Spurs Acquire Matt Bonner And Eric Williams From Toronto For Rasho

[Bruno]

By the way, the Spurs have 24 hours to ship one of these guys back out in a trade, or they're stuck with him until December.

No.
We can trade them if they aren't in a package with other players and we can trade them in a package in two month.
December is for player signed , not for player traded.

[strangeweather]

Bonner is pretty athletic for his size, but those guys would take him off the dribble pretty easily, IMO.
Odom, sure. Dirk?

[picnroll]

I'd take Bonner on Dirk way before I take Michael Finley on Dirk again.
Take your pick, drives by Bonner or shoots over Finley. Problem is when he drives by Bonner he keeps tagging Duncan with fouls trying to help out.

Bonner is not as athletic as Horry. If Horry ain't guarding Dirk how is Bonner?

[SPARKY]

Spurs fans should be celebrating in the streets. I've watched Matt Bonner play a lot and this guy is damn good. He will be a fan favorite in no time. Think Malik Rose in his prime with an outside shot and like four inches taller.

I know he played in the NBA outpost north of the border, but if we were naming players that we'd want to fill what the Spurs need, Matt Bonner would be high on that list.

Another thing is this guy is tough as nails. When he was a rookie, he put a cheap shot on KG after KG was showing up the Toronto crowd. Bonner got ejected and the crowd gave him a standing ovation.

So in recap, the Spurs get an young active bigman who can shoot and his hard ass.

Got damn what a good trade.


Hope so. He has the profile of what the Spurs need.

Anyways, the Spurs dumped Rasho's last 2 seasons. Couple that with Rose's contract gone and we better see them turn that salary dump into something good. That's $6.5 mil for Rose not being on the payroll in 2006-07 and then $15 mil in salary gone in 2007-08 plus $16.2 mil gone in 2008-09. In '08 the Spurs will actually have a bunch of contracts expiring. Anyone in the '03 draft class worth a look? Oh look, Wade Dwayne...

[T Park]

:lol

Now, youve already given up on Bonner picnroll?

Hes been a Spur what, 2 3 hours? :lol

[timvp]

Take your pick, drives by Bonner or shoots over Finley. Problem is when he drives by Bonner he keeps tagging Duncan with fouls trying to help out.

Bonner is not as athletic as Horry. If Horry ain't guarding Dirk how is Bonner?

In the Spurs system, I think Bonner could do a Haslem like job on Dirk.

That said, hopefully Pop doesn't try to win next year again with mini ball again.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

We can trade them if they aren't in a package with other players and we can trade them in a package in two month.
December is for player signed , not for player traded.

Sorry, haven't bothered to read the FAQ since the new CBA came to be.

[T Park]

In '08 the Spurs will actually have a bunch of contracts expiring. Anyone in the '04 draft class worth a look?

I hope we are NOT going down THAT road again.

[strangeweather]

Bonner is not as athletic as Horry. If Horry ain't guarding Dirk how is Bonner?
2-3 years ago, Horry guards Dirk just fine. I hate to say it, but Horry ain't what he used to be. :depressed

[SPARKY]

If the Spurs were to entertain a S&T with Mohammed, this deal would make it comfortable for them.

[SPARKY]

I hope we are NOT going down THAT road again.

What road?

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

2-3 years ago, Horry guards Dirk just fine. I hate to say it, but Horry ain't what he used to be.

Not when you start him and play him 30 minutes a night. He couldn't guard in 2003 either. Dumb coaching move.

[timvp]

If the Spurs were to entertain a S&T with Mohammed, this deal would make it comfortable for them.

Yep.

Rasho for Bonner, Williams, 2nd round pick and cap savings = steal.

The cap saving probably let them take on a long-term contract this summer. That'd be nice.

[SPARKY]

Actually, there's quite a few interesting names from that '03 class...

http://www.nbadraft.net/2003.asp

[picnroll]

2-3 years ago, Horry guards Dirk just fine. I hate to say it, but Horry ain't what he used to be. :depressed

and athletically Bonner ain't what Horry is now. I haven't given up on Bonner, he'll help in some matchups but, contrary to everybody's fantasies, at times the Spurs will want to and even be forced to play small ball. So they better have the personell to do it with.

[strangeweather]

Not when you start him and play him 30 minutes a night. He couldn't guard in 2003 either. Dumb coaching move.
He started 3 games in the regular season, and averaged 18 minutes a game. He started 5 games in the postseason, and averaged 17 minutes a game.

If that's wearing him out, he shouldn't be in the rotation anymore.

[angel_luv]

Angel, I'm sorry.

This is a good move for Rasho. I'm sure he'll miss fans like you, but he really needs to be part of a club where his talents can be utilized. He's excited right now, which I haven't seen in a long time.

Take care.


Thank you a lot Jules.

[T Park]

I haven't given up on Bonner

Youve got Dirk driving by him, without a game being played yet.

[Bruno]

http://hoopshype.com/salaries/san_antonio.htm

It looks better than yesterday. :lol

[T Park]

He started 3 games in the regular season, and averaged 18 minutes a game. He started 5 games in the postseason, and averaged 17 minutes a game.

If that's wearing him out, he shouldn't be in the rotation anymore.



oops.

[ducks]

I thought spurs might try to move rasho but this is early
the draft is not even here
no wonder angel is having a hard time
maybe it is time to get league pass angel

[angel_luv]

Angel, I'm sorry.

This is a good move for Rasho. I'm sure he'll miss fans like you, but he really needs to be part of a club where his talents can be utilized. He's excited right now, which I haven't seen in a long time.

Take care.



Wait... just had a thought.

How did you know he is excited? Did he make a statement I missed???

[timvp]

In April with Bosh out injured, Bonner put up impressive numbers.

30 Minutes per game
12.2 Points
6.5 Rebounds
.5 Blocks

Those are the type of numbers he could put up when not forced to play small forward for long stretches.

[picnroll]

Youve got Dirk driving by him, without a game being played yet.
I've got Dirk driving by him based on how fast he moves his feet. I have seen him play.

[kris]

Spurs have outdone theirselves with this one.

[T Park]

What road?

Clearing cap space to make room for FAs.

[SPARKY]

Free agents in '07:

Andres Nocioni
LeBron James :drunk
Josh Howard :devil
Carmelo Anthony
Chauncey Billups (PO)
Mickael Pietrus
Chris Kaman
Dwyane Wade
Jamaal Magloire
TJ Ford
Maurice Williams
Desmond Mason
Darko Milicic :smokin
Boris Diaw
Leandro Barbosa
Rashard Lewis (PO)
Chris Bosh
Morris Peterson

[clubalien]

Kidd or bust!
guess we busted

[ducks]

Darko Milicic and Andres Nocioni would be nice

Chris Kaman maybe

some of those others are not going to come

[T Park]

I've got Dirk driving by him based on how fast he moves his feet. I have seen him play.

You have? well goody.

Well your track record on guys defending is not good I mean

"Beno is a better defender than Parker"

I mean come on.

[picnroll]

Free agents in '07:

Andres Nocioni
LeBron James :drunk
Josh Howard :devil
Carmelo Anthony
Chauncey Billups (PO)
Mickael Pietrus
Chris Kaman
Dwyane Wade
Jamaal Magloire
TJ Ford
Maurice Williams
Desmond Mason
Darko Milicic :smokin
Boris Diaw
Leandro Barbosa
Rashard Lewis (PO)
Chris Bosh
Morris Peterson

Talk to your friend Tony.

Parker, Mahinmi, Daw.

[T Park]

The only player on that list that will be available that I would go for is either Josh Howard or Desmond Mason.

[ducks]

is diaw a product though of the suns system?

[mavsfan1000]

:lol at the comparisons of Bonner to Haslem. Haslem is a beast. Bonner isn't

[spurschick]

I think that Nocioni would be a great fit here, but I don't see the Bulls parting with him easily. Plus, he plays with the same reckless abandon as Manu, so I don't know what his shelflife would be.

[picnroll]

You have? well goody.

Well your track record on guys defending is not good I mean

"Beno is a better defender than Parker"

I mean come on.
and you said NeVEr wasn't a piece of shit. I'd say I was closer to right than you were and 99% of the rest of SA would agree.

[ducks]

The only player on that list that will be available that I would go for is either Josh Howard or Desmond Mason.

you think james sucks :lol

[Hillcrest]

This doesn't excite me one bit...in fact, it's kind of a downer.

[Kori Ellis]

This doesn't excite me one bit...in fact, it's kind of a downer.

It's a downer to get 2 expiring contracts and a draft pick for Rasho?

Last season the Spurs couldn't even trade Rasho for a contract of a guy who's out of the league.

Spurs fans should be overjoyed.

[T Park]

you think james sucks

Your the only one that thinks he sucks.

I don't think he'll be "available" .


Reading comprehension quackers.

[picnroll]

:lol at the comparisons of Bonner to Haslem. Haslem is a beast. Bonner isn't
Agree Haslem is athletic, moves his feet well.

[infinite styles]

When does Dwight Howard become a free agent?

[ducks]

do the spurs think Mahinmi could be the answer for the center postion
he was in town and still might be
this move means they either have a center in mind or jav is the answer
or they are going small ball
OR THEY HAVE SOMETHING ELSE GOING DOWN
the spurs front office usually does not leave a whole on the floor
counting on rookies is kind of risking....

[wildbill2u]

Wow...wasnt expecting this at all. Does this mean that Nazr stays?

I think it means Javtokas is Really Really coming. Tim will probably move to center.

Doubt they will keep Nazr or be able to.

[ducks]

Your the only one that thinks he sucks.

I don't think he'll be "available" .


Reading comprehension quackers.

I do not see him in a spur uniform either
he is not worthy of that
:elephant :elephant

however I think he could bolt the cavs :smokin

[Kori Ellis]

To me, Bonner is a guy who will be able to spread the floor with his shooting, be a bigger body to use when playing small ball, and will learn to be a better defender in the Spurs system.

Williams is a guy who if he has anything left could be used as a stop gap long 3 for this season.

The Spurs still have holes -- I still want a young, athletic foward and a backup point guard. But I don't see how anything can be perceived as bad about this trade. If by chance Bonner and Williams suck here, then they are gone by the following season.

[ducks]

When does Dwight Howard become a free agent?
why would he want to go to sa and get away from those beaches of lovely hot girls with bikin's one

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

I didn't know they had beaches in Orlando.

[ducks]

this is a very good move
I doubt the spurs are done though
they have to sign a few players and tweak their roster but this is a step in the right direction

[ducks]

I didn't know they had beaches in Orlando.
they are closer then the beaches in texas

[timvp]

Bonner played a lot of time at small forward in Toronto. He has to have some footspeed to do that.

I'm not saying he's a Bruce Bowen or anything, but I think he's going to be a nice addition and a Spur for a long time.

