2013 General Free Agent Signings/News and Trades

[Holden_Caulfield]

bring back hedo! he can be a pg and a sf lol but i think hes done.

[ace3g]

Warren Shaw (http://twitter.com/ShawSports) retweeted

23m (https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/361622386174459904)
https://si0.twimg.com/profile_images/378800000018695229/440c936c7c03d40f2821d4a8616d59de_normal.jpeg
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
(http://twitter.com/ShamsCharania)The Atlanta Hawks have claimed Gustavo Ayon off waivers, league source tells RealGM. He was released by the Bucks on Thursday.

[barakz21]

how about the patriots in football? they haven't won since 2007. are they failures too?

being in the conversation as a favorite is a good thing. Nobody is a lock. the spurs do it a different way than others, but guess what, it has been successful for 15 years. why are we questioning it now? is it because they made moves you don't agree with? so now they are wrong and idiots?

This. And yes, I am a Pats fan as well. lol

[CGD]

Warren Shaw (http://twitter.com/ShawSports) retweeted

23m (https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/361622386174459904)
https://si0.twimg.com/profile_images/378800000018695229/440c936c7c03d40f2821d4a8616d59de_normal.jpeg
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
(http://twitter.com/ShamsCharania)The Atlanta Hawks have claimed Gustavo Ayon off waivers, league source tells RealGM. He was released by the Bucks on Thursday.




Good for Ayon. I really liked the guy for the Spurs, but I Figured it would be tough for him to clear waivers AND for him to accept a Spurs minimum offer. He is good value for Bud and the hawks.

[Hoops Czar]

I keep telling myself R.C.'s got a plan. And if he does, he hides it well.

[Baam]

I keep telling myself R.C.'s got a plan. And if he does, he hides it well.

Yeah losing faith as well...

Blair in a eventual sign and trade is the Spurs last hope at this point :lol.

[elemento]

Ayon is a decent backup Center. It's crazy how his body has changed since he arrived in the NBA.

I think he has a future in the NBA as a backup Center, Pachulia-style.

[Spursfanfromafar]

Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
(http://twitter.com/ShamsCharania)The Atlanta Hawks have claimed Gustavo Ayon off waivers, league source tells RealGM. He was released by the Bucks on Thursday.


http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/9517352/sources-gustavo-ayon-claimed-waivers-atlanta-hawks

It is a great pickup for the size starved Hawks. Ferry & Budenholzer are rounding out a pretty decent squad in Teague, Williams, Korver, Millsap, Horford with Schroeder, Stevenson, Cunningham, Ayon, Brand, Antic on the bench. This group should restore the Hawks' traditional position of 5-6 in the East and assure them atleast a first round exit while preserving cap space for next season.

[Kindergarten Cop]

361655773404725248

[rick1991]

Warren Shaw (http://twitter.com/ShawSports) retweeted

23m (https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/361622386174459904)
https://si0.twimg.com/profile_images/378800000018695229/440c936c7c03d40f2821d4a8616d59de_normal.jpeg
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
(http://twitter.com/ShamsCharania)The Atlanta Hawks have claimed Gustavo Ayon off waivers, league source tells RealGM. He was released by the Bucks on Thursday.




I bet this hurts their chances of landing Oden

[Jwash_1986]

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/9517352/sources-gustavo-ayon-claimed-waivers-atlanta-hawks

It is a great pickup for the size starved Hawks. Ferry & Budenholzer are rounding out a pretty decent squad in Teague, Williams, Korver, Millsap, Horford with Schroeder, Stevenson, Cunningham, Ayon, Brand, Antic on the bench. This group should restore the Hawks' traditional position of 5-6 in the East and assure them atleast a first round exit while preserving cap space for next season.
Is Ivan Johnson still over there?

[milkyway21]

So close. Tracy McGrady finally got to the Finals this season as a bench-riding non-factor for the Western Conference Champion Spurs. He was 28 seconds from a championship ring. But alas, the Heat prevailed, and now McGrady continues to ponder his future.

Over the weekend at an event in China, McGrady told reporters he may consider a return to the Chinese Basketball Association, where he spent most of last season.


I think it is possible for him to return to CBA.

Thank you TMac.

[ace3g]

Marc Stein @ESPNSteinLine
(http://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine)RT @ChrisVernonShow (http://twitter.com/ChrisVernonShow): Mo Williams is flying in to meet with Grizzlies' front office tonight

[Kindergarten Cop]

Marc Stein @ESPNSteinLine
(http://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine)RT @ChrisVernonShow (http://twitter.com/ChrisVernonShow): Mo Williams is flying in to meet with Grizzlies' front office tonight




This will be interesting to see how close the Grizz will get to the luxury tax threshold in their attempt to bring Mo Williams aboard. I believe they have the full MLE (~$5.15M) at their disposal and are ~$4M under the threshold with only 12 guys under contract. I think that the Heat are the main competition (barring a S/T) considering that they have the mini MLE (~$3.2M) available - but it will cost Miami over $10M if they choose to use the exception.

[ace3g]

Adrian Wojnarowski @WojYahooNBA
(http://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA)Free agent forward Ryan Gomes has reached agreement on a one-year deal with Oklahoma City, league sources tell Y! Sports.

[Chinook]

Another one bites the dust.

That's okay. I didn't really want him anyway. I would not be surprised if the Spurs are waiting until the market dies down enough to give a couple of players a non-guaranteed contract. They probably don't want to commit to any player this off-season with Thomas still potentially in the fold.

[Hoops Czar]

Lol, just sit there R.C.

[ace3g]

Should do an over/under how long it takes after Oden makes his decision for Woj to report on both Blair and the Spurs back up SF.

[Budkin]

Really wanna know what's going on with Blair. He's tweeting a bunch of random crap about his Panther or something.

[ace3g]

Really wanna know what's going on with Blair. He's tweeting a bunch of random crap about his Panther or something.

http://blog.filmyr.com/wp-content/uploads/anchorman__sex_panther_cologne_by_jasonortiz.jpg

[Budkin]

^ :lol

[yavozerb]

Lol, just sit there R.C.

:lol, at calling out RC who year in and year out is considered one of the best GM's in the NBA..Dumb getting dumber around here

[rastaspur]

http://blog.filmyr.com/wp-content/uploads/anchorman__sex_panther_cologne_by_jasonortiz.jpg
Hilarious.

[cd021]

But NO championships. Do you really think anyone is going to remember or care 10 years from now?



The defense will improve? That's an interesting concept. Belinelli's defense was worse than Neal's and Pendergragh likely won't see much playing time. Other than that, the team is the same and a year older.

How do you know the Spurs will be healthier and how the hell can you say their deeper? They filled two vacancies from two departures. The rest of the team is exactly the same. They don't even have a backup for Leonard.

CoJo still has a lot of question marks and he doesn't look ready to be a steady backup. If the Spurs thought he was the answer, they wouldn't be looking into Mo Williams.

Our defense jumped from 11th to 4th after us making the WCF. Leonard and Green are quickly become some of the leagues better wing defenders (their post season performances speak to that) Spliter came off the bench for the 1st 6 weeks of the season.After that he former an elite defense core with Parker, Green, Leonard and Duncan.

That lineup should even better next season given they should play much more together. As I said before Kawhi missed 25+ games Duncan and Parker (both historically healthy players both missed 12 games). Duncan by the way missed his first games due to injury in more than 2 seasons. He has been extremely durable and that will hopefully continue. Pendergraph could crack the rotation at center and at the very least will be useful during the Duncan rest games, giving us a bigger and better defender.

People keep throwing out age like its a dirty word. Duncan has been the best defender 2 seasons running (defensive rating) and virtually every advanced stat you could think of showed Duncan was the true DVOP this season. Garnett is still one of the best defenders in the game at young age of 37 and keep in mind he has played 3 more seasons than Duncan.

Beli can't possibly be worse than Neal. Maybe a wash ,but Beli is 3 inches taller and longer. Its better than having an undersized 2 guard, who helps off every player he guards no matter who it is.

Joseph has yet to see consistent playing time and is a very good defender. If he gets 15-17 mpg over the course of an 82 game season, there is no reason to believe that he won't a good backup. He has shown great improvement since being drafted 2 seasons.


The 3rd season is generally where a player sinks or swims in the NBA. He'll get his chance and with Manu, Beli, Diaw & Leonard [Probably playing more with the second unit] he will have plenty of options and shouldn't be overwhelmed with 3 other play makers/ ball handlers.

The Spurs have been interested in

Danny Granger
Marcin Gortat
Luis Scola
Mo Williams
Mike Miller
Kenyon Martin
Andrei Kirilenko

among others its not an indictment on Joseph at all.

I think we are deeper than last season. True we don't have a backup SF but we didn't have two SFs for the half of the last season

I believe every player save for brings something to the table that can help us someway this season.


Many playoff teams can't say that.

[cd021]

This will be interesting to see how close the Grizz will get to the luxury tax threshold in their attempt to bring Mo Williams aboard. I believe they have the full MLE (~$5.15M) at their disposal and are ~$4M under the threshold with only 12 guys under contract. I think that the Heat are the main competition (barring a S/T) considering that they have the mini MLE (~$3.2M) available - but it will cost Miami over $10M if they choose to use the exception.

Good info

[cd021]

Is Ivan Johnson still over there?

Unrestricted free agent

[Bruno]

Adrian Wojnarowski @WojYahooNBA
(http://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA)Free agent forward Ryan Gomes has reached agreement on a one-year deal with Oklahoma City, league sources tell Y! Sports.




While I've found Spurs a disappointment (so far), OKC is having a way worse offseason. A cheap ownership and Presti sucking have quite destroyed what should have been a dominant team for the next half decade.

[cd98]

While I've found Spurs a disappointment (so far), OKC is having a way worse offseason. A cheap ownership and Presti sucking have quite destroyed what should have been a dominant team for the next half decade.

Agree on Presti. He tried to be too cute with the Harden trade...like the Jazz trading Deron Williams, except that the Jazz got long term pieces in place that in the long run were comparable to Deron Williams, while the Thunder appear to have received nothing of consequence for Harden. Again, we have to wait and see how those late first round draft picks turn out, but the chances of finding anything close to Harden are remote.

[MI21]

Marc Stein ‏@ESPNSteinLine 25m
Surprise development in Mavs' big man search: Hearing Dallas in serious talks on signing DeJuan Blair. Told deal looks "promising"

[Spursfanfromafar]

Marc Stein ‏@ESPNSteinLine 25m
Surprise development in Mavs' big man search: Hearing Dallas in serious talks on signing DeJuan Blair. Told deal looks "promising"

Mahinmi part II.

