I think most here don´t realise that by overpying Ginobili a bit the Spurs have activated he full MLE for 4 years with a 2 year deal. All of this very early in the offseason having plenty of time to think in which player to use it. Their other option was overpaying more for Splitter (on a longer contract) or Neal (making him untradeable). Ginobili may retire after next year, and even if he doesn´t, it makes their franchise look good to do that for a player that has played for them a lot and gave them a 10 millon discount in his prime. It was a good move, even if it doesn´t look good.
The spurs are so smart. Not only they got the mid lvl from this contract, in 2 years they will have all the cap they want. Manu, tp and duncan all expiring. They could then build around splitter, leonard and resign parker and someone else, so they will still have a good core. All of that, while still giving manu a big contract ( even if he isnt wort 7m anymore). Classy organization.
