[DondiJohnParticipant]

http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2014/10/27/7077343/kawhi-leonard-contract-extension-spurs-maximum

 

The San Antonio Spurs have a history of asking their star players to take less money. Kawhi Leonard is resisting their overtures. For now.

The San Antonio Spurs have had star-laden rosters since before the phrase "superteam" was a part of the NBA lexicon. First, they had the luxury of the Twin Towers in 1999, and then by 2003 they had three future Hall-of-Famers in place in the team’s core. How do the Spurs do it? R.C. Buford and Gregg Popovich draft really well, avoid bad contracts better than any other front office and manage the salary cap sheet expertly.

Oh, and the Spurs convince all of their stars to take below-market salaries for the good of the franchise.

It’s amazing, in retrospect, how much heat LeBron James and friends got for taking minor pay cuts to play together in Miami given that the Spurs have been doing that for ages.Tim Duncan has 14 All-NBA honors in 17 seasons. He’s made more than $20 million in only three seasons because he consistently signs for less than the max. Just two years ago he took an $11 million pay cut after a(nother) All-Star season, all so that the Spurs could keep their other free agents and sign, uh, Nando de Colo. Two years before that, in 2010, Duncan signed a short deal leaving $11 million on the table to help the Spurs get back to the Finals.

Tony Parker is a five-time All-Star, four-time All-NBA honoree, four-time NBA champion and one-time Finals MVP. He’s never made more than $13.5 million in a season because the Spurs keep convincing him it’s in his long-term interest to take less and keep the club together. Manu Ginobili is a two-time All-Star and one-time Sixth Man of the Year, and potentially the third best shooting guard of his generation. He’s made $100 million in a 12-year NBA career, or less than what Joe Johnson makes over five years.

 

You can’t knock the Spurs for making this happen: tales from San Antonio’s negotiating sessions are famous for their odd creativity. (Buford and Pop are reportedly fond of offering Duncan a max contract alongside a presentation showing what they plan to do with the savings if he takes less.) The Spurs use their own success to facilitate future success. It’s a brilliant scheme.

Until the Spurs land a player who doesn’t buy it. Enter Kawhi Leonard: As Kawhi Leonard holds firm on his desire for a maximum contract, extension talks with the San Antonio Spurs have failed to gather traction despite a looming Friday deadline, league sources told Yahoo Sports. […] [M]ultiple league executives told Yahoo Sports he’ll command a max offer sheet on the market next summer. The Spurs would assuredly match a sheet and retain Leonard, but there remains the risk of Leonard signing a similar offer sheet to Dallas Mavericks forward Chandler Parsons.

As Adrian Wojnarowski reports, Leonard is a no-brainer max player. He’s already an elite defender and can shoot from the corners, an increasingly valued skill in today’s NBA. He slowed down the greatest player on Earth in the Finals at age 22. Most NBA franchises would recognize Leonard’s value and potential, thank their lucky stars for his presence and fork over the max offer. Probably in July, when negotiations can begin.

From the archives: How Kawhi Leonard Earned Finals MVP Not the Spurs. The Spurs are trying to do with Kawhi what the Spurs have done with Duncan, Manu and Parker for a dozen years: they are trying to convince a superstar to give up some money for the good of the team. And Leonard isn’t (to this point) playing ball.

Good for him. The willingness of the Spurs’ stars — or anyone else in the NBA — to take less for the good of the franchise is praised too often, just as it was reviled too much when LeBron and Dwyane Wade did it. Giving up salary that can go to teammates in this soft-capped NBA isn’t really worthy of praise or disgust. NBA franchises aren’t charities. Duncan and crew haven’t been generous to mankind. They’ve been generous to Peter Holt, managing partner of the Spurs and construction equipment salesman par excellence.

It’s not like the Spurs wouldn’t be able to find a way to pay role players if Duncan took the max in 2010 or if Parker declined an early, cheap extension to test the free agent market. The Mavericks’ Mark Cuban, the Knicks’ James Dolan and the Nets’ Mikhail Prokhorov have shown that the league’s salary cap is more of a guideline than a rule. The only way Duncan taking less actually makes the Spurs a better team is if Holt refuses to pay luxury tax or exceed a certain salary threshold. Meanwhile, the Spurs were the sixth-most profitable franchise in the NBA last season.

