Grantland thinks Spurs should use amnesty clause on Jefferson
One of the more interesting developments during the CBA negotiations is that there will be an 
amnesty clause. You remember that don't you? The "Allan Houston" rule which allows a team to pay off and rid themselves of one of their worse contracts but unlike the original amnesty clause, that player's contract won't count against the salary cap.
When it was revealed an amnesty clause will be included in the new CBA, whenever that happens, our own Trevor Zickgraf was quick to point out San Antonio Spurs' Richard Jefferson should be target number one for the Spurs to use under this new amnesty clause.
It seems Trevor isn't the only one to single out Jefferson.
Grantland writers Bill Simmons, and Jonathan Abrams both agree RJ could be packing his bags out of San Antonio but as Simmons points out, the Spurs won't be out of the woods financially.
Simmons says Tony Parker's deal could be hindering the team financially should Jefferson's contract be paid off.
Abrams: So long, Richard Jefferson. He's set to make $9.3 million, $10.1 million, and $11 million over the next three years.
Simmons: And even after they dump him, they're still at $66.2 million for 14 guys next year. If there's a hard cap, or even a semi-flaccid cap, they're still screwed unless they can turn Tony Parker ($50 million through 2015) into a significantly cheaper point guard (like Ricky Rubio or Kyle Lowry). I think it's fascinating that (a) Spurs owner Peter Holt has the most juice of any owner in this lockout, (b) the owners are pushing for a hard cap, and (c) no 2011-12 team would be more screwed over by a hard cap than the Spurs.
OK so we all know Jefferson might be on the chopping block with this new amnesty clause. His lackluster two seasons in San Antonio more than qualifies Jefferson but, as Simmons suggests, do you think Parker should be traded? What do you have to say Spurs fans?
The Spurs Nation columnist talked about the possibilty that Baron comes to the Spurs.
http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/09/29/would-the-spurs-be-interested-in-baron-davis/
Who was it here that proposed RJ and DB to Cleve, for BD and Varijoe or something like that. If a deal like this could happen, then I can see parting with TP for a draft pick and PF or... Bayless is still not under control, but sharing duties with CJ and BD, not bad at all. Tell Bufurd to get it done when the lockout ends.
@jojo707 I think I just suggested RJ for Baron if the Spurs traded Tony for a lottery pick. It'd be a fun experiment at the very least.
@jojo707 I think that was me. Media just like to make up stories, such as making the impact that B.Davis is a trouble player, not a good teammate. However, if guys watch ENOUGH games and investigate the game you see that Davis is a good floor leader. Davis' main annoying thing is he shoots many quick, 'far away from the basket' 3s during his years. The reason I suggested that is because I think Pop can make BD under control and matured as a floor general. From last season BD was older, playing less minutes, but still a very efficient PG. Honestly when talking about trade with the Cavs, the one I wanna get is Ramon Sessions. But how ON EARTH the Cavs will give you Session while also eat RJ's contract? We can be dreaming but we need to see the reality. My 1st suggestion is to get Chris Paul. TP&RJ&DB&1st round picks for Paul,Okafor,2nd round picks. 2nd suggestion, trade RJ&DB&2nd round picks for Baron Davis and Samardo Samuels; Then trade TP to New Orleans for Okafor and a 1st round pick, which can be used for next year's upgrade.
@shawnthefreak@jojo707 I, as a Spurs fan, would love to have those trades. In reality; however, New Orleans would have to be high as hell to accept a TP, RJ, DB for Paul and Okafor. I really like Okafor -- he's like Theo Ratliff, but younger and he can score. Also as much as us Spurs fans scrutinize RJ's mediocre play in San Antonio, he's not playing on the type of team that he is used to playing on. He played in Milwaukee and New Jersey -- two teams who saw Jefferson as one of their main guys on offense. He would be effective in Cleveland, just because he would be a focal point in the Cleveland offense. I could only dream that Cleveland would be willing to accept such a contract as bad as Jefferson's.
@shawnthefreak I agree -- we need just one or two more big men and we're essentially set for the next few seasons. From what I've seen of Ryan Richards, he looks like he could be a great role player for us in the future. Bertans, on the other hand, I'm a little bit skeptical about. From what I've seen of him, he looks like an athletic Matt Bonner -- a type of player that I would rather have the Spurs move away from rather than get more of. The Spurs need their defensive identity back, and with guys like Bertans, we're not going to get it back. Hopefully, he'll learn to be more defensively minded and develop more offensive weapons while he's over seas. I'm more looking forward to seeing Nando de Colo, Ryan Richards, and Adam Hanga -- three players that could be a very integral piece to the Spurs future.
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@spurs123 With TD and Manu probably would retire in few years we should plug in some players who can make impact right away rather than some very raw prospects. I mean, whatever how Ryan Richards, David Bertan sound great, they should be included in our 'future plan;' not for right now. Now is not yet talking about rebuilding.
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@shawnthefreak I agree completely. Once we get a solid big man (preferably more than one) I am going to be very optimistic towards next season (if it ever comes...)
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Glad to see someone finally with an open mind here. Yeah you're right, the Hornets won't give Paul & Okafor this easily so that's why I added a couple future 1st round picks. The Hornets, though probably won't admit, is losing Paul next season, that means they're officially walk into rebuilding process. They won't be happy seeing Paul go without anything returns, so TP could be somehow attractive to them for the reason. TP is still relatively young, a Top 10 PG with Championship Pedigree; whose specialty, scoring, is the most-wanted for a team like the Hornets( who ranked 27th overall on Points Per Game last season.) They will also like RJ to add some scoring punch as well as couple flying dunks to sell their tickets. This trade works for both side: We get the arguable one of, if not the best point guard in the NBA along with a terrific defender/rebounder/shock-blocker; in addition to get rid of RJ. The Hornets inked a Top 10 PG for 3~4 years staying they can rebuild on as well as a wing scorer who can pair with more defensive-minded Ariza, in addition with some future picks. It's a win-win situation. I don't worry about our offense, at all. We scored better than 24 teams in the NBA last season! This year we are good to have JA coming back strong showing his potential to duplicate his scoring back in Oklahoma State. And with the frontcourt we have in TD, Okafor, and Splitter. The Gasol-Randolph pair or Bynum-Gasol pair won't feel any comfortable against the “Tri-Tower” next year.
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The assumptions don't make sense. Why pay someone to leave ? It doesn't help,unless spitefulness is a business decision. Also the assumption that a lot of cap space will get a big time free agent into SA, is not worth the planning. TD, and DR spoiled everyone in SA. There will be enough cap room or mid level exception to get what the Spurs are likely to be in the running for. We can't outbid NYC, LA, Boston, Miami, Chicago, etc, so we can get second tier guys and develop or draft the rest. So, trading TP to clear cap space is silly, in my mind. You still have to take back comparable salary, anyway. We need to get better the way the Jazz have had to, or our friends in Houston, in my opinion.
@jojo707 I love this comment & at the same time don't agree. If you can flip Tony Parker for a lottery pick, I would do, despite the inherent risks with lottery picks. I keep thinking Toronto would be a good trade partner. Tony Parker for a lottery pick & Jerryd Bayless. Still, it's tough to argue with your logic, JoJo, though next summer the Spurs would have to contend with New York, and a bunch of small market teams when it comes to cap space.
