Marcus Bryant
06-30-2009, 11:52 PM
San Antonio Spurs—54-28 in 2008; Playoffs: lost to the Dallas Mavericks in the first round (4-1)
Restricted Free Agents: None
Unrestricted Free Agents: Ime Udoka, Michael Finley, Drew Gooden, Jacque Vaughn
The Spurs have made the biggest move of all the teams in the division so far this offseason by acquiring small forward Richard Jefferson from the Milwaukee Bucks. The Spurs sent aging role players Bruce Bowen, Fabrizio Oberto, and Kurt Thomas to Milwaukee in exchange for a player who can be a major contributor to San Antonio’s effort to join the Los Angeles Lakers as the only other team with four championships this decade.
This may turn out to be one of the most lop-sided trades we have seen in a long time.
As far as free agency goes, after trading for Jefferson, the Spurs salaries add up to about $72 million dollars since veteran guard Michael Finley picked up his option for next year after deciding against retirement. Since the acquisition of Jefferson, Finley will surely result see in a reduction of his minutes. But the chances for an NBA title also have increased.
The Spurs will have a little bit of wiggling room to add maybe one more player to their roster, but don’t expect any big names to join the Spurs unless they are willing to take a big pay cut.
But if there is one thing Tim Duncan, Gregg Poppovich and the rest of the Spurs have taught the basketball world it’s one thing: Never count the Spurs out.
link (http://www.neworleans.com/sports/hornets/157803-previewing-free-agency-in-the-southwest-division.html)
Restricted Free Agents: None
Unrestricted Free Agents: Ime Udoka, Michael Finley, Drew Gooden, Jacque Vaughn
The Spurs have made the biggest move of all the teams in the division so far this offseason by acquiring small forward Richard Jefferson from the Milwaukee Bucks. The Spurs sent aging role players Bruce Bowen, Fabrizio Oberto, and Kurt Thomas to Milwaukee in exchange for a player who can be a major contributor to San Antonio’s effort to join the Los Angeles Lakers as the only other team with four championships this decade.
This may turn out to be one of the most lop-sided trades we have seen in a long time.
As far as free agency goes, after trading for Jefferson, the Spurs salaries add up to about $72 million dollars since veteran guard Michael Finley picked up his option for next year after deciding against retirement. Since the acquisition of Jefferson, Finley will surely result see in a reduction of his minutes. But the chances for an NBA title also have increased.
The Spurs will have a little bit of wiggling room to add maybe one more player to their roster, but don’t expect any big names to join the Spurs unless they are willing to take a big pay cut.
But if there is one thing Tim Duncan, Gregg Poppovich and the rest of the Spurs have taught the basketball world it’s one thing: Never count the Spurs out.
link (http://www.neworleans.com/sports/hornets/157803-previewing-free-agency-in-the-southwest-division.html)