http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/tim-duncan-cut-paycheck-half-san-antonio-spurs-161015938--nba.html
The dip was more or less sealed when San Antonio made a surprising trade-deadline deal in March to acquire former Spur (and, it should be noted, formerly disgruntled) Stephen Jackson, and his $10.6 million salary. Retaining Duncan with a double-figure salary would place four different Spurs (alongside Ginobili and Parker) in that realm, and that's just not good business sense.
Because a cap is a cap. And even if the Spurs wanted to go all out and dive into luxury tax territory, their flexibility in acquiring players would be greatly reduced.
Money matters to the Spurs, who rarely pay the tax. Duncan's new deal let the team re-sign guard Danny Green, keep Boris Diaw, take advantage of the last year of Jackson's time with the Spurs, re-sign Patty Mills and add 2009 pick Nando De Colo -- who you can trust is a real person because Mike Monroe wouldn't lead us astray.
Duncan's contract also puts the team in a good spot next summer, when it's time to extend Manu Ginobili's contract, and possibly match offers for center Tiago Splitter, who will become a restricted free agent.
"None of this cinches the fifth ring of Duncan's illustrious career. But with sound spending and a deep squad the Spurs have a chance. And because Duncan wasn't offended that the Spurs asked that he not approximate his last contract, he'll have a happy and deep team to work with.
Seems a fair tradeoff for all involved."
Here's to ya, TD!!
[This message has been edited by agwin12 (edited 7/26/2012 7:40p).]
The dip was more or less sealed when San Antonio made a surprising trade-deadline deal in March to acquire former Spur (and, it should be noted, formerly disgruntled) Stephen Jackson, and his $10.6 million salary. Retaining Duncan with a double-figure salary would place four different Spurs (alongside Ginobili and Parker) in that realm, and that's just not good business sense.
Because a cap is a cap. And even if the Spurs wanted to go all out and dive into luxury tax territory, their flexibility in acquiring players would be greatly reduced.
Money matters to the Spurs, who rarely pay the tax. Duncan's new deal let the team re-sign guard Danny Green, keep Boris Diaw, take advantage of the last year of Jackson's time with the Spurs, re-sign Patty Mills and add 2009 pick Nando De Colo -- who you can trust is a real person because Mike Monroe wouldn't lead us astray.
Duncan's contract also puts the team in a good spot next summer, when it's time to extend Manu Ginobili's contract, and possibly match offers for center Tiago Splitter, who will become a restricted free agent.
"None of this cinches the fifth ring of Duncan's illustrious career. But with sound spending and a deep squad the Spurs have a chance. And because Duncan wasn't offended that the Spurs asked that he not approximate his last contract, he'll have a happy and deep team to work with.
Seems a fair tradeoff for all involved."
Here's to ya, TD!!
[This message has been edited by agwin12 (edited 7/26/2012 7:40p).]