[RD2191]

:lmao

[Strategic]

While I've found Spurs a disappointment (so far), OKC is having a way worse offseason. A cheap ownership and Presti sucking have quite destroyed what should have been a dominant team for the next half decade.I am a little miffed by the OKC off season but have to say I'M LAUGHING!

[K-State Spur]

Agree on Presti. He tried to be too cute with the Harden trade...like the Jazz trading Deron Williams, except that the Jazz got long term pieces in place that in the long run were comparable to Deron Williams, while the Thunder appear to have received nothing of consequence for Harden. Again, we have to wait and see how those late first round draft picks turn out, but the chances of finding anything close to Harden are remote.

Big difference between two teams would be that Jazz broke up ~45-50 win team to move Williams early (shouldn't be shocking that it exactly what he turned Brooklyn into). OKC knocked out a championship level team to make a panic move a year earlier than they needed to.

And the two big mistakes that helped create that situation were trading for Perkins' terrible deal (panic maneuver to match up with LAL team whose contender status was waning) & then giving Ibaka big money. Would love to have Ibaka playing next to Duncan, but he's the 4th best player on a championship team - not the third.

You could even argue that Harden would have been a better investment than Westbrook, but have to cut them slack there with RW being a top 5 PG.

[bklynspursfan]

Brett Poirier NBA ‏@BrettNBA (https://twitter.com/BrettNBA)15m (https://twitter.com/BrettNBA/status/362250437283414016)
DeJuan Blair and the Dallas Mavs have reach an agreement on a contract that will likely be worth $1.4 million for one year, per source.

[xmas1997]

So, it is becoming more and more apparent that the Spurs will make no more moves this offseason, no Ariza, no Mo, no Oden, and no anybody!:hat

[loveforthegame]

So, it is becoming more and more apparent that the Spurs will make no more moves this offseason, no Ariza, no Mo, no Oden, and anybody!

I'm sure they'll sign a backup small forward but yeah I think they're done with moves beyond that.

[Texas_Ranger]

Spurs will probably look how good Thomas plays the preseason games and then sign him or some shitty player.

[xmas1997]

I'm sure they'll sign a backup small forward but yeah I think they're done with moves beyond that.


IMHO they won't sign anyone, at least not until maybe February.

[Andthentherewas21]

I'm sure they'll sign a backup small forward but yeah I think they're done with moves beyond that.

Not even sure they will do that at this point given they are at 14 guys on the roster and there is little to nothing left as far as free agent SF. They also no longer have Neal and Blair as S&T bait, and De Colo, Mills, ect aren't going to fetch much in a trade even if they could find a trading partner.

[DPG21920]

While I've found Spurs a disappointment (so far), OKC is having a way worse offseason. A cheap ownership and Presti sucking have quite destroyed what should have been a dominant team for the next half decade.

So what are the Spurs doing? Now they have mis-managed their potential for players that don't seem to fill a major need and have let basically all S&T assets walk for nothing while still having some roster concerns. Makes very little sense especially after seeing what happened with Blair/Neal and the other rumors.

[Bruno]

So what are the Spurs doing? Now they have mis-managed their potential for players that don't seem to fill a major need and have let basically all S&T assets walk for nothing while still having some roster concerns. Makes very little sense especially after seeing what happened with Blair/Neal and the other rumors.

Yep, it's a disappointing off-season. They just could have done way better.

Regarding their plan, I guess they will play Manu a lot at the SF spot. At that stage of his career, it might even be his better position.

[Hoops Czar]

Our defense jumped from 11th to 4th after us making the WCF. Leonard and Green are quickly become some of the leagues better wing defenders (their post season performances speak to that) Spliter came off the bench for the 1st 6 weeks of the season.After that he former an elite defense core with Parker, Green, Leonard and Duncan.

That lineup should even better next season given they should play much more together. As I said before Kawhi missed 25+ games Duncan and Parker (both historically healthy players both missed 12 games). Duncan by the way missed his first games due to injury in more than 2 seasons. He has been extremely durable and that will hopefully continue. Pendergraph could crack the rotation at center and at the very least will be useful during the Duncan rest games, giving us a bigger and better defender.

People keep throwing out age like its a dirty word. Duncan has been the best defender 2 seasons running (defensive rating) and virtually every advanced stat you could think of showed Duncan was the true DVOP this season. Garnett is still one of the best defenders in the game at young age of 37 and keep in mind he has played 3 more seasons than Duncan.

Beli can't possibly be worse than Neal. Maybe a wash ,but Beli is 3 inches taller and longer. Its better than having an undersized 2 guard, who helps off every player he guards no matter who it is.

Joseph has yet to see consistent playing time and is a very good defender. If he gets 15-17 mpg over the course of an 82 game season, there is no reason to believe that he won't a good backup. He has shown great improvement since being drafted 2 seasons.


The 3rd season is generally where a player sinks or swims in the NBA. He'll get his chance and with Manu, Beli, Diaw & Leonard [Probably playing more with the second unit] he will have plenty of options and shouldn't be overwhelmed with 3 other play makers/ ball handlers.

The Spurs have been interested in

Danny Granger
Marcin Gortat
Luis Scola
Mo Williams
Mike Miller
Kenyon Martin
Andrei Kirilenko

among others its not an indictment on Joseph at all.

I think we are deeper than last season. True we don't have a backup SF but we didn't have two SFs for the half of the last season

I believe every player save for brings something to the table that can help us someway this season.


Many playoff teams can't say that.

Green's defense is overrated. One moment, he's a lockdown defender and the next, he's fouling three point shooters in the act of shooting ( his postseason performance speaks to that). Leonard's defense will improve, but if you're going to ask your best perimeter defender to play 40+ minutes a game, playing one of the most demanding positions while guarding some of the leagues most potent and premier offensive threats on a nightly basis, his defense will take a serious hit by season's end. One has to hope that his knee problems are behind him because with no viable backup to speak of, the defense will take a serious blow if he misses substantial playing time. I wonder if you've noticed when Duncan takes a seat on the bench, the interior defense also takes a huge hit with or without Splitter in the game. The Spurs answer to this was Pendergragh? I could be wrong, but Pendergragh hasn't played a meaningful minute in his four year NBA career. It's pretty doubtful that he's going to make a huge impact in his first year with the Spurs. I hope I'm wrong though.

Health in the past doesn't guarantee health in the future. Kawhi's knees are still a concern going forward even though the whole situation might be slightly overblown. Ginobili has always been one of the main catalysts in the Spurs postseason success. You didn't include him in your injury assessment. If he isn't healthy, the Spurs chances of a ship take a huge hit. And historically, his health and durability come playoff time has been a huge concern over the years and this year will be no different.

Stats and numbers don't lie about Belinelli. He's an incredibly bad defender. I posted Beli's D-rating on several occasions and they're far worst than Neal's. Having height doesn't necessarily give you an advantage defensively. His contributions will mainly come on the offensive end but even at that, I think he's just a marginal upgrade over a healthy Neal.

I think CoJo has potential and a future in the association. I don't however, think he has shown enough consistency at this level to be entrusted with the backup PG position. This really isn't the time for trial and error. The Spurs would be better off going with an experienced veteran backup PG and I suspect the Spurs would agree or they wouldn't be taking a flyer on Mo Williams. I haven't seen or heard of any Gortat rumors, Spurs had minimal interest in Scola but "intrigued" and "interested" are two entirely different concepts and if you read the article again on Granger, you'd realize the Spurs were never interested in him to begin with.

[spurraider21]

As far as Green's defense, you have to like what you see. For a lot of players, even the great defensive ones, they don't come into the league and become lockdown guys day 1. Bruce didn't become an elite defender until the middle of his career. It took Tony Allen about 4-5 seasons until he become known for his defense. As far as Green, he's 6'6 210 which is great size for a 2-guard and he is committed to playing defense. The fact that he puts the effort and we've seen improvement every year is a great sign. He's a guy we can throw on point guards in a pinch if need be. He's had some success against CP3 and Stephen Curry doing so. He also did a commendable job on LeBron in the half court, and don't get me started on the plays he made in transition throughout the finals. He's not 1st defensive team caliber yet, but he's easily a plus defender who is only going to improve in that aspect. I hope the Spurs are able to take care of him and keep him around for a while.

[xmas1997]

As far as Green's defense, you have to like what you see. For a lot of players, even the great defensive ones, they don't come into the league and become lockdown guys day 1. Bruce didn't become an elite defender until the middle of his career. It took Tony Allen about 4-5 seasons until he become known for his defense. As far as Green, he's 6'6 210 which is great size for a 2-guard and he is committed to playing defense. The fact that he puts the effort and we've seen improvement every year is a great sign. He's a guy we can throw on point guards in a pinch if need be. He's had some success against CP3 and Stephen Curry doing so. He also did a commendable job on LeBron in the half court, and don't get me started on the plays he made in transition throughout the finals. He's not 1st defensive team caliber yet, but he's easily a plus defender who is only going to improve in that aspect. I hope the Spurs are able to take care of him and keep him around for a while.

I have often wished that the Spurs would hire Bruce to mentor and teach defense.

Never thought I would say this, but maybe the Spurs really should bring back TMac, they could do a lot worse with what is left at SF, or any other position for that matter.

[ace3g]

Marc Stein @ESPNSteinLine
(http://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine)Hearing Detroit is now legit contender to snag Brandon Jennings in free agency via sign & trade. Bucks & Pistons in advanced discussions

[xmas1997]

Since TD is holding a big man's camp, this may be a sneak preview of his life after retirement.

[ace3g]

Marc Stein @ESPNSteinLine
(http://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine)Brandon Jennings' deal with Detroit expected to be in three-year range in excess of $25 million. Rest of trade details still being sorted

[Samr.]

Marc Stein @ESPNSteinLine
(http://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine)Hearing Detroit is now legit contender to snag Brandon Jennings in free agency via sign & trade. Bucks & Pistons in advanced discussions




Detroit is gonna go bankrupt with that team.

Oh, wait.....

[spurraider21]

Since TD is holding a big man's camp, this may be a sneak preview of his life after retirement.

the new Hakeem?

[bklynspursfan]

Adrian Wojnarowski ‏@WojYahooNBA (https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA)6m (https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/362319788090998785)
Detroit and Milwaukee are nearing a sign-and-trade agreement to send Brandon Jennings to the Pistons, league sources tell Y! Sports.


Adrian Wojnarowski ‏@WojYahooNBA (https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA)1m (https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/362320938911539201)
The sign-and-trade for Jennings to the Pistons will be a three-year, $24 million deal, sources tell Y! Sports.

