Cap Question?

[mfanatic]

Does anybody have actual knowledge of how much room we will have next summer to offer deals? Is it a significant amount or are we expected another 30+ vet? Thanks guys.

[DPG21920]

The Spurs will be over the cap if all things remain the same. When a team is over the salary cap (which is set at 58.68 million) they only can use exceptions or minimum contracts to sign a player. The "exceptions" to sign players that are not your own are as follows: Mid-Level Exception (5.5 million) and the Bi-Annual Exception (1.9 million). The Mid-Level can be used every year and the Bi-Annual cannot be used two years in a row. You can use Bird Right Exceptions to sign your own free agents.

So, in summary, since the Spurs will be over the cap next year and assuming they do not use their Bi-Annual Exception this year, they will have the Mid-Level and Bi-Annual Exceptions to use next year, which was the same as this year.

[mfanatic]

so basically we're going to be even worse next year

[DPG21920]

Just depends. The Spurs have options and they will have Tim, Tony and Manu. If Mahinmi has a good year then the future looks brighter. Tiago Splitter could still come over and he would be within that price range (although not likely). Roger Mason if he plays well can still help. George Hill, James Gist...There are plenty of good players to be had for 5 million +. You might not land a current all-star at that price, but you could get a future all-star.

[mfanatic]

ic, thanks for your help.

[Bruno]

It's not even sure Spurs will be able to spend the whole MLE next summer because they will be in luxury tax trouble if they do so.

And yes, barring some kind of miracle, Spurs team will be one step behind best teams in 08-09 and two steps behind them in 09-10.

[DPG21920]

Is it true that Fab's contract is not guaranteed? Also, the Spurs have paid luxury tax before, so if the right player and deal comes around...

[Bruno]

Is it true that Fab's contract is not guaranteed?

50% of his contract is guaranteed, the rest isn't.
Bowen's contract isn't also fully guaranteed (I don't have the specific but it also should be around 50%).

[DPG21920]

Ah, I see, that is interesting...

[mrspurs]

so basically we're going to be even worse next year

Thats seems tobe the direction.