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2018 NBA Offseason Salary Cap Digest: San Antonio Spurs

May 14th, 2018 at 3:59pm CST by Luke Adams

It may be the end of an era in San Antonio, with Tony Parker headed for free agency and Manu Ginobili uncertain about playing another season. More troubling for the Spurs was Kawhi Leonard‘s 2017/18 season, which saw him appear in just nine games due to a lingering quad injury and has resulted in some apparent tension between the franchise and the superstar’s camp. While Parker’s and Ginobili’s futures in San Antonio are up in the air, resolving the Leonard situation will be the Spurs’ top priority this summer.

Here’s where things currently stand for the Spurs financially, as we continue our Offseason Salary Cap Digest series for 2018:

Guaranteed Salary

LaMarcus Aldridge ($22,347,015)
Kawhi Leonard ($20,099,189)
Pau Gasol ($16,800,000)
Patty Mills ($11,571,429)
Manu Ginobili ($2,500,000)
Tim Duncan ($1,881,250) — Waived via stretch provision
Derrick White ($1,667,160)
Dejounte Murray ($1,544,951)
Total: $78,410,994

Player Options

Danny Green ($10,000,000): Bird rights
Rudy Gay ($8,826,300): Non-Bird rights
Joffrey Lauvergne ($1,656,092): Non-Bird rights
Total: $20,482,392

Team Options

None

Non-Guaranteed Salary

Brandon Paul ($1,378,242)¹
Total: $1,378,242

Restricted Free Agents

Kyle Anderson ($4,749,591 qualifying offer / $6,455,112 cap hold): Bird rights
Davis Bertans ($1,699,698 qualifying offer / $1,699,698 cap hold): Early Bird rights
Bryn Forbes ($1,699,698 qualifying offer / $1,699,698 cap hold): Early Bird rights
Total: $9,854,508

Unrestricted Free Agents / Other Cap Holds

Tony Parker ($23,179,689): Bird rights
No. 18 overall pick ($2,337,014)
Nikola Milutinov ($1,689,080)²
Total: $27,205,783

Projected Salary Cap: $101,000,000

Projected Cap Room: $11,302,947

With so many player options and free agents to consider, the Spurs’ projected cap room could change significantly – or disappear altogether – depending on who returns and who leaves. For our projection, we’ve counted the Spurs’ seven guaranteed contracts, the cap holds for Anderson and the team’s first-round pick, and cap charges for three empty roster spots. The result is a total team salary of $89,697,053.
That projection assumes that Green, Gay, and Lauvergne will all opt out, Paul will be waived, and all non-Anderson free agents – including Parker – will be renounced. That may not be realistic. If a couple of those players are back, the Spurs’ cap room figures to dissipate quickly.

Footnotes:

Paul’s salary becomes fully guaranteed after August 1.
Milutinov was the Spurs’ 26th overall pick in 2015, meaning his cap hold is equal to the rookie scale amount for this year’s No. 26 pick. That cap hold will be removed when it’s officially determined that Milutinov won’t sign with the Spurs for 2018/19.

Note: Rookie scale cap holds are estimates based on salary cap projections and could increase or decrease depending on where the cap lands.

Salary information from Basketball Insiders was used in the creation of this post. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Becky Hammon Gaining Traction As Head Coach Candidate

May 13th, 2018 at 2:07pm CST by marksuleymanov

Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon will become the first woman to interview for an NBA head coaching job next week when she meets with the Bucks. While the former WNBA star only has four years as an assistant coach to her credit, many feel she has gained traction to be a serious head coaching candidate, Ansar Khan of MLive.com writes.

The 41-year-old Hammon has garnered support across the league. This week, European legend Pau Gasol, who has played with the Spurs under Hammon the past several seasons, penned a letter for The Players’ Tribune in support of Hammon. It remains to be seen if Hammon lands a job this summer but the progress she has already made only increases the likelihood in the future.

Sixers Will Pursue Top Free Agents

May 12th, 2018 at 7:22pm CST by Arthur Hill

Luxury tax concerns won’t scare the Sixers away from chasing elite talent this summer, relays Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer.

LeBron James tops the list of targets and is rumored to be considering Philadelphia as a possible destination. GM Brian Colangelo estimates the team will have about $25MM in cap room, but more could be opened to meet James’ demand for a maximum deal starting around $35MM a year.

“I think the bar is very high for us in terms of who we are going to put on this team,” said Sixers co-managing partner Josh Harris. “But on the other hand, for a certain small number of players, like we are going to go after them hard. People have asked me about the luxury tax. I don’t have any problem spending for good players.”

