Spurs to Acquire Al Jefferson?

[tmengd]

This came from Hoops Rumors today, Take it for what it is. What would you think of this trade though?

Spurs Frontrunners To Acquire Al Jefferson?: Hoops Rumors

[MichaelWi101]

Can't really see it, I think he's an unrestricted free agent after this season and is going to want a boatload of money on his next contract. So unless the spurs are going to say, Al you're out next Tim Duncan go win some rings, he's most likely not heading to SA.

[tmengd]

well all the players sent to the Jazz would also be free agents after the season so that shouldn't affect anything. It would be about winning this year.

[Money4Nothing]

I'd take Al Jefferson over any of our big men not named Tim Duncan.

$

[esparzar1]

If it involves Splitter as Chris Sherdan suggests, I say no. Jefferson is a libaility on the defensive side and Tiago has really blossmed this year. I like the SJax/Mills/Lorbeck. But not Tiago, just my 2 cents

[Rzarector7]

If it is involving Tiago no, sorry.

[tmengd]

Maybe swap Blair with Splitter?

[steefposton]

For the trade, but would hate to see Tiago go. I think Spurs are in win-now mode. Timmy and Manu don't have a ton of time left and as much as I like Tiago, Jefferson scores and rebounds better this year.

S

[choppsboy]

I would do Blair, Jackson, and De Colo/Mills for Jefferson in a heartbeat if we thought Jefferson would accept a contract that allowed us to re-sign Splitter and Manu.

[tmengd]

another article on same topic

Spurs front-runners to land Al Jefferson? - Pounding The Rock

[alh1020]

We got the best record in the NBA as we speak and we're going to gut the team, including Splitter? I thought the skinny on Utah was they had too many bigs already and needed perimeter shooting. I agree with Chopps, substitute Bonner and/or Blair and throw in Mills or Joseph. Besides, I was under the impression that any trade the Spurs were to make would come with TD's blessing or am I wrong?

[Uwe Blab]

Do it. Everyone knows how I feel about Jackson. Jefferson is a slight upgrade to Splitter in my opinion. The more important thing is that he has a midrange game and will draw guys like Ibaka and Deandre Jordan out of the paint. Defense wise, he has more blocks and more rebounds. The stats simply favor Jefferson.

[choppsboy]

The initial article doesn't mention trading Splitter. I think they mention it in the 2nd article just because of the plausibility of Utah wanting to give up such a talent with unproven players coming in return.

[alh1020]

Here's another perspective:

Al Jefferson to Spurs?

By Chris Sheridan, February 06, 2013 at 2:00 PM

The NBA trade deadline journalism racket is a tricky minefield to navigate. The business is driven by rumors, many of which are founded in truth, others of which are utterly fictitious.

Distinguishing between the two differentiates the good basketball Web sites from the bad sites.

But figuring out who is available is not rocket science if you speak to the right people, and I speak to a lot of plugged-in people on a regular basis.

Here is the latest they are telling me: The San Antonio Spurs are the front-runners to land Al Jefferson in a trade with the Utah Jazz – and they are frontrunners like Secretariat was in the 1973 Belmont Stakes.

Here’s why, followed by a how.

“Those teams are practically incestuous, they are on such good terms internally,” one NBA source told me Wednesday.

Indeed, Spurs assistant general manager Scott Layden left Utah prior to this season after spending several seasons as an assistant coach for the Jazz and joined R.C. Buford’s staff in San Antonio’s secrecy vault front office. Also, former Spurs assistant GM Dennis Lindsey is now doing the legwork for Utah’s grand pooh-bah, Kevin O’Connor.

The Jazz do not want to lose Jefferson for nothing when he becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer, and they have a former overall No. 3 pick, Enes Kanter, ready to step in and fill the void that would be left by Jefferson’s departure.

Yes, Jefferson makes them a better playoff team. But no, the Jazz are not fooling themselves into believing they are championship material at this point.

And if Dwight Howard is not available on the free agent market this summer, Jefferson immediately becomes the No. 1 center available.

So the time for the Jazz to move him is now, and the team with the biggest need for an upgrade at center is the Spurs. The inability to protect the rim was one of the prime reasons for their collapse in last year’s Western Conference finals when they had won 20 in a row and had a 2-0 lead on the Thunder, only to lose the next four.