Of course, the difference between Holt and guys like Prokhorov, Dolan and Cuban is that Holt isn’t a billionaire. He actually needs the Spurs to make money. That’s not Kawhi’s fault. The collective bargaining agreement limits what Leonard can make any given season. He’s been a damn bargain for the Spurs through three seasons thanks to the rookie salary scale. If Holt isn’t willing to pay him $15 million, two dozen other teams will. That’s why Leonard has the leverage here. The Spurs know that if a deal isn’t reached by Friday, they’ll be forced to max him out next July or match a potentially tricky offer sheet, like one that could make Kawhi a free agent early and restrict San Antonio’s ability to repeat history with Leonard.

 It’s totally fair for the Spurs to ask Leonard to take less so that the dynasty can continue for another generation. And it’s totally fair for Kawhi to respond with Ray Liotta’s infamous [NSFW] line from Goodfellas. What makes it amazing is that this is the first time in a long time that someone is telling the Spurs no, and we’re all waiting with bated breath to see how Pop and Buford deal with it.

[llperez]

 i dont blame anyoine for looking for the most possible money. I know a bunch of fans who honestly get pissed at players for not taking less money saying how htye have so much already and they could win more if they took less. I mean that might be true, but on the flip taking less never gaurantees wins nor does it gaurantee the team will be smart about how they spend the savings. I say treat it just like a business decision, most teams will trade a player if they feel it will be to the benefit of the franshise. Its great if the spurs can get guys to take less and in return the team shows loyalty and doesnt ship guys off. But you cant blame kawhi if he bucks that trend and looks to get paid. As for whether he is worth it or not, hes certainly better then hayward and he got max so yeah i say he has a real good chance of someone giving it to him.

[llperez]

 i dont blame anyoine for looking for the most possible money. I know a bunch of fans who honestly get pissed at players for not taking less money saying how htye have so much already and they could win more if they took less. I mean that might be true, but on the flip taking less never gaurantees wins nor does it gaurantee the team will be smart about how they spend the savings. I say treat it just like a business decision, most teams will trade a player if they feel it will be to the benefit of the franshise. Its great if the spurs can get guys to take less and in return the team shows loyalty and doesnt ship guys off. But you cant blame kawhi if he bucks that trend and looks to get paid. As for whether he is worth it or not, hes certainly better then hayward and he got max so yeah i say he has a real good chance of someone giving it to him.

[r377Participant]

Money isn’t everything.

Who do you think is happier out of Rudy Gay and Joe Johnson making $20mill per year or Duncan, Parker and Manu who has a bit less money but have championship rings to show for it.

I am sure there would be $$ bonus for winning championships also.

I personally would much rather take $12-15mill per year and play for a contending Spurs team rather than earn $20mill to play for the Kings or Nets….

[r377Participant]

Money isn’t everything.

Who do you think is happier out of Rudy Gay and Joe Johnson making $20mill per year or Duncan, Parker and Manu who has a bit less money but have championship rings to show for it.

I am sure there would be $$ bonus for winning championships also.

I personally would much rather take $12-15mill per year and play for a contending Spurs team rather than earn $20mill to play for the Kings or Nets….

[r377Participant]

Also remember that Popp doesn’t give his stars massive playing time and gives them games off. I am sure this has helped extend their careers….

[r377Participant]

Also remember that Popp doesn’t give his stars massive playing time and gives them games off. I am sure this has helped extend their careers….

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

I don’t think theres anything wrong with guys taking less money. Not enough players do it and I won’t blame guys for taking the money when they can get it but at the same time, guys who do deserve praise. They can’t guarentee the front offices will make the right moves, and they can’t guarentee they will win championships, but when the playing field for the NBA is already incredibly uneven, any chance to level it could be worth it. It creates a culture, ideally that is conducive to unselfish play and chemistry and I would think when guys see others taking less, a lot of guys would think about joining in to be part of it. Again it doesnt happen like that very often, so when it does, its pretty cool to see. 

