Spurs to make Richard Jefferson the first-ever NBA amnesty clause victim!

[mountainmamba]

WojYahooNBA Adrian Wojnarowski
The Spurs have decided to use the amnesty clause on contract of Richard Jefferson, league sources tell Y! Sports. He has 3 years, $30M left.

RJ is still a serviceable player. Expect him to be picked up.

[hawkfan]

He's not worth a bid, since the team bidding for him has to commit paying for 3 years. So if a team bids 3 million, that's a 3 year contract for 9 million.

Is Jefferson worth this? No, he's not.

[gasolina]

Has he fallen off that much? I remember there was much talk leading towards the playoffs on how he fits the Spurs new running game and also helps w/ his improved range.

Of course... not counting his contract.

[MeLO MvP 15]

I'm actually surprised. Not because I didn't think Jefferson didn't deserve to be amnestied (because IMO he was one of the easier decisions), but it just didn't seem like a San Antonio-type move. Especially considering their owner was one of the biggest pushers to limit spending. He'll get picked up really fast and if he somehow makes it through the waivers of teams cap space, I could see a New Jersey return (through the waiver process) or possibly him going to Dallas (if he becomes a FA) (and payback for Finley lol).

It also looks like SA offered Butler the MLE (along with Chicago according to BRoussard, with LAC and NJ offering more).

SA also just picked up a potentially really good rookie SF in Leonard, so maybe they got a lot of faith in him.

[Clippersfan86]

I'm actually surprised. Not because I didn't think Jefferson didn't deserve to be amnestied (because IMO he was one of the easier decisions), but it just didn't seem like a San Antonio-type move. Especially considering their owner was one of the biggest pushers to limit spending. He'll get picked up really fast and if he somehow makes it through the waivers of teams cap space, I could see a New Jersey return (through the waiver process) or possibly him going to Dallas (if he becomes a FA) (and payback for Finley lol).

It also looks like SA offered Butler the MLE (along with Chicago according to BRoussard, with LAC and NJ offering more).

Oh wow. Offers already in? Where can I read article about Caron Butler offers?

[DuMa]

can lakers pick this dude up already so luke walton can finally be happy?

[MeLO MvP 15]

Oh wow. Offers already in? Where can I read article about Caron Butler offers?
Broussard tweeted it like this hour.

[HylianNightmare]

so if a team picks up an amnestied player they have to commit to pay them for the remainder of thier contract but for a different price?
while the player is still being payed the original amount from the original team?

[niko]

I think the Clips should get him for cheap $2M a year for 3 years. Fill out the roster with quality. Aren't the heat under the cap? They should try too.

[Grinder]

Good move, RJ hasn't been great with the Spurs. They offered Caron Butler the MLE and they've got two talented youngsters in Kawhi Leonard and James Anderson in tow.

[Droid101]

He's not worth a bid, since the team bidding for him has to commit paying for 3 years. So if a team bids 3 million, that's a 3 year contract for 9 million.

Is Jefferson worth this? No, he's not.
That's not how it works.

[AMISTILLILL]

Kings should take a look at him. Outside of Salmons and Dalembert, they have no real veteran presence. They've got the flexibility to absorb his contract.

[Droid101]

so if a team picks up an amnestied player they have to commit to pay them for the remainder of thier contract but for a different price?
while the player is still being payed the original amount from the original team?
The original team pays the difference between the original contract and whatever the new team picks up.

The player does not make any more money doing this.

[Clippersfan86]

Broussard tweeted it like this hour.

Found and put in Caron Butler thread. Thanks dude :cheers: .

[Yung D-Will]

Wow if they get Butler they could actually have the big 4 they were looking for with RJ

[Rnbizzle]

Isn't RJ a decent fit for the Clippers too? I mean Caron Butler is probable better, but if they can't him, what about Jefferson?

[mountainmamba]

WojYahooNBA Adrian Wojnarowski
Spurs are aggressively in the market for a starting small forward, and amnesty allows them to use full mid-level exception of $5M per year.


