Source: Spurs pushing trade for Brendan Haywood
In order to clear enough cap space to sign a max-level free agent like Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge, the San Antonio Spurs still need to clear a ton of cap space. It's a somewhat complicated dilemma, and several things need to go San Antonio's way for them to entertain the idea of adding an MVP candidate to their frontcourt.
According to the San Antonio Express-News' Mike Monroe, the Spurs may have found a way to have their cake and eat it too:
"The Spurs are exploring the possibility of acquiring Cleveland center Brendan Haywood, a league source told the Express-News’ Mike Monroe on Tuesday, a move that could allow them to keep coveted free agent Danny Green while still taking a run at All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge...If the Spurs did land him, they would have scant room to re-sign even a few of those free agents, including Tim Duncan and especially Green, whose rights would likely have to be relinquished to clear up room for Aldridge. At that point, the Spurs would no longer be able to surpass the salary cap — projected to be $67.1 million this season — to re-sign him. But Haywood’s $10.5 million contract can be waived as soon as tomorrow, the official start of the 2015-16 season. Dumping that money would push the Spurs even further under the cap, which could give them either the space to bring back Green, or avoid renouncing him in the first place."
Who would San Antonio give up to acquire Haywood? Monroe cites Tiago Splitter or Boris Diaw as two strong options, but Patty Mills or Cory Joseph could also be thrown in the deal, as they fit a larger need on Cleveland's roster.
Losing these quality pieces would be a blow, but it's still well worth doing. Adding Aldridge and keeping Green was unthinkable 24 hours ago, but if San Antonio pulls it off they should be considered early favorites to win the championship in 2016.
(h/t: San Antonio Express-News)
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