yoff Buzz: Spurs aim to bring back Duncan, Leonard; pursue Aldridge Ken Berger / NBA

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http://mweb.cbssports.com/nba/writer...TAG=YHF7e3228e

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The Spurs will feel out Memphis center Marc Gasol, too, but the prevailing belief now is that Aldridge is more likely to change teams. The Trail Blazers’ hope is that the Texas native will be enticed by the five-year, $107 million deal they can offer as opposed to the four-year, $82 million that other suitors will have on the table. But that home-team advantage has been greatly diminished by the looming e in the salary cap in 2016. Aldridge, 29, will strongly consider doing a two-year deal with a player option for ’16-’17 that would get him back to the market in a position to make tens of millions more at the new max.

Even in the Spurs’ dream scenario – Duncan and Leonard come back and successfully recruit Aldridge – they will have a hard time retaining free agent Danny Green, who is expected to command $10-$12 million on the open market – which, in 2016, will look like a bargain.

[ThaBigFundamental21]

Is it really worth losing Green, Mills, and Diaw for Aldridge? Losing Splitter is a must for Aldridge. So I'm cool there. But losing all that versatility will hurt! Mills is a spark plug and instant Offense. He and Green stretch the court, and Green can be elite in his D on the perimeter. Diaw has a skill set few can replicate. This will be interesting...it feels as if they are saying 2015 whatever, look to 2016 when they have gobs of cap space after the impending retirements.

[DPG21920]

Green is not and should not be thought of as a casualty nearly as much as national writers are making him out to be. Spurs (depending on Manu/Duncan coming back and their contracts) can definitely make room for a max offer and bring back Green regardless of his price.

These writers are speculating more on whether the Spurs are willing to pay Danny his market value more than his impact to getting a free agent IMO.

Even with Danny's cap hold, as long as Tim and Manu don't command a lot of money (and even if they do) Spurs can bring back green if they want and still pursue a FA with either cap space or via S&T.

[Richie]

Is it really worth losing Green, Mills, and Diaw for Aldridge? Losing Splitter is a must for Aldridge. So I'm cool there. But losing all that versatility will hurt! Mills is a spark plug and instant Offense. He and Green stretch the court, and Green can be elite in his D on the perimeter. Diaw has a skill set few can replicate. This will be interesting...it feels as if they are saying 2015 whatever, look to 2016 when they have gobs of cap space after the impending retirements.

We'd only need to lose one of those guys to bring in Aldridge, which is more than worth it.

Edit: Depending on what Timmy and Manu want to get paid of course. If they want salarys at the same level as last year then we'd need to get rid of more guys

[cd98]

I can't see Portland letting Aldridge go for nothing. I could see a sign and trade that would allow Aldridge to get the $107 million (assuming he doesn't try to cash in on the rising salary cap in two years). If I were the Blazers, I'd take a player like Splitter and a 1st round draft pick and anything else I could get as filler for Aldridge. Heck, Splitter was able to guard Aldridge pretty good last year, and I believe the Blazers were the one team that showed interest in Splitter when he was a FA. Again, I don't know if trading away assets make us better, but I assume if we do a trade, that it would make it easier to retain Green. Having Splitter and Aldridge would be a luxury, but having both isn't necessary.

[coachmac87]

Spur fans seem to only worry about next seasons team not the future. Aldridge not only helps next year but he can help pitch to other FA in the next coming seasons along with Kawhi. If you can get that caliber player now you do it. Even if you have to sacrifice depth. As long as 21 comes back as well that's all that matters...

[DPG21920]

Well, I for one don't care too much about the future other than keeping Danny and Kawhi. If Tim comes back it's about winning now. Do what you can now and you will have flexibility in the future anyways with Duncan and TP gone in a few years. Focus on the next 2 years if Tim is back as long as you have Kawhi/Danny secured.

Neither Gasol or LA are young bucks, they don't help your long term future much either.