[Hillcrest]

It's a downer to get 2 expiring contracts and a draft pick for Rasho?

Last season the Spurs couldn't even trade Rasho for a contract of a guy who's out of the league.

Spurs fans should be overjoyed.

I can admit I don't know everything and I'm open to being persuaded otherwise...

Okay, so unloading Rasho (starting center) for 2 non-starting, somewhat uni-dimensional role players and a 2nd round pick is good because it saved us money on Rasho's contract??

...and this was the most we could ask for? Sounds like we gave him a hellavu contract, then, if we saved so much money and the Spurs barely break even for the trouble?

Can you explain more, Kori?

[Amuseddaysleeper]

SAN ANTONIO -- The San Antonio Spurs traded center Rasho Nesterovic and cash to the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday for forwards Matt Bonner and Eric Williams and a second-round pick in 2009.

The move creates flexibility for the Spurs on their roster and salary cap.

Rasho Nesterovic
Center
San Antonio Spurs

Profile
2006 SEASON STATISTICS
GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT%
80 4.5 3.9 0.4 .515 .600



The 30-year-old Nesterovic has $23.5 million and three years left on his contract, while Bonner and Williams are entering the final year of their contracts. They could be traded again to teams hoping to open cap room next summer or the Spurs could keep them and enjoy that luxury themselves in 2007.

Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo is eager to put the 7-foot, 255-pound Nesterovic in the middle alongside blossoming forward Chris Bosh.

"He's a smart basketball player who will help address our needs, particularly on the defensive end of the floor," Colangelo said.

Nesterovic signed with San Antonio three summers ago with the unenviable task of replacing David Robinson -- numerically, that is, as no one expected him to live up to the Admiral's standards.

Nesterovic averaged 8.7 points and 7.7 rebounds over 28.7 minutes his first season, then dropped off drastically. He was down to career lows of 4.5 points and 3.9 rebounds this past season, while splitting time with Nazr Mohammed.

Neither center played much in the second-round series against Dallas, which the Spurs lost in seven games. Coach Gregg Popovich used a smaller lineup with forward Robert Horry at center and hinted he might go with that kind of lineup more next season.
This move could be the first step in that direction, with the 6-foot-10 Bonner a candidate to start in the middle.

Mohammed is a free agent, so whether the club tries to re-sign him will be the next indicator. If the Spurs are interested in keeping Mohammed, he might be more willing to listen with Nesterovic out of the way.

Bonner, coming off his second season out of Florida, averaged 7.5 points and 3.6 rebounds last season. He also made 42 percent of his 3-pointers.

"Bonner is a big guy who has the unique ability of knocking down the outside shot, which will help us spread the floor," Spurs general manager R.C. Buford said. "Williams gives us a steady veteran presence and some added depth at the forward position."

Williams, who turns 34 next month, is an 11-year veteran with career averages of 8.8 points and 3.3 rebounds. He played only 28 games last season and averaged a career-low 3.3 points. The Spurs will be his sixth team, fifth in four seasons. He was acquired by Toronto in the deal that sent Vince Carter to New Jersey.

The Raptors also released center Robert Whaley.





apologies if this has already been reported but does this mean we might have more small ball than ever now??

:madrun :madrun :madrun :madrun

[ducks]

spurs want players they can play in the playoffs rasho hardly played in the playoffs because it was bad matchups
he makes to much to keep around to play in one game out of 5

[T Park]

at the comparisons of Bonner to Haslem. Haslem is a beast. Bonner isn't



When did Haslem become a "beast"

good lord.


and you said NeVEr wasn't a piece of shit. I'd say I was closer to right than you were and 99% of the rest of SA would agree

OOO looky we can make clever little 5th grade nicknames, how CUTE!!!


closer than me?

Uh oookey, whatever.

[picnroll]

Good trade. AS Buford said it gives them flexibility:

1) These players give potentially more on the court flexibility than Rasho alone, particularly if Williams isn't over the hill a la Van Exel. If he is though they aren't depending on him unless they don't get a long 3.

2) They can turn around and trade their expiring contracts for better players.

3) They'll be more inclined to get players that require long term contracts knowing Rasho is off the books and these guys will be off the books next year

4) they can potentially be big players in the '07 or '08 free agent market.


but somebody explian to me how Bonner is any better a small ball big than Horry even in Horry's advanced state of age.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

like i said before in the other thread. I live in toronto and saw bonner play constantly. he's a greathustler and can hit the 3 ball at a decent clip. I'm really happy he's on board in SA, he's a great energy player and we unloaded the biggest thorn in our side financially. I can't see how this trade is anything less than stellar.

[SA210]

Neither center played much in the second-round series against Dallas, which the Spurs lost in seven games. Coach Gregg Popovich used a smaller lineup with forward Robert Horry at center and hinted he might go with that kind of lineup more next season.

Small Ball :madrun :madrun :madrun :madrun :madrun

[Kori Ellis]

Now the Spurs need to go steal some players from the Sonics.

Wilcox can be had via sign and trade.

Lewis, Collison, Ridnour, Fortson, and the young centers can be had via trade.

They are fielding offers for any/all of them.

[SA210]

Let's get Speedy back!

Email this to Pop.

[T Park]

Okay, so unloading Rasho (starting center) for 2 non-starting, somewhat uni-dimensional role players and a 2nd round pick is good because it saved us money on Rasho's contract??

and it gets you a combination of Malik Rose and Danny Ferry.

Duh, how is it not?!?!?

[timvp]

but somebody explian to me how Bonner is any better a small ball big than Horry even in Horry's advanced state of age.

Matt Bonner is 26 years old and played a lot at small forward last year. Could Robert Horry survive at small forward for even a week last year? No.

He isn't quick or a monster athlete, but he's going to surprise you.

[SPARKY]

A great sign for Bonner is that in 2004-05 he shot 92 3-pointers and hit 42.4% of them and then in 2005-06 he shot 243 3-pointers and hit 42.0% of them. Good to see that kind of accuracy across seasons and especially with him shooting substantially more in the second season.

[SA210]

A great sign for Bonner is that in 2004-05 he shot 92 3-pointers and hit 42.4% of them and then in 2005-06 he shot 243 3-pointers and hit 42.0% of them. Good to see that kind of accuracy across seasons and especially with him shooting substantially more in the second season.
:tu

[strangeweather]

Now the Spurs need to go steal some players from the Sonics.

Wilcox can be had via sign and trade.

Lewis, Collison, Ridnour, Fortson, and the young centers can be had via trade.

They are fielding offers for any/all of them.
The way I see it, the only currency we would be willing to part with that has any value are Barry (back to the Sonics??), Scola, and future draft picks. Who do you see us being able to land?

Edited to add: I forgot about Williams's expiring contract.

[picnroll]

Now the Spurs need to go steal some players from the Sonics.

Wilcox can be had via sign and trade.

Lewis, Collison, Ridnour, Fortson, and the young centers can be had via trade.

They are fielding offers for any/all of them.

For Wilcox? What's Seattle looking for?

[navarat]

I miss rasho a class act all the way! good luck in toronto, But I like this Bonner guy he can shoot, have one of the best shooting percentage for a non superstar, he's tough too, as far as I can remember KG wanted to fight him after a hard foul.

[SPARKY]

The Spurs now have the flexibility to take back a big contract in a S&T for Mohammed.

[strangeweather]

The Spurs now have the flexibility to take back a big contract in a S&T for Mohammed.
Duh -- I forgot about that. Does Seattle want Nazr? Would Nazr want to go to Seattle?

[timvp]

A great sign for Bonner is that in 2004-05 he shot 92 3-pointers and hit 42.4% of them and then in 2005-06 he shot 243 3-pointers and hit 42.0% of them. Good to see that kind of accuracy across seasons and especially with him shooting substantially more in the second season.

Yeah, Bonner is already a better three-point shooter than Ferry ever was. Having a three-point shot when you are playing next to Tim Duncan is vital. There was no one like that on the free agent market ... but the Spurs found one.

Add to that a mean streak and some toughness and the Spurs got a very good role player for years to come.

[picnroll]

Wilcox for S&T of Nazr plus Barry?

Wilcox would be great. Think of Dallas having to play Dirk on Wilcox on D while Diop or Damp covered Duncan.

[SPARKY]

I wouldn't mind seeing the Spurs make a run at Reggie Evans still.

[Kori Ellis]

For Wilcox? What's Seattle looking for?

I don't know exactly. I just know that they are fielding offers for just about everyone on their roster.

They say they'll try to keep Wilcox but aren't going to overpay.

Watson looks like he is going to start over Ridnour and Luke doesn't want to be a backup.

They apparently think that they don't need both of the young centers.

Rashard has a player option for 07-08 and supposedly he doesn't want to stay. So they are looking to trade him now.

Fortson is just dead weight (literally) but has an expiring contract that teams may find enticing.

[Taking it to the Hole]

Nazr is bolting too, so now we have potentially all new people at the center spot. I think this is great news.

[SPARKY]

Wilcox for S&T of NAzr plus Barry? Man Wilcox would be great.

Think of Dallas having to play Dirk on Wilcox on D while Diop or Damp covered Duncan.

That's a lot of dealing to coordinate. Also have forgotten what the rules are on both sides signing and trading players. Not sure that's kosher per the CBA.

[RON ARTEST]

matt has a boner just thinking about coming to the spurs.

[timvp]

I wouldn't mind seeing the Spurs make a run at Reggie Evans still.

Yeah with Rasho gone and Nazr on the way out, Bonner, Horry and Evans would make a nice rotation of power forwards.

That said, this perhaps give the Spurs the flexibility to go get a solid backup point. Now they aren't forced to split the MLE two or three ways or whatever.

[picnroll]

Having lost Evans and soon Fortson Seattle could use a banging low post player. Their two young centers are more finesse, skinny guys.

[Mark in Austin]

I think Evans is too much of a loose canon for the Spurs to seriously consider, despite his rebounding. Lewis seems a little too weak mentally. He seems like the prototypical AAU-developed ego the Spurs so often avoid like the plague on draft day.


Wilcox is interesting, but I haven't seen him play enough to know what his basketball IQ is. If he can grasp the Spurs defensive system (much) better than Nazr, why not make a run at him? Anybody want to give a scouting report on him?

[T Park]

Trading Rasho was totally unexpected.


This really makes the offseason interesting.

[Kori Ellis]

Wilcox is interesting, but I haven't seen him play enough to know what his basketball IQ is. If he can grasp the Spurs defensive system (much) better than Nazr, why not make a run at him? Anybody want to give a scouting report on him?

Extremely athletic. Runs the court very well. Dunks A LOT. Put up a 20-20 game for the Sonics.

Worst defender on their team.

[Das Texan]

Extremely athletic. Runs the court very well. Dunks A LOT. Put up a 20-20 game for the Sonics.

Worst defender on their team.



and thats the thing that worries you and the biggest red flag possible when it comes to playing in this system.