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

I don’t think theres anything wrong with guys taking less money. Not enough players do it and I won’t blame guys for taking the money when they can get it but at the same time, guys who do deserve praise. They can’t guarentee the front offices will make the right moves, and they can’t guarentee they will win championships, but when the playing field for the NBA is already incredibly uneven, any chance to level it could be worth it. It creates a culture, ideally that is conducive to unselfish play and chemistry and I would think when guys see others taking less, a lot of guys would think about joining in to be part of it. Again it doesnt happen like that very often, so when it does, its pretty cool to see. 

[benny15Participant]

 i think the Spurs should stick to their guns here. if kawhi’s agent is angling for him to get  a max deal now since it wont be when the cap gets readjusted with the new massive tv deal. then they can negotiate an opt our clause for them and renegotiate then, not before. if kawhi’s people insist on the max and nothing else, it was nice seeing him as a spur, but i wouldnt expect him back and good luck on finding success as consistently as San Antonio.

the spurs have been here before, although not with a finals MVP player. after their second championship, their starting shooting guard wanted a heft pay raise. he was offered a 3 year deal starting at 7 million that would increase the next two. he wanted more, so the spurs looked elsewhere. this was stephen jackson and we know how his career turned out after. 

with everyone else willing to pay kawhi the money he wants and the spurs unwilling to, he becomes a very valuable trade chip. he can be easily flipped and get something good in return. the spurs could potentially even get more by dealing him to an eastern conference team looking at a way to guard lebron in the post season.

 

 

 

[llperez]

 you make it sound like they can easily replace him like dont let the door hit you on the way out. He is their best player and still young and getting better. Comparing him to stephen jackson is apples and oranges. Im sure lots of teams are hoping the spurs lose him.

[benny15Participant]

 can they easily replace what he does and brings to the team? no, probably not. but can they break down all his contributions, and disperse it with their other pieces and sign someone to handle only some of his duties instead of all, yes i believe the spurs will be able to do that. 

the stephen jackson scenario was just an example of how the spurs operate. theyve dealt with injuries to main guys at different points and pop just goes "next one up" and plugs his guys in his system and it works. the guy who steps up might not be able to reproduce what their main guy does, but the team in general compensates for the loss so that its not heavily felt.

im sorry if i sounded like an easy thing to do, but i have this tremendous ammount of respect for the spurs and their ability to succeed by building their team with a system over players. given i do realise that at the end of the day, the team’s defense is mostly built around duncan, but his team is still able to run it without him in patches and stretches. but on the other side of the floor, its mostly systematic. no parker, george hill step up, no hill, gary neal, no neal, patty mills then. theyre all different and bring different things to the table, but they work in san antonio’s system more than in other teams. i honestly dont think thats all pure coincidental. 

now if it was any other team in the league, i would be like you and know how hard it would be to replace such a critical piece such as kawhi. trust me, im torn right now with klay not getting his extension and the sixers having all the money and space needed to get him. i dint mean to downplay kawhi, i was simply praising the spurs

 

 

 

[llperez]

 well all that ability to routinely place and plug guys in has been largely possible becasue they have a foundation that includes duncan, parker and manu. Those guys arent getting any younger. With kawhi you have the transition piece for the franshise going forward. They might be able to use different pieces to fill in for a few years, but pretty soon the core will be retired and reality will set in about rebuilding.

[benny15Participant]

 You’re probably right.. Still though, I think it’s pretty special to have a culture like the spur organization and would want them to continue with it as long as they can instead of succumbing to players’ agents. Has there really been a more successfull small market team? I’m not talking about a one time miracle championship, but rather a team that has consistently won year after year, in the regular season and the post-season that came from a small market? 

now the time like you say that their current core will retire and they will be forced to rebuild, I still wish they do it in their own terms, not some agent’s. They’ve been able to show most of their players in the past the big picture, and how a true team is more than the sum of its parts. Now if Leonard doesn’t believe that anymore, doesn’t buy into their culture anymore, then I think it may be best for them to part ways, no matter how good of a player he is.

