Tiago Splitter: Hope springs eternal
May 18, 2010
Splitter is a Brazilian 7-footer that the Spurs currently own the draft rights to. He was picked 28th overall in the 2007 draft by the Spurs. Unfortunately, due to the league rules regarding salaries for players drafted in the first round, the Spurs were unable to pay enough for Splitter to buyout his contract. If he had come to the Spurs, he would have lost money for the first year. So, Splitter stayed in Europe. Since that time, he has matured into the best non-NBA center in the world.
This summer, Splitter’s initial contract with the Spurs is up (if he had signed that is). Now, the Spurs are allowed to pay Splitter as much as they are allowed to under salary cap laws. Since the Spurs are above the cap, they can only use their mid-level exception on Splitter, between 5 – 10 million. IF this is enough to lure Splitter over, what does that mean for the Spurs?
A starting frontcourt of Tim Duncan (30 minutes) and Splitter (25-35 minutes) effectively moves SA’s frontline into the upper echelon of the NBA. Only a few would be better, like LA’s Bynum and Gasol. The backcourt would be Tony Parker and George Hill. Obviously the Spurs would have to find a spot minute 3 who can hit that corner 3, but, even with that spot unfilled, that’s a pretty potent backcourt.
The bench would be the icing between the black cookies of the oreo lineup. If the team stayed as constructed we would have Manu, RJ, Blair and Mcdyess. Blair and Mcdyess would be somewhere in the 15-25 minute lineup. Again, this bench could hold with anyone in the league.
But… it all hinges on whether or not Splitter is willing to come over and play with the Spurs. Rumors have it that Real Madrid are looking to sign him. If they are, the Spurs would have to hope that Splitter’s sense of competition. Without him, the Spurs will have to get lucky with a trading partner to get a similarly skilled player.