[T Park]

Finley was a bad defender as well.

The Spurs turned him into a decent defender.

[Kori Ellis]

and thats the thing that worries you and the biggest red flag possible when it comes to playing in this system.

I would love to have him here because he's so young and I think his lazy habits from L.A. can be broken.

But I don't know if I'd want to pay him how much he wants.

Supposedly he wants a short contract though -- 3 years. Because he wants to try to earn a max contract for his next contract after that.

[RON ARTEST]

I wouldn't mind seeing the Spurs make a run at Reggie Evans still.
no thats a terrible idea. reggie might get the wrong idea about matts last name being boner, he might grab him.

[T Park]

Id make a deal for him.

He blocks shots, wich, if you have a guy like that, can fit in the Spurs system.

[Kori Ellis]

Id make a deal for him.

He blocks shots, wich, if you have a guy like that, can fit in the Spurs system.

Wilcox blocks shots???

He's a horrible shot blocker. That's one of the biggest knocks on him. He averages like .4 bpg for his career.

[T Park]

He blocked shots decently down the stretch for the Sonics.

[Kori Ellis]

He blocked shots decently down the stretch for the Sonics.

No he didn't.

He averaged .45 shots per game for the Sonics in the 20-something games he played for them.

His lack of shot blocking is one of team's biggest complaints about him. He's so athletic and long it's amazing that he doesn't block more shots just by accident.

[spurschick]

I don't know exactly. I just know that they are fielding offers for just about everyone on their roster.

What's Noel up to?

[Kori Ellis]

What's Noel up to?

Training in Los Angeles right now with Earl Watson and a bunch of UCLA people. He goes to Seattle on the 5th to start practicing for summer league.

[picnroll]

DIdn't know Wilcox was that bad defensively. Is it effort or ability?

[spurschick]

Training in Los Angeles right now with Earl Watson and a bunch of UCLA people. He goes to Seattle on the 5th to start practicing for summer league.

Does he think he'll end up back in Seattle for the season?

[Kori Ellis]

DIdn't know Wilcox was that bad defensively. Is it effort or ability?

Most people believe it's effort. He got into really bad habits in L.A. and I'm not sure if he has the drive to break himself out of it.

[Kori Ellis]

Does he think he'll end up back in Seattle for the season?

Right now he's under unguaranteed contract with them. So he'll be on their summer league team and in their training camp in fall. He knows what they want from him, so it's just a matter of him showing improvement and them having a roster space. I guess it really depends on what moves they make this summer. They are open to using him as a backup small forward and power forward.

[Russ]

Wilcox for S&T of Nazr plus Barry?

Wilcox would be great. Think of Dallas having to play Dirk on Wilcox on D while Diop or Damp covered Duncan.
Wilcox is a dime-a-dozen tantalizing bum. The Clippers stole Radmanovich from Seattle for him.

[picnroll]

Scratch him as a Spurs' target then, Wilcox that is.

[Chris Childs]

lol

[Kori Ellis]

Scratch him as a Spurs' target then.

It's really easy to get caught up in wanting him though. I have all the Sonics games on tape from the second half of the season. And sometimes he's just such a beast on the boards and so frickin' athletic, you think Damn, he'd be awesome here.

[picnroll]

I've seen some of those games. Maybe Pop could work his magic. Wonder how many teams are going to target him and for how much.

[Russ]

And sometimes he's just such a beast on the boards and so frickin' athletic, you think Damn, he'd be awesome here.
Check Webster's for the definition of "tantalizing" (if not "bum").

If they have an entry for Clippers season ticket-holder and you'll get the real uncensored lowdown on Wilcox.

[milkyway21]

whoa, bye bye Rasho!

[Kori Ellis]

Check Webster's for the definition of "tantalizing" (if not "bum").

If they have an entry for Clippers season ticket-holder and you'll get the real uncensored lowdown on Wilcox.

Yeah I know, Russ.

He was much better in Seattle than he was in L.A. but his lack of effort sometimes was infuriating.

[Kori Ellis]

Wonder how many teams are going to target him and for how much.

I don't really know. People speculate ridiculous numbers.

It's weird to me that his agent (or him, I forgot) came out and said they want a shorter contract.

[picnroll]

Isn't that generally a sign that teams are not throwing out the long term contract money that the agent wants so they'll try to up their value in a short term deal?

[Kori Ellis]

Isn't that generally a sign that teams are not throwing out the long term contract money that the agent wants so they'll try to up their value in a short term deal?

Well he said that during the season -- that he didn't want more than a 3 year deal because he wanted to work for a big contract next time. I just found it odd. Most guys want as much guarantee money as they can get.

I think the Sonics will make him a decent offer, but I think they'll get outbid.

[Rescueone]

Darko Milicic and Andres Nocioni would be nice

Chris Kaman maybe

some of those others are not going to come

Man, Are we trying to turn this team into the Utah Jazz with just a few brothers on the team? Some are talking about bringing more Euro's next year also. Hello, that shit isn't going to work. We need athletes who can jump out of the gym. White man can't jump. The only player I'd like to see out of this bunch join the Spurs is Nocioni and get rid of Beno.

[SA Gunslinger]

Great trade.

Thanks to Rasho for being a professional in every sense of the word.

As for Bonner, he appears to be a team player. I think he will fit in perfectly. I guess we will see if he is the small ball solution next to TD.

Williams is old but if he's in shape, he can defend from what I recall. At 6'8, he should be big and quick enough to at least bother Dirk.

I had a question. Does Rasho pay more or less taxes with this move to Canada?

[J.T.]

Excellent move by the Spurs FO. Didn't see it coming at all, although I expected them to try and move Rasho as well as Nazr. Losing Rasho's giganormous contract is a big plus, and I am excited about having Bonner in silver and black.

If we can get Evans and Javtokas over as well, I will be very excited about 06-07.

[Spurs Dynasty 21]

YES!!!! They did the unbelievable.



I can't BELIEVE a team took hmi, AND gave us a future 1st round pick




:elephant :elephant :elephant :elephant

[Rescueone]

I can't BELIEVE a team took hmi, AND gave us a future 1st round pick




:elephant :elephant :elephant :elephant
It's a second round pick in 2009!

[NASpurs]

Here's what I think about this:

Hehe Matt Boner.

Ok that is all.

[exstatic]

I can't BELIEVE a team took hmi, AND gave us a future 1st round pick




:elephant :elephant :elephant :elephant
RIF. It's a second rounder, and it's not originally theirs, it's N.O.'s, which means bottom half, probably, as they were close to the playoffs.

[spurschick]

From raptors.com

Raptors Acquire Rasho Nesterovic In Exchange for
Matt Bonner, Eric Williams & a Future Second Round Pick

(June 21, 2006) -- The Toronto Raptors announced Wednesday they have acquired centre Rasho Nesterovic (RAH-show Neh-STARE-oh-vitch) and cash considerations from the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for forwards Eric Williams and Matt Bonner, and a 2009 second-round draft pick.

Rasho Nesterovic gives the Raptors a legitmate option at centre.

“Acquiring Rasho brings us an experienced presence at the centre position while not affecting our cap situation,” said Raptors president and general manager Bryan Colangelo. “He’s a smart basketball player who will help address our needs, particularly on the defensive end of the floor.”

[boutons_]

ok, Colangelo's first move as Tranna GM. Hope it works out for Bryan and Rasho.

[Spurs Dynasty 21]

In the Spurs system, I think Bonner could do a Haslem like job on Dirk.

That said, hopefully Pop doesn't try to win next year again with mini ball again.



aren't you overrating this guy a bit too much?




Haslem is pretty good

[timvp]

I didn't say he's Haslem. I'm saying his defense, if worked on by the Spurs, could be used on Dirk like Haslem's was. Make Dirk work instead of having huge mismatches against smaller and slower players. Put a guy on Dirk who has a chance to match his size.

[spurster]

Good trade. Bonner in the bigman rotation (start?) and Williams a good vet to come off the bench here and there.

Bye Rasho. Bye Nazr.

[RC's Boss]

One down, two (Barry and Nazr) to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Give me Luol Deng, Tim Thomas, Jared Jeffries, or give me death beyotch!

[timvp]

A shot at the top: Running with the Bonner family
By KEVIN GRAY
Union Leader Staff

TEN MINUTES into the run, Matt Bonner pulls ahead of his brother and sister and vanishes into a blanket of fog. He’s gone.

The Red Rocket, a nickname he earned during his first season with the Toronto Raptors, is racing toward the summit of Loon Mountain.

About once per week during the off-season, the Bonners take on the mountain and its many obstacles. Brutal humidity. Wicked black flies. Loose gravel.

They pack emergency rain ponchos in case of rain. Bring it on. While joining them for a climb, I have a first-hand glimpse of what drives Matt, Becky and Luke — also known as the First Family of New Hampshire Basketball. The trio scored more than 4,000 points in high school and earned about $250,000 in college scholarships.

Now Matt has taken the group, including this tag-along reporter, to the slopes of Loon. The 6-foot-10 work-a-holic from Concord High will reach the observation tower atop Loon in 28 agonizing minutes.

On the same day the Pistons play the Spurs in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, Bonner is staying prepared for 2005-06.

During the past season, he battled for rebounds with Shaquille O’Neal, nearly had to fight an enraged Kevin Garnett, and played in all 82 games of his rookie season.

If anyone needs a day of air-conditioning and couch treatment, it’s Matt Bonner. No chance of that happening, he says.

“My whole life people have been telling me that I should take time off or I’ll get burned out. I can’t. I’ll burn out if I take time off because I’ll go crazy.”

Pick your punishment

The outing starts with a short warm-up run leading to a brookside bend in the trail. Here, the Bonners stop to stretch and put on their game face. Or, in Becky’s case, start cranking the tunes on a headset.

“Don’t worry, I haven’t been running lately, so you’re all set,” Matt said, responding to my request for a 10-minute head start.

A restricted free agent, Matt isn’t certain which NBA team he’ll play for next season. If it’s Denver, he’ll already be acclimated to the thin air.

Here at Loon, a gravel access road rises 2,100 vertical feet to the summit. It’s roughly 1 mile in length, zig-zagging through a variety of terrain.

“Blue squares and black diamonds,” says Becky, who hopes to sign a pro contract in Sweden this fall.

Matt wears a heart rate monitor under a navy blue T-shirt, which, fittingly, reads “No Pain. No Game.”

Typically, his heart beats 160 to 170 times per minute throughout the entire workout. NBA training camp doesn’t compare to these grueling sessions.

“This is way more intense to have your heart rate that high for that long. Plus, you’re working your legs,” says Matt, who’s also jogged to the summit of Mount Lafayette (elevation 5,089 feet).

I found running with the Bonners often requires lots of walking.

The incline takes an immediate toll on your calves and lower back. Legs quickly become heavy. Blood vessels throughout the body gasp for oxygen — and that’s just the first 10 minutes.