Too bad this FA class is pretty weak

[Yung D-Will]

Too bad this FA class is pretty weak
Caron Butler would be the best bet.

Big 4. =l

[hawkfan]

Too bad this FA class is pretty weak

Maybe, but if healthy Caron Butler is a large step above Richard Jefferson.

[Yung D-Will]

Maybe, but if healthy Caron Butler is a large step above Richard Jefferson.
Don't know if I'm wrong but I remember the season RJ signed with the spurs they were also looking into trading for Caron but they didn't wanna take on his big contract.

[HylianNightmare]

And in the part it talks about amnesty, it doesn't say anything about per-year payments.

It's still being worked out.
if this is how it works then lets amnesty the shit outta arenas:facepalm

[Wonder Bread Kid]

This pretty much means they got either Butler or Howard to agree to a contract.

No way do the Spurs amnesty Jefferson with no firm commitment from one of the SF they brought to town yesterday.

[Yung D-Will]

Caron gives them a much better chance to make a run than Howard imo

[Rowe]

So everybody knows which teams can put in bids.



Salary Cap space without Cap Holds & Rookie Contracts:


1. Nuggets - $29 Million
2. Kings - $28 Million
3. Pacers - $22 Million
4. Nets - $21 Million
5. Wizards - $18 Million
6. Hornets - $16 Million
7. Clippers - $13 Million
8. Raptors - $12 Million
9. Charlotte - $11 Million
10. Rockets - $11 Million
11. T'Wolves - $10 Million
12. Warriors - $9 Million
13. Thunder - $9 Million
14. Suns - $8 Million
14. Bucks - $7 Million
15. 76ers - $5 Million
16. Grizzlies - $4 Million
17. Cavaliers - $3 Million
18. Jazz - $3 Million

RJ would be a good fit on the Rockets.

[The Macho Man]

can lakers pick this dude up already so luke walton can finally be happy?
:oldlol:

[mountainmamba]

Nuggets need players badly..like real bad.

[pegasus]

If Hill is really leaving, Phoenix should try to get RJ. He may make a comeback playing with a pass-first PG again.

[Haymaker]

Dallas should pick him up. he played great alongside Kidd.

[bagelred]

This is shocking. I'm serious. Why? Doesn't get them cap space. Doesn't save them much money....I'm floored. Richard Jefferson isn't THAT bad, c'mon.

Why not wait a year?

[Wonder Bread Kid]

This is shocking. I'm serious. Why? Doesn't get them cap space. Doesn't save them much money....I'm floored. Richard Jefferson isn't THAT bad, c'mon.

Why not wait a year?

He does give them cap space. Enough to use the full MLE, which is what they wanted and which is what they've done more than likely because there's no way they'd amnesty RJ without a replacement having committed.

[Haymaker]

This is shocking. I'm serious. Why? Doesn't get them cap space. Doesn't save them much money....I'm floored. Richard Jefferson isn't THAT bad, c'mon.

Why not wait a year?

They WAITED a year. He's just not a Popovich player. Even Grant Hill is an upgrade over him.

[bagelred]

They WAITED a year. He's just not a Popovich player. Even Grant Hill is an upgrade over him.

I know but you want to pay him $30 MILLION just to go away? It's not like he has a bad attitude or is continually injured.....ok he's disappointing, so is half the league! Trade him to the Magic for Turkoglu or something......

Watch for the Detroit Pistons and his old coach Lawrence Frank to make an offer.

[D-Rose]

He'll be a nice addition to a contender for around $3 mill or so a year. Lakers could use him. So could a team like Dallas or Boston. Not sure what the Spurs were thinking...besides the MLE I suppose.

[Wonder Bread Kid]

Not sure what the Spurs were thinking...besides the MLE I suppose.

If you watched the Spurs in the second half of the season last year and in the playoffs, you'll know what the Spurs were thinking.

Richard Jefferson sucks.

