The Coming Facelift

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As a quick addendum to The Science was Sound and Closing One Window, Cracking Open Another, I’d like to remind our readers that the Spurs already have a smart long term cap strategy in place. It’s uncertain due to the shape-shifting CBA, but in raw form it provides the Spurs with an obvious plan of action over the next few seasons. The current long term cap strategy is one good option amongst a variety of choices, and it’s an option that is on the table.

Getting to the point: Tony Parker, Antonio McDyess and Richard Jefferson’s contracts all expire (McDyess is non-guaranteed for 2011/12) after next season. As things currently stand, San Antonio’s worst case scenario is watching 33.6 million fall off the books a year from this July. Not a bad haul for a team on the rebuild.

And, of course, Tim Duncan’s contract (21 million) expires the summer of 2012.

George Hill and DeJuan Blair are on their rookie contracts through 2013. Those rookie contracts are inexpensive.

The takeaway: the Spurs could be in a position to add a major contract during the free agent seasons of 2011 and 2012. So much depends on the next CBA, and what happens between now and then. But they’re-or could be-in a good spot.

To my mind, the biggest question before them is what to do with their current contracts (read: Manu Ginobili), and how does that play into the larger equation?

  • junierizzle

    I always thought they were slowly transitiong to work around PARKER. Anyway,
    I think he might bolt for L.A. He clearly loves the lifestyle and we all know who he is married to.

    I say if they trade anybody, they should trade TP.

  • Sauce

    Tony Parker should be shopped hard right now, even if it is just for expiring contracts (which actually is probably impossible, Warriors anybody?).

  • kornbread

    The Spurs are going to have to build through the draft or trades. There is no way a big name free-agent will ever re-locate to a small market like San Antonio. Especially if the team looks like it can’t compete for a championship.

    So when that day comes when they have money to spend, they better already be developing a few players.

    The trade for Jefferson was made because they knew that they could not really be players in the 2010 free agency.

    I would tell Jefferson to lose about 15 pounds and be ready for next year (it’s a contract year, he should have plenty of incentive). In the mean time, he needs to concentrate on his defense.

    Signing Splitter should be their top priority. Get a point guard or good shooter in the draft (they’ll probably be picking just under 20 in the draft).

    And quit panicking. It’s only February. They were a long shot this year anyway. And be prepared for a loss in Denver, they’re a good team.

  • VP of Common Sense

    OT

    So, is there a gag order on talking about George Hill aka Pop’s “favorite player” being involved in a nude picture scandal??

    I mean, in a million years would you ever think a Spur would be involved in such a thing?

  • VP of Common Sense

    I guess Rocket Rod did drop his pants back in the day…

  • Dr. Love

    I thought George was gay? (Not that there’s anything wrong with that…)

  • Ali

    Have we started the playoff? Then why are we talking about like we know the results of the playoffs, all we need is a good 1st game in the 1st playoff series to build confidence in a team that has enough talent stop freaking out is not over till its over.

  • superflat

    the trade TP talk is silly. he’s the spurs future — if he gets back to, and beyond, where he was last year (which seems likely, given that his shooting will improve), he’s going to be a ticket to the second round with any sort of supporting cast for a while. that’s nothing to sneer at, and with any real help, you’re looking at WCF, maybe all the way. seriously, have you all forgotten how good he can be on the offensive end? if guys like iverson can do it, so can TP. now please jump down my throat. thx.

  • lvmainman

    Question: If the Spurs were all in for this year, why didn’t they trade for Stephen Jackson(he makes $7.5 mil this yr) this year?

    Stephen Jackson has scored 44 pts with Dwyane Wade guarding him and 30 pts with Kobe Bryant guarding him, this year! Stephen Jackson is avg 4 assists a game vs. Tony Parker’s 6 a game. Stephen Jackson is a proven clutch player with the Spurs(he knows the system), due to his 3 4th qtr 3-pt shots in a game 6 of a clinching NBA FINALS!

    Imagine Stephen Jackson on the floor taking Bogans/Mason/Finley minutes.

    Why didn’t the Spurs give up Bonner and Mason/or Finley/Bogans for him?

    Why?

  • junierizzle

    LOOK, It ain’t over til its over.

  • Anthony McDonald

    Jackson also punched a few fans in Detroit a few years back. He also fired shots at a moving car a few years back. He also whined his way out of GS. He also holds a very expensive contract with more years than he will be able to play effectively. Check this post in a year and see how smart the Stephen Jackson thing looks. I’ll bet the Jordanaires will at some point rue that deal…..

  • lvmainman

    Like the Spurs are currently rueing the Jefferson deal?

    Like George Hill showing his private parts to the world?

    Your argument has absolutely nothing to do with the team on the floor trying to win a championship.

  • http://fundamentally-sound.blogspot.com Jaceman

    To be honest, the contracts of Mason/Finley/Bonner aren’t super attractive even as trade pieces.