[Bruno]

AFAIK, Neal hasn't officially signed with Bucks so Spurs coudl try to sneak in and turn it into a three teams trade. I wouldn't be against Spurs getting Jerebko.

[ace3g]

AFAIK, Neal hasn't officially signed with Bucks so Spurs coudl try to sneak in and turn it into a three teams trade. I wouldn't be against Spurs getting Jerebko.

I just got a RT from Bucks PR account

http://www.nba.com/bucks/release/bucks-sign-free-agent-guard-gary-neal

[ace3g]

Adrian Wojnarowski @WojYahooNBA
(http://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA)The Pistons will send Brandon Knight to the Bucks as part of the package for Jennings, league sources tell Y! Sports.

[Bruno]

I just got a RT from Bucks PR account

http://www.nba.com/bucks/release/bucks-sign-free-agent-guard-gary-neal

Thanks, so forget it.

[DesignatedT]

Damn Brandon Knight involved.

[ace3g]

Adrian Wojnarowski @WojYahooNBA
(http://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA)Detroit will also send center Slava Kravtsov and forward Khris Middleton to Bucks as part of sign-and-trade for Jennings, sources tell Y!

[Texas_Ranger]

Bucks are still gonna suck and this move doesn't make Detroit better.

[szkorhetz]

Detroit would be scary if Knight would not be included. But this trade is just wack.

[elemento]

Typical move by 2 crap franchises

DET adds a delusional chucker and MIL adds a meh prospect and two scrubs.

[Bruno]

Bucks FO has been horrible lately, maybe the worst in the NBA, but they have done a great job to escape from an awfully complicate situation. Props to them.

[Baam]

Bucks FO has been horrible lately, maybe the worst in the NBA, but they have done a great job to escape from an awfully complicate situation. Props to them.

Yep I like that trade for them as well. Knight is gonna be good, had a bad year, got dunked on, got his ankle broken by Kyrie and everything but he has the potential to be good.

[Texas_Ranger]

I really don't get the moves the Bucks make. OK Knight could be even better than Jennings, but all the other signings were pretty bad. OJ Mayo, Pachulia and Delfino are all solid players, but they need a star player. It's pretty obvious they'll tank big time with the 76ers and the Magic in the East.

[kobyz]

so Mavs finish their off seson, they just complete their roster, to introduce yours 2013/2014 Dallas Mavericks:
Jose Calderon/Devin Harris/Gal Mekel/Shane Larkin
Monta Ellis/Vince Carter/****** Williams
Shawn Marion/Jae Crowder/Ricky Ledo
Dirk Nowitzki/DeJuan Blair
Samuel Dalembert/Brandan Wright/Bernard James

[Texas_Ranger]

So the Mavs replaced Collison with Calderon, Mayo with Ellis, Brand with Blair and Kaman with Dalembert... It really doesnt make them better.

[ace3g]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BQc28jQCQAEsGKg.jpg:large

BucksPR (https://twitter.com/BucksPR) Bucks PR 1h (https://twitter.com/BucksPR/status/362318708904968192)

Newest Buck Gary Neal meeting with the Milwaukee media after signing his new deal pic.twitter.com/58a69GFo2L (http://t.co/58a69GFo2L)

[Hoops Czar]

Everybody talks about how the Spurs are lined up for 2015 in free agency but so are some of the bigwigs like Dallas and LAL. Spurs are gonna be stuck with sloppy seconds and thirds again.

[Baam]

Everybody talks about how the Spurs are lined up for 2015 in free agency but so are some of the bigwigs like Dallas and LAL. Spurs are gonna be stuck with sloppy seconds and thirds again.

Nobody would come here anyway no matter the year, the cap space is gonna be used to trade for picks in exchange for bad contracts like the Jazz did this year... But then again I feel like there isn't as many bad contract in the league these days so I'm not sure how it'll work out for them...

[Texas_Ranger]

in 2015 we're resigning Bonner for a 100M deal. Thats the master plan!!

[xmas1997]

Beginning to look like we won't hear about Odens' decision until Friday, as I predicted last week.

[Thomas82]

Beginning to look like we won't hear about Odens' decision until Friday, as I predicted last week.

He might as well come out and announce that he'll be going to Miami. I hope he can handle that spotlight he would be under.

[ace3g]

OT but

According to Daniel Artest, the brother of the former Ron Artest, Popovich said as much during the Spurs' first-round playoff win over the Los Angeles Lakers.

"I finally met Popovich, told him I was a big Spurs fan and he said he always liked Ron on his team," Daniel told Marc Berman of the New York Post. "I relayed the message, tried to convince [World Peace], but my brother didn't believe me."

http://www.nj.com/knicks/index.ssf/2013/07/knicks_links_did_gregg_popovich_want_metta_world_p eace_for_the_spurs.html

[xmas1997]

He might as well come out and announce that he'll be going to Miami. I hope he can handle that spotlight he would be under.


I bet he has already told the Miami FO that he is coming there, but wants to do it Miami style by building suspense.

[Dverde]

I actually think the Bucks got the good end of this sign and trade. I like Knight and he plays hard. Too bad he is playing with that horrible Bucks roster.

[spurraider21]

so the ellis-jennings duo blew up in their face, just as most of us here predicted

[ace3g]

Adrian Wojnarowski @WojYahooNBA
(http://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA)Austin Daye has reached agreement on two-year, $2 million deal with Toronto, league source tells Y! Sports.

[LakerHater]

362318408676683776 (https://twitter.com/Bucks/status/362318408676683776)

[rick1991]

Adrian Wojnarowski @WojYahooNBA
(http://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA)Austin Daye has reached agreement on two-year, $2 million deal with Toronto, league source tells Y! Sports.



Could have been a good backup SF with length for us

[Chinook]

Too bad the Spurs couldn't have tried to get Middleton from Detroit in the deal.

[Thomas82]

I bet he has already told the Miami FO that he is coming there, but wants to do it Miami style by building suspense.

I wouldn't put it past him......now watch him get labeled as a front runner.

[rick1991]

Devin Harris agrees to a one year deal with the Mavs at the vet's minimum

[yavozerb]

Could have been a good backup SF with length for us

Take out the word good and your onto something..

[Strategic]

Are there any free agents being tied to the Spurs yet?

[monkeypunk]

Are there any free agents being tied to the Spurs yet?
I've heard we may be looking to pick up AK47 - :wow

[Mel_13]

Are there any free agents being tied to the Spurs yet?

Unless Oden chooses the Spurs, I wouldn't expect that 15th roster spot to be filled before the end of training camp at the earliest.

[Strategic]

I've heard we may be looking to pick up AK47 - :wowDo we really need to start that shit again?

[Chinook]

Unless Oden chooses the Spurs, I wouldn't expect that 15th roster spot to be filled before the end of training camp at the earliest.

I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Thompson get a two-year non-guaranteed deal. He definitely seems like a player they'd call up from the d-league mid-season. May as well let him get some minutes in the system now.

[Bruno]

For the 15th spot if Oden signs with another team, I'm gonna go with Bertans signed to a long term cheap contract in January when he will have recovered from his ACL surgery.

[Chinook]

For the 15th spot if Oden signs with another team, I'm gonna go with Bertans signed to a long term cheap contract in January when he will have recovered from his ACL surgery.

I could see that. But I think they'll try out other spots before. No reason to let that spot lie fallow when there is no guarantee that Bertans will be worth a contract this season anyway.

Right now, the Spurs are one Leonard injury away from a very trying stretch with Green and Diaw playing big minutes at the three. I think they'll sign someone if only to help avoid that.

Also, the small-forward buyout market could be pretty lucrative this season.

[Hoops Czar]

Devin Harris agrees to a one year deal with the Mavs at the vet's minimum
I would have taken him for the vet min. over the junk backing up Parker now. I guess R.C. is still dreaming about Oden.

[ColinB]

Spurs are probably waiting for washed up Josh Howard to return from injury. :lol

[xmas1997]

Or they may give TMac another shot.

[Beaverfuzz]

He might as well come out and announce that he'll be going to Miami. I hope he can handle that spotlight he would be under.


He already failed in Portland under the spotlight. Ticker tape parade and everything, that was his peak in Portland as it was all downhill from there.

[Texas_Ranger]

362582153428611075

Lol Knicks thinking Beno would take a minimum. That bitch probably thinks he's worth 5M.

[TD 21]

Spurs are probably waiting for washed up Josh Howard to return from injury. :lol

Unfortunately, this could very well be true. I'm with Mel though: If we were going to see someone signed to a guaranteed contract, we'd have likely seen it by now or at least heard them linked to someone.

Since they're clearly adverse to in season trades, barring the unforeseen (like a serious injury to one of the top six or the team grossly under performing), don't expect that either. Most likely, we're looking at a repeat of the search for a fifth big for much of the lockout season: A series of non guaranteed contracts and 10 days, in the hopes of striking gold. Once that inevitably doesn't occur, they'll be hoping to get lucky on the buy out front. Specifically, with Butler, who they'll inevitably have to fend off the Thunder and probably Rockets, Lakers and Heat, for.

I wasn't that high on him at the time, but knowing what we know now, they should have just signed Casspi. He'd have been fine as an insurance policy.

[xmas1997]

Unfortunately, this could very well be true. I'm with Mel though: If we were going to see someone signed to a guaranteed contract, we'd have likely seen it by now or at least heard them linked to someone.

Since they're clearly adverse to in season trades, barring the unforeseen (like a serious injury to one of the top six or the team grossly under performing), don't expect that either. Most likely, we're looking at a repeat of the search for a fifth big for much of the lockout season: A series of non guaranteed contracts and 10 days, in the hopes of striking gold. Once that inevitably doesn't occur, they'll be hoping to get lucky on the buy out front. Specifically, with Butler, who they'll inevitably have to fend off the Thunder and probably Rockets, Lakers and Heat, for.

I wasn't that high on him at the time, but knowing what we know now, they should have just signed Casspi. He'd have been fine as an insurance policy.

If they are not waiting for Oden, which I doubt they are, then I suspect your assessment is exactly what they are doing and going to do. So I don't expect any more moves by the Spurs for a while.

[ace3g]

Jared Zwerling @JaredZwerling
(http://twitter.com/JaredZwerling)Source: The #Knicks (http://twitter.com/search?q=%23Knicks) are in conversations with Jannero Pargo, a veteran point guard who played for the Wizards, Hawks & Bobcats last season.