Next: The Jazz need a point guard, and the Spurs have two of them not named Tony Parker. So you can expect Patty Mills (who Lindsey is familiar with and fond of) to be the preferable choice over Nando de Colo.

The Jazz also need some value coming back in this trade, and the Spurs have one last Eurostash asset in Erazem Lorbek, who has been profiled on this site by writer A.J. Mitnick.

Presumably they’d also ask for Tiago Splitter, because somebody would need to back up Kanter, and because Splitter is having an improved season in the year his contract expires – meaning Utah would not be taking on any long-term financial obligation.

San Antonio throws in Stephen Jackson for salary-matching purposes (almost an exact match), and voila. Captain Jack will love Salt Lake City, hunh?

Al Jefferson could be traded to San Antonio Spurs by Utah Jazz

[choppsboy]

Make it happen!

NBA Trade Machine - ESPN Jackson, Blair, DeColo for Jefferson

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=b3lvolsJackson, Blair, Mills for Jefferson

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=aoctgd3Jackson, Blair, Joseph for Jefferson

They all work (according to ESPN's Trade Machine).

[katyspursfan]

Are extend/trade deals still an option? Can you extend for less than the current contract?
$15M is too much for next season. And getting Jefferson as a rental isn't an option. Or, it shouldn't be.

Chopps trade makes sense because it doesn't give up anything you wouldn't have next season, anyway.

Splitter can be signed for MUCH less than $15M per, so he should be the long term guy. Uwe states that Jefferson is a slight upgrade over Splitter. He certainly isn't a $10M/yr difference.

[Spurd_On]

Originally Posted by katyspursfan

Are extend/trade deals still an option? Can you extend for less than the current contract?
$15M is too much for next season. And getting Jefferson as a rental isn't an option. Or, it shouldn't be.

Chopps trade makes sense because it doesn't give up anything you wouldn't have next season, anyway.

Splitter can be signed for MUCH less than $15M per, so he should be the long term guy. Uwe states that Jefferson is a slight upgrade over Splitter. He certainly isn't a $10M/yr difference.

Agreed. Just yesterday, Jose was insisting that Splitter walks if bids go to 8-10 Mil and now they'd be willing to take Jefferson for 15 mil? I don't think so.

[MichaelWi101]

And since we all know how accurate trade rumors concerning the Spurs have been in the past, this just isn't going to happen. And I agree with Spurd_on, there's no way the Spurs are going to pick up a 15 million dollar tab to resign Al Jefferson.....

[steefposton]

I don't think anyone is suggesting the spurs resign Al at $15 mil. He's at 15 this year, but next year he signs for something more reasonable (something that Tiago is going to command next year is a pay bump, the reason we traded Hill was his payday coming up). I'm not so sure they ask for Tiago though because isn't the point to thin out their crowded frontcourt rotation? Splitter has shown he's starter material. Perhaps the Jazz take some "outside shooting" in Bonner instead?

[bills0]

There is some evidence that the Spurs FO use advanced stats to evaluate players. Those kind of stats show that Splitter is definitely a better overall player than Al Jefferson. Jefferson is about an average player and has been for most of his career.

I would think that Spurs would value Jefferson only if they thought he was a distinct upgrade defensively. And in any event they would not consider sending Splitter in a trade.

I think the Jazz should be able to get a better trade elsewhere.

[Jose_TheGenius]

Originally Posted by Spurd_On

Agreed. Just yesterday, Jose was insisting that Splitter walks if bids go to 8-10 Mil and now they'd be willing to take Jefferson for 15 mil? I don't think so.

yes Splitter will walk if he gets $10 million, it's a no brainer. he's performing on a contract year, how many guys have we had walk off to new teams, especially after championships, when they're offered ridiculous money?

IF the Spurs take Jefferson, it's to win this year. our whole mission is to win Duncan a ring instead of being mediocre after and being content with that. if we don't win this year, we're not winning next year.

btw Jefferson isn't getting anything close to $15 million next year anyway. he'd be getting what Splitter is most likely getting offered and if the question is who would you pick out of those two, it's a no brainer. with the new CBA, $10 million for a mediocre non dominant big would be the equivalent of around $14-15 million.