“I like taking people up here for the first time because they have no idea what they’re in for,” Matt, with a sadistic grin, would later say.

Twice I’ve joined the Bonners for the climb, posting a personal-best of about 34 minutes. Luke and Becky have done better. And worse.

Mind game

Nobody in the group runs straight to the top. That’s just not physically possible. The challenge, quite simply, is to run as much as you can.

“It’s definitely a mental thing. It seems like every corner you turn, there’s another huge, steep hill. It’s really easy to psyche yourself out and quit,” said Matt before the run.

The younger brother, Luke, wears a No. 42 Raptors jersey and leaves size 19 footprints in the dirt. At 7-feet, 242 pounds, he is large enough to block out the sun while running behind him.

Unofficially, the University of Massachusetts sophomore-to-be is the first seven-footer to climb Loon Mountain in 32 minutes.

“I could feel my heart right through my chest. Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

“Boom!,” Luke says at the summit. “That last steep part is brutal. It’s like straight up.”

Although Matt will be inking a multi-million dollar contract this summer, it isn’t the money that brings him to Loon.

“You’ve got the natural beauty of the White Mountains, fresh air and a chance to have a great workout. That’s all the motivation I need,” he said.

Off the path

In the never-ending quest to achieve optimal physical fitness, Matt has been consulting with Dr. Igor Burdenko, founder of the Burdenko Water and Sports Therapy Institute in Bedford, Mass. Even the most finely tuned machines need an extra push.

Burdenko has worked with a wide range of athletes, including Russian Olympic teams, NFL and NHL players. He emphasizes flexibility, balance and developing core strength without the use of weights.

“He does a lot of training in the pool and rubber-band resistance for flexibility,” Matt said. “Every summer, I want to try something different.”

Bonner got the idea to contact Burdenko through Tony Mure, his friend and basketball camp organizer. Mure, 47, also got Bonner into running up mountains last summer.

“Matt is finding something with Burdenko that no other program can give him,” Mure said. “He can get that intense workout without the pounding.”

For a pounding, he’ll drive the hour from Concord to Loon Mountain.

Trail talk

Loon’s popular gondola ride will whisk summer tourists up and down beginning tomorrow. We made the slow descent on foot.

The 45-minute walk serves as a proper cool-down and more. The siblings have a peaceful opportunity to share stories from another completed season — and let the good times roll.

For instance, Matt shared his most embarrassing moment from his rookie season with the Raptors. It happened at Denver during a preseason game against the Nuggets:

“It’s my second or third game, and I’m still trying to make the team,” he said. “We’re sitting in the huddle, and the coach is screaming at us during a time-out. . . . All of sudden, there’s a disturbance behind the bench. This lady is fighting with the guards to get to the bench.

“She’s yelling, ‘Hey, Matt, I’m from Concord, New Hampshire! Concord loves you!’ The guards are carrying her off, the whole team is looking at me because it disturbed our time-out. I’m like, ‘I don’t know her.’”

For the next two weeks, Bonner will be conducting his own basketball camps in Pembroke and Derry. When he’s not blowing a whistle, he may be climbing toward the clouds over Lincoln.

“I like that you can push yourself as hard as you want,” he said.

The state’s all-time greatest basketball player plans on setting a personal record at Loon this summer. Chances are good his time of 28 minutes will be shattered.

“Yeah, I’ll definitely break that,” he said. “I’ve got more time this summer.”

http://www.newhampshire.com/articles/showularticle.cfm?id=56764


It's good to have another hard worker in the fold. Bonner isn't the world's greatest athlete but he's working on it ... which is more than you can say for most guys in the league.

[Spurs Dynasty 21]

[QUOTE=RC's Boss]One down, two (Barry and Nazr) to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! QUOTE]

:elephant

[Rescueone]

One down, two (Barry and Nazr) to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Give me Luol Deng, Tim Thomas, Jared Jeffries, or give me death beyotch!

Jared Jeffries and J.R Smith and I'll be happy.

[SPARKY]

Spurs need some more rebounding on that frontline.

[Rescueone]

How about KG for Nazr, Barry, Beno, Scola, and the two scrubs we just traded for.

[SPARKY]

Sir, hand over the modem.

[Notorious H.O.P.]

Too bad Babcock isn't still there. We could have thrown in Beno and gotten Bosh too.

[texasqb2]

if that is true about the sonics, I'd stay up all night trying to work a package that would work to bring us Rashard Lewis

[RON ARTEST]

I didn't say he's Haslem. I'm saying his defense, if worked on by the Spurs, could be used on Dirk like Haslem's was. Make Dirk work instead of having huge mismatches against smaller and slower players. Put a guy on Dirk who has a chance to match his size.
have you watched the raptors this season? bonner is a horrible defender. he cant guard you or me :lol and you think he can guard dirk in the furture? yeah right.

[Tek_XX]

Is this just a trade to free up money or do the spurs actually think these guys can help?

[exstatic]

I didn't say he's Haslem. I'm saying his defense, if worked on by the Spurs, could be used on Dirk like Haslem's was. Make Dirk work instead of having huge mismatches against smaller and slower players. Put a guy on Dirk who has a chance to match his size.
Not to mention that his shooting range pulls Dirk away from a LOT of rebounds.

[Rescueone]

Sir, hand over the modem.
Nope, It's a wish list. What, you don't think we can land KG?

[Notorious H.O.P.]

Anybody have access to the Chad Ford Insider article, "What were the Raptors thinking?"

[exstatic]

Is this just a trade to free up money or do the spurs actually think these guys can help?
Bonner may actually help, but you never turn down someone who will lighten your cap by $15M and give you a draft pick.

Williams is an ending contract, but as recently as the beginning of the 04-05 season was playing VERY well for NJ until being thrown in to the V.C. trade. He just never seemed to click in TOR.

[strangeweather]

Update: What are Raptors thinking?
posted: Wednesday, June 21, 2006 | Feedback | Print Entry

The Toronto Raptors have traded Eric Williams and Matt Bonner to the San Antonio Spurs for Rasho Nesterovic, Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo told me Wednesday afternoon. (According to the AP, a 2009 second-round pick and cash were involved as well.)

Will the trade affect their plans for the No. 1 pick in next week's NBA Draft?

Colangelo said not to read anything into the deal. "To be honest," he said, "we're still as wide open as ever. We have a lot of options right now and are just trying to find the best player."

But a month ago Colangelo said the team would try to address its needs at center and point guard via trades and free agency in addition to the draft. And adding a center making more than $7 million per season would seem to quench some of the thirst the Raptors might have had to draft a center.

In other words, it seems to make LaMarcus Aldridge a less likely choice and boost the chances of perimeter players Andrea Bargnani, Adam Morrison and Rudy Gay.

The Raptors worked out Morrison, Gay, Randy Foye and Denham Brown Wednesday, and Colangelo had glowing praise for all.

"It was a very good workout for everyone involved," Colangelo said. "It was by far the most impressive group we've had in. Everyone competed at a really high level. They were all really aggressive. I think we saw a couple of guys who definitely are in the mix for No. 1."

It sounds like the Raptors are still considering five players: Bargnani, Morrison, Gay, Aldridge and Tyrus Thomas, probably in that order.

What about a trade? The Toronto Sun reported this morning that the hot rumor had the Raptors swapping the No. 1 pick and Alvin Williams for Brevin Knight and Charlotte's No. 3 pick.

Not being considered, according to Colangelo.

"We have had some interest in some Bobcats players," Colangelo said, "but we're looking to do something much bigger with the No. 1 pick."

Does that mean a trade is in the works? For weeks it seemed the Raptors were likely to trade the pick. Now, maybe not.

"I'm feeling less and less that it's an option right now," Colangelo said. "The more we zone in on the prospects of the draft, the more I think we're comfortable keeping the pick. There are several players in this draft that could really help us."

• Speaking of Bargnani, his team, Benetton, won the Italian League championship on Tuesday. In the playoffs, Bargnani averaged 12.1 ppg and 5.8 rpg and shot 46 percent from the field and 44 percent from 3-point range.

• It appears that all the concern about J.J. Redick's back injury was overblown. Redick's agent, Arn Tellem, told me that Redick's back was rested and feeling well enough that he'd resume working out for teams.

What happened to the wild Internet report that Redick needed back surgery?

"That was totally false," Tellem said. "He just needed rest. His back will be fully healed in three weeks, but it's feeling good enough to give him the green light to work out again."

[exstatic]

if that is true about the sonics, I'd stay up all night trying to work a package that would work to bring us Rashard Lewis
Rashard would be nice if he didn't have a MAX contract. See: Marion, Shawn. There's a reason that Seattle is shopping him. Not very much bang for the buck. The Spurs tend to play the NBA version of "Money Ball", so there are only two chances for this: slim and none.

A Danger sign with him is that his post season number suck ass. His FG% drops from 46% to 41% :wow and his 3G% drops from 38.6% to 30%. You don't want to pay for a choker.

[Kori Ellis]

Rashard would be nice if he didn't have a MAX contract. See: Marion, Shawn. There's a reason that Seattle is shopping him. Not very much bang for the buck. The Spurs tend to play the NBA version of "Money Ball", so there are only two chances for this: slim and none.

Rashard plays no D, rebounds poorly for his size, wants a max contract, and Hill told him that he's only playing up to 65% of his abilities.

[Kori Ellis]

It appears that all the concern about J.J. Redick's back injury was overblown. Redick's agent, Arn Tellem, told me that Redick's back was rested and feeling well enough that he'd resume working out for teams.

What happened to the wild Internet report that Redick needed back surgery?

"That was totally false," Tellem said. "He just needed rest. His back will be fully healed in three weeks, but it's feeling good enough to give him the green light to work out again."

Draft Express needs to start being more careful with what they print.

[Big P]

I agree that Rashard would be great on the Spurs...while he is making a lot of money, I dont think its a "max" contract, it may be close, but its not max I'm pretty sure..he made $8.5 last year & will make $9.3, $10.1(player option), & $10.9 over the next 3 years...it is probably a very slim chance that we could get him, but a healthy Rashard Lewis, with Parker, Gino & TD would be sick...I have been hoping for Lewis to be a Spur for a long time.

[exstatic]

Rashard plays no D, rebounds poorly for his size, wants a max contract, and Hill told him that he's only playing up to 65% of his abilities.
I have to agree with that assessment. He used to rebound..before he got paid. His rebounding numbers for the last 6 years: 6.9, 7.0, 6.5, 6.5, 5.5, 5.0. That's an effort slide if ever I saw one.

[timvp]

Matt Bonner
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search

Matthew Robert Bonner (born April 5, 1980 in Concord, New Hampshire) is a professional basketball player currently with the San Antonio Spurs of the NBA.