[kobyz]

latest free agents remaining:

Nikola Pekovic
Mo Williams
Hedo Turkoglu
James Johnson
Drew Gooden
Corey Maggette
Rodrigue Beaubois
Richard Hamilton
Chris Wilcox
Ivan Johnson
Tyrus Thomas
Leandro Barbosa
Beno Udrih
Antawn Jamison
Tracy McGrady
Jamaal Tinsley
Lamar Odom
Sam Young
Ronnie Brewer
Devin Ebanks
Daniel Gibson
Marquis Daniels
Anthony Tolliver
Royal Ivey
Sebastian Telfair
Xavier Henry

DeQuan Jones
Julyan Stone
Dahntay Jones
Daequan Cook
Keith Bogans
Darius Morris
Mickael Gelabale
Mickael Pietrus
Jared Jeffries
Cartier Martin
Terrence Williams
Keyon Dooling
Shelvin Mack
Luke Babbitt
Cole Aldrich
Johan Petro
DeAndre Liggins
Jeff Adrien
Chris Quinn
Trey Thompkins
James White
Chris Johnson
Lazar Hayward
Daniel Orton
Nolan Smith
A.J. Price
Chris Duhon
Joel Przybilla
Damien Wilkins
Jerry Stackhouse
Vladimir Radmanovic
Mike James
Luke Walton
Juwan Howard
DeSagana Diop
Roger Mason

Jason Collins

[ace3g]

Jared Zwerling @JaredZwerling
(http://twitter.com/JaredZwerling)Sources: #Knicks (http://twitter.com/search?q=%23Knicks) talking to Ivan Johnson, Jannero Pargo (and other FA notes) ... More here in my latest story -- espn.go.com/blog/new-york/… (http://t.co/4QJj3XtTz8)

[look_at_g_shred]

Anthony Tolliver wouldn't be a bad pickup

[benefactor]

Spurs don't need anymore bigs...and no...he can't play the 3.

[kobyz]

Anthony Tolliver wouldn't be a bad pickup

front office failed to be smart, they could have amnesty Bonner and sign Tolliver as replacment, it would have been an upgrade...

[anakha]

front office failed to be smart, they could have amnesty Bonner and sign Tolliver as replacment, it would have been an upgrade...

Worse shooter and defender than Bonner, and you think he's an upgrade? :lmao

Go back to moaning and weeping and pretending you want to slash your wrists.

[Andthentherewas21]

latest free agents remaining:

Nikola Pekovic
Mo Williams
Hedo Turkoglu
James Johnson
Drew Gooden
Corey Maggette
Rodrigue Beaubois
Richard Hamilton
Chris Wilcox
Ivan Johnson
Tyrus Thomas
Leandro Barbosa
Beno Udrih
Antawn Jamison
Tracy McGrady
Jamaal Tinsley
Lamar Odom
Sam Young
Ronnie Brewer
Devin Ebanks
Daniel Gibson
Marquis Daniels
Anthony Tolliver
Royal Ivey
Sebastian Telfair
Xavier Henry

DeQuan Jones
Julyan Stone
Dahntay Jones
Daequan Cook
Keith Bogans
Darius Morris
Mickael Gelabale
Mickael Pietrus
Jared Jeffries
Cartier Martin
Terrence Williams
Keyon Dooling
Shelvin Mack
Luke Babbitt
Cole Aldrich
Johan Petro
DeAndre Liggins
Jeff Adrien
Chris Quinn
Trey Thompkins
James White
Chris Johnson
Lazar Hayward
Daniel Orton
Nolan Smith
A.J. Price
Chris Duhon
Joel Przybilla
Damien Wilkins
Jerry Stackhouse
Vladimir Radmanovic
Mike James
Luke Walton
Juwan Howard
DeSagana Diop
Roger Mason

Jason Collins

The Centerpiece isn't a FA

[look_at_g_shred]

Worse shooter and defender than Bonner, and you think he's an upgrade? :lmao

Go back to moaning and weeping and pretending you want to slash your wrists.


http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YWh8I3n4VWs yup! An upgrade from bonner. Eat your words fuck!

[benefactor]

The legend of Tolliver lives on. What's Pops Mensah Bonsu doing these days?

[anakha]

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YWh8I3n4VWs yup! An upgrade from bonner. Eat your words fuck!

One youtube highlight from a season where Tolliver shot worse (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/tollian01.html#per_minute::none) and had a worse defensive rating (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/tollian01.html#advanced::none) than Bonner (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bonnema01.html)? That's the best evidence you can provide? :lmao

You're just as big a moron as kobyz is. In fact, you're such a dumbfuck that you assumed that I consider Bonner a good player. He isn't. But you think Tolliver, the guy who Minnesota gave up on after trying to make a rotation player, is an upgrade over him? Jesus Christ, your stupidity is irredeemable.

[ColinB]

That Tolliver video was classic. A great highlight video of a dude scoring 6 points, going 1 for 3 from the field, and a nice shot of his 28% field goal percentage for the season. :lol

[look_at_g_shred]

One youtube highlight from a season where Tolliver shot worse (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/tollian01.html#per_minute::none) and had a worse defensive rating (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/tollian01.html#advanced::none) than Bonner (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bonnema01.html)? That's the best evidence you can provide? :lmao

You're just as big a moron as kobyz is. In fact, you're such a dumbfuck that you assumed that I consider Bonner a good player. He isn't. But you think Tolliver, the guy who Minnesota gave up on after trying to make a rotation player, is an upgrade over him? Jesus Christ, your stupidity is irredeemable.

Lol that's the first video I picked. I'm sure there is way more. Please show me a video where Bonner makes Durant shoot an airball. What you would find in a Bonner search is fluke regular shooting during the regular season that seems to disappear in the playoffs.The dude is more athletic than Bonner is. He's scrappy on defense and hustles. So what if he can't shoot at a high rate. I'd pick defense over offense from a backup SF any day. You fuck ! lol

[RD2191]

Settle down virgins.

[anakha]

Lol that's the first video I picked. I'm sure there is way more. Please show me a video where Bonner makes Durant shoot an airball. What you would find in a Bonner search is fluke regular shooting during the regular season that seems to disappear in the playoffs.The dude is more athletic than Bonner is. He's scrappy on defense and hustles. So what if he can't shoot at a high rate. I'd pick defense over offense from a backup SF any day. You fuck ! lol

You're such a dumbfuck you don't even know Tolliver isn't a small forward. :lmao

You're such a dumbfuck you actually think 'scrappy on defense' and 'hustles' equals being a better defender than Bonner. :lmao

You're such a dumbfuck your highlight video of Tolliver is of him going for 6 points on 33% shooting and can't even bother to find a better highlight vid. :lmao

You're such a dumbfuck you still think I'm defending Bonner when I'm making fun of you for thinking Tolliver is even a half-decent NBA player. :lmao

[anakha]

Settle down virgins.

Pot, kettle, black.

[Budkin]

Oh shit Mickael Pietrus is available. Love that guy.

[look_at_g_shred]

You're such a dumbfuck you don't even know Tolliver isn't a small forward. :lmao

You're such a dumbfuck you actually think 'scrappy on defense' and 'hustles' equals being a better defender than Bonner. :lmao

You're such a dumbfuck your highlight video of Tolliver is of him going for 6 points on 33% shooting and can't even bother to find a better highlight vid. :lmao

You're such a dumbfuck you still think I'm defending Bonner when I'm making fun of you for thinking Tolliver is even a half-decent NBA player. :lmao

It sounds to me that your fine with having Bonner on the team and that in itself is just well...idiotic. I havent even bothered to look for another video lol. why dont you try since your so convinced Tolliver isnt a viable defender. im sure playing here would only add to it cause it sure as hell isnt helping your Bon Bon. Tolliver was a decent player with his short stint with us. There is a hole on the bench behind Kawhi and why wouldn't Tolliver be able to play the 3? Im done with this Fuck!

[look_at_g_shred]

Settle down virgins.
:wow

[RD2191]

:lmao

[anakha]

It sounds to me that your fine with having Bonner on the team and that in itself is just well...idiotic.

You're such a dumbfuck you're still convinced I'm a Bonner fan.

Again, since you're so dense you can't seem to understand the written word, I don't consider Bonner a good player. I'm just flat-out astounded there are idiots in this world who think Tolliver's better.


I havent even bothered to look for another video lol. why dont you try since your so convinced Tolliver isnt a viable defender. im sure playing here would only add to it cause it sure as hell isnt helping your Bon Bon.

You're such a dumbfuck you think Youtube highlight videos mean more than Tolliver's career defensive rating being worse than Bonner's.


There is a hole on the bench behind Kawhi and why wouldn't Tolliver be able to play the 3?

You're such a dumbfuck you think just because there isn't a backup SF currently on the roster means you can slot in a guy who'se played PF/C his entire NBA career.


Im done with this Fuck!

You're done because you never had an argument in the first place, dumbfuck.

[UnWantedTheory]

Dumbfuck!

Just thought one more was necessary.

[anakha]

Dumbfuck!

Just thought one more was necessary.

Seemed like the guy needed several repetitions just to get a single point.

[kobyz]

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YWh8I3n4VWs yup! An upgrade from bonner. Eat your words fuck!

yeah i agree, younger and better overall player at this point...

[anakha]

yeah i agree, younger and better overall player at this point...


Worse shooter and defender than Bonner, and you think he's an upgrade? :lmao

Go back to moaning and weeping and pretending you want to slash your wrists.

[timtonymanu]

Anthony Tolliver couldn't even stick on the shitty 2009 roster. What makes you think he would survive on this current Spurs team?

[kobyz]

better defender, better rebounder, better finisher...

[kobyz]

Anthony Tolliver couldn't even stick on the shitty 2009 roster. What makes you think he would survive on this current Spurs team?

now he can shot solid, and if we were letting Bonner go he could have fill his roster spot as the fifth big...

[anakha]

better defender

By what metric? I've already linked to the site that says by DRating and DWS, Tolliver is the worse defender.

Oh, right, I'm attributing logic to the guy who wants to off himself.


better rebounder

By .6 boards per 36 minutes over the span of both careers? Wow, Tolliver is a rebounding machine.


better finisher...

Wrong. (http://www.hoopdata.com/player.aspx?name=Anthony%20Tolliver) Again. (http://www.hoopdata.com/player.aspx?name=Matt%20Bonner)

Wow, I didn't realize there was a Church of Tolliver in this forum. Its members all need to be gassed though.

[anakha]

now he can shot solid, and if we were letting Bonner go he could have fill his roster spot as the fifth big...

His last two seasons were the worst shooting seasons he's had since his rookie season. Try again.

[kobyz]

there are things that can't be measured only by statistic, Tolliver is no doubt better allaround player, has better instincs, better intensity and feel for the game, let him play for system like the Spurs and those days i belive he could cuntribute more than Bonner will, may also be able to show up in playoff...