Pompey shares a few other notes about the Sixers’ offseason:

The franchise is planning to pursue Oklahoma City’s Paul George as well as James. George has expressed a desire to play in Los Angeles, but could be swayed by the young talent in place in Philadelphia. His defense and outside shooting would make him an attractive fit alongside Ben Simmons.
The Sixers will make a play for Spurs star Kawhi Leonard if he becomes available in trade. Leonard has a good relationship with coach Brett Brown, but Pompey cites the risk of trading for him without a guarantee that he will sign an extension. Leonard can opt out of a $20.1MM salary next summer.
Creating room for a max contract means renouncing the rights to free agents J.J. Redick, Amir Johnson, Marco Belinelli and Ersan Ilyasova. The Sixers could try to bring them back with the mid-level exception and minimum contracts, but they may all get better offers elsewhere. Redick signed a one-year, $23MM deal to come to Philadelphia last summer and is probably seeking a longer arrangement at age 33. Pompey expects him to get an offer in the $12MM to $15MM range. Johnson, 31, will also be searching for a long-term contract.

Tony Parker Eyes 20 Seasons, Not Married To Spurs

May 11th, 2018 at 4:37pm CST by ChrisCrouse

Tony Parker, who will hit unrestricted free agency in July, has a goal of playing 20 seasons in the league and he’ll look to check that accomplishment off his list regardless of whether or not he spends the rest of his career with the Spurs.

“It is not yet sure that I’ll stay with the Spurs,” Parker said (via Michael C. Wright of ESPN.com). “I am open to all proposals. I would like to make my entire career in San Antonio. The sport remains a business, and we will have to make choices. “

Parker previously indicated that he’s alright with coming off the bench for the Spurs should he return to the team. He was the starter for nearly all of his 17-year tenure in San Antonio before Dejounte Murray took over the gig to begin the 2018 calendar year.

The veteran only suited up for 55 games this past season, posting career-worst marks in points (7.7) and assists (3.5) per game. Part of the decline can be attributed to age and part of it may be health. Parker tore his quadriceps tendon during the 2016/17 and Wright notes that it typically takes two years to recover from that kind of ailment.

“I’m almost back to 100 percent,” Parker said. “There are ups and downs, times when we’re not feeling well. It takes time, and this summer it’s going to be important to do some rehabilitation. We’re always better the second season.”

The veteran point guard made $15.4MM this past season, though it’s unlikely to come anywhere close to that annual figure on his next deal. Spurs GM R.C. Buford told Wright that the team will make a decision on Parker when it comes time too.

“I have been 17 years with the Spurs. I would always be nostalgic, but it’s not the end of the world if I change my club,” Parker said. “I say two or three years more [I can play if] I can go somewhere else, I’m 50-50. I do not see myself outside of basketball yet. I want to stay three more years to do the 20 seasons.”

Kobe Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki are the only players in NBA history to play at least 20 seasons with one franchise.

Spurs Not Fielding Offers For Leonard, Hope To Mend Relationship

May 10th, 2018 at 6:39pm CST by marksuleymanov

Despite a tumultuous regular season, highlighted by a persistent quadriceps injury, the Spurs are brushing off trade interest in Kawhi Leonard and hope to repair the relationship between both sides, Ken Berger of Bleacher Report writes in an in-depth feature.

Leonard appeared in just nine games this season as he dealt with a right quadriceps injury. He was absent from the team during the first round of the postseason, where the Spurs lost to the Warriors in five games. With Leonard set to hit unrestricted free agency after next season, it seems plausible for San Antonio to consider shopping its superstar — after a troublesome season — to get something of value in return.

Berger quotes several executives who believe Leonard wants out of San Antonio and that the Spurs would be smart to deal him now. The team also does not like the idea of its best player seeking outside medical help, which he did for most of the season in an effort to return. However, Berger also points to the last offseason when LaMarcus Aldridge, after a disappointing season, wanted out of San Antonio. Berger reported that Aldridge even reached out to former teammate Damian Lillard about possibly returning to Portland.

Head coach Gregg Popovich took control and mended the situation; Aldridge ended up signing an extension and enjoyed his best season with the Spurs.

“You can never say done because everybody thought that the Aldridge thing was over and that there was no chance to salvage that,” a person with knowledge of the situation said. “Pop went in and smoothed it over. You can’t underestimate the power of the Pop in these situations.”

Leonard, 26, remains an elite player with a third-place Most Valuable Player finish and two Defensive Player of the Year awards on his resume. It’s possible the Spurs change direction but for now, the team wants to repair the rift.

Hornets Officially Hire James Borrego As Head Coach

May 10th, 2018 at 5:10pm CST by Luke Adams

5:10pm: The Hornets made the signing official with a press release.

4:41pm: Borrego’s deal with the Hornets will be for four years, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports.

3:27pm: The Hornets have officially finalized contract terms with James Borrego and hired him as their new head coach, reports Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer. While the team has yet to issue an announcement of its own, that should happen soon.

Borrego began his NBA coaching career with the Spurs, spending seven seasons with the team from 2003 to 2010 before joining the Pelicans (then-Hornets) for two years and the Magic for three. He returned to San Antonio in 2015. Primarily an assistant over the course of his career, Borrego earned his lone head coaching experience in 2015 in Orlando, leading the Magic to a 10-20 record as Jacque Vaughn‘s interim replacement.

Despite his limited experience leading a team, Borrego’s years working under Gregg Popovich made him a popular coaching candidate this offseason. Borrego interviewed with the Knicks and Suns before they decided to hire David Fizdale and Igor Kokoskov, respectively. He also received reported interest from the Hawks, and had been scheduled to interview with the Bucks up until he reached a deal with Hornets.

