.png&w=244&h=193&zc=1 "By the numbers: A quick look at the Grizzlies")
A look at San Antonio's team payroll
Now that the NBA lockout will likely be coming to a close, it's time to take a quick look at the San Antonio Spurs team payroll as free-agency will start up and the possibility of trades.
Currently, the Spurs have the third highest payroll at $73,181,595 behind the Los Angeles Lakers ($91,311,749) and the Orlando Magic ($74,816,623).
Here is how it breaks down:
via Hoops Hype
Tim Duncan is entering his final contract year and now the Spurs will have to decide whether or not to extend him a few more seasons or wait to hear if Duncan does decide to retire after this season. Although he might sign for another two more season at best, if he does retire, that's a huge chunk of cash off the payroll for the Spurs to be major players in next season's free-agency.
Richard Jefferson might be the thorn in Spurs fans sides when it comes to his play on the court but with two years guaranteed and the last season his option, he might be a great trading chip for another team looking to rebuild and get his contract off their payroll. That's if the Spurs can convince a team to take on RJ's contract as an expiring contract in-waiting.
Notable Spurs players such as Gary Neal, James Anderson (Anderson's 2012-2013 money is a team option), and DeJuan Blair (Blair's 2012-2013 money is a team option) are in a contract-season so you know all three will be putting their best foot forward once the season starts. Expect Neal, Anderson and Blair to really step up their game in order to get a lucrative long-term deal. And if they are playing well during the season, don't be surprised to read news the Spurs have extended their contract or picked up any team option.
Antonio McDyess might give the Spurs some immediate wiggle room to make wheel-and-deal if he does indeed retire.
And based on the salaries above, the immediate future for San Antonio is made up of Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, Richard Jefferson, Tiago Splitter and Matt Bonner.
Bonner's contract might be on the low-end but his contract might be a bit longer than what he deserves. Especially considering he does a vanishing act during the playoffs. Considering he has two more contract seasons remaining, he still might be a cheap trade-bait to throw at a team with his contract not being that pricey.
Of course there is still the matter of signing rookies Kawhi Leonard and Cory Joseph and the impact of the new CBA deal will be, this should give Spurs fans a quick overview of how the Spurs stand financially.
As you can see San Antonio doesn't have much to work with this season as far as being a heavy player in free-agency. They may be able to add a veteran role-player (as usual) but do not expect them to make a huge splash as far as adding a prized free-agent such as Nene.
1 Like
I agree that it would be nice to move RJ and his contract, but we are not getting Chandler or Nene.. We woldn't get much value for him. He frustrated me, but I don't think he should be the spurs scape goat. We need a center, but at best we might be able to get Aaron Grey and just hope Splitter improves in his 2nd year. I thought he was productive in the limited minutes he got in the memphis series. We should have had him on gasol and td on Z-bo. Asking bonner, blair or Antonio to guard either of thosed guys is unrealistic.
RJ's contract won't be a great trading chip, at all. In fact he has the player option on final year and it will depend on himself to decide to leave or stay. People thought his performace last season is the reason make him hard to trade, but it's not.
Alright it seems like Baron Davis is at the edge of Cav's waiving list, should go after him.
2 Like
@shawnthefreak I agree it will be tough to move RJ and his contract NOW but say you are a team looking to make a spash in free agency, imagine being able to knock off that amount of money off your cap. It's a tough sell but it has some value.
2 Like
@shawnthefreak big ego coming off the bench? unless by some magical happening coach pop decides to retire, I can't imagine he would ever want Davis on his team.
I'm not too worried about back up PG (since they won't be able to learn the system in 2 weeks of training camp anyways and we're better off with Manu and shifting Neal/Anderson to SG), I am very concerned about a decent center who can defend/block shots.
Mcdyess must retire and jefferson has to go. The spurs need at least 2 pf/c and a pg. By now they must somebody in mind.
This comment has been deleted
yea but who would trade a quality big man or an athletic defender for him?
Our team is very young, I would take RJ's veteran experience, his proven 3% shooting and his help team defense over James Anderson or Leonard at this point. yes he's not playing like a guy who's getting paid 9 million, but at this was the chance RC and Pop took to make us competitive and it seems they have no way out of it.
RJ can still put up 12-15 points a game and with George Hill gone and a shortened season I rather stick with a safety than to put all of my hopes on Leonard and Anderson.
If by some Miracle we can get Tyson Chandler, then we have a really good shot at the title, with with Jefferson playing 25+ min.