[anakha]

there are things that can't be measured only by statistic, Tolliver is no doubt better allaround player, has better instincs, better intensity and feel for the game, let him play for system like the Spurs and those days i belive he could cuntribute more than Bonner will, may also be able to show up in playoff...

So your argument that Tolliver is the better player is based on 'intangibles' and your own opinion.


Go back to moaning and weeping and pretending you want to slash your wrists.

[admiralsnackbar]

there are things that can't be measured only by statistic, Tolliver is no doubt better allaround player, has better instincs, better intensity and feel for the game, let him play for system like the Spurs and those days i belive he could cuntribute more than Bonner will, may also be able to show up in playoff...

Is this guy for real? :lol

We brought Tolliver in to see whether he was good enough (he was certainly cheap enough) to make Bonner redundant and, thus, tradeable. Didn't work out. Hasn't worked out on any other team, either.

[kobyz]

Anakha why aren't you moaning? Are you consider yourself a real fan? You understand that we had the title in our hands? Damn heat fans already leaved the arena!!! We had the biggest achievement in the world already being secure and let it foolishly slipped away!! How you don't feel bad about it? How can you live with yourself after what happened??

[anakha]

attention whoring

:sleep

[kobyz]

:sleep

Fuck you!

[kobyz]

Is this guy for real? :lol

We brought Tolliver in to see whether he was good enough (he was certainly cheap enough) to make Bonner redundant and, thus, tradeable. Didn't work out. Hasn't worked out on any other team, either.

Tolliver once had 12 and 7 season, that is more than bonner can ever dream of and show his potential to be a somewhat upgrade... But it's not a big deal...

[anakha]

Fuck you!

Arguing Tolliver's merits with you is like having a battle of wits with an unarmed person. :lol

[Chinook]

Tolliver once had 12 and 7 season, that is more than bonner can ever dream of and show his potential to be a somewhat upgrade... But it's not a big deal...

Bonner has significantly better per-36 numbers than Tolliver. Even in Tolliver's best year, Bonner outscored him per minute (14.2 to 13.6). Tolliver out-rebounded Bonner by 1.5 per 36 and out-assisted him by 0.1, but Bonner wins every other stat. Straight up, Bonner is a better player. It's not even close.

[kobyz]

Bonner has significantly better per-36 numbers than Tolliver. Even in Tolliver's best year, Bonner outscored him per minute (14.2 to 13.6). Tolliver out-rebounded Bonner by 1.5 per 36 and out-assisted him by 0.1, but Bonner wins every other stat. Straight up, Bonner is a better player. It's not even close.

But tolliver is more versityle...

[anakha]

Bonner has significantly better per-36 numbers than Tolliver. Even in Tolliver's best year, Bonner outscored him per minute (14.2 to 13.6). Tolliver out-rebounded Bonner by 1.5 per 36 and out-assisted him by 0.1, but Bonner wins every other stat. Straight up, Bonner is a better player. It's not even close.

In addition, Tolliver got that 12 and 7 because he was playing on a Warriors team that had him (http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/201003170GSW.html) and Chris Hunter (http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/201003190SAS.html) as their sole big men by the latter half of the season.

Hell, Tolliver was signed only halfway through that season by GSW because they had no big men left. He was the starting center on a team where Corey Maggette was the second-tallest guy in the starting five.

[anakha]

But tolliver is more versityle...

Worse defender, marginally better rebounder, worse shooter, and worse finisher than Bonner = more versatile?


Arguing Tolliver's merits with you is like having a battle of wits with an unarmed person. :lol

[kobyz]

So how all those "attributes" work for Bonner come playoff time?! Tolliver also is much cheaper...

[anakha]

So how all those "attributes" work for Bonner come playoff time?!

Again, I'm not arguing to play Bonner more or in the playoffs. You're making the idiotic assumption that replacing him with a worse player will magically translate into more playoff production.

But I shouldn't have expected anything else from a guy who wants to off himself.


Tolliver also is much cheaper...

He's cheaper because he's worse. The only time he's made above minimum salary, Minnesota never bothered to sign him to another contract.

If that's your remaining argument for Tolliver, you've already lost.

[look_at_g_shred]

So are they gonna pull out the red carpet for oden?

[kobyz]

Again, I'm not arguing to play Bonner more or in the playoffs. You're making the idiotic assumption that replacing him with a worse player will magically translate into more playoff production.

But I shouldn't have expected anything else from a guy who wants to off himself.


He's cheaper because he's worse. The only time he's made above minimum salary, Minnesota never bothered to sign him to another contract.

If that's your remaining argument for Tolliver, you've already lost.
All in all, at this point, if you san antonio you rather have tolliver on the team than to have bonner on the team, IMO.

[anakha]

All in all, at this point, if you san antonio you rather have tolliver on the team than to have bonner on the team, IMO.


Arguing Tolliver's merits with you is like having a battle of wits with an unarmed person. :lol

[kobyz]

Wow you so sarcastic... Well but sarcasm is not cool and at that level is also pathetic, think about it...

[anakha]

That wasn't sarcasm, you moron. :lmao

[Aremid]

Thomas, brewer, Odom would be excellent at the back up sf position. Why haven't we heard anything about these guys from spurs or other teams??

[cd98]

Not sure what the debate is. Toliver tried to make the Spurs roster and he was cut because he sucked. He is a marginal 15 player on an average team, but he's by no means a key cog on a championship level team.

Matt Bonner has his faults. He has plenty of faults. But he does a few things really well. Like hit open threes at his size and pull bigs out of the lane. That's why he is in the leauge. Toliver is not nearly the consistent shooter, and thus, he doesn't have the same impact on the game. And while he may be more mobile than Bonner, he still sucks and hopefully won't be back here ever.

[bklynspursfan]

363334944925298689

[ace3g]

al harrington @cheddahcheese7
(http://twitter.com/cheddahcheese7)It's Official... Orlando has waived me! I just want thanks all the Orlando Fans that embraced me in my… instagram.com/p/chXt-9CWUo/ (http://t.co/tIawnUNrde)

[monkeypunk]

al harrington @cheddahcheese7
(http://twitter.com/cheddahcheese7)It's Official... Orlando has waived me! I just want thanks all the Orlando Fans that embraced me in my… instagram.com/p/chXt-9CWUo/ (http://t.co/tIawnUNrde)




Can Harrington play SF?

[spurraider21]

Can Harrington play SF?

About as much as Neal could play point guard

[monkeypunk]

About as much as Neal could play point guard

:pctoss

:rollin

[bklynspursfan]

I read recently how he trimmed down. He looks like he's getting himself in better shape-


"I've lost 27 pounds. I'm on my way down. I had to do it, and I'm focused. I've got a lot left in the tank. I'm only 33 years old, and people act like I'm 40. I'm just excited about getting back out there on the court and showing everybody. For me, this year I'm going to have a chip on my shoulder, so if I play like that I'm going to be tough to deal with."



"I want to win, so I'll put it like this: I want to go to a situation where I can compete to make the playoffs," he said. "I'm too old to play for nothing. When I was younger, of course you play for stats and you want to be good, but I'm not going to be a Hall of Famer or nothing like that, so I want to win. I just want to win.
"Whatever situation I can get to where I can help a team win, that's what I want to do. I don't want to play 36 minutes or none of that. Play 20, 25 minutes, just help mentor the young guys and stuff like that."

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/magic/2013/07/30/al-harrington-orlando-trade-injury-future-knee-staph-infection-contract/2596797/

http://distilleryimage8.ak.instagram.com/4d9c347efb9c11e2a2ad22000a9e17ad_7.jpg

[spurraider21]

I read recently how he trimmed down. He looks like he's getting himself in better shape-

http://distilleryimage8.ak.instagram.com/4d9c347efb9c11e2a2ad22000a9e17ad_7.jpg

:wow he probably actually lost 27 pounds. impressive. looks motivated

[rick1991]

I read recently how he trimmed down. He looks like he's getting himself in better shape-
he looks to be in great shape




[/FONT][/COLOR]http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/magic/2013/07/30/al-harrington-orlando-trade-injury-future-knee-staph-infection-contract/2596797/[/FONT][/COLOR]

http://distilleryimage8.ak.instagram.com/4d9c347efb9c11e2a2ad22000a9e17ad_7.jpg

[moisaenz]

so Spurs get rid of Jax.. rumored to get metta but didnt, then some ppl want Harrington?

[bklynspursfan]

@AlexKennedyNBA (https://twitter.com/AlexKennedyNBA): It sounds like Greg Oden has made his free agency decision. Announcement coming soon.

[BackHome]

Arguing Tolliver's merits with you is like having a battle of wits with an unarmed person. :lol

Oh No He Didn't....:flag:

[szkorhetz]

RT @ajchawks (https://twitter.com/ajchawks): Per league source, Hawks have waived DeShawn Stevenson. Clears way for DeMarre Carroll signing. #ATLHawks (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23ATLHawks&src=hash)

[wildbill2u]

Seems like just a few seasons ago Harrington was a hot property. Father Time catches up to us all.

[ace3g]

Marc J. Spears ‏@SpearsNBAYahoo (https://twitter.com/SpearsNBAYahoo) 16m (https://twitter.com/SpearsNBAYahoo/status/363484102306963457) Lakers free agent forward Antawn Jamison is having dinner with Clippers coach Doc Rivers on Saturday night, a source told Y! Sports.

[Chinook]

I like Steveson. We already know he can defend James and Durant. I had actually wanted the Spurs to acquire him if the Hawks got Splitter in a sign-and-trade.

[Chinook]

He does seem too small to play the three full-time, though.

[Spursfanfromafar]

Stevenson fell off a cliff a couple of seasons since his release from the Mavs (where even he was less than adequate). Last season, he was in the last decile of players in the league in both defense and offense. No way, the Spurs should even think about him.

[TheWriter]

Al Harrington at the backup 3 would do nicely. He's still good, esp, now that he seems to be back in shape. He's the type that can get hot and help your offense.

[Chinook]

Stevenson fell off a cliff a couple of seasons since his release from the Mavs (where even he was less than adequate). Last season, he was in the last decile of players in the league in both defense and offense. No way, the Spurs should even think about him.

His stats do look horrible. I guess I was just caught up in 2010.


Al Harrington at the backup 3 would do nicely. He's still good, esp, now that he seems to be back in shape. He's the type that can get hot and help your offense.

In a world where the Spurs had gotten rid of Bonner, Harrington would have made some sense as a stretch-four. But he's definitely more of a big than he is a combo-forward nowadays. He's sort of in Antwan Jamison's boat, even with the weight loss.