    @lvmainman: The Spurs had two goals, get younger, get more athletic, Stephen Jackson fits neither one of those criteria whereas Jefferson does. It’s easy to say now in retrospect that the Jefferson trade isn’t working out, but who knew his confidence would be this shot coming through the first half of the season?

    I honestly believe that the front office somewhat lost track of their positional needs in attempting to address the needs of younger and more athletic. Honestly, I think the biggest issue with this team, beyond offensive inconsistency, is the fact that the gamble of 2 roster spots in Mahinmi and Haislip hasn’t panned out. I still don’t feel that we’ve aptly addressed the issue of a frontcourt to support Tim Duncan. Don’t get me wrong, I like Blair and McDyess, however, I don’t think they can help carry the team over the top. As much as we improve the wing defense, I don’t think it’ll be significantly better than it is now. Ultimately, I believe the solution to that problem lies in the confidence that the perimeter defenders have in the big men behind them rotating and being a shot-blocking threat that will alter the shots of the slashers that get past the perimeter. I’m not confident about that if my on-floor frontcourt is some combination of Matt Bonner, DeJuan Blair, and/or Antonio McDyess. Theo Ratliff is good for spot minutes at best.

    People are going to laugh at me for this, but I’m semi serious in asking people to consider Darko; he’s at the very least a legit shotblocker, despite being considered a draft bust, and I believe playing next to Duncan will help his game a lot. I believe he could be had for the expiring contracts mentioned above.

  • Ian

    @lvmainman stop your whining about Jackson already man. Jackson is flourishing simply because he’s in Charlotte, and he’s like the first/second option in there, where he’s shooting about 20 shots each night. Spurs? Even Jefferson is shooting little more or less than 10 FGs these days, and you think Jackson (who would likely be used as a fourth/fifth scoring option at the best) would be scoring 20+ alongside TP, Duncan, Manu and Jefferson (and maybe Hill too)?
    Other than his scoring, Jackson’s an average defender at best, past his prime, and needs the ball to be effective. Oh and he got something like 3(4?) years and 30 million left on his salary. Yup, definitely sounds like the guy Spurs should’ve gone for.

  • Ian

    @Jaceman I also think Darko is a decent big man Spurs could use right now. I myself would take Darko over Tyrus Thomas any day.

  • Easy b

    Dallas are having similar crossroads right now. Stick with a veteran line up that’s missing top draw polish and hope for postseason spoils or trade and try to boost the squad for this year or next. Note that Denver stood pat on their squad this year happy with the upside of youth development, playoff experiences and core leadership. Adding Jefferson might still turn out to be a genius move, if Parker can get healthy enough to lead the team for four quarters not two. Question : when lakers zone Parker at the top with their bigs, why not play this by immediately shifting to isolations for rj. Attest can’t guard him for foot speed and it allows us to get Tony back on d and for the other guys to pressure for off Rebs. Maybe pop is keeping this in the playoff bag so teams can’t scout against or rj hasn’t asserted himself on the team enough to change the offensive mindset to make him a focal point. In reality with respect to age it should be tp and rj carrying the load each night with td and Manu providing vet support. I guess the whole org hasn’t come to terms with that reality just yet

  • BALLHOG

    Spurs dont need to trade players…Need to trade coaches….Gig is up on Pop…Leauge has caught up and passed him by…Besides, the days of winning with players like Bonner and Bogans are over….Get real Pop, or get out…We win here!

  • Martin

    Some out of the box thinking.

    I was watching NBA.com’s video today and Brent Barry mentioned something about having a defensive (not an offensive) center.

    What about this trade: Ian + Hairston to Wizards for….FABRICIO OBERTO…let’s bring the corporate knowledge back. Fab is having a bad time in Washington and his contract expires this season anyways…

    http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=ygu2f8h

  • lvmainman

    @Ian,
    I believe Stephen Jackson is at a point in his career he is willing to play team ball for a championship especially since he has a contract and would be living in Texas as he wanted. I believe w/ the Spurs he’d score 15 pts a game and avg his 4 assists a game because he can pick and roll, post up, and knock down an open 3. He’d be a huge improvement over the Bogans/Mason/Finley minutes he’d be getting. Maybe you don’t believe he’d be an upgrade, but I happen to think someone who can score 44 pts with Dwyane Wade guarding him the whole game, would have helped the Spurs.

  • Tyler

    One other point - at the time, Stephen Jackson wasn’t available. Jefferson on the other hand, was attainable for a simple salary dump. It was the right move at the time. Hindsight is 20-20. (we also tried to move in on Vince Carter btw)

    Also, Jackson’s contract runs past the CBA negotiations. I have no doubt this also would have been a tough pill for Holt and the front office to swallow.

  • SpursfanSteve

    http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=ykdv8d3

    there’s my clusterfuck of a trade scenario.

    Reasoning for Spurs: Miller gives us the same thing Bonner does, but he’s tougher and a better rebounder. Thomas is a freak big who at worst does what Ian does and at best gets a decent amount of playing time. IMO, he can play the 3 or the 4. Amir Johnson is another young big who can also fight for playing time.

