RealGM

In a chat, Hollinger speculated :


John Hollinger: (3:35 PM ET ) A little early for free agent speculation -- it depends in part on whether they cut Bowen and Oberto (both have partial guarantees). As for short-term pickups, I think they'd definitely look at bringing back Rasho Nesterovic if he can reach a buyout deal with the Pacers.

http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=25127

Question: What is the probability of Nesterovic being bought out if he asks? He'd seem a pretty ideal candidate. He's expiring and not likely to be resigned (I think). He's a vet who would likely be offered a chance with one or more contenders. He's not made any trouble for the management/team. The Pacers are pretty much playing for ping-pong balls and experience for the younger players (what with Dunleavy out indefinitely and Granger being hurt). It'd save you roughly a pro-rated minimum contract. Any reason not to buy him out?

I don't see the Pacers buying him out. He's a quality big, and it's not like we have that deep of a frontcourt. One significant injury to Murphy or Foster, and Rasho's playing a lot of minutes for us.

is there any way for the spurs can buy him out for us? maybe include a 2nd round pick i dont know how that works.

PacersRule07 wrote:I don't see the Pacers buying him out. He's a quality big, and it's not like we have that deep of a frontcourt. One significant injury to Murphy or Foster, and Rasho's playing a lot of minutes for us.

Isn't that an argument for buying him out, not against? You guys have your 1st rounder (and likely lottery pick); you're playing for ping-pong balls. A quality big taking minutes that could be spent on developing Hibbert - what's the point?

greenway84 wrote:is there any way for the spurs can buy him out for us? maybe include a 2nd round pick i dont know how that works.

It's post trade deadline, so any trades would have to wait until the summer. I suppose you could work some sort of trade in the form of

Protected 2nd round pick from Pacers (protected until pick 59) for Cash (the amount to buyout Rasho)

However, I can't recall anything of that sort having happened in the past. The question of how you would enforce a handshake (and probably against the CBA) deal, given that you couldn't ask for the deal to be done beforehand ( as the trade deadline is past) ...

I think that if he requests it privately, management may agree, especially if it saves them some money... But remember that a buy out of Rasho would most certainly set some kind of precedence for what may come from arbitration with Tinsley... So I am guessing if Rasho is willing to take a rather significantly lesser amount of Green Backs, he could be bought out... But I am unsure if that will happen...

for me personally it would have to close to half. just from a standpoint of if the spurs anyone for that matter wanted him they should have offered something. now that huge exp contract that i thought was valuable is nothing now. but if he would accept 50% i would do it.

Pad300 wrote:Isn't that an argument for buying him out, not against? You guys have your 1st rounder (and likely lottery pick); you're playing for ping-pong balls. A quality big taking minutes that could be spent on developing Hibbert - what's the point?

No, not at all. If history has shown us anything, it's that the Pacers are not going to deliberately tank. Hibbert will get his minutes if he earns them. He shouldn't just be given a lot of minutes because he's young. Rasho is a solid contributor for us off the bench and occasionally with the spot-start. This isn't a veteran on his last legs looking for a championship or a guy that's been absolutely buried on our bench.

I don't think we buy him out. Our organization really doesn't like to buy out players, and I see no reason to start now. Unless Rasho would be willing to give up quite a bit of money (at least $3 million), I can't see us doing anything.

I see it as a win for everyone. Rasho gets a chance to go play for a contender. We free up minutes for Hibbert, while also saving some money. Why not? Playoffs are a long shot and there's not many games left. I like Rasho, so if he were bought out I'd thank him for his time here and for mentoring Hibbert.

The only way we buy him out is if he takes at least $3 million less than the total salary he is due. I don't see that happening. If the Spurs wanted him they should have come to us offering a #1 pick and George Hill and filler, i don't think that would work cap wise but ehh.

If Hollinger nuts?

basketballwacko2 wrote:The only way we buy him out is if he takes at least $3 million less than the total salary he is due. I don't see that happening. If the Spurs wanted him they should have come to us offering a #1 pick and George Hill and filler, i don't think that would work cap wise but ehh.

+1

I'm sure this would be collusionary but we could buyout Rasho for $5 million they could sign him and then in the draft they give us George Hill and a #1 pick for Diener. I'm sure that's illegal but ehhh I got nothing else to talk about.