 

[benny15Participant]

 You’re probably right.. Still though, I think it’s pretty special to have a culture like the spur organization and would want them to continue with it as long as they can instead of succumbing to players’ agents. Has there really been a more successfull small market team? I’m not talking about a one time miracle championship, but rather a team that has consistently won year after year, in the regular season and the post-season that came from a small market? 

now the time like you say that their current core will retire and they will be forced to rebuild, I still wish they do it in their own terms, not some agent’s. They’ve been able to show most of their players in the past the big picture, and how a true team is more than the sum of its parts. Now if Leonard doesn’t believe that anymore, doesn’t buy into their culture anymore, then I think it may be best for them to part ways, no matter how good of a player he is.

 

[llperez]

 well all that ability to routinely place and plug guys in has been largely possible becasue they have a foundation that includes duncan, parker and manu. Those guys arent getting any younger. With kawhi you have the transition piece for the franshise going forward. They might be able to use different pieces to fill in for a few years, but pretty soon the core will be retired and reality will set in about rebuilding.

[benny15Participant]

 can they easily replace what he does and brings to the team? no, probably not. but can they break down all his contributions, and disperse it with their other pieces and sign someone to handle only some of his duties instead of all, yes i believe the spurs will be able to do that. 

the stephen jackson scenario was just an example of how the spurs operate. theyve dealt with injuries to main guys at different points and pop just goes "next one up" and plugs his guys in his system and it works. the guy who steps up might not be able to reproduce what their main guy does, but the team in general compensates for the loss so that its not heavily felt.

im sorry if i sounded like an easy thing to do, but i have this tremendous ammount of respect for the spurs and their ability to succeed by building their team with a system over players. given i do realise that at the end of the day, the team’s defense is mostly built around duncan, but his team is still able to run it without him in patches and stretches. but on the other side of the floor, its mostly systematic. no parker, george hill step up, no hill, gary neal, no neal, patty mills then. theyre all different and bring different things to the table, but they work in san antonio’s system more than in other teams. i honestly dont think thats all pure coincidental. 

now if it was any other team in the league, i would be like you and know how hard it would be to replace such a critical piece such as kawhi. trust me, im torn right now with klay not getting his extension and the sixers having all the money and space needed to get him. i dint mean to downplay kawhi, i was simply praising the spurs

 

 

 

[llperez]

 you make it sound like they can easily replace him like dont let the door hit you on the way out. He is their best player and still young and getting better. Comparing him to stephen jackson is apples and oranges. Im sure lots of teams are hoping the spurs lose him.

[benny15Participant]

 i think the Spurs should stick to their guns here. if kawhi’s agent is angling for him to get  a max deal now since it wont be when the cap gets readjusted with the new massive tv deal. then they can negotiate an opt our clause for them and renegotiate then, not before. if kawhi’s people insist on the max and nothing else, it was nice seeing him as a spur, but i wouldnt expect him back and good luck on finding success as consistently as San Antonio.

the spurs have been here before, although not with a finals MVP player. after their second championship, their starting shooting guard wanted a heft pay raise. he was offered a 3 year deal starting at 7 million that would increase the next two. he wanted more, so the spurs looked elsewhere. this was stephen jackson and we know how his career turned out after. 

with everyone else willing to pay kawhi the money he wants and the spurs unwilling to, he becomes a very valuable trade chip. he can be easily flipped and get something good in return. the spurs could potentially even get more by dealing him to an eastern conference team looking at a way to guard lebron in the post season.

 

 

 

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

 Getting them is what hurts these franchises. He is good but a product of the system. No way is that guy worth the max. He is a very good player but guys averaging under 20 at the wing position need triple double numbers to get a max. Klay Thompson wants a max and he is not worth it. Lebron, Blake, Durant are max players. Klay and Leonard are not. The mismanagement of player salaries are what causes lock outs and thats on the teams for paying them. These guys are wing who average under 20 and play some D asking for Max d eals.

[DaGuywhodidurmaParticipant]

His max is around 15 million per season, you can’t compare him to lebron and blake. Also, klay Thompson is a 2way player playing a very scarce SG position so he will also get a rookie scale max.

