More small forwards to add to the rumor mill: Battier, Hill mulling Spurs

[Uriel]

Of all the free-agency conversations to eavesdrop on, I'd pick the ones between Shane Battier, Grant Hill and their respective suitors. Both players are as bright as they come in the league, and you can bet they had plenty of sharp and pressing questions as they talked to team officials Monday.

Both small forwards are well-respected veterans with plenty left to offer, and sources close to both players say they have yet to make up their minds. While Hill has said the chances are good that he'll return to Phoenix, he has narrowed his list to the Suns, Knicks, Bulls and Spurs, with the Warriors, Celtics and Clippers trailing. The Knicks would seem unlikely, however, as sources have said New York is offering only one-year deals in order to preserve salary-cap space for next summer when Paul, Howard and Nets point guard Deron Williams might be available as free agents.

Battier's list still includes the Heat, Spurs, Pacers, Raptors, Grizzlies, Celtics and his former Memphis team. The Thunder have also had discussions with either Battier or his camp. The team-to-player conversations might matter more with players like these than with so many others, as a clear understanding of roles, goals and, of course, financial incentive will come into play.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/sam_amick/12/05/lakers.chris.paul/1.html

[lefty]

Oh well that's it

I've had enough



Go Lakers or Heat !

[mudyez]

u know, there are allways those guys, I immediately thing: "that is spurs material...I want them and we will want them!".

historical:
kevin willis
antonio mcdyess
michael finley
charles smith
terrell brandon

dont ask me why...its just, that they are good people without tats and prisontime spent.

all but brandon came here, AFTER I put them on the list! Cant remember beeing wrong aside from maybe terrell brandon.

hill and battier are on the list right now!
prince, andre miller and elton brand as well.

book it!

they will come!

...but probably only after they lost their swagger and not now.

[Leetonidas]

u know, there are allways those guys, I immediately thing: "that is spurs material...I want them and we will want them!".

historical:
kevin willis
antonio mcdyess
michael finley
charles smith
terrell brandon

dont ask me why...its just, that they are good people without tats and prisontime spent.

all but brandon came here, AFTER I put them on the list! Cant remember beeing wrong aside from maybe terrell brandon.

hill and battier are on the list right now!
prince, andre miller and elton brand as well.

book it!

they will come!

...but probably only after they lost their swagger and not now.
:lmao:lmao:lmao:lmao

[I Heart Ginobili]

u know, there are allways those guys, I immediately thing: "that is spurs material...I want them and we will want them!".

historical:
kevin willis
antonio mcdyess
michael finley
charles smith
terrell brandon

dont ask me why...its just, that they are good people without tats and prisontime spent.

all but brandon came here, AFTER I put them on the list! Cant remember beeing wrong aside from maybe terrell brandon.

hill and battier are on the list right now!
prince, andre miller and elton brand as well.

book it!

they will come!

...but probably only after they lost their swagger and not now.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but those guys lost their swagger years ago.

[The_Worlds_finest]

parker
manu
battier/prince
duncan
kaman....

why not..

[mudyez]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but those guys lost their swagger years ago.

I thought about writing the same right away. :)

But Battier should be a nice player for about 5 more years and Hill could give us about 2 good years as a stopper/shooter.

Its not like Willis, Finley or McDyess came in their prime. (and you dont get such players in their prime easily, but its fun to see, that the Spurs also want them lter in their carriers)

[mudyez]

parker
manu
battier/prince
duncan
kaman....

why not..

Wow, thats some old lineup...but yeah, if we want one more run (I would not do it, but after all, we could just try it for timmy), that or some combo of Hill+Battier/Prince would be the way to do it.

Kaman? Uhm, ok (but just because he is a german fellowman of me ;-))

[Russ]

The Spurs have a history of FAs "mulling" them . . .

[SenorSpur]

According to Marc Spears of Yahoo Sports, on an appearance on NBATV Preview, he claimed the Spurs have also made overtures toward Tayshawn Prince. Perhaps that's a sleeper name to keep an eye on.

[Seventyniner]

We just need to start keeping a list of what SFs the Spurs have not talked to: it would be a lot shorter.

[YODA]

Sean elliott_ maybe? lol

[shraediggz]

What are we, The David Khan of free agent small forwards. Pretty soon we'll have more small forwards than Minnesota has Point Guards.

Do any of these guys play PF or Center? How much time is FO going to focus on addressing the SF spot. I thought the addition of Leonard was supposed to shore up that spot. Now they're talking about more additions? If that's the case, why did we bother trading Hill away for someone whose rotation minutes are essentially going to be given to a free agent.

Hill could have helped us shore up another position in a different trade. It will be a waste if we end up acquiring yet another sf.