[drcantgetright]

Talent wise....i would take Al Jefferson in a heart beat. I dont like giving up Jax. Still, I have a hard time believing that Utah could not get more for Al Jefferson than tiago and patty

[3 Legged Dog]

Originally Posted by alh1020

We got the best record in the NBA as we speak and we're going to gut the team, including Splitter? I thought the skinny on Utah was they had too many bigs already and needed perimeter shooting. I agree with Chopps, substitute Bonner and/or Blair and throw in Mills or Joseph. Besides, I was under the impression that any trade the Spurs were to make would come with TD's blessing or am I wrong?

Gosh. I imagine Utah would be salivating at the opportunity to steal Bonner or Blair from us. It might even cause them to forget Karl Malone.

[3 Legged Dog]

Originally Posted by bills0

Jefferson is about an average player and has been for most of his career.

Average? You might wanna take a peek at his career stats.

[Smithers™]

just signed in for the first time in 5 years, didn't know I still had an active account.

On another note, sign Jefferson. JUST WIN, BABY! Prefer to keep SJax for sentimental purposes though. Stupid, I know.

[Mombear]

Originally Posted by Smithers™

just signed in for the first time in 5 years, didn't know I still had an active account.

On another note, sign Jefferson. JUST WIN, BABY! Prefer to keep SJax for sentimental purposes though. Stupid, I know.

Welcome back Smithers.

[Vinnyistheman]

Can we really go down to one SF? We would have to get Carrol inreturn too, I like his game!

[choppsboy]

Originally Posted by drcantgetright

Talent wise....i would take Al Jefferson in a heart beat. I dont like giving up Jax. Still, I have a hard time believing that Utah could not get more for Al Jefferson than tiago and patty

I think there is no chance that Utah gets a better deal than tiago and patty for jefferson. In fact, that is such a good deal for Utah, I am sure we would never do it.

It makes absolutely no sense to give up Splitter to get Jefferson. That isn't even what Utah wants. Utah's best option is to get some young talent at the PG/G spot that doesn't hit their payroll hard. That is why they would be interested in any of our Guards. They have potential, they are signed to 3 year deals for very little money, and they give Utah a lot of flexibility to sign other free agents. I don't think there are a lot of players around the league who have the potential of Mills or De Colo combined with their small contracts. That is the linchpin of the deal. It is a win win. Utah doesn't want Splitter.

[tuncaboylu]

Wait for a second.

Why is Utah trying to do this trade? They're trying to unload a big to open a roster spot for Enes Kanter and Derrick Favors. So Utah don't need Splitter. Moreover in financial terms, Splitter is a restricted free agent and they will not resign with him on summer. That's why, Utah don't need Splitter in court and in salary books. Splitter is a keeper.

This trade will involve S-Jax and Blair, obviously. That's a must for salary equation. Utah is exchanging an expiring with another, they need some sweets to do this trade.

Since they need point guard, they will want Nando De Colo or Patty Mills. We can ship one of them, depends on Utah's need and Pop's idea. I think it will be Patty Mills since French connection is bigger than Aussie connection in team.

It seems that Utah also want another small piece for this trade. That would be Erazem Lorbek but I don't see him coming to NBA in near future. Anyway, maybe Utah guys don't know this fact Maybe we can throw a second round pick instead of him.

If this trade happens, we simply exchange S-Jax for Al Jeff for 6 months. It's not for win-now mode since Blair is already a goner, Patty Mills won't be more than an average back-up and second round pick(or Lorbek) doesn't hurt team too much.

We will need a back-up SF instead of S-Jax after this trade. Gelabale would be cheap and perfect fit. We will have Duncan-Al-Jeff-Splitter-Diaw front-court and it's very enthuastic. We can keep Duncan by using less than 20 minutes until play-offs to keep him from injuries.

It would be great if we can do it.

[Uwe Blab]

Don't fall for the blossoming player in a contract year trick. You'll get burned. Tiago is playing great, but obviously he's motivated. If you're not convinced, look at the career stats between the two, not just this year's stats. You know what you're going to get with Jefferson. Tiago simply wasn't aggressive until this year. Warning signs galore.

[dark21horse]

Are you kidding me?!?!?!? Al Jefferson is a BEAST in the low block and has consistent range out 12 to 15 feet. Can Tiago do that????? Can Tiago command double-teams on the offensive end????? You would really take Tiago over Al Jefferson?????? Not me.........the Spurs could not get the deal done quick enough for me.

Sorry Tiago.

