Darkwaters
10-30-2007, 03:30 PM
Since we now have a free roster spot I think the Spurs are going to consider signing another player to the team. That player will likely be signed at the minimum and therefore be a developmental player trying to break into the league (a la, Darius Washington). Considering the reasonable depth in the post (4 players under contract next year + Splitter) and at the point (3 players under contract next year) I think they will look into signing a wing player since only Ginobili, Bowen and Udoka are slated to be returning. Here are a few of the potential choices I see out there. Some of them are playing in Europe now, some of them are in the D-League, but any of them might find their way to the Spurs by the end of the season.
Viktor Sanikidze 6'9, 196 lbs
http://www.clubestudiantes.com/adjuntos/g_fichero_2792_20060817.jpg
Viktor is probably one of the more likely players of the bunch. His rights are owned by the Spurs and he had a solid showing in the Summer League earlier this year. He is a long SF with great rebounding and defensive fundamentals. He seems to be capable of hitting the deep ball despite his line drive approach to shooting. He is extremely long and lanky and has experience playing both forward spots.
He is currently property of MMT Estudiantes, but has been trying to find a spot with a German team in Cologne. His current contract situation is unknown and he could be without a place to play very quickly. Austin might be just the ticket.
Justin Bowen 6'7, 205 lbs
http://www.worldwidehoops.com/images/justin-bowen4.jpg
While many players are potential Austin Toros, Justin Bowen has already achieved such acclaim. Having spent much of last year with the Toros, Bowen impressed many with his skills. Coming out of a small college as a PF, Bowen had neither the size nor the skills to play the post in the NBA. With some work, he has added many perimeter skills (including some range on his shot) and impressed a few NBA teams throughout the season. His continued future in Austin is an unknown for the moment, but if the Spurs sign him he could continue there and try and work a way into next year's rotation when the wings get empty.
ChumpDumper is our resident Bowen follower, and he would be the best to answer questions on Justin.
Derrick Byars 6'7, 225 lbs
http://graphics.fansonly.com/schools/vand/graphics/auto/byars022507ukinside.jpg
Byars is a solid all-around player. He can shoot the long ball, has solid vision and handles the ball well. His defense is above average and he rebounds better than many on the wing position. However, for some reason he hasn't been able to put it all together recently following a solid NCAA career. He was largely considered first round talent but slipped deep into the second round. Following his surprisingly low draft slot earlier this summer, Byars went into camp with the 76ers. He was, however, injured much of camp and played little in the preseason and was eventually waived. As such, Byars' ability to play at an elite level is still largely untested because of the injury. He is said to be looking to sign with the same German team that Sanikidze is considering...suggesting that the two will actually rival each other for one open slot.
Marcus Slaughter 6'8, 220 lbs
http://www.pe.com/imagesdaily/2006/06-28/mwc_wyoming_san_diego_st_ba1_300.jpg
A fairly raw prospect that was another converted PF that is now trying to play on the wing. He is largely a post dweller that lacks the range that some of his counterparts possess. However, he tallied the 5th most RPG in the NCAA last season, proving his tenacious ability to snatch boards. He is extremely stong and athletic and can create havoc down low, scoring on put backs and layups. He has virtually no experience defending wing players however, as he spent most of his college career at the 4, and would take some time to develop the instincts to do so.
Slaughter was just waived by the Miami Heat a few days ago, so his future is completely in question. So far I have not heard anything about interest in the NBDL, europe or even another NBA team.
Linton Johnson III 6'8, 205 lbs
http://www.nba.com/media/act_linton_johnson.jpg
Yes, this is the same Linton Johnson that was on the championship team in 2005. Johnson saw virtually no court time when with San Antonio and was allowed to walk the following season. New Jersey picked him up and signed him to a two year deal the following year, and his playing time improved very little. He was eventually traded to the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets where he had a double double his very first night in uniform (and not in garbage minutes either). His first year with the Hornets was quite productive and his second season he was elevated to the primary backup PF. However, Johnson has shown the ability to play both forward positions with ease. He is athletic as can be, shoots the ball fairly well (from deep now too) and is an offensive rebounding machine. However, he no longer has any NBDL elligibility and might not be interested in sitting on San Antonio's IR all season...again.
Yaroslav Korolev 6'9, 203 lbs
http://nbadraft.net/profiles/largepics/korolev.jpg
The former 12th overall selection by the Clippers was waived recently, making him another potential free agent target. Having played two years already in the league, he also has no NBDL elligibility. Korolev has underachieved since entering the NBA and hasn't seemed to adapt his game just yet. However, when he was drafted two years ago he was largely taken on "potential" and at 20 years old it is hard to imagine that he has realized all of it yet. Korolev is a solid athlete with excellent ball handling and passing skills. While his offense is not a weakness, it is hardly his strength as he looks to facilitate more on that end of the floor. He also has many tools that would make him a solid defender, but has not been able to put it all together on this level yet. Regardless, he could be a worthwhile effort. Despite the Clippers' dismay with him, I don't generally regard their talent evaluation as supreme. Perhaps he has something yet to offer?