[rascal]

I thought about writing the same right away. :)

But Battier should be a nice player for about 5 more years and Hill could give us about 2 good years as a stopper/shooter.

Its not like Willis, Finley or McDyess came in their prime. (and you dont get such players in their prime easily, but its fun to see, that the Spurs also want them lter in their carriers)

This is why the spurs don't win anymore, going after over the hill vets who can't keep up with the younger more athletic teams in the playoffs.

[DMC]

Why don't the Spurs just purchase or build a retirement community near SA and house all the free agent hopefuls there?

I mean, we're always picking from Shady Acres.

[George Gervin's Afro]

The Spurs have a history of FAs "mulling" them . . .

this

[urunobili]

my dream would be Tyshaun Prince...

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Tayshaun at the MLE would be a great consolation if Butler doesn't work out.

[Obstructed_View]

Why don't the Spurs just purchase or build a retirement community near SA and house all the free agent hopefuls there?

I mean, we're always picking from Shady Acres.

I think you mean Musty Pines.

[Steve-O-Matic]

I'd take Battier over Butler.

[Mugen]

the full MLE for anybody but Caron would be overpaying. Id rather let Kawahi start and pick up a cheap backup.

[5in10]

This was news from like 2 days ago, and already in another thread. The FA thread.

[slick'81]

so basically spurs are after every available fa sf lol

[Stalin]

spurs fo trying to make a tired old shit bag allstar team, it seems

[SenorSpur]

Why don't the Spurs just purchase or build a retirement community near SA and house all the free agent hopefuls there?

I mean, we're always picking from Shady Acres.

When they're not picking from Shady Acres, they're soliciting help from Sunny Hills.

[angelbelow]

Hows Battier nowadays? Can he still defend well? Can he still stretch the floor with his 3 pointer? I feel like he might be past his prime and fans are just after him because they have the Tayshaun Prince syndrome.

[GSH]

Why don't the Spurs just purchase or build a retirement community near SA and house all the free agent hopefuls there?

I mean, we're always picking from Shady Acres.


Nobody has even mentioned Anthony Parker. I wouldn't be a bit surprised to see either him or Grant Hill in a Spurs jersey on Christmas.

[xtremesteven33]

Battier or Hill would be a great signing. Battier and Hill have a good post up game and can shoot the 3. Both have a high IQ and wont be afraid to take big shots.

[Mel_13]

Hearing that Shane Battier is bound for the Miami Heat. Not strong enough to write a news story but no league talk of him going elsewhere.

http://twitter.com/RicBucher

[MR.SILVER&BLack]

Dammit. still no real news of Spurs contacting Prince.

[kjhip1]

Dammit. still no real news of Spurs contacting Prince.

SNEAKY SPURS!!!
:hat

[DMC]

Mike Dunleavy Jr?

Anyone?

[Roger Freemason Jr.]

Wow, getting Prince would be awesome.
I'd settle for Battier, but Prince would be perfect.

[Russo21]

I like Dunleavy to. Haven't heard a word on his status. Prince, Battier, Hill, they're all enticing hey :-)

Gonna be one exciting silly season for the spurs and the NBA

[kobyz]

i will be much more pleased if we hold back our money and wait to go after Wilson Chandler when he finish his business in China, in my opinion the most imposing free agent SF, he's a rising star, already proven as a quality player and good amount of upside left in him, i love his attributes and fit for us, he's fundamentally sound, become solid spot up shooter, impressive improving as a creator and a scorer, can play 3 positions, smooth enough to play both wing positions and tough enough to be a small ball 4, engage defensively with good mentality!

[kobyz]

i will be much more pleased if we hold back our money and wait to go after Wilson Chandler when he finish his business in China, in my opinion the most imposing free agent SF, he's a rising star, already proven as a quality player and good amount of upside left in him, i love his attributes and fit for us, he's fundamentally sound, become solid spot up shooter, impressive improving as a creator and a scorer, can play 3 positions, smooth enough to play both wing positions and tough enough to be a small ball 4, engage defensively with good mentality!

[Russo21]

Kobyz you had me until you said small ball 4 lol i hate that shit. But yeah he'd be awesome as a 3 lol

[kobyz]

i also hate to paly small ball but i'm being aware that Pop still on the team and if we need to accept that it's somthing indispensable with him and to compromise, Chandler would be favored for that role.

[kobyz]

i also hate to paly small ball but i'm being aware that Pop still on the team and if we need to accept that it's somthing indispensable with him and to compromise, Chandler would be favored for that role.

[Russo21]

To True

[ohmwrecker]

Any team coached by Pop is going to play some small ball. At least Chandler's skill set is better suited for it than Jefferson or Finley.