Standing 6'10" at 237 lb, Bonner was drafted out of the University of Florida by the Chicago Bulls in the 2nd round of the 2003 NBA Draft and then traded to the Raptors. While playing for the Florida Gators, Bonner amassed 1,570 points 778 rebounds and 165 three pointers and finished his career ranked in the top 10 in six categories. Bonner graduated from Florida with a 3.96 GPA and was named the Verizon Academic All-American of the Year for the sport of basketball in both 2002 and 2003 .

Toronto recognized the future potential in Bonner but did not have a roster position available. Bonner was asked to spend a year in Europe honing his skills with a verbal promise to give him a shot at making the team in 2004.

After siging with Sicilia of the Italian league based in Messina Sicily, 2003 proved to be a harrowing year for Bonner. Bonner survived a 104.5 degree Fahrenheit temperature brought on by a bout of salmonella (treated by the team dentist) most likely caused by a lack of running hot water in his apartment. Sicilia had filed for bankruptcy in the middle of the season and had stopped paying its players. Bonner's heat and electricity were shut off and he was given two eviction notices. Despite half the team leaving, Bonner stuck it out and finished the year averaging 19.2 points and 9.3 rebounds.

Bonner signed with the Raptors during the 2004-05 NBA season, averaging 7.2 points per game whilst playing all 82 contests. Matt received the nickname "Red Rocket" during the same season in which he was constantly sighted on the public transit in Toronto, the TTC, whose streetcars are red and slogan is 'Ride the Rocket'.

Matt Bonner's first prominent moment as a Raptor occurred on December of 2004 during an exciting game at the Air Canada Centre. Extending for a rebound, he knocked all-star Kevin Garnett from behind, sending him sprawling to the ground prompting the two players to get into a heated exchange. The crowd chanted "Bonner, Bonner" as he was ejected from the game. This immediately established Matt as a fan favorite, and the website www.mattbonner.org saw Raptors fans rallying behind Bonner.

Sounds like Spurs material. Smart. Had to do his time in the minor leagues. Wasn't expected to do much in the NBA.

Should fit right in.

:smokin

[picnroll]

Pop sure likes to surround himself with high IQ guys. Sometimes I wonder if his main priority is having intelligent guys around to talk to.

[Kori Ellis]

Pop sure likes to surround himself with high IQ guys. Sometimes I wonder if his main priority is having intelligent guys around to talk to.

:lmao

[angel_luv]

Angel_luv... don't do anything harsh... If the forum lost you it would be worse than the Spurs loosing Rasho. :angel


Thanks. I won't. I went to church for some hope and found some. :)

[Pistons < Spurs]

WOW.

I heard this while at work today and was very suprised.

I'm still not sure if I truly like the deal, but I do think something had to be done. I like what the deal means from a financial standpoint. I just don't know how much better it makes the team.

I've always felt that Rasho could be alot better than what he showed in San Antonio. I always felt that he needed to play more minutes.

In his 3 years in SA he continuously lost minutes each year.

2003:28.7
2004:25.5
2005:19.0

I beleive he needed closer to 30-32 minutes per. I also believe POP need to attempt to run some plays for him to become involved in the offensive scheme.

I never liked the whole distribution of minutes between the bigs. I want a legit starter. Not 3 guys that asverage 18.5 apiece.

My fear is that Bonner will fall into that same role getting 20 minutes a game.

I like Bonner. I like his energy. I like his heart. I think he can and will bring an attitude that the Spur frontcourt has been lacking. I'd like to see a little fire in someones eyes.

I just don't think he's the answer. He's not the fix. He'll be a good role player. I picture him being something like a mix between Haslem and Junk Yard Dog ... with an outside shooting touch ... but not quite as good as either.

Williams is nothing more than a piece to be traded at a later time.

I wonder if there are more moves to be done. I wonder if Nazr stays. If not, does he start? Does Bonner start? How much will Oberto and Horry's PT eat into Bonners time?

I'm also happy for Rasho. He should get more minutes now. I think his play and numbers will see a decent improvement. Toronto is a good place for him. He'll be alongside some atletic big guys who will get him some easy buckets.

IMO Rasho will be more of a 12 & 8 kind of guy up there, and Spur fans around the world will be asking why he couldn't do that while in San Antonio.

[yavozerb]

Williams will be thrown in with nazr during a sign and trade...I am not sure if this would work but what about those two for chandler (not to crazy about his contract though)

[Kori Ellis]

Williams will be thrown in with nazr during a sign and trade...I am not sure if this would work but what about those two for chandler (not to crazy about his contract though)

I believe Williams can't be traded in conjunction with other players for 2 months.

[RashoFan]

Sorry Angel and RashoFan. :depressed

I feel for you guys but I have to say I'm personally relieved.
Thanks Budkin, I know it is a business thing and I will have to move to Toronto now ...Angel, you are coming with me...

[gameFACE]

One down, two (Barry and Nazr) to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Give me Luol Deng, Tim Thomas, Jared Jeffries, or give me death beyotch!
Nazr is an unrestricted free agent. There is no Nazr to get rid of. Technically he's gone.

Williams doesn't make the team any younger. We have enough veteran leadership in tim, Bruce, Finley and Horry. Maybe he can be traded for a younger SF to a young team needing a veteran player. Atlanta? Sucks about that two month time frame, though.

[Slinkyman]

I believe Williams can't be traded in conjunction with other players for 2 months.

what about a player's rights?

[Kori Ellis]

what about a player's rights?

Are you asking if they could trade Williams plus Scola's rights?

I would guess they could but I'm not an expert at this stuff. ChumpDumper should know.

[BgT]

Great, great trade.

Matt Bonner is one of my favorite players in the league. This guy is the Malik Rose or Udonis Haslem the Spurs needed.
:lol Spurs have finally said goodbye to 2006/07 title. Not because Rasho's gone, but because they got 2 shitty players in return. Perhaps in 2007/08 the team will get much better.
As for Rasho not contributing - I think it's Pop's fault, too. Small ball. Pfffff.

[ducks]

rasho was given a chance

[Kori Ellis]

:lol Spurs have finally said goodbye to 2006/07 title. Not because Rasho's gone, but because they got 2 shitty players in return. Perhaps in 2007/08 the team will get much better.
As for Rasho not contributing - I think it's Pop's fault, too. Small ball. Pfffff.

You think the Spurs are done for the summer? :lol This is just a salary move. Whatever these two players give is gravy. Bonner will play some and stretch the floor with his shooting. Williams will be an end of the bench player or gone.

Free agency hasn't even started, I don't see how you can write the Spurs off for next year. The Spurs have $7M to spend in free agency, plus will likely make a couple other trades.

You do realize that last season the Spurs tried to traded Rasho for Abdul-Wahad, who isn't even in the league.

This trade is a steal for the Spurs.

[jcrod]

WOW.

I heard this while at work today and was very suprised.

I'm still not sure if I truly like the deal, but I do think something had to be done. I like what the deal means from a financial standpoint. I just don't know how much better it makes the team.

I've always felt that Rasho could be alot better than what he showed in San Antonio. I always felt that he needed to play more minutes.

In his 3 years in SA he continuously lost minutes each year.

2003:28.7
2004:25.5
2005:19.0

I beleive he needed closer to 30-32 minutes per. I also believe POP need to attempt to run some plays for him to become involved in the offensive scheme.

I never liked the whole distribution of minutes between the bigs. I want a legit starter. Not 3 guys that asverage 18.5 apiece.

My fear is that Bonner will fall into that same role getting 20 minutes a game.

I like Bonner. I like his energy. I like his heart. I think he can and will bring an attitude that the Spur frontcourt has been lacking. I'd like to see a little fire in someones eyes.

I just don't think he's the answer. He's not the fix. He'll be a good role player. I picture him being something like a mix between Haslem and Junk Yard Dog ... with an outside shooting touch ... but not quite as good as either.

Williams is nothing more than a piece to be traded at a later time.

I wonder if there are more moves to be done. I wonder if Nazr stays. If not, does he start? Does Bonner start? How much will Oberto and Horry's PT eat into Bonners time?

I'm also happy for Rasho. He should get more minutes now. I think his play and numbers will see a decent improvement. Toronto is a good place for him. He'll be alongside some atletic big guys who will get him some easy buckets.

IMO Rasho will be more of a 12 & 8 kind of guy up there, and Spur fans around the world will be asking why he couldn't do that while in San Antonio.

Dude, whats your team again?????? :lol

Sound like a Spurs fan to me. I agree almost 100%.

I hope he's at least half of what TIMVP is hyping up to be. He seems to be what the Spurs need. But I honestly think Williams would do good here, he's a hustler and we need that. Good trade either way.

[J.T.]

I'm amped about this trade. Wake me up when September ends.

[Slinkyman]

Are you asking if they could trade Williams plus Scola's rights?

I would guess they could but I'm not an expert at this stuff. ChumpDumper should know.

yeah that's what i was wondering, also realized Williams for JR Smith and Arvydas Macijauskas works but i don't know if NO would do it or if the spurs still want Smith.

I also wonder if there's a reason the spurs made this trade now and didn't wait till after the draft but maybe this trade helps the spurs get the pieces needed to make a move into the first round.

[Kori Ellis]

yeah that's what i was wondering, also realized Williams for JR Smith and Arvydas Macijauskas works but i don't know if NO would do it or if the spurs still want Smith.

I also wonder if there's a reason the spurs made this trade now and didn't wait till after the draft but maybe this trade helps the spurs get the pieces needed to make a move into the first round.


I think the trade happened now because it will help the Raptors figure out what to do with their pick.

[T Park]

This deal opens up so many trades with Williams and Barry.


God, I LOVE the offseason :)

[ducks]

this week has been great
mavs choke
spurs improve
this lineup might have beat the mavs this year

[Kori Ellis]

This deal opens up so many trades with Williams and Barry.


God, I LOVE the offseason :)

They can't trade Williams in conjunction with Barry for another two months.

[picnroll]

Raptors want to sign Garbajosa. One more reason to rid themselves of Bonner. Both are outside shooting big men.

[resistanze]

I really hope the Raps package the draft pick in a deal to acqure a solid player/star. I'm willing to part ways with anyone except Bosh and maybe Peterson.

[BgT]

You think the Spurs are done for the summer? :lol This is just a salary move. Whatever these two players give is gravy. Bonner will play some and stretch the floor with his shooting. Williams will be an end of the bench player or gone.

Free agency hasn't even started, I don't see how you can write the Spurs off for next year. The Spurs have $7M to spend in free agency, plus will likely make a couple other trades.

You do realize that last season the Spurs tried to traded Rasho for Abdul-Wahad, who isn't even in the league.
If those two players would cost 1.5M each (which is not possible, but I wrote IF), it would be a better trade. Bu the budget is almost the same after the trade for 2006/07 and Spurs even had to give some money to Raptors. Now, you don't really expect Spurs starting to buy great players this summer do you? No way. We need a center, it's going to cost a few million, there is no way we will be getting any quality for this season. I'm telling you - Spurs have just given up for the next season and want to have some real space for 2007/08. Plus, imagine Spurs winning the game seven against Dallas. Who would be playing in the Finals at center position? That's right.


