With the NBA free-agency period underway, San Antonio Spurs' forward, Richard Jefferson, made news when he decided to opt out of his final contract year which would have paid him a guaranteed $15.2 million dollars.

Now with Jefferson being a free-agent, I turned to San Antonio's News 4 WOAI's sports reporter, Humberto "Humbie" Cervera, to get his views on Jefferson opting out and the other Spurs' free-agents.

(JEFF) You first reaction when you heard the news Richard Jefferson opted out of his final contract year which would have paid him a guaranteed 15.2 million dollars.

(HUMBIE) I was very excited that it was going down, then after doing a little research I saw it wouldn't give the Spurs cap space. So it would've been better to see him stay and get traded instead.

Do you think his decision to opt out was partly due to his mediocre performance in his first season with the Spurs?

It's just like anything else in the league, it's all about the money. He thinks he can make more with a multi-year deal than the last $15 mil he has left.

Jefferson is a free-agent now and can sign with another team. Should the Spurs re-sign him to avoid him going to a power team in the NBA which could haunt the Spurs later?

If they resign him it won't be to keep him from somewhere else. They'll do it because they feel he's the best fit for them in their situation OR they have a trade set up.

If the Spurs do re-sign him, don't you think his true value will be measured next season after having a complete season under his belt with the Spurs' system?

I think we've seen his true value in this system already. I don't think next year will bring a lot of surprises out of his game in a Spurs' uni.

Should the Spurs re-sign Jefferson and if they do, is that a sign of a sign-and-trade in the works?

If there is a sign and trade deal in place then the Spurs should do it. If this is what they're trying to do... I have no idea. This summer has been crazy from them and I don't even want to begin to make predictions of what they're doing.

Your thoughts on the other Spurs' free agents -- Roger Mason, Ian Mahinmi, Keith Bogans, and Matt Bonner. Who will be returning?

I'm thinking its just going to be Matt Bonner. The shooting 4 position has been very important to the Spurs' success and Bonner is the best they can get with their limited resources.

Thanks to Humbie for taking time to be a part of this Q&A. Check out his blog and catch him, along with a familiar face here at Project Spurs, on the latest WOAI Sports Roundtable.

With only hours until free agency began and questions of the future of LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade, and Dirk Nowitzki swirling in the heads of NBA reporters and fans alike, San Antonio Spurs' forward, Richard Jefferson, managed to steal the news cycle last night, on more than one occasion. 

With the news breaking that Jefferson would be opting out of his contract, you could almost hear the corks popping off the champagne bottles across the River City.

However, later in the evening, just as the fuss over the first bit of breaking news was winding down, it was reported by Adrian Wojnarowski (via Twitter) who said Jefferson and the Spurs would probably ink a new deal and in all likelihood be remaining with the silver and black.

Put those corks back in Spurs fans. But only for a moment.

The buzz in the city and across the NBA insider circles last night was how could Jefferson be so stupid?  His contract guaranteed him $15.2 million next year and, after a performance last year that would have left Darko Milicic underwhelmed, who in their right mind would come close to paying him that much money?  Well it turns out Jefferson may not be as crazy as we thought.

Sources say the contract Jefferson would likely sign with the Spurs would be a longer term deal, at a annual salary that would bring the Spurs back under the luxury tax threshold. It might also guarantee him more than $15.2 million over the term of the contract.

It is a win-win for the Spurs and Jefferson. Both have more options now than they would have if Jefferson had not opted out. The Spurs can now decide if they even want to re-sign him and, if so, at what price. This also gives the Spurs the option of a sign-and-trade scenario should there be a living soul who wants Jefferson besides Pop.

For Jefferson, it gives him the ability to shop himself on the free-agent market, to see if there is any chance of him receiving a better deal or finding a team that may be a better fit for him. For example, today there was a report he would prefer to go to the New York Knicks or the New Jersey Nets not only for the long-term contract he is seeking but because he feels his style of play does not mesh well with the Spurs.

