Richard Jefferson Opts out!?

[The Walker Wiggle]

How does it screw SA?

If they're under the cap less than the MLE they can still use it.

Funny, while the Spurs organization and Spurs fans were disappointed with Jefferson's underwhelming play last season, his opting out of the final, inflated year of his contract still leaves the team worse off.

As I understand it, San Antonio had earmarked most or all of the MLE for Tiago Splitter, meaning that short of resigning Jefferson to a longer deal the team will have to try to find a starting SF for the bi-annual exception...

The Spurs don't even have another true 3 on the roster.

[Jon]

Well, if he gets screwed out of all his big deals, he'd be a killer addition at the MLE for us.  He was a disappointment as a starter for San Antonio, but he'd be a fantastic 6th man for us who we could feel confident playing big minutes to give PP and Ray rest. 

[Who]

This is a big loss for San Antonio. They lose a very good trade asset (large expiring contract) + a good role player ... and they do not have the necessary assets to replace RJ and fill their other holes.

San Antonio will not be a contender next season.

[celticsclay]

The spurs were not really a contender this past season. They were the 6th seed or so in the playoffs and manu and duncan are only getting older.

[The Walker Wiggle]

As long as Duncan, Ginobili and Parker are healthier this season than last I expect San Antonio will still be in the mix. Splitter should help the cause.

And the lastest from Jeff McDonald San-Antonio Express News beat writer:

Now hearing most likely scenario is RJ returning to #spurs at a more palatable contract. Stay tuned...

And from Wojnarowski:

Sources said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has been personally working out Jefferson in San Antonio. The free-agent forward could re-sign with the team at a number that lowers the franchise’s luxury-tax hit while guaranteeing him more money on the back end of a multiyear contract.

R.C. Buford does it again?

[FallGuy]

As long as Duncan, Ginobili and Parker are healthier this season than last I expect San Antonio will still be in the mix. Splitter should help the cause.

And the lastest from Jeff McDonald San-Antonio Express News beat writer:

Now hearing most likely scenario is RJ returning to #spurs at a more palatable contract. Stay tuned...

And from Wojnarowski:

Sources said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has been personally working out Jefferson in San Antonio. The free-agent forward could re-sign with the team at a number that lowers the franchise’s luxury-tax hit while guaranteeing him more money on the back end of a multiyear contract.

R.C. Buford does it again?

I don't think re-signing Jefferson to a longer deal should count amongst his achievements.

I think this Spurs team is done as far as being a title contender goes.

[jayk009]

I think Richard Jefferson was just stuck in a system that didn't suit his style of play last year. He had many many years of solid basketball before last year and I don't see why a team wouldn't give him 7-10 mill. a year. I think that would be a  pretty good deal and jefferson is still relatively young. If I had a huge hole at the 3, you could do alot worse then richard jefferson for 7-10 mill.. a year.

[ajgoodman]

Anyone else remember a time where Tony Parker was in the discussion as one of the best PG's in the league?

Where exactly does he stand now? 
Does he make the top 10? Top 15?

[Evantime34]

Anyone else remember a time where Tony Parker was in the discussion as one of the best PG's in the league?

Where exactly does he stand now? 
Does he make the top 10? Top 15?

He was hurt all of last year. When he comes back healthy next year he is top 10 in the league. Especially if he gets traded to an uptempo team.

[Eja117]

Very poor decision by Richard Jefferson. I wonder who is giving him this advice.

I will not have you disrespecting the magic 8 ball! 

[wdleehi]

Anyone else remember a time where Tony Parker was in the discussion as one of the best PG's in the league?

Where exactly does he stand now? 
Does he make the top 10? Top 15?

A healthy Parker?  Top 5 most likely. 

[hubert.the.potato]

Anyone else remember a time where Tony Parker was in the discussion as one of the best PG's in the league?

Where exactly does he stand now? 
Does he make the top 10? Top 15?

A healthy Parker?  Top 5 most likely.

No way.
Top 5 is probably Paul,Williams,Nash,Kidd,Rondo

[Rondo2287]

Anyone else remember a time where Tony Parker was in the discussion as one of the best PG's in the league?

Where exactly does he stand now? 
Does he make the top 10? Top 15?

A healthy Parker?  Top 5 most likely.

No way.
Top 5 is probably Paul,Williams,Nash,Kidd,Rondo

Its not 2002, Kidd is not a top 5 PG anymore.  Rose is definitely ahead of Kidd at this point.

[Fafnir]

Anyone else remember a time where Tony Parker was in the discussion as one of the best PG's in the league?

Where exactly does he stand now? 
Does he make the top 10? Top 15?

A healthy Parker?  Top 5 most likely.

No way.
Top 5 is probably Paul,Williams,Nash,Kidd,Rondo

Its not 2002, Kidd is not a top 5 PG anymore.  Rose is definitely ahead of Kidd at this point.

Rose has top 5 potential.

He's yet to get much better than average.

[Rondo2287]

Anyone else remember a time where Tony Parker was in the discussion as one of the best PG's in the league?

Where exactly does he stand now? 
Does he make the top 10? Top 15?

A healthy Parker?  Top 5 most likely.

No way.
Top 5 is probably Paul,Williams,Nash,Kidd,Rondo

Its not 2002, Kidd is not a top 5 PG anymore.  Rose is definitely ahead of Kidd at this point.

Rose has top 5 potential.

He's yet to get much better than average.

I didnt mean definitively that Rose was a top 5 PG.  But i think hes better than Kidd at this point.