This trade is a steal for the Spurs.
Well, we just don't agree there, but the season hasn't even started yet. We'll see. Spurs had a great chance to trade Rasho + someone else for a good player(s) and they f... up.

[angel_luv]

:pctoss

Just found this in my inbox.
Spurs Acquire Eric Williams and Matt Bonner for Rasho

The San Antonio Spurs announced today that they have acquired Matt
Bonner, a 6-10 center, and Eric Williams, an 11-year NBA veteran, plus a
2009 second round pick from the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Rasho
Nesterovic. "We are excited about the additions of Bonner and Williams,"
Spurs General Manager R.C. Buford said.

Good thing I spend more time here than I do in my e-mail.

I can't even imagine me finding out that way.

[Kori Ellis]

We need a center ... Who would be playing in the Finals at center position?

I believe Tim Duncan will be playing center.

[angel_luv]

Does Timmy like to play Center?

[timvp]

Spurs had a great chance to trade Rasho + someone else for a good player(s) and they f... up.

:lol

The Spurs couldn't trade Rasho + 1st Round Pick + Cash for Tariq Abdul-Wahad.

Knowing that, this trade is somewhat of a miracle.

[SPARKY]

This offseason presents the Spurs with some opportunities. Spurs have Mohammed to perhaps find themselves a sign and trade. They have their MLE and LLE. With Williams' contract, the Spurs will be able to offer a team some cap relief in '07 between now and next February if the Spurs are willing to take back a contract with some years on it. As always, they have Scola's rights to deal. A polished scorer from the Euroleagues should attract some interest, if the Spurs have decided he doesn't fit their style. Beno may be expendable depending on if the Spurs land a solid point. Barry's also available for a deal and his contract isn't that bad. Come next February it will offer a team some cap relief the next year.

Also, the Spurs shouldn't find themselves unwilling to do a deal because of lux tax concerns.

[Kori Ellis]

Does Timmy like to play Center?

He plays center all the time.

[T Park]

Spurs had a great chance to trade Rasho + someone else for a good player(s) and they f... up.

Link to those trades please?

[jcrod]

He plays center all the time.


He doesn't want to be called a center though. I remember reading somewhere where RC and Pop said TD doesn't want to be called a center in the starting lineup, even if he plays there 50% of the time.

[SPARKY]

I'm not sure what more the Spurs could have expected for Radoslav Nesterovic and $23 million in salary. Now the Spurs have the flexibility to become players in the 2007 free agent market or to facilitate a nice trade or two.

[BgT]

I believe Tim Duncan will be playing center.
I said for THIS season. Game 7 Mavs win ---> Phoenix ---> Miami.
Rasho would have some serious playing time.



The Spurs couldn't trade Rasho + 1st Round Pick + Cash for Tariq Abdul-Wahad.



Link to those trades please?
Well, you two... it seems Spurs were able to trade Rasho ALONE, right? Case closed.


He plays center all the time.
:lol You can be sure that Tim HIMSELF demands a true center in the team, don't worry about that. It is a public secret that Tim doesn't want to play center, especially in D.


Now the Spurs have the flexibility to become players in the 2007 free agent market or to facilitate a nice trade or two.
As I said, it looks good for Spurs in 2007/08, (unless we get some stupid crappy player contract in the summer) but for 2006/07 it doesn't look good.

[JUUOT]

came back from a meeting and trying to catch up. I think this is a wonderful trade. I live in ottawa and got raptors TV this year. after 2 games i was a Bonner FAN. He has an incredible energy and breath smartness and kindness butat the same time he can be so agressive. You can see all his teammates loved him , HE HAS THE DRIVE. We need young players like this who want IT BAD. I have seen him change the momentum of the game on 3pt but also on transition dunk AND transition Dfense. He IS pretty fast for his syze and WILLING to do what it takes.

his game has flaws but i can accept them so much easier when a player puts so much heart to it. He will only improve. Good trade.

By the way Eric Williams will not even be a stop gap solution. we need to get rid of him by buying out or exchanging him during the season. no way he can contribute in the play-off he is done.

[Kori Ellis]

Well, you two... it seems Spurs were able to trade Rasho ALONE, right? Case closed.

Yep. After 2 years of trying, they got rid of him. That's why taking anything they could get is a good trade.

[strangeweather]

Well, you two... it seems Spurs were able to trade Rasho ALONE, right? Case closed.
Let me see if I have this straight: after trying for a year, we finally find a trade for Rasho. Since one deal exists, there must be many other potential deals out there that are even better?

I'm not quite sure how you got from point A to point B.

[jcrod]

As long as he's not the second coming of Sean Marks.

[timvp]

came back from a meeting and trying to catch up. I think this is a wonderful trade. I live in ottawa and got raptors TV this year. after 2 games i was a Bonner FAN. He has an incredible energy and breath smartness and kindness butat the same time he can be so agressive. You can see all his teammates loved him , HE HAS THE DRIVE. We need young players like this who want IT BAD. I have seen him change the momentum of the game on 3pt but also on transition dunk AND transition Dfense. He IS pretty fast for his syze and WILLING to do what it takes.

his game has flaws but i can accept them so much easier when a player puts so much heart to it. He will only improve. Good trade.

Exactly.

I've also watched many of his games and it's tough not to root for this guy. He has heart, toughness and can shoot the lights out. It's tough to get a good read on what he does defensively because he was on a horrible defensive team and played out of position a lot, but if 75 year old Danny Ferry could survive defensively, a 26 year old Matt Bonner who is a lot more athletic will easily survive.

The Spurs were missing that Malik Rose style drive ... but now they have it back.


By the way Eric Williams will not even be a stop gap solution. we need to get rid of him by buying out or exchanging him during the season. no way he can contribute in the play-off he is done.

Him having an expiring contract will make him easy to trade.

:smokin

[SPARKY]

Well, you two... it seems Spurs were able to trade Rasho ALONE, right? Case closed.

Someone's not making sense.

[Kori Ellis]

You can be sure that Tim HIMSELF demands a true center in the team, don't worry about that. It is a public secret that Tim doesn't want to play center, especially in D.

Oh I think they'll be some kind of other center on the team. Javtokas or whatever. But I think the Spurs will acquire another PF who will start along side Duncan.

[clubalien]

tim is now afraid to play dirk as a powerforwad so i guess he wants to move to center.

[Brutalis]

Well I have to say I'm pretty happy with this deal. Rasho was really overrated for a long time and it showed.

I'm just happy we got a good youngin', vet and even a pick. Surprised anyone would have given that much for him.

I'd like to know what Raptors fans are saying. If there is any.

And to angeluv- You'll get over it.

[strangeweather]

Oh I think they'll be some kind of other center on the team. Javtokas or whatever. But I think the Spurs will acquire another PF who will start along side Duncan.
They can announce Tim at shooting guard and Tony as the center for all I care. But unless they bring in another center we haven't seen yet, I think you're right that Duncan will be the de facto center in the starting lineup.

[Kori Ellis]

I'd like to know what Raptors fans are saying. If there is any.

I read a Raptors forum earlier where they are saying that Villanueva is on the block now. Colangelo says that Rasho is the starting center alongside Bosh up front. And then they would probably draft a SF.

[BgT]

Let me see if I have this straight: after trying for a year, we finally find a trade for Rasho. Since one deal exists, there must be many other potential deals out there that are even better?

I'm not quite sure how you got from point A to point B.
I'm not in the "explain obvious" mood. Find someone else...


tim is now afraid to play dirk as a powerforwad so i guess he wants to move to center.
Tim was never "afraid" to play anywhere, it's just that center banging he doesn't like. It would also be bad for his injury/fatigue condidtion to become our starting center.

[Brutalis]

I read a Raptors forum earlier where they are saying that Villanueva is on the block now. Colangelo says that Rasho is the starting center alongside Bosh up front. And then they would probably draft a SF.
I bet my left nut they draft Lamarcus.

Why don't we go after Villan? I bet we tried.

[SPARKY]

Tim is the center. It'd probably be better for him to start off games against lumbering 5s than have to face athletic 4s.

[T Park]

Could they be dumb enough to trade Villanueva to us too? :lmao

[BgT]

And then they would probably draft a SF.
Which one?

[ace3g]

I read a Raptors forum earlier where they are saying that Villanueva is on the block now. Colangelo says that Rasho is the starting center alongside Bosh up front. And then they would probably draft a SF.


that would have been cool if the spurs could have gotten Villanueva for Rasho, especially if the rumors are true and the raptors are looking to get rid of him, he could have been our answer for a long 3, oh well I still like what we got

[T Park]

I'm not in the "explain obvious" mood. Find someone else

in other words you have no clue..

[Kori Ellis]

For people who don't think Duncan will be playing center, RC Buford does.


"It's obvious Tim's minutes are going to start getting directed some to (center) from looking at the playoffs," Buford said. "So the necessity to have so many people at (that) position probably becomes a little bit less."

[Kori Ellis]

Here's the E-N article. Like I said earlier, with Bonner here now it looks like they'll trade Scola's rights.

Spurs bolster perimeter: Nesterovic is dealt to Toronto for Bonner, Williams, 2009 pick

Web Posted: 06/22/2006 12:00 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer

Less than 24 hours after the NBA crowned its new champion, the Spurs took the first step in attempting to make their roster more title-worthy, trading center Rasho Nesterovic to Toronto for forwards Matt Bonner and Eric Williams.

The trade was made largely for financial reasons: Nesterovic had three years and $23.5 million remaining on his contract, while Bonner and Williams are entering the final season of their respective deals. The Spurs hope their newest acquisitions help them better match up in the Western Conference, where perimeter-oriented power forwards such as Dirk Nowitzki, Boris Diaw and Lamar Odom have become the norm.

Bonner, 26, averaged 7.3 points and 3.6 rebounds in two seasons with the Raptors. At 6-foot-10, and with a 42.1 percent career 3-point percentage, Bonner gives the Spurs another big man to space the floor for Tim Duncan.

"We can always figure out ways to use guys who can shoot the ball," Spurs general manager R.C. Buford said.

Williams, 6-8, is an 11-year veteran who will be playing for his sixth team. Williams turns 34 next month and appeared in only 28 games last season, but Buford is optimistic he can provide defense and toughness.

Nesterovic's lack of athleticism and aggressiveness made him an easy target for fans in his three seasons with the Spurs, but he was an effective position defender when matched against bigger centers. He lost his starting job after the Spurs acquired Nazr Mohammed in February 2005, regained it at the beginning of last season, then lost it again after the All-Star break.

