With Pau Gasol headed to San Antonio on a deal that averages $15MM annually, the Spurs will need to create a little cap flexibility to accommodate him, and the most likely route is a trade of Boris Diaw. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical (Twitter links), the Spurs are working on a possible trade involving Diaw.
[RELATED: Tim Duncan strongly leaning toward retiring]
The Spurs could have waived Diaw last week and saved $4MM in cap room, since his $7MM salary was only guaranteed for $3MM at that point. However, the team opted to keep him, and that was probably the right call. In this market, a versatile forward like Diaw is a solid value on a one-year, $7MM deal. He also has a very affordable – and non-guaranteed – $7.5MM salary for the 2017/18 season.
While specific suitors for Diaw aren’t yet known, Jabari Young of The San Antonio Express-News tweets that the French forward has about five teams that he’d like to end up with. The Spurs will have to move the 34-year-old without taking any salary back, so his suitors figure to be limited to teams with a trade exception or cap room significant enough to accommodate his $7MM salary.
Heat or Raptors
this further makes me question the fit of Gasol. Obviously, he is the better player, but is somewhat redundant with Aldridge, and Diaw can stretch the floor with better 3 point shooting, and can give them more versatility. They will need to address a spot on the wing, preferably a shooter as well, so to lose Diaw’s shooting hurts. Of course, it would help them in that area if Kyle Anderson can have a breakout year. I’m also interested to see if Jonathan Simmons gets more playing time. I like his game a lot. I would also probably say that they need to add a backup rim protector if Duncan does retire, but we have seen them connected to a couple of low cost options in that area already
Magic perhaps?
I would of said Magic but what do they have to give up in Draft Picks but maybe Vazquez.
Not sure about everyone’s cap space, but Washington, Portland, Toronto come to mind as potential fits off the top of my head
Lakers please
Perfect guy for sixers
Send him to Wash in a 4 team trade!!!!
I was waiting for the guy with the ridiculous trade proposals, I see I’m not alone!
Trade him to the 6ers for Chukwudiebere Maduabum.
Celtics? Jerebko still has a non guaranteed salary they could swap and throw in a second rounder or something.