Spurs May Not Be Able To Sign Splitter

[cpfsf]

http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/65396/20100317/spurs_may_not_be_able_to_sign_splitter/

One NBA executive doesn't believe that the Spurs will be able to sign former first-round pick Tiago Splitter away from Europe this summer.

Splitter, who was San Antonio's first-round pick in 2007, has an opt-out clause in his contract with Tau Ceramica this summer.

Since he was drafted three years ago, the Spurs could offer the big man above and beyond a typical rookie contract, but they don't have a large amount of cap space.

The San Antonio Express-News writes that the most they could offer will probably be mid-level cap exception, expected to be around $5 million.

With a possible lockout looming in 2011-12, that may not be enough to lure Splitter to the NBA.

"That's why they're probably not going to get him, even for the full mid-level," said the executive. "If you've got a nice, guaranteed deal over in Europe, why would you sign over here and face a lockout? I'm telling you, the full mid-level probably isn't going to get it done."

San Antonio could try to work a sign-and-trade with a team that does have the cap space to give Splitter the kind of deal he's expected to covet.

[Foye]

His 0.4 blocks per game in the Euroleague or 0.8 in the ACB don't impress me at all.

[gold0259]

We'd have to give up precious little euro boy who's worthless first

[Biff Cooper]

Anyone interested in Pekovic for Splitter if Pek will sign for MLE and Splitter will sign for 7-8? Never seen Splitter play, but his game sounds more fitting for the Wolves than Pek's. DX makes it sound like defense is a strong point both in the post and out on the floor - with a high BBIQ on offense.

[cpfsf]

Here's what I got from skimming DX and NBADraft

strengths
runs the floor very well especially for a 7 footer enabling him to efficiently run the fast break
refined post footwork + body control = gets his shots off in the post
above average rebounder
above average lateral movement
double teams don't effect him because of court vision
high bbiq
experience
height 6'11.75" wingspan 7'2"

weaknesses
gets frustrated when played physically in the low post
health troubles?
lacks aggressiveness
lacks range

-ranks second in blocks per game in the Euroleague
-ranking 3rd and 4th in PER in the Euroleague and ACB respectively, 8th in scoring in both categories, and amongst the league leaders in blocks, steals, free throw attempts and shooting percentage.

[Narf]

Anyone interested in Pekovic for Splitter if Pek will sign for MLE and Splitter will sign for 7-8? Never seen Splitter play, but his game sounds more fitting for the Wolves than Pek's. DX makes it sound like defense is a strong point both in the post and out on the floor - with a high BBIQ on offense.

They are pretty close to equal NBA prospects, but it looks like Pekovic is coming over and Splitter may not be. And if he does he'll cost more than Pekovic. Not sure how that's a good deal for us.

[horaceworthy]

Anyone interested in Pekovic for Splitter if Pek will sign for MLE and Splitter will sign for 7-8? Never seen Splitter play, but his game sounds more fitting for the Wolves than Pek's. DX makes it sound like defense is a strong point both in the post and out on the floor - with a high BBIQ on offense.

I think your contract estimates may be a little off. Look at what the last two established big men in Europe got when they came over (David Anderson and Luis Scola). Both got deals for a couple years at around $3M. Shrek's younger than either, so he may get a tad more, but I doubt it would be full MLE. I don't see Splitter getting $7-8M either, despite what the nameless exec said on the wiretap.

[Biff Cooper]

They are pretty close to equal NBA prospects, but it looks like Pekovic is coming over and Splitter may not be. And if he does he'll cost more than Pekovic. Not sure how that's a good deal for us.

The article makes it sound like the reason Splitter wouldn't be coming over is a contract that wouldn't be big enough, and we could potentially offer more than the Spurs. Several people on this board have worried about Pek in that he is a post up 4/5 that might not be fitting for a flowing offense that we plan to run (or that he is redundant with Love, Jefferson). Splitter looks like he might be more of a 5, better in a flowing offense than Pek and a better defender.

I think your contract estimates may be a little off. Look at what the last two established big men in Europe got when they came over (David Anderson and Luis Scola). Both got deals for a couple years at around $3M. Shrek's younger than either, so he may get a tad more, but I doubt it would be full MLE. I don't see Splitter getting $7-8M either, despite what the nameless exec said on the wiretap.

