ESPN Truehoop, Henry Abbott: Would the Spurs trade Tony Parker?

[jiggy_55]

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/pos...de-tony-parker

Would the Spurs trade Tony Parker?
July, 6, 2010
By Henry Abbott

One of the theories that has been floating around is that the Knicks will try to get Tony Parker as a running mate for Amare Stoudemire.

It's a great idea from the Knicks' end -- this would make them vastly better, of course. Mike D'Antoni's offensive system and Stoudemire's offense both stand to gain a ton of efficiency from a great point guard.

But isn't that some kind of pipe dream? What could the Knicks possibly offer San Antonio in exchange for a top-grade point guard like Parker? Why are people even talking about this? Isn't it just crazy?

Not so crazy, it turns out. There are signs from all over that Parker really is in the mix for New York, and the main thing the Spurs would get in such a trade is a trade exception.

Before you laugh, consider that in this summer of free agency, there are lots of high-value young players floating around (Wesley Matthews has been mentioned) who will be fairly cheap and would help the Spurs stay vibrant as Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili age. Efficient, energetic and cheap role players are the lifeblood of the Spurs' organization. But if they are going to sign Tiago Splitter with their midlevel exception, the Spurs won't be able to get any of those guys without some cap creativity.

Tim Varner of 48 Minutes of addressed the possibility a few days ago:
If the Spurs sent Parker to the Knicks, they could, as one example, take back Toney Douglas (adding depth behind George Hill at point guard) and a whopping big trade exception. Nothing more. N.Y. is under the cap. Salaries don’t have to match.

The Spurs could then use the trade exception to shop the free agent market, effectively giving themselves cap space to play with. Of course, the Spurs couldn’t sign players outright with trade exception money, but, in this market, there are plenty of contracted players or free agents who could be had through a trade or sign and trade.

In a similar manner, the Spurs could sign and trade Richard Jefferson to a team under the cap and take back a large trade exception for him as well.

Trade exception money can be split amongst multiple players, and the Spurs would have a year to utilize the funds.

For Knicks fans it's a question of: Where do I sign up for that? For Spurs fans ... does this do anything for you? Does the emergence of George Hill as Parker's potential replacement change the thinking, allowing the Spurs to "sell high" on Parker before age depletes his value?

[coyotes_geek]

It's a plausible scenario, but one that only makes sense for the Spurs if they have their free agent target and that free agent's team on board BEFORE the trigger is pulled on the deal that sends Parker to NY. Ultimately, that's why I don't think it will happen because you're effectively trying to negotiate a 3 team trade plus a free agent signing simultaneously. Pretty complicated.

All this being entirely separate from the issue of what FA out there is worth giving up Parker for once you take away the Lebrons, Wades and Boshes.

[jiggy_55]

It's a plausible scenario, but one that only makes sense for the Spurs if they have their free agent target and that free agent's team on board BEFORE the trigger is pulled on the deal that sends Parker to NY. Ultimately, that's why I don't think it will happen because you're effectively trying to negotiate a 3 team trade plus a free agent signing simultaneously. Pretty complicated.

Similar to my thoughts after reading it.

Why isn't there such a thing as a Free Agent Exception? Lol, could be put to good use by many teams!

[timvp]

Trading RJ for a trade exception = greatness

Trading TP for a trade exception = stupidity

[spursfaninla]

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/pos...de-tony-parker

Would the Spurs trade Tony Parker?
July, 6, 2010
By Henry Abbott

Before you laugh, consider that in this summer of free agency, there are lots of high-value young players floating around (Wesley Matthews has been mentioned) who will be fairly cheap and would help the Spurs stay vibrant as Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili age. Efficient, energetic and cheap role players are the lifeblood of the Spurs' organization. But if they are going to sign Tiago Splitter with their midlevel exception, the Spurs won't be able to get any of those guys without some cap creativity.

Tim Varner of 48 Minutes of addressed the possibility a few days ago:
If the Spurs sent Parker to the Knicks, they could, as one example, take back Toney Douglas (adding depth behind George Hill at point guard) and a whopping big trade exception. Nothing more. N.Y. is under the cap. Salaries don’t have to match.

The Spurs could then use the trade exception to shop the free agent market, effectively giving themselves cap space to play with. Of course, the Spurs couldn’t sign players outright with trade exception money, but, in this market, there are plenty of contracted players or free agents who could be had through a trade or sign and trade.

In a similar manner, the Spurs could sign and trade Richard Jefferson to a team under the cap and take back a large trade exception for him as well.

Trade exception money can be split amongst multiple players, and the Spurs would have a year to utilize the funds.

1) Is it not true that the trade exception is ONLY useful if another team wants to "dump" a high salary player to us, or will take a low salary player from us and give us a high salary player?

2) Assuming that, the trade exception will be most likely to be used either now,when teams want salary cap space hoping to sign a free agent, or at the trade deadline, when they know their team sucks and they want to dump someone to save money.

3) If we trade parker for said exception now and don't land someone during the summer soon, we have thrown the year away. Even if we get somebody that is ok, we are done without a major offensive contributor minus parker.

Period.

4) Seems to me there is salary inflation, rather than "many cheap players." there are plenty of teams with too much money to spend, and they will spend it. I don't see the cheap players they are talking about.

A trade exception for RJ I can live with. For parker, that seems like a very risky idea. I remember getting one from trading Beno, and that just expired, we got nothing.