With the uncertainty surrounding the collective bargaining agreement that expires next year, it may be his only chance to ensure his future under the current rules of the road.  Jefferson's agent described the decision like this:

“It's an opportunity for him to look at free agency under rules and guidelines that we know and a salary cap structure that we know,” Eley said. “You can play next year and then enter a market you may not be comfortable with, or know. I think this allows Richard a lot of options to pursue now that make sense for him.”

Make no mistake, this is a gamble for Jefferson.  He is taking the chance the Spurs are not willing to re-sign him or, if they are, they offer him a much smaller contract but at a longer term. At the same time it is hard to imagine his market value is very high after one of the worst seasons of his career. With free agency fever sweeping the NBA though, it is not entirely surprising that Jefferson and his agent would take a chance.

While it is hard to argue that Jefferson provided much value to the team in his first season, this move is very good for the Spurs. Should they decide to re-sign him, it will be on their terms with the advantage of knowing exactly what he offers the team. He will be paid for his current performance instead of a bloated contract based on his past performance and he will be more tradable if he is signed at a lower dollar amount.

This summer just got even more interesting.

According to Yahoo! Sports, San Antonio Spurs' free-agent, Richard Jefferson, does not have a deal to return to the Spurs and would prefer to sign with the New York Knicks or the New Jersey Nets:

Richard Jefferson doesn’t have a deal with the San Antonio Spurs and would prefer to return to the New York area to play for the Knicks or Nets, league sources told Y! Sports.

Jefferson is seeking a multiyear contract that averages in the range of $8 million-$10 million, sources said. He opted out of the $15 million final season of his contract with the Spurs on Tuesday.

Jefferson has built a good relationship with Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, but doesn’t think the team’s system best fits his skills.

Should Jefferson leave, this would leave a hole at the small-forward position for the team and if he does sign with the Knicks or Nets, the Spurs will be seeking someone fill the spot.

There was a report the Spurs are interested in free-agent Anthony Morrow of the Golden State Warriors and Orlando Magic free-agent Matt Barnes mentioned he still feel the Spurs were interested in him.

Perhaps the team is already looking for a replacement for Jefferson?

San Antonio Spurs' free-agent, Matt Bonner, has been contacted by the team and has been told the Spurs want him to come back next season according to his agent Kenny Grant:

The Spurs have called free-agent forward-center Matt Bonner to re-iterate their desire to bring him back.

"The Spurs called last night," Bonner's agent, Kenny Grant said this afternoon. "I think they're interested. Hopefully, it works out." (source Express-News)

According to the report, the Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks and the Denver Nuggets have contacted Bonner.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports, the Timberwolves signing of Nikola Pekovic to a three year, $13 million contract may have ruined the Spurs plans to sign Splitter and have money left over for another player, all with the midlevel exception.

There were undoubtedly some eyes rolling into the backs of heads in the Spurs’ front office with the Minnesota Timberwolves close to an agreement with European center Nikola Pekovic on a three-year, $13 million contract. The Spurs are negotiating to bring over 2008 first-round pick Tiago Splitter this summer, and Pekovic’s deal promises to elevate Splitter’s leverage.

That second free agent very well could be Golden State's Anthony Morrow, who Wojnarowski says attracted several suitors, including San Antonio.

The 6-5 Morrow averaged 13 points per game with the Warriors last season. The Spurs could see him as more outside shooting help, which they desperately needed against the Suns in the playoffs, and Morrow shot an impressive 45 percent from beyond the arc last season.

On this special edition of the Spurscast, Mike and I discuss the news of San Antonio Spurs' forward, Richard Jefferson, opting out of his contract. What does this mean for the Spurs and will he return next season?

We also discuss the other Spurs' free agents (Roger Mason, Ian Mahinmi, Keith Bogans and Matt Bonner) and if they will be returning to the team next season.

The Spurscast, the first and original Spurs podcast!