Probably. Both are probably better prospects than Anderson and younger than Scola. For arguments sake, lets say we talk to Splitter before the trade and he says he'd play for the Wolves for $6 mil and San Antonio talks to Pek and he says he'd play for them for $4 mil. Are we interested in making this trade?

[horaceworthy]

The article makes it sound like it's the potential of a lockout, not the size of the contract that's an issue for Splitter.

I don't know that Splitter looks to be more of a 5 than Pek, but he is more athletic and a better defender, so the fit would be better.

I wouldn't make that trade. I'm wary of shelling out $6M to someone like Splitter before he's played in the NBA.

[cpfsf]

I would trade #17 if Vesely was not available and I would consider throwing in Utah's pick. On a related note, an OKC fan proposed the Phx + OKC pick for Splitter which today would be #21 + #22 versus what could be our #17 + #24

Splitter/Pekovic/Hollins
Jefferson/Love

Reduces the void in any Big Al trade

[horaceworthy]

It does reduce the void (Pekovic does that on his own as well), but it screws us over if we end up picking #3 or lower, where the best prospects are all big men.

[Krapinsky]

Yeah, I don't want to trade the Bobs pick for him. All we're trading for is his rights. We'd still have to pay him a lot.

Scola and David Andersen were both traded for 2nd rounders.

[cpfsf]

It does reduce the void (Pekovic does that on his own as well), but it screws us over if we end up picking #3 or lower, where the best prospects are all big men.

I think Wesley Johnson could work. According to DX, Pekovic and Splitter have range just up to 10 feet. If the season ended today, we would have a .387 chance of drafting Wall or Turner, but are very likely to end up with Johnson if we fall in the draft.

Yeah, I don't want to trade the Bobs pick for him. All we're trading for is his rights. We'd still have to pay him a lot.

Scola and David Andersen were both traded for 2nd rounders.

I was thinking an S&T

Those guys are definitely worth more than that. I know there's going to be outliers and guys who wouldn't be worth the cost of the jersey, but the truth is we're talking about a guy is considered by many to be the best big in Europe (including Pekovic). He can start for many teams and contribute right away. Of course see if we can try to resign Darko, but I'm not banking on it.

OK, so my blatantly insane idea #4312

Draft Johnson
S&T Splitter
Sign Pekovic
Trade Gomes + Hollins for Expirings + Assets
Trade Big Al for expirings + Aminu

splitter (29) pekovic (19)
pekovic (10) love (29) aminu (9)
johnson (29) aminu (19)
brewer (30) Ellington (18)
flynn (24) sessions (24)



MUAHAHAHAHAHA

[cpfsf]

Would Splitter be a restricted free agent at the end of his contract?

[Worm Guts]

It does reduce the void (Pekovic does that on his own as well), but it screws us over if we end up picking #3 or lower, where the best prospects are all big men.

I would guess at trade wouldn't be made (and possibly couldn't be made) until after the lottery. So who we want to pick will probably be taken into account.

[Narf]

Would Splitter be a restricted free agent at the end of his contract?

Type in Larry Coon FAQ in google or yahoo and look it up. I'm feelin' lazy today or I'd look it up for ya, but I had a few too many green drinks yesterday.

[Biff Cooper]

Would Splitter be a restricted free agent at the end of his contract?

Type in Larry Coon FAQ in google or yahoo and look it up. I'm feelin' lazy today or I'd look it up for ya, but I had a few too many green drinks yesterday.

http://members.cox.net/lmcoon/salarycap.htm#Q42
Q42 kind of addresses it. He would be obligated to sign at least a 3 year deal. Pretty sure since the deal wouldn't be bound by the rookie salary scale that he would be unrestricted at the end of the deal.

[cpfsf]

crap your right. same thing of course applies to ricky rubio.

[Biff Cooper]

crap your right. same thing of course applies to ricky rubio.

Except there will be a new CBA by the time this applies to Rubio. Splitter has the chance to sign a 3 year non-rookie deal under the current CBA.

[JVGs World]

Pekovic is way better than Splitter. Not even close. To be honest, Mavrokefalidis is better than Splitter is. I see no reason why Wolves should be interested in Splitter.