[FromWayDowntown]

I haven't bothered to try to understand the tax implications of the impending e in the salary cap, but I have wondered if teams will be willing to take on a short-term, low-end tax bill this summer with the knowledge that the cap will increase dramatically (as, I assume, will the tax thresholds) and move them out of the tax by the summer of 2016 (and save them from having to face the repeater penalties and such).

[coachmac87]

Well, I for one don't care too much about the future other than keeping Danny and Kawhi. If Tim comes back it's about winning now. Do what you can now and you will have flexibility in the future anyways with Duncan and TP gone in a few years. Focus on the next 2 years if Tim is back as long as you have Kawhi/Danny secured.

Neither Gasol or LA are young bucks, they don't help your long term future much either.

You may not care about the future but the Spurs do..so you're telling me a team with Duncan,Manu, Tony, Kawhi and Aldridge can't win? You don't know what kind of pieces they can get to fill in the spaces..

[Shastafarian]

I'm curious what people think the possible end of the CBA (2017 opt out for either side) will play on that bonanza summer. Even more overpaying?

[DPG21920]

You may not care about the future but the Spurs do..so you're telling me a team with Duncan,Manu, Tony, Kawhi and Aldridge can't win? You don't know what kind of pieces they can get to fill in the spaces..

I am not sure what you mean tbh..I do think they can win.

[FromWayDowntown]

I am not sure what you mean tbh..I do think they can win.

I think the point is that the window likely stays open longer if Aldridge elects to come to SA than if the Spurs only resign Green and Leonard this summer. A team that has Green and Leonard, but no Duncan AND no Aldridge isn't likely to be much more than a marginal playoff team in the West unless it finds some unexpected help elsewhere.

Aldridge (or Gasol) seems like the obvious hedge to try to prevent a substantial backslide (from contender to finishing 7-10 in the conference) when Tim decides he's done.

[DPG21920]

I think the point is that the window likely stays open longer if Aldridge elects to come to SA than if the Spurs only resign Green and Leonard this summer. A team that has Green and Leonard, but no Duncan AND no Aldridge isn't likely to be much more than a marginal playoff team in the West unless it finds some unexpected help elsewhere.

Aldridge (or Gasol) seems like the obvious hedge to try to prevent a substantial backslide (from contender to finishing 7-10 in the conference) when Tim decides he's done.

I get that, but my post was saying go after LMA/Gasol to help win now. That's the most important thing. Your future will be about as secure as you can get as long as you have Kawhi/Danny because when everyone else walks, you will have to impactful young players plus plenty of flexibility too.

[spurs10]

I get that, but my post was saying go after LMA/Gasol to help win now. That's the most important thing. Your future will be about as secure as you can get as long as you have Kawhi/Danny because when everyone else walks, you will have to impactful young players plus plenty of flexibility too.

[Richie]

I get that, but my post was saying go after LMA/Gasol to help win now. That's the most important thing. Your future will be about as secure as you can get as long as you have Kawhi/Danny because when everyone else walks, you will have to impactful young players plus plenty of flexibility too.

I think you're overrating Danny. He works in the system because he's only asked to do 2 things, hit 3s and defend. When we move on from Manu and as Parker ages, I think we'll need a 2 guard who can do more, I don't think he's a piece to build around. Don't get me wrong I think he's a great fit on a contender, but he only fits because he is surrounded by elite playmakers like Duncan, Manu, Parker and Diaw. As Parker/Diaw age and Manu/Tim retire, his burden will increase and it will become ugly.

[Mikeanaro]

Let go Tiago while he still worth something and Danny if he asks too much this team needs some retooling refreshing recharge re-stack.
Get Aldridge and some other guy and thats it.

[ginobilized]

It seems that PATFO are looking for offensive fire power. LA is the way to go for that. The Spurs struggled to put pressure on defenses last year. LA could really open it up for the 3 point shooters. I like the move. Splitter seems like the obvious casualty, but, ya never know what Pop is thinking.