[Ice009]

How do you get a player with a trade exception? They already have to be signed on a team? How would you get a free agent? Do they have to sign on their team first and then get traded to you? If so then the trade exception isn't worth it for TP. Getting a trade exception for RJ would be great though.

[DBMethos]

I really don't think the national media (or many Spurs fans, for that matter), understand the drop-off from Parker to George Hill. George is good and is getting better, but Tony is a Top 5 point guard in the NBA. That has to count for something, especially considering that TD and Manu will be yet another year older.

[BlairForceDejuan]

There is no logic behind getting rid of a 3-time PROVEN NBA champion/mvp with instant offense who is clutch for nothing more than question marks.

If you want cap space, you should not have acquired the lame .

[rjv]

there is no logic behind getting rid of a 3-time proven nba champion/mvp with instant offense who is clutch for nothing more than question marks.

If you want cap space, you should not have acquired the lame .

+1

[coyotes_geek]

I really don't think the national media (or many Spurs fans, for that matter), understand the drop-off from Parker to George Hill. George is good and is getting better, but Tony is a Top 5 point guard in the NBA. That has to count for something, especially considering that TD and Manu will be yet another year older.

Even if they did understand it wouldn't change anything. Talking about player movement is fun, especially when it involves talking about the team playing in the largest media market in the country. Talking about the possibility of Tony and Amare creates way more buzz than talking about the reality of how the dropoff from Parker to Hill makes it much less likely that the Spurs would move Parker.

[PublicOption]

shaq and splitter

[PublicOption]

do it pop

[DynastySpurs210]

Everyone makes a big fuzz about TP going or staying. Chances of him leaving SA, are really high according to Tele mundo lol. Guy you have to accept Tonys like a son moving up to college. You loved him and cared about him but now its time to move on and take care of the little ones "GEORGE HILL"

[SenorSpur]

It's a plausible scenario, but one that only makes sense for the Spurs if they have their free agent target and that free agent's team on board BEFORE the trigger is pulled on the deal that sends Parker to NY. Ultimately, that's why I don't think it will happen because you're effectively trying to negotiate a 3 team trade plus a free agent signing simultaneously. Pretty complicated.

Precisely what I was thinking.

BTW, I read that if this scenario occured, the Spurs would have 1 year to use such an exception. Does anyone know what the general terms and conditions of an NBA trade exception are?

[Cane]

If there's a deal worth it, the Spurs would trade Tony Parker but its going to have to be one of a deal to convince the Spurs not to go all-in next season with a healthy big 3 + Tiago.

They also should make offers at premier FA's like they were rumored to have done with Bosh otherwise they'd be incompetent Front Office people especially in the post-Gasol NBA.

[rayray2k8]

Trading RJ for a trade exception = greatness

Trading TP for a trade exception = stupidity

Exactly. I was willing to do the trade to the Nets for Favors and possible even Harris, but for just a trade exception? GTFO out of here with that .

[purist]

+1

Lame is not the problem. He can walk away and Spurs still don't have cap space.

[Cane]

Just curious, wasn't Bruno mocking me for a very similar idea I half assed the other day?

I like Bruno but he's still got that French flag under his name IIRC and thus, awfully biased in favor of Parker

[HarlemHeat37]

I don't really care whether Bruno is biased or not, because pretty much every Parker trade idea has been either really stupid or unrealistic IMO..

If the Spurs trade Parker, they are virtually giving up on the season IMO, unless the other team is extremely incompetent(which is possible, since the NBA has a lot of bad front offices)..

[gilmor]

I don't really care whether Bruno is biased or not, because pretty much every Parker trade idea has been either really stupid or unrealistic IMO..

If the Spurs trade Parker, they are virtually giving up on the season IMO, unless the other team is extremely incompetent(which is possible, since the NBA has a lot of bad front offices)..

If the Spurs traded Parker, which I hope they don't.. They won't come close to winning anything in the next 5 years.

[SenorSpur]

It's funny how the National media and NBA analysts ALL seem to think that George Hill is a PG.

[DynastySpurs210]

It's funny how the National media and NBA analysts ALL seem to think that George Hill is a PG.

Why not?

[Bruno]

Bruno might be the best poster when it comes down to numbers, but he gets defensive of TP. It's fair enough. Parker is the best player out of France and likely the reason he is a Spurs fan.

First, Parker isn't the reason why I'm a Spur fan. Keep the fact that I'm French out of it because it has nothing to do with that discussion.

Second, I'm not defensive when it comes to Parker but a lot of people are plain stupid when it comes to him and a trade. Parker is 28 years old, in his prime, 3 times NBA champions, 3 times all star, 1 time final MVP and 1 time all NBA 3rd team. He is arguably the best Spurs ever behind Gervin, Duncan and Robinson. So yes, when you propose to trade him for Anthony Randolph or when some blogger wants to trade him for Toney Douglas, I find that damn dumb.

I like you and I find that you're a quality poster but it doesn't mean that I had to agree with all you said and I wholly disagree with you on that subject.

[coyotes_geek]

A parker for Toney Douglas trade would only happen if R.C. had a gun to his head.

Or if the Spurs had another trade with a different team already worked out that would land the Spurs someone who helped their le chances more than Tony does.

Whether such a deal exists or not is a different matter. I doubt it does.

[The Btown Spur]

trading rj for a trade exception = greatness

trading tp for a trade exception = stupidity

+1