[Mel_13]

Let's Go #Heat!!!!!

http://twitter.com/ShaneBattier

[Mel_13]

The Knicks are on the verge of landing Grant Hill, according to two NBA sources.

http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/knicks_on_verge_of_acquiring_grant_Z4zAsnEzot25UPR WQR85SJ

[jeebus]

Let's Go #Heat!!!!!

http://twitter.com/ShaneBattier

That's not a surprise

[Xevious]

None of these guys are going to get the Spurs over the hump. Why waive RJ just to blow your wad on a vet who's best days are long behind him? I just hope some trade package is in the works to acquire another big.

[Fireball]

That's not a surprise

Absolutely no surprise, but Hill going to NY would be. I hoped that he would come to San Antonio if he decides to leave his precious home Phoenix. Another one going East.

But losing Battier also weakens the Grizzlies, so I am fine with that ...

[jeebus]

Absolutely no surprise, but Hill going to NY would be. I hoped that he would come to San Antonio if he decides to leave his precious home Phoenix. Another one going East.

But losing Battier also weakens the Grizzlies, so I am fine with that ...

Sounds like Hill is going after a ring now but with NY? That team plays no defense and is doomed to a first or second round exit. I know they're trying to be like the Heat but Carmelo and Amare are the 2 worst players to build around.

[Fireball]

Sounds like Hill is going after a ring now but with NY? That team plays no defense and is doomed to a first or second round exit. I know they're trying to be like the Heat but Carmelo and Amare are the 2 worst players to build around.

Thats exactly why I would not understand Hill going there. Sad ... after losing the one G.Hill I looked forward to replace him with the other G.Hill.

[Russ]

But losing Battier also weakens the Grizzlies, so I am fine with that ...

The Grizzlies look to be a one year wonder along the lines of the Hornets in '08. They aren't building toward anything and they'll be lucky to sneak into the playoffs this year (if they do).

To compare them as an up and comer to OKC (as some have done) is a big stretch.

[Fireball]

The Grizzlies look to be a one year wonder along the lines of the Hornets in '08. They aren't building toward anything and they'll be lucky to sneak into the playoffs this year (if they do).

To compare them as an up and comer to OKC (as some have done) is a big stretch.

Hopefully you are right. I just wrote in another thread that Rudy Gay returning in the lineup may actually hurt them a little bit, because they will go away from the pounding the rock inside mentality they had last season.

[Sausage]

daldridgetnt David Aldridge
Just landed. Told unequivocally by source that Grant Hill has NOT yet decided between Suns, Knicks, Bulls and Spurs.

[Fireball]

Ok, now what happens both G. Hill and C. Butler say yes to the Bulls?

[Spursfan092120]

Ok, now what happens both G. Hill and C. Butler say yes to the Bulls?

We send a LOT of Mexican food and David Robinson to Tayshaun Prince's house for a little "one on one."

[DesignatedT]

What's going on with Prince. We have to be making a run at this guy.

[MaNu4Tres]

Ok, now what happens both G. Hill and C. Butler say yes to the Bulls?


I have a feeling Butler will be the next domino to fall, then Hill will make his decision.

[Fireball]

I have a feeling Butler will be the next domino to fall, then Hill will make his decision.

What I want to know is the negotiation tactics of the teams. Do they talk to Butler and say you are our first choice and we offer you this. Then they talk with Hill and say you are our choice if Butler does not sign with us? That does not sound very convincing. Is it first come first serve?

[MannyIsGod]

I think - even given his age - Grant Hill is my first choice.

[MR.SILVER&BLack]

Best option is Prince. We all know pops going play small ball. He's 6'8/6'9. He's a pretty decent shotblocker & rebounder. Would not hate small ball nearly as much if Prince was at the 4. Just hope spurs are staying under the radar with prince & talks with butler & Howard are just a smokescreen.

[crc21209]

Free-agent forward Caron Butler told the San Antonio Express-News Wednesday that he considers the Spurs his personal “frontrunners” for his services.

Butler met with Spurs officials Wednesday in San Antonio.

And later, Butler told the Express-News that he was pleased with how the meeting turned out.

“The meeting went great, I enjoyed it,” he said.

Butler said he is considering five teams — Detroit, Chicago, New Jersey, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Spurs.

But the “first-class” amenties he saw in San Antonio apparently have swayed him in his personal pecking order.

“I think the Spurs are the frontrunners, based on conversations I’ve had today,” he said.

[lefty]

Woohoo

By the way, Price is staying with the Pistons

[SpursDynasty85]

*Great News. This guy was definitely a nuisance in the playoffs against the spurs and a handful before he got injured. Definitely Spurs material.