of the MLE or lets say 5M. That is 54M with 8 players:

Duncan
Splitter
Dice
Manu
TP
Hill
Blair
Malik

That does not leave you with enough money to go into the luxury tax unless you trade. Thing is, they won't have any tradeable assets to get them to that point. Or at least I can't see how.

[CGD]

I'm luke warm on the TT idea and would prefer Haslem's ruggedness. If the Spurs do end up doing a trade, I expect something minor at this point mainly to accommodate RMJ. I would be OK with something like Mase for Sam Young (Memphis)/Doren Wright (Miami) plus filler to make the numbers match.

[Mel_13]

Well even assume 8 million for Manu. That is 49M with 7 players. You then sign Tiago to the equivalent of the MLE or lets say 5M. That is 54M with 8 players:

Duncan
Splitter
Dice
Manu
TP
Hill
Blair
Malik

That does not leave you with enough money to go into the luxury tax unless you trade. Thing is, they won't have any tradeable assets to get them to that point. Or at least I can't see how.

How did you make RJ's salary disappear? I suppose that at some point you could trade him, but 12-15M in contracts are coming back.

[ElNono]

People forget that TP can be that legit scorer. He's just has been really hobbled, but I don't see why he couldn't play just like last season if he rests over the summer. I think the missing piece we should land for RJ would be more of a legitimate perimeter defender (a guy like Battier). If Splitter turns out to be halfway decent and is willing to come over, and we can resign Manu somehow, I think we have a chance.

[DPG21920]

How did you make RJ's salary disappear? I suppose that at some point you could trade him, but 12-15M in contracts are coming back.

We were assuming he was traded for expirings, best case scenario type deal. Even then, Spurs are in a tough spot next year. If they get some good young pieces (which I don't see why they would), it might help, but not for next year.

[Mel_13]

We were assuming he was traded for expirings, best case scenario type deal. Even then, Spurs are in a tough spot next year. If they get some good young pieces (which I don't see why they would), it might help, but not for next year.

OK, but then you're kinda in fantasy world. No way anyone takes on RJ for expiring contracts. It would be hard to find a partner even by sweetening the deal with Hill, Blair, and every draft pick we could legally trade under the CBA.

Simple fact is that the RJ trade represented a gigantic all-in bet that, if successful, would keep the championship-contending window open for 09-10 and 10-11. I appreciate ownership's willingness to add 40-50M in total payroll expenses for these two years above what they would have been had the Spurs stayed under the luxury tax.

As it stands now, that all-in bet appears to be a loser. The game is not quite over, but the only realistic chance of it paying off is if RJ begins to perform up to expectations. If that doesn't happen, then they lost the bet. Losing an all-in bet means you lost the game.

Some are calling for the Spurs to double-up on the bet by trading RJ for a, hopefully, better player on an even longer, uglier contract. I don't think that will happen, but I never believed that they would go so far over the luxury tax in the first place.

Just my 2 cents.

[HarlemHeat37]

I didn't mean trading RJ for expirings, I meant trading him for a better player on a worse contract, like you said at the end of your post..although I agree it's unrealistic..

I think it's tough to say, because I believe other teams would be willing to dump some of their overpaid players for a package for RJ's contract in the Summer, but I don't think the Spurs ownership would be willing to take on a long-term contract with the uncertainty of the CBA..

Let's say the Sixers offer the Spurs a package in the Summer with Iguodala(26 years old, 3 or 4 years left on the contract) or if Indiana offers a package with Granger(27 years old, 3 or 4 years left) for a package with Jefferson's expiring contract..the FO probably wouldn't do it since those guys have long-term contracts and there's the whole uncertainty with the CBA and all, but would you do it?..(I'm using these teams as examples because there have been plenty of reports that their ownership doesn't want to pay them those long contracts, especially Iguodala)..

I would say the option will come down to either making a move to acquire that type of player to take over as one of the big 3 + Manu as a role player, or start rebuilding in the off-season..

[ElNono]

I miss Isiah Thomas... he could have been talked to into absorbing RJ's contract...

[DPG21920]

That is what I was getting at. I only see two options with regards to winning or rebuilding and signing Manu.