Who did I miss? Who else should we consider? These are the names I've heard thrown out so far.
Viktor Sanikidze 6'9, 196 lbs
http://www.clubestudiantes.com/adjuntos/g_fichero_2792_20060817.jpg
Viktor is probably one of the more likely players of the bunch. His rights are owned by the Spurs and he had a solid showing in the Summer League earlier this year. He is a long SF with great rebounding and defensive fundamentals. He seems to be capable of hitting the deep ball despite his line drive approach to shooting. He is extremely long and lanky and has experience playing both forward spots.
He is currently property of MMT Estudiantes, but has been trying to find a spot with a German team in Cologne. His current contract situation is unknown and he could be without a place to play very quickly. Austin might be just the ticket.
Justin Bowen 6'7, 205 lbs
http://www.worldwidehoops.com/images/justin-bowen4.jpg
While many players are potential Austin Toros, Justin Bowen has already achieved such acclaim. Having spent much of last year with the Toros, Bowen impressed many with his skills. Coming out of a small college as a PF, Bowen had neither the size nor the skills to play the post in the NBA. With some work, he has added many perimeter skills (including some range on his shot) and impressed a few NBA teams throughout the season. His continued future in Austin is an unknown for the moment, but if the Spurs sign him he could continue there and try and work a way into next year's rotation when the wings get empty.
ChumpDumper is our resident Bowen follower, and he would be the best to answer questions on Justin.
Derrick Byars 6'7, 225 lbs
http://graphics.fansonly.com/schools/vand/graphics/auto/byars022507ukinside.jpg
Byars is a solid all-around player. He can shoot the long ball, has solid vision and handles the ball well. His defense is above average and he rebounds better than many on the wing position. However, for some reason he hasn't been able to put it all together recently following a solid NCAA career. He was largely considered first round talent but slipped deep into the second round. Following his surprisingly low draft slot earlier this summer, Byars went into camp with the 76ers. He was, however, injured much of camp and played little in the preseason and was eventually waived. As such, Byars' ability to play at an elite level is still largely untested because of the injury. He is said to be looking to sign with the same German team that Sanikidze is considering...suggesting that the two will actually rival each other for one open slot.
Marcus Slaughter 6'8, 220 lbs
http://www.pe.com/imagesdaily/2006/06-28/mwc_wyoming_san_diego_st_ba1_300.jpg
A fairly raw prospect that was another converted PF that is now trying to play on the wing. He is largely a post dweller that lacks the range that some of his counterparts possess. However, he tallied the 5th most RPG in the NCAA last season, proving his tenacious ability to snatch boards. He is extremely stong and athletic and can create havoc down low, scoring on put backs and layups. He has virtually no experience defending wing players however, as he spent most of his college career at the 4, and would take some time to develop the instincts to do so.
Slaughter was just waived by the Miami Heat a few days ago, so his future is completely in question. So far I have not heard anything about interest in the NBDL, europe or even another NBA team.
Linton Johnson III 6'8, 205 lbs
http://www.nba.com/media/act_linton_johnson.jpg
Yes, this is the same Linton Johnson that was on the championship team in 2005. Johnson saw virtually no court time when with San Antonio and was allowed to walk the following season. New Jersey picked him up and signed him to a two year deal the following year, and his playing time improved very little. He was eventually traded to the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets where he had a double double his very first night in uniform (and not in garbage minutes either). His first year with the Hornets was quite productive and his second season he was elevated to the primary backup PF. However, Johnson has shown the ability to play both forward positions with ease. He is athletic as can be, shoots the ball fairly well (from deep now too) and is an offensive rebounding machine. However, he no longer has any NBDL elligibility and might not be interested in sitting on San Antonio's IR all season...again.
Yaroslav Korolev 6'9, 203 lbs
http://nbadraft.net/profiles/largepics/korolev.jpg
The former 12th overall selection by the Clippers was waived recently, making him another potential free agent target. Having played two years already in the league, he also has no NBDL elligibility. Korolev has underachieved since entering the NBA and hasn't seemed to adapt his game just yet. However, when he was drafted two years ago he was largely taken on "potential" and at 20 years old it is hard to imagine that he has realized all of it yet. Korolev is a solid athlete with excellent ball handling and passing skills. While his offense is not a weakness, it is hardly his strength as he looks to facilitate more on that end of the floor. He also has many tools that would make him a solid defender, but has not been able to put it all together on this level yet. Regardless, he could be a worthwhile effort. Despite the Clippers' dismay with him, I don't generally regard their talent evaluation as supreme. Perhaps he has something yet to offer?
Who did I miss? Who else should we consider? These are the names I've heard thrown out so far.