Neither Nesterovic nor Mohammed played much in the Spurs' second-round loss to Dallas when coach Gregg Popovich opted to use a smaller lineup to match up with Nowitzki.

"It's obvious Tim's minutes are going to start getting directed some to (center) from looking at the playoffs," Buford said. "So the necessity to have so many people at (that) position probably becomes a little bit less."

For now, the Spurs don't have a true center. Mohammed is a free agent, and though the Spurs are open to re-signing him if the price is right, they also will explore sign-and-trade options. They expect to sign Robertas Javtokas, a 6-11 former second-round pick who has been playing in Lithuania, but consider him a solid rotation player more than a starting option.

The arrival of Bonner and Williams also increases the likelihood the Spurs will trade the rights to Argentine forward Luis Scola. With Fabricio Oberto also under contract, the team is deep at power forward.

In addition to finding a center, the Spurs will try to add a third point guard and a younger, athletic wing player via free agency or trade. They don't expect any immediate help from next week's draft even if they trade for a first-round selection. If the Spurs need to make a move during the season, Williams' $4.3 million contract might attract teams looking to get under the salary cap.

As part of Wednesday's deal, the Spurs will receive a 2009 second-round pick the Raptors had obtained from New Orleans. Toronto also received financial considerations — less than $1 million — from the Spurs.

Nesterovic, 30, is in Slovenia and couldn't be reached for comment, but his agent, Bill Duffy, said he was "fine" with the trade. He is expected to become the Raptors' starting center.

"It was a great experience for him in San Antonio," Duffy said. "The Spurs believed in him and rewarded him with a nice contract, but at the end of the day, his role there had diminished."

Bonner, whose long-range shooting and wit made him popular with Toronto fans, was surprised when Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo informed him of the trade. He will fly to San Antonio today to meet with Spurs officials.

"I felt we were on our way to having a winning team (in Toronto)," Bonner said by phone. "But now I have a great opportunity to go to a great organization. I'm really excited."

[BgT]

in other words you have no clue..
Rrrright.. :rolleyes

[BgT]

For people who don't think Duncan will be playing center, RC Buford does.
Well, that's obvious as there is no other choice! :lmao

[strangeweather]

I'm not in the "explain obvious" mood. Find someone else...
Enjoy your dreamworld where we could have gotten Garnett for Rasho, Barry, and Oberto or something.

[RON ARTEST]

I agree that Rashard would be great on the Spurs...while he is making a lot of money, I dont think its a "max" contract, it may be close, but its not max I'm pretty sure..he made $8.5 last year & will make $9.3, $10.1(player option), & $10.9 over the next 3 years...it is probably a very slim chance that we could get him, but a healthy Rashard Lewis, with Parker, Gino & TD would be sick...I have been hoping for Lewis to be a Spur for a long time.
you have no chance of getting him though. who would you trade?

[Kori Ellis]

you have no chance of getting him though. who would you trade?

I wouldn't want him. He's opting out of this contract the following season because he wants a max deal.

He's not a max player.

[SPARKY]

In addition to finding a center, the Spurs will try to add a third point guard and a younger, athletic wing player via free agency or trade. They don't expect any immediate help from next week's draft even if they trade for a first-round selection.


http://www.nba.com/media/act_stephen_jackson.jpg

[RON ARTEST]

http://www.nba.com/media/act_stephen_jackson.jpg
oh god, why would you want jackson? hes a chucker and he has a bad attitude. the spurs organization is nothing like that.

[RON ARTEST]

I wouldn't want him. He's opting out of this contract the following season because he wants a max deal.

He's not a max player.
yeah your right. he always seemed like a black peja to me.

[Kori Ellis]

oh god, why would you want jackson? hes a chucker and he has a bad attitude. the spurs organization is nothing like that.

Majority of Spurs fans love SJax.

[Slinkyman]

http://www.nba.com/media/act_stephen_jackson.jpg
But i'd rather have:
http://www.geocities.com/wizards_basketball/Jeffries_vs._Sonics.jpg

[clubalien]

it looks like RJ is "a lock" to come here. Also looks like we are perparing are team for tim to be center and Ian to come over later to play the 4 spot and be the new cominate player of the spurs. I am not sure how sucessful the spurs will be this upcoming season. I will predict they won't have as many wins as this last season.

[Leetonidas]

I get the feeling Scola and Eric Williams will be traded to Chicago for the 16th pick.

[Kori Ellis]

Spurs now have 11 players under contract (and that doesn't include Nazr).

Adding Javtokas, another big, a point guard, and a wing would make 15. We all know that the Spurs aren't going to carry 15. So look for another trade - maybe trading 2 of our guys and getting one back.

[SPARKY]

oh god, why would you want jackson? hes a chucker and he has a bad attitude. the spurs organization is nothing like that.

Didn't seem to have those problems in SA.

[Borosai]

I can't believe I just read 18 pages of this thread.

Interesting.

[timvp]

The trade was made largely for financial reasons: Nesterovic had three years and $23.5 million remaining on his contract, while Bonner and Williams are entering the final season of their respective deals. The Spurs hope their newest acquisitions help them better match up in the Western Conference, where perimeter-oriented power forwards such as Dirk Nowitzki, Boris Diaw and Lamar Odom have become the norm.

But, but picnroll said this was not the case.



Bonner, 26, averaged 7.3 points and 3.6 rebounds in two seasons with the Raptors. At 6-foot-10, and with a 42.1 percent career 3-point percentage, Bonner gives the Spurs another big man to space the floor for Tim Duncan.

"We can always figure out ways to use guys who can shoot the ball," Spurs general manager R.C. Buford said.

Yeah when TD, TP and Manu are all basically interior players, you need the other two players on the court to be able to shoot.

Bonner can shoot.


Williams, 6-8, is an 11-year veteran who will be playing for his sixth team. Williams turns 34 next month and appeared in only 28 games last season, but Buford is optimistic he can provide defense and toughness.

Defense and toughness at 6-foot-8 is something the Spurs didn't have last year. Even if he only plays a Jerome Kersey roll for this team, that's better than what the Spurs had last year.


Nesterovic's lack of athleticism and aggressiveness made him an easy target for fans in his three seasons with the Spurs, but he was an effective position defender when matched against bigger centers. He lost his starting job after the Spurs acquired Nazr Mohammed in February 2005, regained it at the beginning of last season, then lost it again after the All-Star break.

Neither Nesterovic nor Mohammed played much in the Spurs' second-round loss to Dallas when coach Gregg Popovich opted to use a smaller lineup to match up with Nowitzki.

"It's obvious Tim's minutes are going to start getting directed some to (center) from looking at the playoffs," Buford said. "So the necessity to have so many people at (that) position probably becomes a little bit less."

It's good to see that the Spurs have finally figured out that Tim Duncan is a center. Last year they didn't have the right players on the team and the Mavs exploited the weaknesses.


For now, the Spurs don't have a true center. Mohammed is a free agent, and though the Spurs are open to re-signing him if the price is right, they also will explore sign-and-trade options. They expect to sign Robertas Javtokas, a 6-11 former second-round pick who has been playing in Lithuania, but consider him a solid rotation player more than a starting option.

A "solid rotation player" is pretty high praise for a guy who almost died not that long ago. I remember when Manu was coming over, the Spurs just said that he'd have a chance to make the rotation.

I'm not saying RJ is the next Manu, but it's a good sign that the Spurs expect him to be able to crack the rotation.


The arrival of Bonner and Williams also increases the likelihood the Spurs will trade the rights to Argentine forward Luis Scola. With Fabricio Oberto also under contract, the team is deep at power forward.

Scola being traded isn't that huge of a surprise. If you've listened to the Spurs' brass over the last couple month, everything points to Scola being traded.

However, I disagree with this paragraph. I wouldn't call the Spurs deep at power forward. Williams isn't a power forward. I wouldn't really consider Oberto as a power forward. The only true power forwards on the team are Horry and now Bonner.


In addition to finding a center, the Spurs will try to add a third point guard and a younger, athletic wing player via free agency or trade. They don't expect any immediate help from next week's draft even if they trade for a first-round selection. If the Spurs need to make a move during the season, Williams' $4.3 million contract might attract teams looking to get under the salary cap.

First off, I don't see it as too vital of a need for the Spurs to go out and find a center. They just traded Rasho. If they wanted a center, they should have kept him. Oberto can play center and Bonner has started at center before. If they want to sign a center, they'll have to go and either look for a grizzled veteran or a young guy with upside.

Secondly, saying the Spurs will try to add a third point guard is giving Beno too much credit. If the Spurs can somehow get a quality backup point, I think they should do so. Beno hasn't earned the backup job just yet.

A young, athletic swingman is an obvious need and has been for the last couple season. It's also interesting that Ludden mentioned trading Williams. That's been talked about in the forum and is something we'll hear more about if the Spurs have a need around the All-Star break.


As part of Wednesday's deal, the Spurs will receive a 2009 second-round pick the Raptors had obtained from New Orleans. Toronto also received financial considerations — less than $1 million — from the Spurs.

The second round pick was just icing on the cake of this trade.


Nesterovic, 30, is in Slovenia and couldn't be reached for comment, but his agent, Bill Duffy, said he was "fine" with the trade. He is expected to become the Raptors' starting center.

"It was a great experience for him in San Antonio," Duffy said. "The Spurs believed in him and rewarded him with a nice contract, but at the end of the day, his role there had diminished."

Translation: Rasho got his money from the Spurs and is grateful. Now he'll go to Toronto and actually have to play.


Bonner, whose long-range shooting and wit made him popular with Toronto fans, was surprised when Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo informed him of the trade. He will fly to San Antonio today to meet with Spurs officials.

"I felt we were on our way to having a winning team (in Toronto)," Bonner said by phone. "But now I have a great opportunity to go to a great organization. I'm really excited."

We're excited to have you, MB.


:smokin

[SA210]

wth?

I've been waiting for a few years for Scola to come over. :madrun

[Buddy Holly]

Adding Javtokas, another big, a point guard, and a wing would make 15. We all know that the Spurs aren't going to carry 15. So look for another trade - maybe trading 2 of our guys and getting one back.

Wouldn't that be the same thing?

You add Jav you add another big.

[Kori Ellis]

Wouldn't that be the same thing?

You add Jav you add another big.

I was going by what the E-N article says. It says they don't think of Javtokas as a starter and talks about adding another big in addition to him.

[Buddy Holly]

I assume by "find a center" that excludes Jav from the roster and if they sign him (because they haven't, they just expect to) then they'd have found their center.

That's how I read it.

But I agree, someone is getting traded.

[SPARKY]

I was going by what the E-N article says. It says they don't think of Javtokas as a starter and talks about adding another big in addition to him.

That's definitely leading towards finding a lower cost traditional center though Reggie Evans wouldn't be out of the question.

[Kori Ellis]

I assume by "find a center" that excludes Jav from the roster and if they sign him (because they haven't, they just expect to) then they'd have found their center.

