SenorSpur
07-05-2006, 02:46 AM
Here's Ludden's latest article on the Spurs voyage into free agency (or lack thereof anyway).
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA070506.1C.BKNspurs.mohammed.16094d6.html
Centers pass on Spurs: Mohammed heads to Detroit, and Przybilla re-signs with Portland
Web Posted: 07/05/2006 12:00 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
The Spurs crossed two more centers off their wish list Tuesday, including one of their own, secure they eventually will find someone to play next to Tim Duncan.
Less than two weeks after trading Rasho Nesterovic, the Spurs bid farewell to the second half of their center tandem after Nazr Mohammed reached an agreement with Detroit on a contract that guarantees him close to $24 million over the next four seasons.
The Pistons also are believed to hold an option for a fifth season, which, if picked up, would add about another $7 million to the deal.
Mohammed can't sign the contract until July 12, when the NBA lifts its free-agent moratorium.
Acquired in a trade that sent Malik Rose to New York in February 2005, Mohammed started every game of the Spurs' championship run that season. He lost his starting job to Nesterovic at the start of last season, regained it after the All-Star break, and then lost it again during the playoffs.
"We're happy for Nazr; I think he got the contract he was looking for," Spurs general manager R.C. Buford said. "We certainly appreciate the contributions he made to our program. He was an important part of our championship."
Mohammed's new contract is expected to start at slightly less than the $5.5 million he made last season.
During training camp, the Spurs discussed a four-year extension that would have averaged about the same before Mohammed suspended those talks, saying he wanted to seek a five-year deal in free agency.
Though Mohammed's new contract is close to the league's average salary, the Spurs were hesitant about committing long-term money to him when Duncan's deal is scheduled to expire in four seasons. He totaled only 15 minutes during the team's second-round series loss to Dallas — one more sign of the Spurs' willingness to play small in the up-tempo Western Conference.
Mohammed's agreement came after Joel Przybilla turned down an offer from the Pistons and returned to Portland for a five-year contract worth close to $32 million. Przybilla was expected to sign with Detroit, which offered comparable money to the Trail Blazers. His agent, Bill Duffy, even thought Przybilla was leaning toward joining the Pistons late Monday.
When it became clear Tuesday morning that Przybilla had doubts about Detroit, Pistons officials quickly made an offer to Mohammed.
The Spurs also were among the teams Przybilla considered, but — unlike Portland and Detroit — were unwilling to offer a five-year contract.
The departure of Mohammed and Nesterovic leaves the Spurs without a true center, although Duncan will play some minutes at the position. The team also will sign 6-foot-10 Lithuanian Robertas Javtokas, a former second-round draft pick, but doesn't consider him a serious candidate to start.
The Spurs have 11 players under contract, not including Javtokas, but team officials view the roster as "a work in progress." They remain optimistic about finding a fifth starter and hope it will be a center, which is one reason why, for now, they still seem unlikely to sign Argentine forward Luis Scola.
Utah's Jarron Collins and Memphis' Lorenzen Wright are probably the top remaining free-agent centers in a shallow pool that also includes Scot Pollard, Michael Olowokandi, Jake Voskuhl and Kelvin Cato, and restricted free agents Melvin Ely and Jackie Butler.
Collins earned only $1.7 million last season, making him an affordable option, but the Jazz also hope to re-sign him.
The Spurs also will continue to explore trades. Milwaukee is trying to move Jamaal Magloire, but it's yet to be determined whether the Spurs have enough assets — namely Brent Barry and Scola's rights — to make any deal.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA070506.1C.BKNspurs.mohammed.16094d6.html
Centers pass on Spurs: Mohammed heads to Detroit, and Przybilla re-signs with Portland
Web Posted: 07/05/2006 12:00 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
The Spurs crossed two more centers off their wish list Tuesday, including one of their own, secure they eventually will find someone to play next to Tim Duncan.
Less than two weeks after trading Rasho Nesterovic, the Spurs bid farewell to the second half of their center tandem after Nazr Mohammed reached an agreement with Detroit on a contract that guarantees him close to $24 million over the next four seasons.
The Pistons also are believed to hold an option for a fifth season, which, if picked up, would add about another $7 million to the deal.
Mohammed can't sign the contract until July 12, when the NBA lifts its free-agent moratorium.
Acquired in a trade that sent Malik Rose to New York in February 2005, Mohammed started every game of the Spurs' championship run that season. He lost his starting job to Nesterovic at the start of last season, regained it after the All-Star break, and then lost it again during the playoffs.
"We're happy for Nazr; I think he got the contract he was looking for," Spurs general manager R.C. Buford said. "We certainly appreciate the contributions he made to our program. He was an important part of our championship."
Mohammed's new contract is expected to start at slightly less than the $5.5 million he made last season.
During training camp, the Spurs discussed a four-year extension that would have averaged about the same before Mohammed suspended those talks, saying he wanted to seek a five-year deal in free agency.
Though Mohammed's new contract is close to the league's average salary, the Spurs were hesitant about committing long-term money to him when Duncan's deal is scheduled to expire in four seasons. He totaled only 15 minutes during the team's second-round series loss to Dallas — one more sign of the Spurs' willingness to play small in the up-tempo Western Conference.
Mohammed's agreement came after Joel Przybilla turned down an offer from the Pistons and returned to Portland for a five-year contract worth close to $32 million. Przybilla was expected to sign with Detroit, which offered comparable money to the Trail Blazers. His agent, Bill Duffy, even thought Przybilla was leaning toward joining the Pistons late Monday.
When it became clear Tuesday morning that Przybilla had doubts about Detroit, Pistons officials quickly made an offer to Mohammed.
The Spurs also were among the teams Przybilla considered, but — unlike Portland and Detroit — were unwilling to offer a five-year contract.
The departure of Mohammed and Nesterovic leaves the Spurs without a true center, although Duncan will play some minutes at the position. The team also will sign 6-foot-10 Lithuanian Robertas Javtokas, a former second-round draft pick, but doesn't consider him a serious candidate to start.
The Spurs have 11 players under contract, not including Javtokas, but team officials view the roster as "a work in progress." They remain optimistic about finding a fifth starter and hope it will be a center, which is one reason why, for now, they still seem unlikely to sign Argentine forward Luis Scola.
Utah's Jarron Collins and Memphis' Lorenzen Wright are probably the top remaining free-agent centers in a shallow pool that also includes Scot Pollard, Michael Olowokandi, Jake Voskuhl and Kelvin Cato, and restricted free agents Melvin Ely and Jackie Butler.
Collins earned only $1.7 million last season, making him an affordable option, but the Jazz also hope to re-sign him.
The Spurs also will continue to explore trades. Milwaukee is trying to move Jamaal Magloire, but it's yet to be determined whether the Spurs have enough assets — namely Brent Barry and Scola's rights — to make any deal.