Spurs exploring acquisition of Haywood for cap purposes

[Nolan]

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2015/06/30/source-spurs-exploring-acquisition-of-hayward-for-cap-purposes/

The Spurs are exploring the possibility of acquiring Cleveland center Brendan Haywood, a league source told the Express-News’ Mike Monroe on Tuesday, a move that could allow them to keep coveted free agent Danny Green while still taking a run at All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge.

If the Spurs did land him, they would have scant room to re-sign even a few of those free agents, including Tim Duncan and especially Green, whose rights would likely have to be relinquished to clear up room for Aldridge. At that point, the Spurs would no longer be able to surpass the salary cap — projected to be $67.1 million this season — to re-sign him.

But Haywood’s $10.5 million contract can be waived as soon as tomorrow, the official start of the 2015-16 season. Dumping that money would push the Spurs even further under the cap, which could give them either the space to bring back Green, or avoid renouncing him in the first place. One of the league’s better defenders and the 12th-leading 3-point shooter in NBA history, Green is expected to command at least $10 million per season on the open market.

The Spurs could swap either Tiago Splitter, who is due $8.5 million this season, or Boris Diaw ($7.5 million) for Haywood. Cleveland would already be well stocked in the frontcourt if they can re-sign Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson.

But the same source told Monroe that the Cavaliers are interested in adding a scoring point guard to back up oft-injured starter Kyrie Irving, which could force the Spurs to throw in Patty Mills. (Cory Joseph could also be an option despite being more defensive minded.)

While that would cripple the Spurs’ depth, it could also allow them to retain a vital role player while also making the biggest free agent signing in club history.

Hate the idea of Patty and Diaw or Tiago playing for the Lebron's but if it allows us to keep Green and get LMA i'm all for it.

[Nolan]

I also don't the Cav's wanting to take back big contracts when their cap situation is already as tight as it is. They still have to resign Love ,TT and Shump and they've got to pay Mozy next summer as well.

[mademan]

I also don't the Cav's wanting to take back big contracts when their cap situation is already as tight as it is. They still have to resign Love ,TT and Shump and they've got to pay Mozy next summer as well.

Either the Cavs want Splitter as insurance for Mozgov (FA next year, could command a lot of money) or they intend to re-route Splitter to a 3rd team for a backup 3. I think Mills is the prize theyre looking for

[andrewww]

The 2 top objectives this offseason are to sign LMA and keep Green.

To do that, one of Splitter or Diaw MUST go. Basically, everyone who isn't under contract will be renounced outside of Kawhi and Danny. Manu and Duncan resign for the minimum essentially. The key is to be under the cap enough to sign Danny to around 10m/yr because the Spurs would have his bird rights and can go over it subsequently.

[Phreak50]

Just glad to see most of the team seem to be available for the purpose of signing that big name. Quite unusual for this franchise.

[Nolan]

Just glad to see most of the team seem to be available for the purpose of signing that big name. Quite unusual for this franchise.

These really are strange times for us.

[Nolan]

The 2 top objectives this offseason are to sign LMA and keep Green.

To do that, one of Splitter or Diaw MUST go. Basically, everyone who isn't under contract will be renounced outside of Kawhi and Danny. Manu and Duncan resign for the minimum essentially. The key is to be under the cap enough to sign Danny to around 10m/yr because the Spurs would have his bird rights and can go over it subsequently.

Hopefully we can get LMA locked up quickly because there's a long list of suitors for Danny and it's only a matter of time until one of them throws a ridiculous offer at him that we'd be stupid to match.

[LyMinh]

Let's sign LaMarcus