Borrego will take over for Steve Clifford in Charlotte. Clifford, who was fired shortly after the 2017/18 regular season ended, had been the NBA’s seventh-longest-tenured head coach. He led the Hornets to a 196-214 record (.478) and a pair of playoff berths during his five years on the sidelines.

With a new head coach in place in Charlotte, there are now four teams conducting active coaching searches: the Hawks, Pistons, Bucks, and Magic.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Spurs Work Out Angel Delgado, Jontay Porter

May 10th, 2018 at 3:08pm CST by Luke Adams

The Spurs worked out Seton Hall big man Angel Delgado on Wednesday, tweets Adam Zagoria of ZagsBlog.com. San Antonio also worked out Missouri’s Jontay Porter today, according to Aaron Reiss of The Kansas City Star (Twitter link).

James Borrego Finalizes Deal To Become Hornets’ Head Coach

May 8th, 2018 at 2:28pm CST by Luke Adams

2:28pm: The Hornets and Borrego have finalized an agreement, reports Steve Reed of The Associated Press. Reed writes that a news conference to announce the hiring is expected to happen within the next few days.

11:54am: Spurs assistant James Borrego will become the new head coach in Charlotte, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, who reports that Borrego is in the process of finalizing a deal with the Hornets.

Borrego began his NBA coaching career with the Spurs, spending seven seasons with the team from 2003 to 2010 before joining the Pelicans (then-Hornets) for two years and the Magic for three. He returned to San Antonio in 2015. Primarily an assistant over the course of his career, Borrego earned his lone head coaching experience in 2015 in Orlando, leading the Magic to a 10-20 record as Jacque Vaughn‘s interim replacement.

Despite his limited experience leading a team, Borrego’s years working under Gregg Popovich made him a popular coaching candidate this offseason. Borrego interviewed with the Knicks and Suns before they decided to hire David Fizdale and Igor Kokoskov, respectively. He also received reported interest from the Hawks and Bucks.

While Borrego didn’t gain serious traction as a candidate in New York or Phoenix, he was considered one of the two frontrunners for the Hornets’ job, along with Celtics assistant Jay Larranaga. Both veteran assistants reportedly had second interviews with Charlotte within the last few days — team owner Michael Jordan was said to be involved in those meetings.

Borrego will take over for Steve Clifford in Charlotte. Clifford, who was fired shortly after the 2017/18 regular season ended, had been the NBA’s seventh-longest-tenured head coach. He led the Hornets to a 196-214 record (.478) and a pair of playoff berths during his five years on the sidelines.

In addition to making a coaching change this spring, the Hornets also have a new head of basketball operations in place. After parting ways with general manager Rich Cho earlier this year, Charlotte hired Mitch Kupchak as the club’s new GM and president of basketball ops. Kupchak led a head coaching search that also saw candidates like Ettore Messina, Ime Udoka, David Vanterpool, Jim Boylen, Nick Nurse, and Jerry Stackhouse receive consideration.

According to Wojnarowski, Borrego made a strong impression during his initial meeting with Kupchak, and the GM became more intrigued by the Spurs assistant once he began canvassing executives, coaches, and players who had worked with Borrego.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Rudy Gay: Spurs 'Like No Other Organization' In NBA

May 7th, 2018 at 8:52am CST by Luke Adams

Spurs forward Rudy Gay has a player option decision to make this offseason, but he tells Alex Kennedy of HoopsHype that he’s not thinking about that decision yet, using this time instead to watch the NBA postseason and prepare for a vacation. Still, Gay doesn’t sound like a player eager to leave San Antonio after his first year with the Spurs.

“It’s like no other organization in the league,” Gay said of the Spurs. “They are definitely family-oriented – there’s a family atmosphere and family is everything. On the court, it’s very different. It’s the epitome of team basketball. Everyone is playing for each other, and it’s always been that way.”

Gay’s option salary ($8.8MM) is worth about the same amount as the mid-level exception will be worth in 2018/19. So, while he could probably increase his total guarantee by declining his Spurs option and signing a multiyear deal, it’s not clear if he’d be able to exceed that 2018/19 salary on a new contract.

Ettore Messina Interviewing For Bucks Job Today

May 5th, 2018 at 11:56am CST by marksuleymanov

Spurs assistant coach Ettore Messina will interview for the Bucks’ head coaching vacancy today, sources tell Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated. We relayed yesterday that Messina, along with former Hornets head coach Steve Clifford, and former Pelicans head coach Monty Williams were set to interview for the job.

Messina has received interest for other head coaching vacancies as he already interviewed with the Hornets. The 58-year-old has served as an assistant under Gregg Popovich in San Antonio the past four seasons. Messina stepped up to coach the Spurs for Game 3-5 during the first round of the playoffs after Popovich’s wife, Erin, passed away.

The three-game head coaching cameo may have helped Messina’s chances to land a job, Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News recently opined. Before his stint in NBA, Messina was long considered one of the top international basketball coaches.

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