RealGM

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/playerbreakingnews.asp?sport=NBA&id=659&line=133128&spln=1

Real Madrid has a "strong interest" in signing impending unrestricted free agent Manu Ginobili, according to a report out of Spain.

Real Madrid is rumored to be offering Manu about $13.5 million, more than the $10.7 million he's making this season. Still, we expect the Spurs to make a strong push to re-sign Manu, especially considering how well he's played over the last month or so. Leaving the NBA at this point in his career seems unreasonable.

I really don't see Manu leaving, but thats a lot of money if true.

Well I do think that we have to give him a raise to keep him. On his last contract, Manu took a paycut to keep our team competitive. I'd like to think he'll do that again but situation is a bit different now.

Honestly, I think from Manu's side, he'd want a long term deal that perhaps keep him until an age where he looks to retire. That's 37 or 38. And no doubt he'll want to get paid even if he won't be playing at this level at age 38. So from his side, I think he's looking at somewhere about 4 or 5 year deal worth about 11-12 mil a year on average.

From the Spurs side, I think they're worry about his age so they want a shorter contract. I don't see the Spurs offering anything less than a 3 year deal. 11 mil a year IMO is still bargain for Manu considering what he's done in the past and where his skill level is now. Plus, it's FA and with so many teams with cap room, there's a big chance he'll get a bigger offer and the Spurs have to atleast come close to that offer. So the Spurs offer somewhere around 3 year deal starting at 11 mil.

I think if we end up getting Manu for 12 mil/year for 3 years or 11 mil/year for 4 years is good enough. That's probably gonna be Manu's value on the open market.

Wow, if they offer that he might go to Europe. But I could never picture Manu in another NBA uniform. I just hope we do everything to keep him and we have to give him the best possible NBA contract. If he goes to Europe, I'd take it.