[esparzar1]

Originally Posted by dark21horse

Are you kidding me?!?!?!? Al Jefferson is a BEAST in the low block and has consistent range out 12 to 15 feet. Can Tiago do that????? Can Tiago command double-teams on the offensive end????? You would really take Tiago over Al Jefferson?????? Not me.........the Spurs could not get the deal done quick enough for me.

Sorry Tiago.

Yeah, the more and more I think about it you may be right. I originally posted a big "No thanks" to the trade idea but they're both 28 and Jefferson is basically a 20/10 type of player. Obviously AJ not as good as TD but he models his game after him and plays alot like TD. He would be a great replacement when TD retires. Will Tiago give us anymore than what he is giving us this year? I do love Tiago's defense but AJ is easily a better all around/overall player. Our chances of winning it all this year IMO are about 25% which is high, but with AJ, I think the Spurs almost automatically become favorites to win it......I'm switching my thoughts and saying I'm all in for this trade.

[JuanCaca]

they want a playmaker...

why not trade manu and fillers for big al, keeping splitter?



cmon' im ready to get crucified

[Uwe Blab]

Originally Posted by dark21horse

Are you kidding me?!?!?!? Al Jefferson is a BEAST in the low block and has consistent range out 12 to 15 feet. Can Tiago do that????? Can Tiago command double-teams on the offensive end????? You would really take Tiago over Al Jefferson?????? Not me.........the Spurs could not get the deal done quick enough for me.

Sorry Tiago.

Finally, some common sense.

[b1gdon]

Originally Posted by JuanCaca

they want a playmaker...

why not trade manu and fillers for big al, keeping splitter?



cmon' im ready to get crucified

What do the Spurs need with an $8-10M backup Center?

[spurscrazed]

I LOVE what I saw from Tiago this year!!
It might very well be that he is taking care of his body finally and luckily staying healthy, but who are we kidding here, he is def FOCUSED and very aware that he is on a Contract Year!!!!

Tiago is not going to say it straight up because his agent told him to do so. Although Tiago mentioned he wanted to stay in San Antonio in one article of the San Antonio Express News last month.

I am still not so sure and Spurs could face a bitter reality next year as they can not stop Tiago from following a Better $$$ offer from another team that Spurs would not be able to match.This is why in my honest opinion Pop and RC signed Aron Baynes!!!What Tiago is giving us could very well be substitute by Baynes and even better when Baynes gets used to the System.

Al Jefferson could be "A difference Maker" and help us when TD is not going to be able to do much.

I would rather keep tough players as Cap'n Jack here though.

[choppsboy]

All of the Tiago talk is pointless.

Utah doesn't want a big

[tabspur]

First person that figures out how to include Bonner in this trade becomes the best online GM on this board....

[WILLTHETHRILL]

I don't see Utah doing it unless a draft pick or if some euro players are involved. Also keep De Colo he has game.

[dark21horse]

Originally Posted by tabspur

First person that figures out how to include Bonner in this trade becomes the best online GM on this board....

How about Al Jefferson for Tiago Splitter, Matt Bonner, and a bag of fully cooked HEB Brisket.

[stuffedmushroomz]

Ok Utah needs a PG but more importantly they need guys that can put points on the board & spread the floor so the young bigs have room to work down low. So, my guess is that Mills, Neal(maybe the reason for his slump), & Bonner could be in the discussion.
If there is such a discussion.
Blair is a far fetch throw in the mix to make #s work, if need be. I don't think the Spurs would
Like to send Joseph or DeColo. But if
push comes to shove, Decolo would be the
one to go because Cory would be the Future
TP, someone Pop would Mold into the guard
he wants him to be.

[choppsboy]

Nice article about the subject also doubting a trade would happen involving Splitter (or anyone)

From the article:

With the trade deadline looming on Feb. 21, ’tis the season for rumors.

The latest, courtesy of veteran scribe Chris Sheridan, pegs none other than your San Antonio Spurs as massive frontrunners to land Utah center Al Jefferson.

Sheridan doesn’t cite direct sources with either franchise, but says the chatter is consistent among his formidable network of contacts. He goes on to speculate that the Spurs would send a package including Tiago Splitter, Patty Mills and Stephen Jackson’s Expiring Contract to Utah in exchange for Jefferson, who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.

READ THE REST HERE

[tabspur]

First person that figures out how to include Bonner in this trade becomes the best online GM on this board....