[Spursfanfromafar]

Al Harrington at the backup 3 would do nicely. He's still good, esp, now that he seems to be back in shape. He's the type that can get hot and help your offense.

Harrington can still contribute and will do his bit for a contender. Am afraid though that he can't play the 3 now. At this stage of his career, he is more suited to be a stretch 4. The Spurs have a better version in Bonner and Harrington would be redundant.

[Robz4000]

Tbh if Harrington could play minutes as a smallball 4 I'd be more than interested.

[ChumpDumper]

I think we may be overrating the average backup 3 in the NBA.

[Spursfanfromafar]

I think we under-rate the need for a backup three for Kawhi. Manu will do that job, but wont' be enough in the playoffs.

[Baam]

I think we may be overrating the average backup 3 in the NBA.

Who cares about the average backup SF, we only care about the 4 or 5 elite teams...

When you look at a three wings rotation of Stephenson, George and Granger it has to make you pause...

There's talk about Green defending SFs when he can hardly defend the top SGs and is at his best vs PGs...

[ChumpDumper]

Who cares about the average backup SF, we only care about the 4 or 5 elite teams...

When you look at a three wings rotation of Stephenson, George and Granger it has to make you pause...

There's talk about Green defending SFs when he can hardly defend the top SGs and is at his best vs PGs...I think we may be underrating Danny Green in the NBA.

[dbestpro]

I think we may be underrating Danny Green in the NBA.

If we do not sign a backup SF, then Green will play the role of SF with Manu or Belinelli playing SG when they are on the floor. It is the only logical conclusion until the Spurs make a move. Green may start at SG, but at this point he may see 10 minutes or so per game at the backup SF.

[Spursfanfromafar]

I think we may be underrating Danny Green in the NBA.

Or Overburdening him.

[TheCerebral1]

I'd rather see a Seth Curry invite. Shrugs, at least it's someone that's hungry for a chance in the NBA, being non drafted. Something to prove.

[ace3g]

Marc SteinVerified account ‏@ESPNSteinLine (https://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine) Al Harrington and DeShawn Stevenson, I'm told, officially cleared waivers today to become unrestricted free agents

[playblair]

Marc SteinVerified account ‏@ESPNSteinLine (https://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine) Al Harrington and DeShawn Stevenson, I'm told, officially cleared waivers today to become unrestricted free agents

363817661287116800

[Chinook]

Lol, I don't think that's going to happen. I could see Harrington, though.

[freetiago]

Ginobili plays better at SF
Marco at SG
need a legitimate backup for Tony or someone who can create offense for the bench and when Tony is sitting

[NickiRasgo]

363817661287116800

Is that his real account? Isn't DeShaun called LeBron overrated few years ago?

[NickiRasgo]

Saw it.

http://fansided.com/2013/08/04/deshawn-stevenson-wants-to-sign-with-miami-heat-after-taunting-lebron-james/

Bandwagon. (http://fansided.com/2013/08/04/deshawn-stevenson-wants-to-sign-with-miami-heat-after-taunting-lebron-james/)

[Texas_Ranger]

so many pussy players this days it's pathetic.

[RD2191]

Lol@ Stevenson. Bitch nigga

[look_at_g_shred]

Lol@ Stevenson. Bitch nigga

[Budkin]

Every FA will sign with the Heat.

[Roger Freemason Jr.]

Why would anyone want someone as horrible as DeShawn Stevenson?

[barakz21]

Saw it.

http://fansided.com/2013/08/04/deshawn-stevenson-wants-to-sign-with-miami-heat-after-taunting-lebron-james/

Bandwagon. (http://fansided.com/2013/08/04/deshawn-stevenson-wants-to-sign-with-miami-heat-after-taunting-lebron-james/)

My thoughts exactly. What a bandwagonner. Years ago, he had beef with Bron, going as far as telling Bron not to "copy" him, regarding his facial hair lol

[TheGoldStandard]

Manu auditioned during the Finals last year.. sorry sorry.. just had to throw that in there. Stevenson sucks.

[Kingsly Alexander]

Slava Kravtsov waived by the bucks yesterday...

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/kravtvi01.html

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Slava-Kravtsov-5044/

Yes, we have a plethora of big men already, but at 25 yrs old this guys a legit 7 ft. center with definite upside. Seemingly more athletic, mobile and laterally quicker then Baynes or Tiago, it could pay dividends to have someone like this on the roster when Tiago gets traded. Assuming.

Once he clears waivers, if nobody picks him up before then, he could probably be had for the min. or so.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urfcwrZxlC4


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGdhbzfAlmM

Couldnt find highlights of it but his best game last season was against Indiana:

http://www.nba.com/games/20130222/DETIND/gameinfo.html#nbaGIboxscore

[elemento]

The feedback I got from Pistons fans was not good about him

They simply said that he is not NBA material

[Kingsly Alexander]

That's disappointing. To be fair though, he only played 25 games in his first NBA season and was the 3rd choice center behind Monroe and Drummond and I think the only reason Milwakuee waived him is because they already have six bigs.

[bklynspursfan]

John Gambadoro ‏@Gambo620 1h
My belief here is the Suns waive and stretch Beasley. So he is gone but gets his 9 mill at 1.8 per year over the next 5 years


Beasley was arrested for marijuana possession

[Samr.]

Beasley was arrested for marijuana possession

In related news:

Today, is the off-season!

[Bruno]

I can see Suns waiving Beasley if they think he will have a bad influence on their young players but I don't see them using the stretch provision on him. Given their salary cap structure, not stretching his salary is what makes the most sense.

If Beasley is waived, I would be all for Spurs offering him a min contract. It's the same situation than with Oden: a low risk high reward gamble.

[Chinook]

^Only with a much higher chance of Beasley being useful for at least some games. At his best, he'd be exactly what the Spurs need. But his team and advanced stats are shockingly bad. I'd be in favor of the Spurs signing him, too, as at least you'd know that Pop and Co. signed off on it.

[admiralsnackbar]

With Bruno on this one.

[Spursfanfromafar]

I can see Suns waiving Beasley if they think he will have a bad influence on their young players but I don't see them using the stretch provision on him. Given their salary cap structure, not stretching his salary is what makes the most sense.

If Beasley is waived, I would be all for Spurs offering him a min contract. It's the same situation than with Oden: a low risk high reward gamble.

Doubt if Pop would want to do anything with a moody chucker, who won't play defense but can score in bunches. I agree it is a low risk, high reward gamble, but Spurs lay so much emphasis on chemistry and on the court team play, I doubt they will take a flyer on Beasley.

[RD2191]

Beasley is one of those players that honestly believes he is better than MJ.

[admiralsnackbar]

Beasley is one of those players that honestly believes he is better than MJ.

Please.

[Baam]

Beasley has zero reason to change anything, he has made the same mistakes in 3 different teams and he's still paid ridiculous money 5 years into his nba career. What's the incentive to change at this point?

[Bruno]

Doubt if Pop would want to do anything with a moody chucker, who won't play defense but can score in bunches. I agree it is a low risk, high reward gamble, but Spurs lay so much emphasis on chemistry and on the court team play, I doubt they will take a flyer on Beasley.

Pop won't certainly go after him telling "we want you to play like you did last year". He would tell him that they will ask from him to try more defensively and to be more team oriented offensively. If Beasley isn't fine with that, then he wouldn't sign with Spurs. If Beasley agrees to change his game but it didn't work out for some reasons, Spurs could easily waive him. Anyway, let's see first if Suns waive Beasley.

Regarding the chemistry, I find it's important for Spurs to start this season with a new hope after the heartbreaking loss last year. Spurs have already tweak a little their team with Belinelli and Pendergraph and some players like Leonard, Joseph, De Colo or Baynes might have a bigger impact, but I doubt it's enough. If Spurs players were in the mindset "we look better than last season", it certainly would help them to start with a fresh mind and not being stuck on last season huge disappointment. That's a reason why I was so hard on Spurs FO for not getting Kirilenko, Spurs really needs some new blood to start battling again for a title. I don't want the 2013 run being remember as Duncan's wonderful but very cruel swan song.

[Baam]

Pop won't certainly go after him telling "we want you to play like you did last year". He would tell him that they will ask from him to try more defensively and to be more team oriented offensively. If Beasley isn't fine with that, then he wouldn't sign with Spurs. If Beasley agrees to change his game but it didn't work out for some reasons, Spurs could easily waive him. Anyway, let's see first if Suns waive Beasley.

Regarding the chemistry, I find it's important for Spurs to start this season with a new hope after the heartbreaking loss last year. Spurs have already tweak a little their team with Belinelli and Pendergraph and some players like Leonard, Joseph, De Colo or Baynes might have a bigger impact, but I doubt it's enough. If Spurs players were in the mindset "we looks better than last season", it certainly would help them to start with a fresh mind and not being stuck on last season huge disappointment. That's a reason I why so hard on Spurs FO for not getting Kirilenko, Spurs really needs some new blood to start battling again for a title. I don't want the 2013 run being remember as Ducan's wonderful but very cruel swan song.

I agree wholeheartedly, everyone needs something to get excited about, even the players imo.

The idea of just bringing the same team is depressing no matter how you put it, because 3 of the 4 best players are not going to get any better and are actually likely to become quite a bit worse or to get injured at this point in their careers...

[Spursfanfromafar]

Pop won't certainly go after him telling "we want you to play like you did last year". He would tell him that they will ask from him to try more defensively and to be more team oriented offensively. If Beasley isn't fine with that, then he wouldn't sign with Spurs. If Beasley agrees to change his game but it didn't work out for some reasons, Spurs could easily waive him. Anyway, let's see first if Suns waive Beasley.

Regarding the chemistry, I find it's important for Spurs to start this season with a new hope after the heartbreaking loss last year. Spurs have already tweak a little their team with Belinelli and Pendergraph and some players like Leonard, Joseph, De Colo or Baynes might have a bigger impact, but I doubt it's enough. If Spurs players were in the mindset "we look better than last season", it certainly would help them to start with a fresh mind and not being stuck on last season huge disappointment. That's a reason why I was so hard on Spurs FO for not getting Kirilenko, Spurs really needs some new blood to start battling again for a title. I don't want the 2013 run being remember as Duncan's wonderful but very cruel swan song.

I completely agree that the Spurs should do some tweaks to their bench to try get over the hump again. And I also agree that not getting Kirilenko was a setback and there is indeed a substantial hole in the lineup.

