HoopsHype.com Rumors

This is the week, by all accounts, that San Antonio and Richard Jefferson will complete the restructured deal that we’ve all assumed had to be forthcoming since Jefferson stunningly opted out of a $15 million salary for next season on the eve of free agency. The specifics in terms of years and dollars remain unknown, but I’ve been assured that Jefferson will officially be back with the Spurs quite soon. ESPN.com

Jeff McDonald: FWIW, source close to the process sets odds of Jefferson returning to SA at 95 percent. Twitter

San Antonio Spurs, Free Agency, Richard Jefferson 

Chris Mannix: Contrary to some reports, Richard Jefferson does not have any kind of deal in place with Spurs to return for more years at lesser salary Twitter

San Antonio Spurs, Free Agency, Richard Jefferson 

Chris Mannix: I'm told Jefferson is open to returning to SA but his first priority is a long term deal at the best annual salary he can get. Twitter

San Antonio Spurs, Free Agency, Richard Jefferson 

One general manager, still believing Richard Jefferson will end up back with the Spurs for more years but a much lower annual salary than the money due in 2010-11: "There's no way he opted out of $15 million for no reason." NBA.com

San Antonio Spurs, Richard Jefferson 

One high-ranking Knicks official said Thursday that Jefferson was never in the team's plans, even if it whiffed on James. Aside from the Spurs, the Los Angeles Clippers could be Jefferson's best bet, but they are reportedly chasing Mike Miller instead. Cleveland — the ultimate loser in the LeBron derby — will have $9 million in available cap space once James is officially off the books. Teams view Jefferson as a complimentary player who probably won't command much more than the mid-level exception of $5.765 million. The Spurs are expected to offer a multi-year contract starting at a shade above that, at a number that reduces their luxury tax hit. San Antonio Express-News

Los Angeles Clippers, San Antonio Spurs, Free Agency, Richard Jefferson 

Is Richard Jefferson of sound mind? What would possess him to opt out of next season’s $15M salary? Clearly, there’s a side deal in place to re-sign him ($45M over five years) that starts at $7M. That allows San Antonio to get under the luxury tax and save roughly $20M, the $8M lopped off his original deal (doubled) and the $3M-to-$4M the team figures to pocket from the equally divided loot paid by the teams over the luxury tax. New York Post

San Antonio Spurs, Free Agency, Richard Jefferson 

Though Jefferson has told close associates he opted out of his contract earlier this week in hopes of signing a long-term deal with the Spurs, he is expected to first test the free-agent market for better offers. New York, New Jersey or Miami could be in position to make an attractive offer for Jefferson, especially if those teams strike out in pursuit of big-name free agents. “He wants to see if there is a long-term opportunity,” Todd Eley, Jefferson's agent, said. “There is a lot of opportunity out there. If you put all of that together, that's what he's looking at.” San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Free Agency, Richard Jefferson 

The Spurs would be amenable to bringing back Jefferson, who surrendered $15.2 million to become an unrestricted free agent, provided he comes at a price that reduces their luxury tax bill. Jefferson likewise is said to be open to returning, despite an at-times bumpy first season in San Antonio. He averaged 12.3 points — the most for a Spurs small forward over a full season since Sean Elliott averaged 20 in 1995-96, but the fewest for Jefferson since his rookie year. San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Free Agency, Richard Jefferson 

Jefferson, 30, hopes for a new, longer contract before the league's collective bargaining agreement is revamped next summer. The Spurs are open to granting Jefferson's wish, so long as they can bring him back under a more salary cap-friendly deal. With their payroll still projected to be over the cap, the Spurs could be hard-pressed to find a suitable replacement for Jefferson on the open market. San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Free Agency, Richard Jefferson 

Several NBA sources assume Jefferson and the Spurs had at least the framework of a new deal in place before his decision to opt out. “It's the only reason for him to opt out,” one rival Western Conference executive said. San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Free Agency, Richard Jefferson 

Spurs, Jefferson "not close" according to sources. Twitter

San Antonio Spurs, Free Agency, Richard Jefferson 

Chris Mannix: Sources say RJ is hoping teams won't look at one down year and will offer him a long term deal, albeit at less money than he left on table. Twitter

San Antonio Spurs, Free Agency, Richard Jefferson 

Spurs and Richard Jefferson's agent have discussed a new deal, but nothing in works. RJ would love return to NY-area, but NJ not interested. Twitter

San Antonio Spurs, Free Agency, Richard Jefferson 

It might not be long before small forward Richard Jefferson is back on the Spurs' payroll. Jefferson, who opted out of the final year of his contract Wednesday, has told close associates his top priority in free agency is to secure a new multi-year deal to return to the Spurs. San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Free Agency, Richard Jefferson 

One unconfirmed report Thursday had Jefferson poised to sign a three-year, $30 million with the Spurs. Another had the terms at five years for $45 million, with the final season likely only partially guaranteed. Eley insisted Thursday his client does not yet have a deal in place with any team. San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Free Agency, Richard Jefferson 

Richard Jefferson doesn’t have a deal with the San Antonio Spurs and would prefer to return to the New York area to play for the Knicks or Nets, league sources told Y! Sports. Jefferson is seeking a multiyear contract that averages in the range of $8 million-$10 million, sources said. He opted out of the $15 million final season of his contract with the Spurs on Tuesday. Yahoo! Sports

New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, Richard Jefferson 

The Spurs could still try to sign Jefferson to a contract that lowers their luxury-tax hit, depending on what other options they find in free agency. Yahoo! Sports

San Antonio Spurs, Free Agency, Richard Jefferson 

The French govt. has just approved a law that makes psychological violence – couples who insult each other repeatedly – a criminal offense punishable by three years in prison. 8. Which means Pop and RJ are extremely lucky they weren’t working for Paris-Levallois Basket last year. Newark Star-Ledger

San Antonio Spurs, Richard Jefferson, Gregg Popovich 

Coming off such a disappointing season, Jefferson likely won't be able to earn all of the money he left on the table back in a single season, but as he told FanHouse's Chris Tomasson in April, he hopes a temporary pay cut will result in long-term security. "I probably wouldn't make 15 [million dollars] some place, but you could somehow recoup some of that over a multi-year deal and get some guaranteed money for the next few years," he said. "So you figure it out. If you're able to get four years and 40 [million dollars by opting out] from someone, it's like, 'OK, I did lose out on 15 [million dollars]. But I'm going to get basically a $25 million extension.' Those are things that you think of at the end of the season.'' FanHouse.com

San Antonio Spurs, Free Agency, Richard Jefferson