[DPG21920]

I think you're overrating Danny. He works in the system because he's only asked to do 2 things, hit 3s and defend. When we move on from Manu and as Parker ages, I think we'll need a 2 guard who can do more, I don't think he's a piece to build around. Don't get me wrong I think he's a great fit on a contender, but he only fits because he is surrounded by elite playmakers like Duncan, Manu, Parker and Diaw. As Parker/Diaw age and Manu/Tim retire, his burden will increase and it will become ugly.

What elite playmakers were there this year for SA - the year Green broke the record for 3's in a season for the Spurs franchise. Parker had a terrible year as did Manu. Neither of those guys resembled anything close to elite playmakers, yet Danny still thrived.

Even if you want to argue Danny is a system player on offense (which I think is wrong - despite his limitations), you can't argue his defense is system based. Even for his defense alone, it will be great to have a Danny/Kawhi defensive wing combo locked up. You can build around that when you have flexiblity. It makes it so much easier to build with that in place.

[Mikeanaro]

I think you're overrating Danny. He works in the system because he's only asked to do 2 things, hit 3s and defend. When we move on from Manu and as Parker ages, I think we'll need a 2 guard who can do more, I don't think he's a piece to build around. Don't get me wrong I think he's a great fit on a contender, but he only fits because he is surrounded by elite playmakers like Duncan, Manu, Parker and Diaw. As Parker/Diaw age and Manu/Tim retire, his burden will increase and it will become ugly.

Thats how I feel about Green, he is not a guy to build around he works when our main guys are hot but he´s no Horry or Ray Allen, dude lacks that fire can save some RS games but not Playoffs.

[DPG21920]

Thats how I feel about Green, he is not a guy to build around he works when our main guys are hot but he´s no Horry or Ray Allen, dude lacks that fire can save some RS games but not Playoffs.

Danny has saved the Spurs in the playoffs before. Tried to in GM7 of LAC to with one of the best playoff performances from a role player for SA.

[Mikeanaro]

What elite playmakers were there this year for SA - the year Green broke the record for 3's in a season for the Spurs franchise. Parker had a terrible year as did Manu. Neither of those guys resembled anything close to elite playmakers, yet Danny still thrived.

Even if you want to argue Danny is a system player on offense (which I think is wrong - despite his limitations), you can't argue his defense is system based. Even for his defense alone, it will be great to have a Danny/Kawhi defensive wing combo locked up. You can build around that when you have flexiblity. It makes it so much easier to build with that in place.

But he had to defend a hobbled Cris Paul and failed, Danny was slow...I still remember that fast break where he was so slow that DeAndre got there just in time for the block.
And for the love of God he is not a playmaker even if Manu-Enrique sucks, Danny gets the ball if he can shoot well he does it, but if he cant always does that stupid 4 step and a horrible layup play or he passes.

[Mikeanaro]

Danny has saved the Spurs in the playoffs before. Tried to in GM7 of LAC to with one of the best playoff performances from a role player for SA.

Yeah man but that doesnt make it for 6 missing in action games, I want my team winning championships not having good nice people who doesnt have it when it counts.

[DPG21920]

But he had to defend a hobbled Cris Paul and failed, Danny was slow...I still remember that fast break where he was so slow that DeAndre got there just in time for the block.
And for the love of God he is not a playmaker even if Manu-Enrique sucks, Danny gets the ball if he can shoot well he does it, but if he cant always does that stupid 4 step and a horrible layup play or he passes.

Danny defended Paul better than any Spur. CP did the vast majority of his damage when anyone but Danny was guarding him. Danny is not a playmaker, but the argument he is a system player is very difficult to make considering the past two years he's had and the improvements in his game coupled with the decline of TP/Manu.

[BillMc]

Thats how I feel about Green, he is not a guy to build around he works when our main guys are hot but he´s no Horry or Ray Allen, dude lacks that fire can save some RS games but not Playoffs.

If we lose Danny, Beli, and Cojo, and Manu retires or continues to decline our wing depth really has taken a serious hit. Danny's defense is worth a big payday. And when he's on his game our team is borderline unstoppable. I'd like to find a way to keep him, even if the Spurs have to pay the tax. (Though Holt may not allow that).