 

 

 

  

[DaGuywhodidurmaParticipant]

His max is around 15 million per season, you can’t compare him to lebron and blake. Also, klay Thompson is a 2way player playing a very scarce SG position so he will also get a rookie scale max.

 

 

 

  

[machu46Participant]

Paying guys like Klay and Kawhi $15 mil a year will look like a good deal in a year or two when they’ve hopefully taken the next step and the cap has increased a ton.

[machu46Participant]

Paying guys like Klay and Kawhi $15 mil a year will look like a good deal in a year or two when they’ve hopefully taken the next step and the cap has increased a ton.

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

 Getting them is what hurts these franchises. He is good but a product of the system. No way is that guy worth the max. He is a very good player but guys averaging under 20 at the wing position need triple double numbers to get a max. Klay Thompson wants a max and he is not worth it. Lebron, Blake, Durant are max players. Klay and Leonard are not. The mismanagement of player salaries are what causes lock outs and thats on the teams for paying them. These guys are wing who average under 20 and play some D asking for Max d eals.

[khaled_a_dParticipant]

I don’t know if Kawhi deserve maximum or not but I don’t agree with the trend that only guys like Lebron/Durant are worth max,tbh I think the list is way larger ,Lebron&Durant are actually worth way more than the max and they are underpaid It has been said many times and they have even spoke about it this summer and said that they deserve way more than the max

[khaled_a_dParticipant]

I don’t know if Kawhi deserve maximum or not but I don’t agree with the trend that only guys like Lebron/Durant are worth max,tbh I think the list is way larger ,Lebron&Durant are actually worth way more than the max and they are underpaid It has been said many times and they have even spoke about it this summer and said that they deserve way more than the max

[khaled_a_dParticipant]

I don’t know if Kawhi deserve maximum or not but I don’t agree with the trend that only guys like Lebron/Durant are worth max,tbh I think the list is way larger ,Lebron&Durant are actually worth way more than the max and they are underpaid It has been said many times and they have even spoke about it this summer and said that they deserve way more than the max

[khaled_a_dParticipant]

I don’t know if Kawhi deserve maximum or not but I don’t agree with the trend that only guys like Lebron/Durant are worth max,tbh I think the list is way larger ,Lebron&Durant are actually worth way more than the max and they are underpaid It has been said many times and they have even spoke about it this summer and said that they deserve way more than the max

[John Henson’s MuppetsParticipant]

A few posters have already mentioned how well the management has treated these players in terms of continually putting together winning franchises.

One consideration is that that Pop isn’t likely long for his role. No one knows exactly how long he’ll stay with the organization and while if I were Kawhi I would want to remain part of that organzition, what’s to say he takes less and then in 2 years the pieces that have made this great for the players are no longer there.

[John Henson’s MuppetsParticipant]

A few posters have already mentioned how well the management has treated these players in terms of continually putting together winning franchises.

One consideration is that that Pop isn’t likely long for his role. No one knows exactly how long he’ll stay with the organization and while if I were Kawhi I would want to remain part of that organzition, what’s to say he takes less and then in 2 years the pieces that have made this great for the players are no longer there.

[Nugz10Participant]

 The spurs big 3 have taken discounts to help the spurs but they also did get paid the first time around. Duncan entertained the magic to get a max at one point from the spurs in his first contract after his rookie deal.  Kawhi already is energy and hustle on defense/boards and a capable shooter. He probably is the only player on that roster that can avg 38-40 min a night if you really asked him to so just as we say the big 3 stats are partially skewed you can say the same for leonard. He really has taken steps to be a scorer offensively. You saw that aggressiveness kick in at times but spurs just haven’t asked for it night in and night out.  There will be a time when duncan and ginobili aren’t there, I’m assuming Parker goes for a few seasons longer and they are going to need someone to fill that roll so who else can do that for them? The rest of that squad is role players!  You can say he is a system product but he fits damn good in it for pop. It’s a rookie max and looking out there at guys that are getting that money I’d say he’s better than them so far.  If you don’t lock him up at 15 mil per now and let him get into the salary cap increase then what does he ask for? 15 mil with the salary bump looks more like the 12-13 mil range guys and isn’t that what discount you would be asking he take?  Keep the winning and he’s the type of guy that will get you that discount next time around. I think they should lock him up. He fits any system even if pop were to walk away at some point and you have the piece to buil around