How about Al Jefferson for Tiago Splitter, Matt Bonner, and a bag of fully cooked HEB Brisket.


Are we throwing in the Brisket, or Bomner as the filler on this trade? The Brisket can heat up during the play offs, while we know Bonner will be serving cold bricks...

[clovisnmspurfan]

What Ever

[Kager]

Neal, Mills and S Jax for AJ.... Utah have a lot of bigs so don't want one back in return and they get two combo guards who can shoot and a SF shooter, all combined should give more room for the bigs they are basing their future on.

Look I know it is a stretch, 3 bit pieces for a significant piece, but I trade machined it and it works and if Utah just want to get some value for him they are not taking big contracts in return if it doesn't work out.

And from our point of view I think we would be significantly better, even if for some Bonner remains, we would be the Lakers with a Gasol.

[alh1020]

Originally Posted by tabspur

First person that figures out how to include Bonner in this trade becomes the best online GM on this board.......

I don't know if anybody has suggested this, but here's a hypothetical for ya. Let's say the old redhead were to be invited to the all star 3 point shooting contest and he blows the competition away, would you think any other NBA team would turn their heads if he were included in a trade scenario? If might be a nice appetizer, hypothetically speaking.

[td4mvp2k]

Splitter will not be traded!

[alh1020]

Maybe you shouldn’t expect Al Jefferson to be a Spur

Kurt Helin, Feb 7, 2013, 11:45 AM EST

Yesterday we brought you the report from Chris Sheridan that the San Antonio Spurs were way out in front of the pack in terms of trading for Al Jefferson of the Utah Jazz.

The move has some logic — Jefferson is in the last year of his deal, he’s a better player than Tiago Splitter (the guy reportedly part of the package headed to Salt Lake) and if the Spurs are serious about a title run this season Jefferson helps that cause.

But it’s probably not going to happen, says Dan McCarney at the San Antonio Express-News. And he’s got some really solid reasons why.

1. Jefferson is more expensive. While Splitter is set to enjoy a nice payday this summer, it’s doubtful he’ll approach the $14 million Jefferson is due this season. Considering he’s still only 28, Jefferson will likely be searching for something close to that on the open market after averaging at least 16 points and nine rebounds over the past seven seasons.

2. Jefferson is primarily a low-post scorer who doesn’t fit nearly as well as Splitter does with the Spurs’ pick-and-roll heavy offense. He’s effective, scoring 1.1 points per pick-and-roll play to rank 24th in the NBA per Synergy Sports. But he’s involved in such plays on only 8.4 percent of his possessions. Splitter, in contrast, ranks second with 1.39 points per play on 29.1 percent of his possessions.

3. Various other measures indicate Splitter is a better defensive player. The opportunity to play alongside Tim Duncan is a huge reason why. But not only does Jefferson yield more points per possession according to Synergy, the Jazz allow almost 10 points more per 100 possessions when he’s on the court.

4. Can you see the Spurs, who value consistency and continuity like no other franchise in the NBA, executing such a major trade in the midst of a campaign in which they’ve got the league’s best record with a home-heavy schedule over the second half?

To me, numbers one and four are key. Splitter is playing well, playing well within their system and he costs less now and going forward. Are the additional costs and risks really worth the talent upgrade from Splitter to Jefferson? I think if you answered yes to that question you haven’t watched a lot of Splitter this season, he’s playing well.

Besides, if the Spurs and Jazz do a deal it will come out of left field — these are the two tightest-lipped organizations in the game. There will not be leaks, it will just happen and we’ll find out when the league office does.

Still, expect Jefferson or Paul Millsap to get moved somewhere at the deadline.

Related link: Dwight Howard fires back at Kobe, says he has to watch out for himself | ProBasketballTalk

[MRJONESIII]

Well hopefully Manu takes a reasonable pay cut,Tiago gets decent money and Jefferson values winning over a super bloated contract and we get Gelable, it would be nice. Tim just has to sit down with big Al and tell him how he's done it for the past 2 contracts.

[Kager]

Seriously what is with the new facination with Gelable?

He is on a 10 day contract and the last time he played in the NBA before that is 07/08, add to that he is not exactly lighting up the score sheet even with playing 20 min per game (6 pt and 3 rebounds and not much else).

I am asking because it can't just be because Pop mentioned him so everyone jumps on board, has anyone seen anything from him I haven't to start this Scola like focus.