Givony: Draft Rumor Regarding Spurs

[timvp]

Two teams that are reportedly looking to acquire an additional first round pick are the Spurs (who unfortunately have very little to offer) and the Suns.

http://www.draftexpress.com/blog/Jonathan-Givony/


Interesting. Additional first round pick? Sounds like the Spurs may like a couple players available in the mid to late first round.

The "very little to offer" part is an unfortunate truth. :depressed

[SenorSpur]

If I was a betting man, I'd have to think they'd like to come away with both Rush and Chalmers. Realistically, they'll be lucky if even one of them falls to 26.

The fact that they have little to no assets is an indictment of the philosophy of having simply a cupboard containing the rights to "unknown" Euro talent and a bunch of older players. Would've been nice if they could've gotten more in return for both Beno and Scola.

[Thompson]

I know it's the Spurs... but can't they just buy one from the Trailblazers?

[SenorSpur]

I know it's the Spurs... but can't they just buy one from the Trailblazers?

They've taken a lot of cash compensation in deals over the years. It's high time they dished some out in exchange for a mid 1st round draft pick. In any other year, this probably wouldn't be a good idea, but as we know, this is a draft rich in SG/SF types and rare on PGs.

[Brox6]

I know it's the Spurs... but can't they just buy one from the Trailblazers?

or maybe inquire if Frye is available..:downspin:

[kobyz]

the Splitter rights have any value?

[Tully365]

I was really hoping for Courtney Lee, but his stock seems to be rising with every workout, and he now looks to be out of reach for the Spurs...

This is one of the reasons I think the Spurs need to use both their MLE and LLE this off season, if for no other reason than to acquire possible trading chips for the future. They simply don't have much right now to bargain with.

[polandprzem]

the Splitter rights have any value?

nope


Highly improbable that the spurs will move up in the draft

[kobyz]

a question about Leandro Barbosa: when we trade him to the Suns we got in exchange a future protected first-round pick, when we will get this pick?

[timvp]

The Spurs could buy a first round pick but there doesn't seem to be many sellers this year. The only way I can see how to get an additional first round pick would be to trade Ian Mahinmi for a pick.

How high would trading Mahinmi get the Spurs in the draft? Tough to say but I'd guess at least 18ish. If the Spurs secretly don't like him as a prospect or still think he's a couple years away, I wouldn't be against trading Mahinmi for a player in this draft the Spurs think can help right away.

[Mr. Body]

Just read through DX's stuff. If what they say is credible, the Spurs standing pat are fairly screwed, as many of their prospects are well out of range (including Courtney Lee, now), and they have no assets to move around. There was no mention of Chalmers or CDR. As a show of how much value picks have, they relay a rumor of Memphis moving up from their 28 spot to get to Denver's 20 using Kyle Lowry (they would nab Lee before Orlando can). The only thing the Spurs have at this point, as timvp points out, is Mahinmi.

[timvp]

What sucks is that Budinger and Lawson dropping out of the draft might have just enough to knock Rush, Chalmers, Batum, Lee and CDR just out of range. Walker would now be a reach because of his reoccurring knee issue. In this scenario, the Spurs would basically be in no-man's land and would literally be forced to take a bigman whether they wanted to or not.

If I'm the Spurs, I'm either scrambling to get up at least three or four spots or I'm making a contingency plan to move back and do something like 26 and 57 to the Blazers for 33 and 36.

[Mr. Body]

I'm sure they're trying to move up, but what's interesting is the 'trying to buy a second pick' thing, indicating they might like someone around 26 and think they can pick up another player. This 26 pick could be Chalmers, but who else are they aiming for?

We needn't completely panic. Other guys like Hickson and Hibbert are moving up the board, and again CDR and Batum aren't mentioned at all. But yes, losing Lawson and Budinger, two guys specifically slated just above us, hurts.

[polandprzem]

If Ian can give us 18th pick it's not worth it.

He's been working for the spurs too long to quit on him for some 18th draft pick.

[A.H 21-50]

The Spurs could buy a first round pick but there doesn't seem to be many sellers this year. The only way I can see how to get an additional first round pick would be to trade Ian Mahinmi for a pick.