But I don't think Beasley is going to fill that up. Last year, he finished in the last decile in advanced plus/minus in offensive/defensive metrics, generally showed poor attitude and little inclination to improve or reduce his weaknesses (chucking, hardly any defense and so on), and now he has been caught with suspected marijuana after having a history with that already.

Knowing the Spurs, they would be very chary about a character like Beasley and that is why I thought he wasn't going to be a possibility.

[ace3g]

Adrian Wojnarowski @WojYahooNBA
(http://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA)The Knicks and 76ers are showing interest in free agent guard Chris Duhon, league sources tell Y! Sports.

[ace3g]

Adrian Wojnarowski @WojYahooNBA
(http://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA)Free agent guard Lester Hudson worked out for the Knicks today too, league source tells Y! Sports. Hudson played in China last season.

[Vic Petro]

Pop won't certainly go after him telling "we want you to play like you did last year". He would tell him that they will ask from him to try more defensively and to be more team oriented offensively. If Beasley isn't fine with that, then he wouldn't sign with Spurs. If Beasley agrees to change his game but it didn't work out for some reasons, Spurs could easily waive him. Anyway, let's see first if Suns waive Beasley.

Regarding the chemistry, I find it's important for Spurs to start this season with a new hope after the heartbreaking loss last year. Spurs have already tweak a little their team with Belinelli and Pendergraph and some players like Leonard, Joseph, De Colo or Baynes might have a bigger impact, but I doubt it's enough. If Spurs players were in the mindset "we look better than last season", it certainly would help them to start with a fresh mind and not being stuck on last season huge disappointment. That's a reason why I was so hard on Spurs FO for not getting Kirilenko, Spurs really needs some new blood to start battling again for a title. I don't want the 2013 run being remember as Duncan's wonderful but very cruel swan song.

I disagree with this strongly unless you are talking about the "new hope" being important for the fans and not the players. Do you really think if/when the Spurs are in the WCSF again they'll look around and say "I wish AK47 was here" or "Crap we have the same team as last year." That won't even enter into their minds. This psychological impact is way overrated imo. Once you are in the season, you are in the season. The Finals loss will be a motivating factor if this team gets to the Finals again, but apart from that 2012-13 season finish won't have any impact whatsoever on 2013-14 season.

[Bruno]

But I don't think Beasley is going to fill that up. Last year, he finished in the last decile in advanced plus/minus in offensive/defensive metrics, generally showed poor attitude and little inclination to improve or reduce his weaknesses (chucking, hardly any defense and so on), and now he has been caught with suspected marijuana after having a history with that already.

I agree and that's why I put him in the same category than Oden. There are something like a 90% odds that players like Beasley or Oden wouldn't work and really help Spurs but there are these 10% they could significantly improve the team. That late in the summer and with only the minimum salary to offer, I don't think you can find better than that. I rather see Spurs roll the dice on a high upside player even if he will likely fail that signing a marginal vet player or prospect.

[LakerHater]

365173599574827010 (https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/365173599574827010)

365174129667743746 (https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/365174129667743746)

[bklynspursfan]

Wow, the Blazers Mo? lol... Thought he wanted to win

[Ditty]

Well at least he didn't go to Miami

[LakerHater]

365178839523008512 (https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/365178839523008512)

[Baam]

They went from one of the worst bench in the nba to a pretty good one. Definitely gonna make the playoffs imo.

That said I'm not sure they even needed Mo Williams with Lillard and CJ McCollum... They're stacked up to SF but they would have benefited a lot more from a big instead of a PG...

[Sausage]

Well I was hoping the Spurs could get one of Oden or Mo, but struck out on both. Who can the Spurs go after now? Pretty sure knowing the Spurs they are done. I would've loved for the Spurs to get a legit backup PG like a Mo Williams.

[timtonymanu]

The Blazers have a logjam at guards (sound familiar?): Lillard, McCollum, Matthews, Mo, Barton, Watson, Crabbe.

But they had a good offseason. Their crappy roster was fighting for a playoff spot all the way towards the last month of the season. I'm pretty excited to see what they can do this year.

If Mo was looking to start though, I don't see how he fits with the Blazers since Matthews/Lillard is their starting backcourt.

[Jwash_1986]

They went from one of the worst bench in the nba to a pretty good one. Definitely gonna make the playoffs imo.

That said I'm not sure they even needed Mo Williams with Lillard and CJ McCollum... They're stacked up to SF but they would have benefited a lot more from a big instead of a PG...
At least there trying to compete can't see no wrong in that. Williams is a nice addition and it'll probably be more beneficial than will ever see. Not like Lillard needs mentoring since he's a upcoming stud in the league but him and Williams game has some comparison. Williams also has the right attitude so its a plus in the department of showing the youngster how to take care of business on and off the court. I like Blazers off season, they still try and making pushes even of there miserable curse they've been tortured with.

[Bruno]

Do you really think if/when the Spurs are in the WCSF again they'll look around and say "I wish AK47 was here" or "Crap we have the same team as last year." That won't even enter into their minds. This psychological impact is way overrated imo.

No, I don't. That isn't how I think Spurs standing pat could have a negative impact.

The 2012-2013 season was a grueling campaign for Spurs both physically and mentally. They played about 110 games in a little less than 9 months with an end as harsh as you could imagine. I don't think it will be that easy for Spurs to get ready for the 2013-2014 season. Last season could take a toll on this season with the team lacking positive momentum. Spurs getting for example Kirilenko would certainly have bring back some excitement to the team and help it get back on track for 2013-2014.

[SpursDynasty21]

Adding some big-name star players can help bring excitement to the team, and also the fanbase.

[DesignatedT]

When you say "the spurs" you are really talking about the big 3 and pop. Everyone will fall in line and follow their lead. If they aren't motivated for another run and crack at the 'ship, there is nothing Kirilenko would have done to change that lol. I don't believe Duncan will come back ready for a farewell tour just yet.

I wanted a deeper proven roster because of the risk of injury going up after a long season like that. Not because the spurs won't be motivated. That's retarded. If the big three aren't motivated than the season will be lost anyway. No matter who you brought in.

[timtonymanu]

No, I don't. That isn't how I think Spurs standing pat could have a negative impact.

The 2012-2013 season was a grueling campaign for Spurs both physically and mentally. They played about 110 games in a little less than 9 months with an end as harsh as you could imagine. I don't think it will be that easy for Spurs to get ready for the 2013-2014 season. Last season could take a toll on this season with the team lacking positive momentum. Spurs getting for example Kirilenko would certainly have bring back some excitement to the team and help it get back on track for 2013-2014.

The team bounced back from losing 4 playoff games in a row after winning 20 straight games. Yeah, I know the lockout season was much shorter and less grueling on the team, but as heartbreaking as last year was, I don't see the team mentally checking out. Hopefully with an increased role of guys like Leonard, Splitter, and Joseph, it will keep Tim, Tony, and Manu as fresh for the playoffs. I actually think we made minor upgrades to our roster from last season. Belinelli > Neal, Pendergraph > Bonner, Blair.

[szkorhetz]

Beasley is waived. RC, Make it happen.

[DPG21920]

Quite a bad off season for the Spurs all things considered. It could workout just fine in the end, but they seemingly left quite a bit on the table. As always though, the season is long & fluid. Things can change rapidly

[look_at_g_shred]

If we could just sign a SF for the bench that can come in and defend only, i'd be satisfied.

[Bruno]

And I'm not saying that Spurs won't be able to bounce back this year. It's just that is going to be very tough to start this season for Spurs while being fresh both mentally and physically and being as hungry as ever to win the title. I have no clue if they will be ever to do that but it's gonna be tough and adding an impact player would certainly have helped to give back Spurs a new impulse.

[Mel_13]

The last time the Spurs added an impact player, they finished with the worst regular season record in the Duncan era. Just sayin'.

[Bruno]

The last time the Spurs added an impact player, they finished with the worst regular season record in the Duncan era. Just sayin'.

Not really. They won 20 game sin a row and makes it to the WCF after a bunch of disappointing postseasons.

[xmas1997]

Just imagine if they had gotten both Kirilenko and Oden.
But neither were coming here.

[szkorhetz]

Not really. They won 20 game sin a row and makes it to the WCF after a bunch of disappointing postseasons.
Was referring to RJ.

[slick'81]

Yup tough offseason but rarely do we get that wow factor from Sa .guess all we have is another 50+ win season and atleast a west semifinal run to look forward to

[chrhawk]

Was referring to RJ.

Impact player

[Mel_13]

Not really. They won 20 game sin a row and makes it to the WCF after a bunch of disappointing postseasons.

:lol

[chrhawk]

Yeah disappointing off-season indeed, the Spurs had a chance to rise head and shoulders above every team in the west. In the end, I still think the Spurs have the least flaws out of every western conference contender. Time will tell though a lot will change between now and April.

[szkorhetz]

Impact player
Every single person around the NBA thought he is an impact player and he is the missing piece to get back to contending.

[Bruno]

Was referring to RJ.

I know and I was referring to Diaw.

When I say "impact player", I'm not necessarily talking about a player at an allstar level. For example, a good role player like Trevor Ariza would have been fine by me.

And the lesson of the RJ failure isn't that a high caliber player can't make Spurs better, it's that you had to look on how he will fit with the team skill-wise, mentally-wise and chemistry-wise.

[Chinook]

The last time the Spurs added an impact player, they finished with the worst regular season record in the Duncan era. Just sayin'.

I've said it before, but the Spurs' biggest free-agent acquisition of the past eight or so years is Danny Green. Their biggest trade acquisition is Kawhi Leonard.

I think the team could have added a really good player by being smarter with its finances, but I don't see the point of change for change's sake. The two most gut-wrench post-season exits before this year (.4 and Ginobili's foul) were both followed up by titles the next season. The Big Three, I think are mentally tough enough to bounce back again, and Green, Leonard, Joseph and Splitter should all be stronger for it.

[Mel_13]

Every single person around the NBA thought he is an impact player and he is the missing piece to get back to contending.

And 99.9% of ST said the same thing. In the end, things didn't get better for the Spurs on the court until they unloaded the guy that helped them win the summer of 2009.

[Mel_13]

I know and I was referring to Diaw.

When I say "impact player", I'm not necessarily talking about a player at an allstar level. For example, a good role player like Trevor Ariza would have been fine by me.

And the lesson of the RJ failure isn't that a high caliber player can't make Spurs better, it's that you had to look on how he will fit with the team skill-wise, mentally-wise and chemistry-wise.

The same could be said of Kirilenko. If the Spurs had created enough cap space, and offered enough years, they may have been able to get him. That they were only interested in him at a certain price is evidence, to me, that they learned the lessons of the RJ failure.