[DPG21920]

OK, but then you're kinda in fantasy world. No way anyone takes on RJ for expiring contracts. It would be hard to find a partner even by sweetening the deal with Hill, Blair, and every draft pick we could legally trade under the CBA.

Simple fact is that the RJ trade represented a gigantic all-in bet that, if successful, would keep the championship-contending window open for 09-10 and 10-11. I appreciate ownership's willingness to add 40-50M in total payroll expenses for these two years above what they would have been had the Spurs stayed under the luxury tax.

As it stands now, that all-in bet appears to be a loser. The game is not quite over, but the only realistic chance of it paying off is if RJ begins to perform up to expectations. If that doesn't happen, then they lost the bet. Losing an all-in bet means you lost the game.

Some are calling for the Spurs to double-up on the bet by trading RJ for a, hopefully, better player on an even longer, uglier contract. I don't think that will happen, but I never believed that they would go so far over the luxury tax in the first place.

Just my 2 cents.

I agree with you and was just posing a hypothetical to someone else to make a point. The point is, the Spurs are caught between a rock and hard place and there is no easy fix to make them a contender or rebuild quickly.

[Mel_13]

I agree with you and was just posing a hypothetical to someone else to make a point. The point is, the Spurs are caught between a rock and hard place and there is no easy fix to make them a contender or rebuild quickly.

Yep

[jesterbobman]

Based on RealGM, The Cavs are trying to get the Warriors 1st round pick off of them for taking on Maggette. If that's on the table, I imagine a pupu platter expirings could get it done(As the Cavs will be wanting the Warriors to waive Z). Trade McDyess in a 3 team deal, with an expiring going to Knicks or Thunder and Collision&pick/Jeffries&Hill(Plus pick) coming here(With parts to make up the difference-Fin's contract?)

Jeffries/Hill/Ratliff
Duncan/Blair/Jeffries
Maggette/RJ
Hill/Manu/Bogans
Parker/Hill

Probably not a contender

Add Splitter, picks 5 and 22 and the fact that all but TD, Maggette Blair and Hills(G&J)+possibly Manu(if resigned) would be EC's(Jefferson, Jeffries and Parker equaling ~ 36 Million.)

Splitter/Duncan
Duncan/Hill/Blair
Maggette
Manu
Parker/Hill

With The Expiring contracts of Jefferson and Jeffries to act as midseason trade chips, A future pick from The Warriors(Possibly based on the Cavs Warriors rumour) and Knicks(Possibly a 2012 based on TMac) to bolster the team. If those picks are on the table, that could be Turner(keep) or if it's a big, Flip the pick and RJ to get a better player. That team is loaded.

(PS, this will never happen)

[gospursgojas]

Just heard greg simmons say Rj, tony, and mason didn't board the spurs' plane today.

Just thought i'd throw that out there. Sorry if this has been discussed

[EricB]

Of course they didn't. They met the team in Indy. Blair also was not on the plane. A lot of players take this All-Star break as a small vacation.

[Mel_13]

Just heard greg simmons say Rj, tony, and mason didn't board the spurs' plane today.

Just thought i'd throw that out there. Sorry if this has been discussed

There's really nothing surprising about that. After an extended break, players usually have the choice to travel on the team plane or travel from the location of their vacation to the next city on the road at their own expense.

Edit: Phila beat me to it.

[EricB]

@ Greg Simmons

[Blackjack]

Chris Sheridan: Marc Stein has a news story with more on the Knicks-Rockets-Bulls trade situation, to which we'll add this nugget: If Chicago is willing to deal the expiring contracts of Tyrus Thomas, Brad Miller and Jerome James for McGrady and Brian Cook, it would shave $2.75 off the Rockets' payroll and move them just barely below the luxury tax line. Here is how that deal looks in the ESPN NBA Trade Machine.

[vander]

Just heard greg simmons say Rj, tony, and mason didn't board the spurs' plane today.

Just thought i'd throw that out there. Sorry if this has been discussed

"A man can dream, though... a man can dream"

seriously, I'm ready to rip the band-aid off in one painfull stroke

the future of the Spurs does not include anyone on the roster except Hill, Blair, and TD for however long he wants to keep playing. trade them all for youth, potential, and picks