How high would trading Mahinmi get the Spurs in the draft? Tough to say but I'd guess at least 18ish. If the Spurs secretly don't like him as a prospect or still think he's a couple years away, I wouldn't be against trading Mahinmi for a player in this draft the Spurs think can help right away.

i don't think the spurs will use mahinmi to move up in this draft , the guy was here all the year with toros and pop said to parker this summer that he counts on him next year

the article said they want an additional pick so maybe also in the 20-30 range
maybe a scenario like cash + absorbing a contract could be the solution

the spurs don't have the assets to move up imo they want another pick in the late first round

[exstatic]

Seattle has like 6 picks in this draft, and 7 next year. Wouldn't they be amenable to offloading, say #24?

[Mr. Body]

Seattle has like 6 picks in this draft, and 7 next year. Wouldn't they be amenable to offloading, say #24?

I was just looking at that. More dealing between Seattle and the Spurs would not be surprising at all.

[Harry Callahan]

I would hope the front office would consider a move where they buy another one for some combo of cash, #2s and maybe the trade exception which expires. As long as there is a solid prospect who will be on the roster next year. The bench needs an infusion very badly and two young guys instead of one would be a good start.

Spending $2-3MM for a #1 pick would seem to be costly, but it would be more costly to run Parker, Duncan and Manu into the ground next year due to a substandard bench.

Pop must take a chance on some youngsters next year.

[Holt's Cat]

a question about Leandro Barbosa: when we trade him to the Suns we got in exchange a future protected first-round pick, when we will get this pick?

That went to the Knicks in the Rose trade.

[Holt's Cat]

The solution is what has been discussed here already. The Spurs will need to find a team for whom the Luxury Tax may limit their offseason moves and use the Beno trade exception to help them reduce payroll, in exchange for a pick.

[Mr. Body]

The solution is what has been discussed here already. The Spurs will need to find a team for whom the Luxury Tax may limit their offseason moves and use the Beno trade exception to help them reduce payroll, in exchange for a pick.

I wish/hope that were enough. Other teams are offering other young prospects to move up, much less buy picks outright. I hope it's possible.

[Ocotillo]

In a different thread Timvp said that the Spurs have three trade exceptions but the other two were very minimal in salary amount. So minimal that they were pretty near worthless.

My questions is, Can the three trade exceptions be combined in a single deal to increase the amount of the Beno trade exception by a half mill or whatever?

[remingtonbo2001]

I have a feeling we'll be trading our pick/exception for a player.

While reading between the lines, I have come to the conclusion that this is a move done by none other than CIA POP.

[picnroll]

Just to beat a dead horse, where would a trade of Scola, if the Spurs had him and were so inclined, get them in the draft. :depressed

[MoSpur]

As mentioned earlier those trade exceptions may come in handy. I'm glad they're trying to move up.

[rascal]

Having no trade assets that they are willing to trade does not bode well for the front office moves in recent years.

[Kindergarten Cop]

In a different thread Timvp said that the Spurs have three trade exceptions but the other two were very minimal in salary amount. So minimal that they were pretty near worthless.

My questions is, Can the three trade exceptions be combined in a single deal to increase the amount of the Beno trade exception by a half mill or whatever?


No, trade exceptions cannot be combined in a single deal.

[Extra Stout]

This kind of news comes out every year during draft time. Here's why:

Pop: R.C., I need to see your latest draft report.
R.C.: Uh, I'm still working on it.
Pop: What the hell have you been doing all week? Reading the SpursTalk forums all day?
R.C.: Uh, no, I've been, um, calling around trying to, um, get another first-rounder!
Pop: Uh-huh. (folds arms)
R.C.: No, seriously! I can show you on draftexpress!

[kobyz]

That went to the Knicks in the Rose trade.

then why we didn't have any draft pick in 2006 draft, the suns pick we gave to the knicks, so what happened to our first pick in 2006?

[Marcus Bryant]

then why we didn't have any draft pick in 2006 draft, the suns pick we gave to the knicks, so what happened to our first pick in 2006?

The Spurs included two 1st round picks in the Rose trade.

The Suns' pick which the Spurs received and later dealt to the Knicks was in the '05 draft. The Spurs kept their own in the '05 draft and used it on Mahinmi.

The Spurs also sent their own pick from the '06 draft.