And a Diaw type acquisition is still possible. The discussion here was about stretching resources to get a higher priced player.

[Baam]

I've said it before, but the Spurs' biggest free-agent acquisition of the past eight or so years is Danny Green. Their biggest trade acquisition is Kawhi Leonard.

I think the team could have added a really good player by being smarter with its finances, but I don't see the point of change for change's sake. The two most gut-wrench post-season exits before this year (.4 and Ginobili's foul) were both followed up by titles the next season. The Big Three, I think are mentally tough enough to bounce back again, and Green, Leonard, Joseph and Splitter should all be stronger for it.

You act like the Kawhi Leonard trade wasn't a big deal...

It's not about change for the sake of change it's about moral and fresh blood.

They are tired, old and demoralized, about to start a long season that will probably see Duncan and Manu get quite a bit worse, maybe even Parker...

Imo they're thinking that it can't go any better with what they have currently, 7th, 6th and 5th seed in the way to the Finals? Can you say that the red sea parted itself? Healthy Manu and injured Westbrook, was it real life??

They need some reason to feel good about their chances I agree with Bruno 100%.

I for one know I'm not renewing my league pass next season if the roster stays the way it is, I know how that movie gonna end already...

[TD 21]

Bruno is right. They've given the players (particularly Duncan and Parker, who put them about as close to a championship as you can be without winning it and who are both significantly underpaid) nothing to get excited about or rejuvenated with and anyone who thinks some big move is coming by the deadline obviously hasn't paid attention to how this franchise operates over the years. They won't actually go and make a move for the sake of bettering themselves, they'll only do so if catastrophe strikes.

And if they weren't going to get an actual name, like Kirilenko or Millsap, there were still numerous SF's/combo forwards (Wright, Clark, Brewer, World Peace, Dunleavy, Miller, Delfino, Copeland, Johnson, Casspi) they easily could have afforded, yet we never heard of them being interested in one.

:lol At those clinging to the Jefferson fiasco as some sort of cautionary tale. I guess because that didn't work out, they should never take a risk again. I guess they'd be better of hoping everything falls into place . . . and if by some miracle it does, I'm sure they'll find a way to throw it away again.

[SpursRock20]

http://i2.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/list/000/533/710/7ac.jpg

[Bruno]

The same could be said of Kirilenko. If the Spurs had created enough cap space, and offered enough years, they may have been able to get him. That they were only interested in him at a certain price is evidence, to me, that they learned the lessons of the RJ failure.

Well, I don't see why Kirilenko would have been cheaper through a S&T than through a cap space signing. The reason why they went after him through a S&T and didn't have as fallback plan to sign him with cap space will remain a mystery to me.

[szkorhetz]

Bruno is right. They've given the players (particularly Duncan and Parker, who put them about as close to a championship as you can be without winning it and who are both significantly underpaid) nothing to get excited about or rejuvenated with and anyone who thinks some big move is coming by the deadline obviously hasn't paid attention to how this franchise operates over the years. They won't actually go and make a move for the sake of bettering themselves, they'll only do so if catastrophe strikes.

And if they weren't going to get an actual name, like Kirilenko or Millsap, there were still numerous SF's/combo forwards (Wright, Clark, Brewer, World Peace, Dunleavy, Miller, Delfino, Copeland, Johnson, Casspi) they easily could have afforded, yet we never heard of them being interested in one.

:lol At those clinging to the Jefferson fiasco as some sort of cautionary tale. I guess because that didn't work out, they should never take a risk again. I guess they'd be better of hoping everything falls into place . . . and if by some miracle it does, I'm sure they'll find a way to throw it away again.
Fuck it, but this is true. I will never forgive Pop for game 6.

[Mel_13]

Well, I don't see why Kirilenko would have been cheaper through a S&T than through a cap space signing. The reason why they went after him through a S&T and didn't have as fallback plan to sign him with cap space will remain a mystery to me.

You lost me. There were reports after he signed in Brooklyn that he turned down 3/21 from Minnesota. I assume that his asking price at the outset of free agency was for 4 years at a higher average salary. To me, it makes sense that the Spurs would lose interest in a straight FA signing if that was his asking price. As time passed and it became obvious that there was no team that would met his price, they revisited an acquisition via S&T. Whether that process broke down because Minnesota didn't want to deal or because Kirilenko wasn't interested in the contract offered by the Spurs, or both, we'll never know. We only know that a deal wasn't reached.

[Bruno]

And regarding the lack of a true back up SF, there are two specific questions I wonder:

1) Why Spurs spend most of their MLE on a SG like Belinelli instead of a SF?
2) Why Spurs haven't signed a SF at the min for depth purpose.


For 1), the two most obvious answers would be that Spurs didn't like the available FA at the SF spot or that they rather have Ginobili playing SF than SG. Given that they agree to a deal with Belinelli very soon in the off-season (July 4th), I would think that it's more because that wnat to play Ginobili at the SF spot.

For 2), it could be because Spurs are still waiting for a specific player or because when there will have minutes available at SG/SF, their intent is to give them at De Colo. Spurs were ready to fill their 15th roster spot on Oden so my guess is that want to keep some minutes to De Colo by not adding another SF.

[Vic Petro]

No, I don't. That isn't how I think Spurs standing pat could have a negative impact.

The 2012-2013 season was a grueling campaign for Spurs both physically and mentally. They played about 110 games in a little less than 9 months with an end as harsh as you could imagine. I don't think it will be that easy for Spurs to get ready for the 2013-2014 season. Last season could take a toll on this season with the team lacking positive momentum. Spurs getting for example Kirilenko would certainly have bring back some excitement to the team and help it get back on track for 2013-2014.

Honestly I just don't see lack of excitement being a problem for this team. Maybe - maybe - there would be a bit of a hangover for the first couple of weeks of the season that a new and exciting player would help avoid. But I don't think this would be the type of thing that would last very far into the season.

[Bruno]

You lost me. There were reports after he signed in Brooklyn that he turned down 3/21 from Minnesota. I assume that his asking price at the outset of free agency was for 4 years at a higher average salary. To me, it makes sense that the Spurs would lose interest in a straight FA signing if that was his asking price. As time passed and it became obvious that there was no team that would met his price, they revisited an acquisition via S&T. Whether that process broke down because Minnesota didn't want to deal or because Kirilenko wasn't interested in the contract offered by the Spurs, or both, we'll never know. We only know that a deal wasn't reached.

The mystery to me is that either:
- Spurs, a damn smart organization, didn't plan that the market for Kirilenko was small and that he maybe could be had for less money few days later.
- They knew that his market value could drop and they decided not to wait and signs a marginal player like Pendergaph.

[Mel_13]

And regarding the lack of a true back up SF, there are two specific questions I wonder:

1) Why Spurs spend most of their MLE on a SG like Belinelli instead of a SF?
2) Why Spurs haven't signed a SF at the min for depth purpose.


For 1), the two most obvious answers would be that Spurs didn't like the available FA at the SF spot or that they rather have Ginobili playing SF than SG. Given that they agree to a deal with Belinelli very soon in the off-season (July 4th), I would think that it's more because that wnat to play Ginobili at the SF spot.

For 2), it could be because Spurs are still waiting for a specific player or because when there will have minutes available at SG/SF, their intent is to give them at De Colo. Spurs were ready to fill their 15th roster spot on Oden so my guess is that want to keep some minutes to De Colo by not adding another SF.

I might not say it the same the way, but I came to the exact same conclusion a long time ago. The Spurs went all the way to Game 7 of the NBA Finals playing a four wing rotation of Leonard, Green, Ginobili, and Neal. I believe that they would have have been perfectly happy to bring back the same group. If Neal was willing to take 2/6.5 (or anything up to about 2yrs/8M) on July 1st, I believe he would still be on the team. When his initial request was much higher in years and dollars (my assumption), the Spurs quickly signed an affordable Neal replacement.

[Baam]

And regarding the lack of a true back up SF, there are two specific questions I wonder:

1) Why Spurs spend most of their MLE on a SG like Belinelli instead of a SF?
2) Why Spurs haven't signed a SF at the min for depth purpose.


For 1), the two most obvious answers would be that Spurs didn't like the available FA at the SF spot or that they rather have Ginobili playing SF than SG. Given that they agree to a deal with Belinelli very soon in the off-season (July 4th), I would think that it's more because that wnat to play Ginobili at the SF spot.

For 2), it could be because Spurs are still waiting for a specific player or because when there will have minutes available at SG/SF, their intent is to give them at De Colo. Spurs were ready to fill their 15th roster spot on Oden so my guess is that want to keep some minutes to De Colo by not adding another SF.

Yeah I don't understand the SF thing either, especially since it seems that they want to play De Colo at the 2, there's zero use in having both De Colo and Belinelli... And exactly like last year they created another logjam of guards and left a "hole at SF" according to Buford himself...

On the other hand having 2 real SFs seems crucial in the current league to have a good small ball lineup defensively and Pop was all about defense last time I checked...

[Mel_13]

The mystery to me is that either:
- Spurs, a damn smart organization, didn't plan that the market for Kirilenko was small and that he maybe could be had for less money few days later.
- They knew that his market value could drop and they decided not to wait and signs a marginal player like Pendergaph.

And that assumes that Kirilenko would have had any interest in such an offer. We'll never know. We do know that the Spurs had contact with Kirilenko at various stages of free agency until he signed with Brooklyn. It is certainly possible that Kirilenko's minimum demand was always more than the Spurs were willing to pay.

[Bruno]

And that assumes that Kirilenko would have had any interest in such an offer. We'll never know. We do know that the Spurs had contact with Kirilenko at various stages of free agency until he signed with Brooklyn. It is certainly possible that Kirilenko's minimum demand was always more than the Spurs were willing to pay.

Woj reports that Spurs were talking with Minny about a S&T. If they were doing that, Spurs and Kirilenko should have reached some kind of agreement on a potential contract.

[Mel_13]

Woj reports that Spurs were talking with Minny about a S&T. If they were doing that, Spurs and Kirilenko should have reached some kind of agreement on a potential contract.

That's not an assumption I would make.

[Bruno]

Yeah I don't understand the SF thing either, especially since it seems that they want to play De Colo at the 2, there's zero use in having both De Colo and Belinelli... And exactly like last year they created another logjam of guards and left a "hole at SF" according to Buford himself...

Well you can look at it like Spurs having 5 players to play SG and SF with Leonard, Ginobili, Green, Belinelli and Green. 3 of them (Leonard, Green and Ginobili) can play SF and 4 of them (Green, Ginobili, Belinelli and De Colo) can play SG.