[AMISTILLILL]

Seriously stunned by how many people STILL don't realize amnestied players ending up on contenders is essentially impossible.

[mountainmamba]

Seriously stunned by how many people STILL don't realize amnestied players ending up on contenders is essentially impossible.


haha funny and also true

[bagelred]

Seriously stunned by how many people STILL don't realize amnestied players ending up on contenders is essentially impossible.

Yup. The secondary waiver rule is absolutely ridiculous....discussion for another thread.

[Rowe]

I know but you want to pay him $30 MILLION just to go away? It's not like he has a bad attitude or is continually injured.....ok he's disappointing, so is half the league! Trade him to the Magic for Turkoglu or something......
It depends on what team decides to cover of his salary.

I could see a team covering $5 Million for RJ yearly which is about what he is worth, and that would only cost San Antonio $15 Million for making the move.

IMO, its a slap in the face to RJ who opted out of his deal to save money for San Antonio. People forget that "weird" decision he made last year to opt out and take a smaller deal from San Antonio.

Yet now that smaller deal is "too much" and they want to amnesty him.




Watch for the Detroit Pistons and his old coach Lawrence Frank to make an offer.
Frank & RJ clashed in New Jersey. Remember?

[NoGunzJustSkillz]

Yup. The secondary waiver rule is absolutely ridiculous....discussion for another thread.
:roll:

[SCdac]

As a Spurs fan and SA resident, I'm glad this is happening. I gave him as much benefit of the doubt as anybody, he did show some improvement, but simply put, RJ was a waste. A waste of time, money, and effort. It's one thing to say a player has the talent and skill (and Jefferson does), but if his head isn't in the game none of that matters. Too often Jefferson would fade in the second halves a games, his intensity and competitiveness is questionable. He's better suited for a team that's not quite a contender, or on team where less is asked of him. $30 Million dollars over the next three seasons, especially when you consider Duncan may be out of the picture, is alot of money (do you really want to give that money to a questionable player who's on the backside of his career?). It's one thing if you're stuck with that contract, but if you can let him go? why not? He's hurting the Spurs (with the illusion of being a sturdy, dependable SF) more than he's helping/has helped.

[HylianNightmare]

The original team pays the difference between the original contract and whatever the new team picks up.

The player does not make any more money doing this.
:cheers:

[hawkfan]

This is shocking. I'm serious. Why? Doesn't get them cap space. Doesn't save them much money....I'm floored. Richard Jefferson isn't THAT bad, c'mon.

Why not wait a year?

It saves San Antonio from hitting the luxury tax by signing Caron Butler. So financially it is worth it this year.

[G-train]

Is this official?
Seems surprising. Butler is a mild upgrade over Jefferson IF he has recovered well, which no one knows.
That's alot of money to spend when one guy is doing an average job for you already, just to sign someone to do a slightly above average job for you, and he just had a major injury.
Might be more to this.

[MooseJuiceBowen]

It saves San Antonio from hitting the luxury tax by signing Caron Butler. So financially it is worth it this year.

this right here. most spurs fans will be glad to have him gone

[JustinJDW]

Signing Butler, Howard or Battier will be great, but we still gotta upgrade at the bigs.

[swi7ch]

could use a spot on the heat if he's interested in multiple championships...

[Dbrog]

Good. I don't understand what happened to RJ. He turned into such an awful scrub after Spurs got him from the Bucks. I guess too many injuries :confusedshrug:

[MooseJuiceBowen]

Good. I don't understand what happened to RJ. He turned into such an awful scrub after Spurs got him from the Bucks. I guess too many injuries :confusedshrug:

no he just didnt fit into pops system very well and ill bet he still has alot left in the tank. I could see him flourish on a team like the heat

[TMT]

no he just didnt fit into pops system very well and ill bet he still has alot left in the tank. I could see him flourish on a team like the heat

I'm just relieved he's gone, as most fans probably are. This solves so many problems and is going to allow such a solid free agency. TJ Ford reportedly on the way already. :cheers: