RealGM

Apparently he's considering it for financial security...
From FanHouse with an interview with Richard Jefferson

http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/04/11/spur ... -contract/

"Jefferson said he will look at several factors before the opt-out deadline of June 30. Those include what the NBA's economic climate looks like due to the possibility of a 2011 lockout, how the free-agent market sizes up, how the Spurs' future looks and how they do in the playoffs."

I for one as a Spurs fan be happy if he opted out!
You think letting go 15 mil is a bit crazy but with the new cba coming in, it might just be a wise choice.
Lets just hope he wants that long term security

Yes but that long term security has to come from us. He can't negotiate with other teams before opting out so any negotiation about a new contract can only come from us.

At this point, if the choice is between a 1 year 15 mil deal or a new 4 year 40 mil deal like he said, I'm sorry but I rather have the 1 year 15 mil. He can go after next season to Phoenix like he said where he feel he'll thrive in their system.

Jefferson must be completely delusional if he feels he'll earn anywhere near that much. Right now he's probably an MLE player and he will likely remain so after next season. I doubt he's stupid enough to opt out of a 15 million dollar contract year.

umm he has 15m remainin, why not play it out and settle for MLE or whatever the market is going to give him on the next contract....

Yeah, I think Jeff is an MLE player if he opts out. I do agree with Jefferson's thinking that in a style like Phoenix, he'd have his value higher. Jefferson is a very good fit IMO with Phoenix. They should go after Jefferson for MLE next year when his contract is up. I really don't think we keep Jefferson beyond next season.

Yeah, RJ would fit in well with the Suns. He's soft and inconsistent.

Jefferson opting out is about as likely to happen as the Cleveland Indians winning the world series.

The more I think about it, it could actually happen. The Spurs might actually need this depending on how they see Jefferson as another piece of our future.

There is some sense to it but only if he gets the Spurs to agree on the deal. Basically, he's asking the Spurs for a 3 year 25 mil extension so the total is still the same. 4 year 40 million.

The Spurs are over the tax this year and I have to admit there is a chance that Peter Holt won't use the MLE because it just puts us even more over. By agreeing to resign Jefferson to a new 4 year 40 mil deal, we cut down our taxes by around 7 mil. If you figure he's getting 8% raises, then the deal will start at 8 mil instead of 15 mil. The saved money can be used for the MLE and therefore putting our cap number around what we have this year.

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I'd rather not extend him. He hasn't been a great fit and his 15 million dollar expiring is going to worth more to us that him for another couple years.

That expiring will only worth more if we do trade him for a star caliber player. And for 15 mil, whoever we trade for better be a star caliber player because I don't think the Spurs want to pay superstar money for an average starter again.

If we don't trade him, he'll be a UFA and leave. Contract wise, RJ isn't worth 15 mil. But if you think talentwise, we're a better team with RJ than without. He's still a talent. Just not at 15 mil.

Okay, I'm just throwing this out there for sh%%s and giggles, but if RJ opts out do we enter the hunt for LeBron? I know we're not even on his radar as a destination, and admittedly I'm not that educated on the salary cap scenario and luxury tax implications etc., but can we enter the equation if this is the case?

No, even if Jefferson opts out of his 15 million salary, we still don't have any cap room because Manu's extension will kick in.

Wait, never mind that. If Jefferson do opt out, we will have cap room but only about 5 mil (which is just like the MLE). I counted and without Jefferson, our cap number will be at 50 mil. The word is that 2010 Cap number will be at 55 mil which means 5 mil to use on FA. We can enter the Lebron sweepstakes if Lebron wants 5 mil. Lol.

$5 mill? Oh well, a Spurs fan can dream.

He not only sucks, he would prove his stupidity if he were to do this...

Pop must have bruised his ^#$%#$ if actually considering walking away from 15 million dollars...

his expiring deal will come handy if we need to pull a trade....

cavsfan_osiris wrote:Jefferson opting out is about as likely to happen as the Cleveland Indians winning the world series.

True...though I think I saw a movie where the Indians won it.

R Jefferson just had 2 weak years where by most standards,he earned half his pay. NO WAY he gets a large multi year deal. If anything he has to hope to have a decent year,maybe next contract is $8 mill per. As is? He won't get that

If game 1 is any indication, he'd be lucky to get MLE.

We're paying a borderline MLE player $15 million. I'm sad =/

He needs to show up in game 2 for us to have a chance to win. He has played well against Dallas in the past don't know what his deal is. Butler isn't a great defender.