I'll give him this: He's at least an above-average center and maybe even a "good" center overall. But he's not particularly stout and defense is the weaker side of his game based on my very limited observations and some less limited reading. It would be an upgrade, but does anyone think he fits the "rebounding and rim protecting" mold we keep hearing about? Am I missing something?
He is actually a pretty good defender and is about on par as Pek as a rebounder. I'd love it if we grabbed him. He got a bad look in the playoffs because people only remember the Heat series.
No. He lacks the size I think we need in the middle. If we are going to commit that much money (and years) to a free agent, I think he needs to be more of a space eater. Especially after adding Robinson.
Not sold for our team. I think he's a good "system" player. He works well in SA's scheme and with a PG like Parker, but I don't see him excelling here. I don't see him improving any and for the price I'd like to see someone else spend it.
didn't really watch him during the year...not very impressed when we played the spurs and I watched every game of the finals and was also unimpressed...he actually hindered the team when he was out there against bron & co.
As of now, #Blazers have not reached out or have a meeting planned with restricted free agent center Tiago Splitter, per source. --@chrisbhaynes
I would rather sign Chris Kaman for two years over someone like Splitter for four or five years. That says something because I'm not even thrilled about the Kaman rumor.
I would rather not tie up money into someone and then get spurned when it gets matched. Something tells me Olshey feels the same way.
To the cap experts (BfWA, in particular), is there any way we can incorporate a poison pill like deal for Splitter to deter SA from matching it, like what HOU did with Asik and the Bulls?
No thanks. If you're at all disappointed with his current abilities he'll be at least 20% worse once he leaves the Spurs.
He's very good at two things we need: defense and the pick and roll. He's also a smart player and a solid passer. He's not going to score all that much, though, and the Dwight Howards of this world would just overpower him. He would be good for us but he's almost certainly too expensive. Asik would be better and cheaper, of course, but it's looking like we've got no chance at him.
Splitter is a Full Bird RFA (if SAS extends the QO to him), not an early Bird like Lin/Asik. The most "toxic" we can make it (with the space we have right now) is the following: -max salary increases every year (4.5%) -max signing bonus (15% of total contract value) -50% of his base salary paid when he signs the contract (rather than starting on the first league payday, Nov. 15) -must fit in the Blazers' cap of 8.9M 4 year, 36.7M contract divided as follows: 5.6M is signing bonus (paid immediately) $13,132,484 (7.5M base plus 5.6M signing bonus) first year (3.75M of base salary can be paid immediately) $7,826,185 second year $8,163,198 third year $8,500,210 fourth year giving Splitter basically 9.35M in cash the minute he signs the contract.
In short, basically the same thing we signed Milsap to a few years back, which kinda screwed the Jazz over when they matched.