[Nugz10Participant]

 The spurs big 3 have taken discounts to help the spurs but they also did get paid the first time around. Duncan entertained the magic to get a max at one point from the spurs in his first contract after his rookie deal.  Kawhi already is energy and hustle on defense/boards and a capable shooter. He probably is the only player on that roster that can avg 38-40 min a night if you really asked him to so just as we say the big 3 stats are partially skewed you can say the same for leonard. He really has taken steps to be a scorer offensively. You saw that aggressiveness kick in at times but spurs just haven’t asked for it night in and night out.  There will be a time when duncan and ginobili aren’t there, I’m assuming Parker goes for a few seasons longer and they are going to need someone to fill that roll so who else can do that for them? The rest of that squad is role players!  You can say he is a system product but he fits damn good in it for pop. It’s a rookie max and looking out there at guys that are getting that money I’d say he’s better than them so far.  If you don’t lock him up at 15 mil per now and let him get into the salary cap increase then what does he ask for? 15 mil with the salary bump looks more like the 12-13 mil range guys and isn’t that what discount you would be asking he take?  Keep the winning and he’s the type of guy that will get you that discount next time around. I think they should lock him up. He fits any system even if pop were to walk away at some point and you have the piece to buil around

[juves4783Participant]

can’t hate on kawhi here.  if he commits and the likes of manu, duncan and pops retire; he might as well make the most he can on a rebuilding team.  i mean kawhi doesn’t seem like a guy that has super best friends to take pay cuts to play on the spurs like lebron.  the spurs are going to have to rebuild and start all over one day and in that theory, kawhi deserves to make some extra cash.  

[juves4783Participant]

can’t hate on kawhi here.  if he commits and the likes of manu, duncan and pops retire; he might as well make the most he can on a rebuilding team.  i mean kawhi doesn’t seem like a guy that has super best friends to take pay cuts to play on the spurs like lebron.  the spurs are going to have to rebuild and start all over one day and in that theory, kawhi deserves to make some extra cash.  

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

It is a tough situtation. First off, Duncan, Parker, Ginobili, and Diaw are on their third or fourth contracts. Taking less when you have made $200 million in the case of Duncan, $100 million in the case of Parker and Ginobili, and $50 million in the case of Diaw is different from Leonard taking less. It is difficult to ask a guy who has already played 58 playoff games and 1,890 playoff minutes to think he will have the longevity of Shawn Marion. Leonard has become a better offensive player over the past couple years, but is still as effective as he is because of his athleticism and willingness to grind. For a wing, it is hard to age well when you go that way, especially with the playoff mileage.

Also, there is a big unknown lurking out past the horizon with what happens down the line. Tim Duncan is 38, Manu 37, Parker is 32 but with 13 years and 196 playoff games behind him, and Diaw is 32 with 11 years and a history of ballooning in weight. It is hard to write a bad word about Splitter, Mills, and Green, but they are not fit to replace those guys without a considerable fall off. It is a year-to-year proposition largely beholden to Tim Duncan wanting to continue. I do not know if it is one, two, or three years down the line, but at some point the next phase is going to happen.

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

It is a tough situtation. First off, Duncan, Parker, Ginobili, and Diaw are on their third or fourth contracts. Taking less when you have made $200 million in the case of Duncan, $100 million in the case of Parker and Ginobili, and $50 million in the case of Diaw is different from Leonard taking less. It is difficult to ask a guy who has already played 58 playoff games and 1,890 playoff minutes to think he will have the longevity of Shawn Marion. Leonard has become a better offensive player over the past couple years, but is still as effective as he is because of his athleticism and willingness to grind. For a wing, it is hard to age well when you go that way, especially with the playoff mileage.