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According to the San Antonio Express-News, via CBS Sports, San Antonio Spurs' forward, Antonio McDyess, may call next season his last in the NBA.

McDyess, who will be 36 when the 2010-11 season starts, was signed for three years at the full midlevel exception last summer when the Spurs missed out on signing Rasheed Wallace.

He will make $4.8 million this season. The final year in his contract is worth $5.2 million, but it is only partially guaranteed.

McDyess averaged 5.8 points and 5.9 rebounds in 21 minutes per game in the regular season, but raised those numbers to 6.8 points and 6.8 rebounds in the playoffs.

Former San Antonio Spurs' guard, Jacque Vaughn, will be returning to the Spurs to serve as an assistant coach for the Spurs' 2010 Vegas Summer League team:

Former Spurs point guard Jacque Vaughn is expected to serve as an assistant coach for the team's summer league squad next month in Las Vegas, an endeavor he might hope to parlay into a full-time gig next season.

He has long been held in high esteem by coach Gregg Popovich, who has called Vaughn prime coaching material. (source Express-News)

The Spurs do have a vacant spot among the coaching ranks since James Borrego (former video coordinator) has now moved on to the New Orleans Hornets to join Monty Williams' coaching staff.

The free-agency period officially begins today and it's time to look at the San Antonio Spurs' free-agents.

Here are their free-agents: Richard Jefferson, Keith Bogans, Roger Mason, Matt Bonner, and Ian Mahinmi.

Jefferson. With a guaranteed $15.2 million dollars on the table, chances are low he will pass that kind of money up. Right? Think again! Jefferson did opt out of his final contract year with the Spurs. With his lackluster performance in his first season with the Spurs, never living up to expectations, and drawing the ire of Spurs fans, perhaps he might want to find a new team to wipe the slate clean. This does not mean his days are completely over with the Spurs. The team may bring him back. You know Spurs nation is hoping they don't.

Bogans. Brought on to be the Spurs' primary perimeter defender, Bogans was serviceable but still wasn't the player the team was hoping he would be. Expect him to not be with the team next season.

Mason. After coming off a solid 2008-2009 season with the Spurs, Mason had an unforgettable second season with the team. Never cracking the rotation, appeared to have lost his shooting touch, requested to be traded, and was not reliable during the regular season and post season. Also, with the Spurs drafting shooter, James Anderson, Mason's time with the Spurs is over and expect him to sign with another team.

Bonner. With his ability to knock down the three-point shot and a newly developed dribble-drive move to the paint, he could provide a valuable sign-and-trade piece should the Spurs decide to move him. However, Bonner proved to be a valuable asset during the regular season but again fizzled in the playoffs. With the Spurs financially strapped, will the Spurs use their "Bird Rights" to resign him?  Possibly.

Mahinmi. Can you say draft-day-bust? He never could crack the rotation, is foul prone, and early in his "career" with the Spurs, he has been injury prone. Though he did have a few good games this past season (i.e. against the New Jersey Nets) he never panned out as the athletic big man the Spurs have been lacking. Earlier in the season the Spurs did not pick up his last year on his contract and if that doesn't speak volumes about his future with the team, then I do not know what will.  There was a report that Mahinmi was signing a contract soon but did not state which team it was. Oh and he also stated he will base his decision on where he would play next on increased playing time.

Well there you go Spurs fans. Time to put on your G.M. hat and decide the fate of these Spurs' free-agent.

With the news coming out that San Antonio Spurs' forward, Richard Jefferson, opted out of his final year of his contract, passing up on a guaranteed $15 million dollars, Spurs fans were rejoicing. Maybe they should halt any parties.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports, Jefferson might be re-signing with the Spurs:

Sources said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has been personally working out Jefferson in San Antonio. The free-agent forward could re-sign with the team at a number that lowers the franchise’s luxury-tax hit while guaranteeing him more money on the back end of a multiyear contract.

What are your thoughts Spurs fans? Should the team re-sign Jefferson?