    Reasoning for Bulls: They get Bosh and all they give up is expirings (which Bosh also is) and the people who would lose playing time to Bosh. They also get Ian, who might be a decent player but at worst comes off the books this year anyway. They know that right now, they arent going to go very far in the east- No way they beat the Cavs, Magic, or Celtics in a 7 game series. They need ANYONE that can create offense from the low post to get them over the hump. Z-Bo could make that group championship contenders.

    Reasoning for Toronto: Realistically, we’d have to include Parker (instead of RJ) and both us and the Bulls would probably have to include a first rounder or two for Toronto to even look at it. Bottom line, it’s not going to happen but i was looking for deals that got us young guys/expirings/etc.

    Did i mention that this gets us roughly 37 million total in cap space this summer? Our only contracts would be Mcdyess/Blair/Hill/Duncan/TP or RJ (whoever isnt included in the trade), a re-signed Manu, and whoever we bring in this summer.

    Yeah. I’m dreaming. Here are two others.

    http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=yjlmmgk (would need to include a couple draft picks)

    http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=yfb5hau (could probably do as is, no picks)

  • SpursfanSteve

    I agree Jackson would have been ideal, but i also agree he was not avaliable at the time we did the RJ deal. And after we did the RJ deal, there is no way to get him without giving up someone else we need. Nobody else was going to take RJ.

  • Kaveh

    You guys are just too down on Manu. I doubt you’ll get him for the MLE, since the guy has already sacraficed a lot to be a Spur, monetary wise. I think he still commands more than the MLE for 3 years, but i may be wrong. As a Laker fan, I hope we sign him for the MLE next year. He is still a great player. Not an all-star, not a core superstar that will lead you to championship rings. But a great rotation player on a championship team!

    Tony Parker…i don’t know. If i was a doctor, i could tell you. How long does this Plantar Faciwhatever take to heal? Will he be himself next year? If we’re talking about prime/healthy Tony, then he is a keeper. If not, you need to get what you can for him.

    As i said over and over in the offseason, but was met with flame after flame, Richard Jefferson is NOT a good player. Even in his “prime” he was an AVERAGE NBA player. In the offseason i said, not only is he not good, but he doesn’t fit in with the Spurs. The reasoning i used, again, in the offseason, was that he is an inefficient VOLUME shooter. The Spurs did not need someone to use up possessions. Instead they needed an athletic defensive stopper and deadly 3pt shooter. They needed a role player like a hyped up young Bruce Bowen. Or a playmaker. Some like Iggy from Phili is perfect for the Spurs. Even though he is more star than role player, he fits in perfectly in San Antonio.

    Another player i was thinking about who would have been absolutely PERFECT was Lamar Odom. He would have fit in perfectly as a Spur. That’s the type of player you need. Lamar had one of the best adjusted +- stats last year of anyone on any team. RJ had a NEGATIVE adjusted +- last year. I told you guys this in the offseason now didn’t I?

    If the Spurs can somehow get Corey Mag. and Randolph, then it would be a godsend. Randolph is a future star in this league and Corey is a current star. He is VERY underrated. But there is no way that the Warriors would trade such talent for garbage like Finley/Mason/Jefferson/etc. You would need to package someone of value like Manu/tony/Duncan in order to get players of the caliber Corey/Randolph.

  • Boognish

    Building around Parker would be a mistake. He is a great, great, complimentary player. The problem is, he does not make the players around him better, like Duncan, or even Manu in his prime. You never hear players talking about what a joy it is to play with Tony, like you do with a healthy Manu and Tim. It’s time to put something together for the next two years, and since Parker leaving is all but an eventuality, we need to make a move in that direction.

  • Bill H

    On trading Tony or Manu… what makes title teams is a competitive edge. Obvious right? Well let’s be a little more specific… at least one unique offensive player (read: ‘premier and at times unguardable’, such as Kobe), a good big man, at least decent defense, and good chemistry with the supporting cast. Stellar D and outstanding chemistry obviously help to not need as much ‘unique’ offensive talent. If your big man is also your unique offense player then you have an additional leg up (Shaq, Walton, Russell, Duncan, etc).

    The Spurs have had the big man (Duncan), but as good as he is, he hasn’t really been the unique offensive talent that has put them over the edge. It has been Parker’s penetration and Manu’s improvisation that have provided many of the sparks to start the spurts, and key buckets that bury opponents in the playoffs.

    The unfortunate situation we are in is Duncan being good but not great, Tony being hobbled somewhat and Manu’s miles. My silver and black bleeds through with this next statement. I believe in the playoffs Manu can be the Manu of old when he must in game-changing moments, and even a bit gimpy, Parker can still penetrate against anyone. However, the cast around them has to get them to those game-changing moments. This is where we fail. If we lost Tony or Manu then we lose the edge, even if it does get us more readily to the playoffs. Unless we get Bosh (we won’t) or some other amazing player, we won’t win it all in the next two years without Tony and Manu. There’s a diffence between getting to the playoffs, even the second round, and finishing in the finals.

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