ducks
07-07-2006, 12:23 AM
Scola Remains Shackled to team in Spain
Web Posted: 07/06/2006 09:48 PM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
One of the agents for Luis Scola accused the Spurs on Thursday of making the Argentine forward a "prisoner" because they don't intend to sign him this summer and have yet to trade his rights.
The Spurs drafted Scola in the second round in 2002. He has hoped to come to the NBA each of the past two seasons but has been unable to work out an agreement with the Spurs, in part because of the large buyout he has with his Spanish team, Tau Ceramica.
Spurs officials made it clear after the season they likely wouldn't sign Scola because they didn't want to invest in another power forward, especially after signing Fabricio Oberto, Scola's friend, last year and trading for Matt Bonner two weeks ago. They also are unsure how well Scola would play next to Tim Duncan, given that both like to work out of the post.
"In the country of liberty, Luis is a prisoner," Claudio Villanueva, one of Scola's three agents, told Argentine newspaper La Nación. "The Spurs do not utilize him, neither do they want to yield him to another team and they impede him to play in the NBA."
Spurs officials declined comment except to say they have not spoken to Villanueva. Instead, they have worked with Scola's U.S. agent, George Bass, for more than a month to find him another team.
Several executives from other NBA teams said the Spurs tried to use Scola's rights to move into the first round of last week's draft. They also have sought to secure a future first-round pick for him.
Cleveland and Memphis expressed some interest, but the talks never yielded an offer.
With Nazr Mohammed signing with Detroit and Rasho Nesterovic traded to Toronto, the Spurs are focused on finding a center to play next to Duncan. The pool of remaining NBA free-agent centers is small, so the Spurs have looked overseas.
Croatian center Nikola Vujcic, who helped lead Israel's Maccabi Tel Aviv to the Euroleague championship game this past season, is one of the best big men in Europe and previously has expressed interest in coming to the NBA.
Bob Myers, the agent for Utah's Jarron Collins — the top NBA free-agent center left on the market — called the Spurs "an attractive option" Thursday but also said Collins is assessing all opportunities. The Jazz have said they hope to re-sign him.
Milwaukee is trying to trade Jamaal Magloire but doesn't like what the Spurs have to offer.
Moving Duncan to center and signing Scola isn't being considered. Scola is seeking a three-year contract worth between $9 million and $10 million, about a third of which would go to paying the $3.5 million buyout he has with Tau.
Had the Spurs not signed Oberto last summer — when Scola's buyout was nearly four times as much as it is now — or if Scola were in position to sign for the $1.5 million Manu Ginobili drew for his first-year NBA salary, the Spurs would be more willing to gamble on Scola. Other teams also seem hesitant.
Scola has distinguished himself as one of Europe's top players, which, coupled with the success of Ginobili and Chicago forward Andres Nocioni, has made him into a mythical star among Spurs fans, most of whom have seen him play few, if any, games. NBA officials, however, seem split on how Scola would fare in the league.
One Eastern Conference general manager said the Spurs could do a lot worse than signing Scola. Others question whether he is athletic and big enough. A Western Conference executive said his team didn't have much interest in Scola in the 2002 draft and is even less interested now.
With the Spurs unwilling to sign him — and apparently unable to trade him — Scola said he would play for Tau.
"Luis is young; he is 26 years old," Villanueva told La Nación. "He can expect that next year he surely he will fulfill his dream."
Web Posted: 07/06/2006 09:48 PM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
One of the agents for Luis Scola accused the Spurs on Thursday of making the Argentine forward a "prisoner" because they don't intend to sign him this summer and have yet to trade his rights.
The Spurs drafted Scola in the second round in 2002. He has hoped to come to the NBA each of the past two seasons but has been unable to work out an agreement with the Spurs, in part because of the large buyout he has with his Spanish team, Tau Ceramica.
Spurs officials made it clear after the season they likely wouldn't sign Scola because they didn't want to invest in another power forward, especially after signing Fabricio Oberto, Scola's friend, last year and trading for Matt Bonner two weeks ago. They also are unsure how well Scola would play next to Tim Duncan, given that both like to work out of the post.
"In the country of liberty, Luis is a prisoner," Claudio Villanueva, one of Scola's three agents, told Argentine newspaper La Nación. "The Spurs do not utilize him, neither do they want to yield him to another team and they impede him to play in the NBA."
Spurs officials declined comment except to say they have not spoken to Villanueva. Instead, they have worked with Scola's U.S. agent, George Bass, for more than a month to find him another team.
Several executives from other NBA teams said the Spurs tried to use Scola's rights to move into the first round of last week's draft. They also have sought to secure a future first-round pick for him.
Cleveland and Memphis expressed some interest, but the talks never yielded an offer.
With Nazr Mohammed signing with Detroit and Rasho Nesterovic traded to Toronto, the Spurs are focused on finding a center to play next to Duncan. The pool of remaining NBA free-agent centers is small, so the Spurs have looked overseas.
Croatian center Nikola Vujcic, who helped lead Israel's Maccabi Tel Aviv to the Euroleague championship game this past season, is one of the best big men in Europe and previously has expressed interest in coming to the NBA.
Bob Myers, the agent for Utah's Jarron Collins — the top NBA free-agent center left on the market — called the Spurs "an attractive option" Thursday but also said Collins is assessing all opportunities. The Jazz have said they hope to re-sign him.
Milwaukee is trying to trade Jamaal Magloire but doesn't like what the Spurs have to offer.
Moving Duncan to center and signing Scola isn't being considered. Scola is seeking a three-year contract worth between $9 million and $10 million, about a third of which would go to paying the $3.5 million buyout he has with Tau.
Had the Spurs not signed Oberto last summer — when Scola's buyout was nearly four times as much as it is now — or if Scola were in position to sign for the $1.5 million Manu Ginobili drew for his first-year NBA salary, the Spurs would be more willing to gamble on Scola. Other teams also seem hesitant.
Scola has distinguished himself as one of Europe's top players, which, coupled with the success of Ginobili and Chicago forward Andres Nocioni, has made him into a mythical star among Spurs fans, most of whom have seen him play few, if any, games. NBA officials, however, seem split on how Scola would fare in the league.
One Eastern Conference general manager said the Spurs could do a lot worse than signing Scola. Others question whether he is athletic and big enough. A Western Conference executive said his team didn't have much interest in Scola in the 2002 draft and is even less interested now.
With the Spurs unwilling to sign him — and apparently unable to trade him — Scola said he would play for Tau.
"Luis is young; he is 26 years old," Villanueva told La Nación. "He can expect that next year he surely he will fulfill his dream."