This summer, Tiago Splitter becomes a restricted free agent. I know quite a few San Antonio Spurs fans who would have told you last year that they were looking forward to the day when Splitter could leave the Spurs for another team.
However, after improving on all of his numbers this year, almost as if he were auditioning for free agency, Splitter has become a lot more valuable to the team. Those that wanted Splitter gone might now be changing their tune.
Tiago made $3.9 million this year, but after working his way into the starting rotation and putting in some quality minutes, you can bet he’s due for a pay raise. The market will dictate his price, but everyone knows that big men can get a lot more because quality post players have become rather scarce these days.
So who has their sights set on landing the Brazilian big man?
One report says he might be headed within the division to the Spurs’ Texas rival, the Dallas Mavericks.
“The Spurs have the right of first refusal and will exercise that right if the offers come in at the right number. But Dallas and Atlanta have to have him on their short lists, with several other teams focusing in on him early on in the process.”
Anything you read at this point is just speculation because it’s a little too early to be thinking about July, but the Mavericks are just one of the teams that have a need for a real big men.
I’m not sure Tiago Splitter can fill the role of “star post player,” but teams get desperate for centers. Look at how much the Houston Rockets paid for Omer Asik. Wherever Tiago ends up, he’s going to be making the big bucks.