I read it as they are assuming Javtokas is coming but don't consider him a starter. So they'll still have to find a starting big man. Either way, I think Barry and Beno are on the block.

[timvp]

It sucks that the Barry for JR Smith trade sounds dead. That would have been a steal.

[SPARKY]

Barry + Beno to Indiana for Jack + pick.

[Kori Ellis]

I wonder what teams would want to do a signandtrade for Nazr. It seems like the Spurs are looking at that option. But with who?

[SPARKY]

I wonder what teams would want to do a signandtrade for Nazr. It seems like the Spurs are looking at that option. But with who?

Dunno. The one team linked to having an interest in him is the Bulls and they can sign him outright.

[Buddy Holly]

Either way, I think Barry and Beno are on the block.

Who do the Spurs find to fill the back up roll for Tony?

They need someone that can play so as to give Tony as many bench minutes as we can while still maintaining a good team.

[J.T.]

Nazr for Dwayne Wade seems like a possibility at this juncture.

[Kori Ellis]

Dunno. The one team linked to having an interest in him is the Bulls and they can sign him outright.

I know. There has to be a team that is interested other than the Bulls I would think.

[Buddy Holly]

Dunno. The one team linked to having an interest in him is the Bulls and they can sign him outright.

Wouldn't he get more with SA? Then we could sign and trade him to whoever.

[supaphly119]

i only read 10 of the 18 pages but speaking of bigs, isn't chris kaman up for free agency? i know he's not the best big on the planet but he's a warrior as far as i can tell good for a double-double a game. can we afford him? we just need to stick someone in the middle who can get boards and 5 baskets a game. kaman does that and rasho was only good at putting his arms in the air.

[timvp]

I wonder what teams would want to do a signandtrade for Nazr. It seems like the Spurs are looking at that option. But with who?

I like Chump's idea of Nazr for Duhon. A dream trade would be Nazr for someone like Josh Childress.

[Buddy Holly]

I know. There has to be a team that is interested other than the Bulls I would think.

Maybe Nazr and Barry or Beno for ?? and ??.

[Kori Ellis]

Who do the Spurs find to fill the back up roll for Tony?

They need someone that can play so as to give Tony as many bench minutes as we can while still maintaining a good team.

I don't know. They have the MLE to play around with. I guess it depends on if they sign-and-trade Nazr and what they get back. Then they'll figure out what positions they need to use the MLE on.

[Buddy Holly]

Who's in need of a starting C and backup or starting point?

[timvp]

Who's in need of a starting C and backup or starting point?

Atlanta.

:drunk

[Kori Ellis]

Atlanta.

:drunk

Didn't they already have Nazr? Would they want him again?

[Buddy Holly]

Didn't they already have Nazr? Would they want him again?

Probably, Nazr proved he could play.

[SPARKY]

Atlanta has like 10 small forwards. Hmmm...

[Buddy Holly]

Atlanta.

:drunk

They have no one besides both Joshs' that would be worth much.

[SPARKY]

Better than nothing.

[Tigole Bitties]

Josh Childress would be a decent pickup. Cheap too.

[Buddy Holly]

Nazr/Beno to Chicago for Chandler/Duhon

[timvp]

Bonner dealt to Spurs

By JOHN HABIB
Staff Sports Writer

The Red Rocket is heading to the Alamo.

Matt Bonner was traded to the San Antonio Spurs yesterday, ending a two-year relationship with the Toronto Raptors.

“My initial reaction was that I was bummed out,” said Bonner. “But once I thought about it, I realized I’m going to one of the best teams in the NBA.”

Bonner said he was informed of the trade, sending himself, teammate Eric Williams and a 2009 second-round draft pick to the Spurs for center Radoslav Nesterovic and cash, by Toronto General Manager Bryan Colangelo yesterday morning.

“I had no idea this was coming, so I was surprised when I got the phone call,” said Bonner, who will be formally introduced at a press conference today in San Antonio.

“Toronto needed a center and I understand the trade,” said Bonner. “At first I was bummed out because I have a lot of friends in Toronto and the fans there were great to me.”

Bonner said he doesn’t know yet what his role with the Spurs will be, but he’s excited to join forces with center Tim Duncan and the rest of the squad there.

“It’s mind-boggling,” said Bonner. “I’m excited about the opportunity to join a great team with great players who have made that franchise a perennial championship contender. My plan is to work hard and contribute whatever I can to help them win.”

A published report from MySanAntonio.com indicated that the trade frees up money for the Spurs. Nesterovic is still owned $23.5 million while Bonner and Williams each have one year left on their contracts.

“I have one year left on my contract,” said Bonner, who wouldn’t speculate on his future beyond next season. “I don’t concern myself with those type of things. I’m playing for San Antonio next year and I’m just going to concentrate on that right now.”

The former Concord High standout, a second-round draft choice (45th overall) by the Chicago Bulls in 2003, played two seasons for Toronto.

He played all 82 games his first season, averaging 7.2 points and 3.5 rebounds.

Last year a sprained ankle forced Bonner to miss the last four games of the season. It ended his streak of 160 straight games played, but he still averaged 7.5 points and 3.6 rebounds.

http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Bonner+dealt+to+Spurs&articleId=cc45ad57-830d-48ee-aa89-645eed80cb9a

[SPARKY]

Josh Childress would be a decent pickup. Cheap too.

Indeed. Rangy athletic 3 who shoots for a high percentage and rebounds well. Nice fit for today's NBA.

[Texas_Ranger]

Nazr/Beno to Chicago for Chandler/Duhon


That would be great, but I don`t think that they want to give us Chandler and Duhan for our two guys. They know that Beno was not so good in this season, on the other side Duhan played great and I think that he was in their starting lineup. Nazr is not so good as Chandler so I think that Atlanta will not to do this trade.

[SPARKY]

They could also just sign Mohammed outright and not pay a shitload for him as they would have to in that hypothetical trade.

[loveforthegame]

How about Barry/Udrih/Scola for Duhon/Sweetney?

Any trade involving Duhon must get his approval if it's before August 15th according to realgm.

[furry_spurry]

To contribute to the notion that it is all about perspective, many Toronto fans seem happy with this trade. From the media reports it appears that Williams is a cancer and they were glad to dump him. The other option for a starting center- besides a trade- was seen to be to overpay some FA center with a 5 year deal- like Nazr or Pryz- but instead they got Rasho on a 3 year deal. While people here hate a 3 yr- $23M deal, it looks a whole lot better than a 5 year- $40M deal.

-- Toronto Raptors president and GM Bryan Colangelo managed not only to acquire a centre but dump a salary in one fell swoop Wednesday.

Colangelo traded fan favourite Matt Bonner plus fellow forward Eric Williams to the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday, in exchange for seven-foot centre Rasho Nesterovic and cash.

Nesterovic fills a gaping hole for the Raptors, who have been in need of a true centre to help out star forward Chris Bosh. The move also rids the roster of the disgruntled Williams and his contract.

"Acquiring Rasho brings us an experienced presence at the centre position while not affecting our cap situation,'' Colangelo said in a statement. "He's a smart basketball player who will help address our needs, particularly on the defensive end of the floor.''
http://www.canada.com/topics/sports/story.html?id=dc0ce07d-48d8-4808-84e2-a7ef0aa79bfd&k=46070

-- Bryan Colangelo, who hasn't even been on the job for four months as the president and general manager of the Toronto Raptors, orchestrated his second major personnel move, filling a desperate need at centre with the acquisition of seven-foot veteran Rasho Nesterovic from the San Antonio Spurs last night.

In exchange for the eight-year National Basketball Association veteran, the rebounding-poor Raptors gave up popular second-year, three-point ace Matt Bonner, malcontent Eric Williams and a 2009 second-round draft pick. The Raptors also received cash considerations from the Spurs.

“We got a lot of needs on this team right now, and I think by acquiring a starting centre in the league right now, someone who started over 50 games for a team with the second best record in the league, we're filling a pretty big void in our lineup,” Colangelo said last night at a hastily convened news conference at the Air Canada Centre.

In Nesterovic, the Raptors are acquiring a seasoned, solid player who has played 548 career games, 456 of them as a starter. This past season with the 63-19 Spurs, playing alongside Tim Duncan, Nesterovic started in 51 games, averaging 4.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 18.9 minutes a game. He also averaged just more than one shot block a game.

Nesterovic has three years remaining on a contract that will pay him $6.7-million (all figures U.S.) next season...


And now the trade for Nesterovic provides the Raptors with their first legitimate centre since Eric Montross played for Toronto in 2001-02...


Williams was a non-factor last season; he played in only 28 games for Toronto after demanding a trade the year before
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060621.raptors22/BNStory/Sports/Basketball/

[timvp]

Toronto Raptors president and GM Bryan Colangelo managed not only to acquire a centre but dump a salary in one fell swoop Wednesday.


:wtf

If anyone dumped a salary, it was the Spurs.

[supaphly119]

:wtf

If anyone dumped a salary, it was the Spurs.

and man did it feel good. it was like the fatty you drop in the morning before you get dressed.

even if we didn't gain anything, two bodies are better than one.

[SPARKY]

So they dumped a guy in the last year of his contract. If he pitches a fit, the Spurs will either move him or just waive him.

[Pistons < Spurs]

And now the trade for Nesterovic provides the Raptors with their first legitimate centre since Eric Montross played for Toronto in 2001-02...





:lmao :lmao :lmao

[SPARKY]

Maybe the Spurs should've played Radoslav at centre. Then maybe he wouldn't have been a mistake.

[polandprzem]

Damn it's 9:34 am. in the morning and I have to read the breaking news on a 20+ pages thread :rolleyes

CIA Pop did it while I was sleeping - bastard!

:D


Well I'm gonna miss rasho and Angel_luv - she is Toronto fan now - isn't she?

Goood trade from a cup point of view. I've got to trust pop on that one. He don't need defense from Rasho right now I guess, it will be difficult to play with some teams with an "old" frontcourt, but the spurs are not that athletic and fast to play R&G all the time. I wonder how the spurs offense will look like next season. And esp. the D :head shakeing in off

[Bruno]

Predraft measurements for bonner (June 2003) :
Height w/o shoes : 6' 8.5"
Height with shoes : 6'10"
Weight : 242 lbs
Wingspan : 6' 8.75"
Standing reach : 8'9.5"

This guy has short arms, maybe it's a reason why he is a quite poor rebounder.

[timvp]

Predraft measurements for bonner (June 2003) :
Height w/o shoes : 6' 8.5"
Height with shoes : 6'10"
Weight : 242 lbs
Wingspan : 6' 8.75"
Standing reach : 8'9.5"

This guy has short arms, maybe it's a reason why he is a quite poor rebounder.

His wingspan is poor but his standing reach is pretty good. 8'9 is better than a player like Shelden Williams who is being touted as a center.