Also, there is a big unknown lurking out past the horizon with what happens down the line. Tim Duncan is 38, Manu 37, Parker is 32 but with 13 years and 196 playoff games behind him, and Diaw is 32 with 11 years and a history of ballooning in weight. It is hard to write a bad word about Splitter, Mills, and Green, but they are not fit to replace those guys without a considerable fall off. It is a year-to-year proposition largely beholden to Tim Duncan wanting to continue. I do not know if it is one, two, or three years down the line, but at some point the next phase is going to happen.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 Kawhi Leonard can DEFEND the guys that matter — Durant and LeBron.  He can REBOUND from the 3 spot better than nearly any small forward.

He can SCORE when needed — witness his 2014 NBA Finals.

Great athlete and is always improving.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 Kawhi Leonard can DEFEND the guys that matter — Durant and LeBron.  He can REBOUND from the 3 spot better than nearly any small forward.

He can SCORE when needed — witness his 2014 NBA Finals.

Great athlete and is always improving.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

 Are max deals to good complimentary players. You max a guy who does not make others better? I would max guys who require a double team, create, or play the Center position well.

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

 Are max deals to good complimentary players. You max a guy who does not make others better? I would max guys who require a double team, create, or play the Center position well.

[prophetmeirParticipant]

Finals MVP give it too him

[prophetmeirParticipant]

Finals MVP give it too him

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 How many YOUNG guys would you take ahead of Kawhi Leonard?  Anthony Davis?  Who else?

If I were building a "Young Big Three" now, I would go with Anthony Davis, Kawhi Leonard, and Klay Thompson.  Great size and two way players on the wing, with Anthony Davis being the main inside guy.  Then go with a young point guard that fits in with those guys and a center who can do the dirty work and doesn’t have to be The Man (Mason Plumlee?).  

Kawhi Leonard is basically the only difference between the 2011 Spurs who lost to a Rudyless Griz team in 2011 to a team that is coming off two straight Finals appearances.

 

 

 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 How many YOUNG guys would you take ahead of Kawhi Leonard?  Anthony Davis?  Who else?

If I were building a "Young Big Three" now, I would go with Anthony Davis, Kawhi Leonard, and Klay Thompson.  Great size and two way players on the wing, with Anthony Davis being the main inside guy.  Then go with a young point guard that fits in with those guys and a center who can do the dirty work and doesn’t have to be The Man (Mason Plumlee?).  

Kawhi Leonard is basically the only difference between the 2011 Spurs who lost to a Rudyless Griz team in 2011 to a team that is coming off two straight Finals appearances.

 

 

 

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

 Players on their own teams so max them and strap yourself? Parker gets the doubles and Duncan does too. They make those guys look better along with the system. Leonard is good just not a guy I max if I was a GM. 3 and D guys are common in the L. Duncan and Parker are not.

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

 Players on their own teams so max them and strap yourself? Parker gets the doubles and Duncan does too. They make those guys look better along with the system. Leonard is good just not a guy I max if I was a GM. 3 and D guys are common in the L. Duncan and Parker are not.

[mixtape2003Participant]

I don’t think you have to be a Lebron or Durant to get a max deal cause those 2 are worth more than the current max. I def think Kawhi will get the max in the open market based off what Hayward and Parsons got but asking him around 12 million is very reasonable based of what players like Kemba Walker, Lance Stephenson, Rondo, Steph Curry are currently making

[mixtape2003Participant]

I don’t think you have to be a Lebron or Durant to get a max deal cause those 2 are worth more than the current max. I def think Kawhi will get the max in the open market based off what Hayward and Parsons got but asking him around 12 million is very reasonable based of what players like Kemba Walker, Lance Stephenson, Rondo, Steph Curry are currently making

[Ghost01Participant]

 Every team this offseason should risk slightly overpaying guys.

The salary cap is going up in 2016. That is basically a fact. Paying Leonard, or paying Jimmy Butler won’t even seem bad in 2 years. Just do it. Keep cores of your team together. 

[Ghost01Participant]

 Every team this offseason should risk slightly overpaying guys.

The salary cap is going up in 2016. That is basically a fact. Paying Leonard, or paying Jimmy Butler won’t even seem bad in 2 years. Just do it. Keep cores of your team together. 

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