The draft picks acquired are San Antonio’s 2006 conditional first-round selection and Phoenix’s conditional 2005 first-round selection originally acquired by the Spurs on Jun. 26, 2003 (in exchange for the draft rights to Leandro Barbosa).

link (http://www.nba.com/knicks/news/rose_050224.html)

[TDMVPDPOY]

why dont we just trade our first round pick down for 2 2nd round picks, if there is nothing left on the table for us to pick, then again this draft isnt deep anyway, alot of unknown players and projects...to go with our 2 2nd rounder picks....

[SenorSpur]

The Spurs could buy a first round pick but there doesn't seem to be many sellers this year. The only way I can see how to get an additional first round pick would be to trade Ian Mahinmi for a pick.

How high would trading Mahinmi get the Spurs in the draft? Tough to say but I'd guess at least 18ish. If the Spurs secretly don't like him as a prospect or still think he's a couple years away, I wouldn't be against trading Mahinmi for a player in this draft the Spurs think can help right away.

I disagree completely. Why would they trade Ian when they have a dire need for a big of his size, talent and athleticism? Duncan is already overworked as the last line of post defense on this team. They desparately need another big, who can run, defend the rim and actually grab rebounds, as opposed to taping them out to half-court. This is an especially glaring need now that Splitter isn't coming.

[Marcus Bryant]

If Splitter was coming over next season then I think the Spurs would probably shop Mahinmi around in this draft, or at least would be more likely to.

[SenorSpur]

Rermember there are no other "bigs" in the pipeline. Mahinmi is it. That's why this option makes no sense.

It's a damn shame the Spurs don't have more to show for the Scola and Beno trades - at least a future number one or something.

I find it interesting the former underlings (Presti and Pritchard) have seemingly a wealth of stockpiled picks, while RC 's draft cupboard is virtually bare. To add insult to injury, outside of Ian, he has nothing to show for six out of his last seven drafts.

[Marcus Bryant]

Rermember there are no other "bigs" in the pipeline. Mahinmi is it. That's why this option makes no sense.

It's a damn shame the Spurs don't have more to show for the Scola and Beno trades - at least a future number one or something.

Thanks to the Jackie Butler acquisition, Scola is gone for nothing from a basketball perspective.

Thanks to Pop running down Beno, all the Spurs ended up with (so far) is a $1.9 mil trade exception.

[Russ]

How about Sanikidze, the 26 pick and one or both 2d round picks and/or a future pick or picks?

Depends on how much (and how far) they want to move up.

And they probably won't know that until the draft unfolds. So there may be secret "contingency deals" in place going in.

[TheProfessor]

How about Sanikidze, the 26 pick and one or both 2d round picks and/or a future pick or picks?

Depends on how much (and how far) they want to move up.

And they probably won't know that until the draft unfolds. So there may be secret "contingency deals" in place going in.
Javtokas would have more value than Sanikidze - he put up good numbers this year and has been mentioned in a couple of articles, so people are at least aware he exists.

[TDMVPDPOY]

why dont we just sign javtokas with the LLE....

[Marcus Bryant]

why dont we just sign javtokas with the LLE....

Currently the frontcourt rotation is rather crowded and bringing in Javtokas now would mean that Mahinmi would likely spend another season on IR. Now that could change with a trade...

[TDMVPDPOY]

why dont we just trade oberto

and give the starting position to kthomas....

seriously how bad can javtokas be compared to obertooo

[SenorSpur]

The frontcourt rotation may be crowded with bodies, but is lacking in athleticism, scoring, rebounding and shotblocking. Duncan is truly a one-man wrecking crew, on both ends, with very little help.

[Marcus Bryant]

Oberto is a nice player to have. I'd rather replace Bonner with Javtokas.

[GrandeDavid]

This kind of news comes out every year during draft time. Here's why:

Pop: R.C., I need to see your latest draft report.
R.C.: Uh, I'm still working on it.
Pop: What the hell have you been doing all week? Reading the SpursTalk forums all day?
R.C.: Uh, no, I've been, um, calling around trying to, um, get another first-rounder!
Pop: Uh-huh. (folds arms)
R.C.: No, seriously! I can show you on draftexpress!

:lol :lol :lol

Probably pretty accurate!

[TheProfessor]

why dont we just trade oberto

and give the starting position to kthomas....

seriously how bad can javtokas be compared to obertooo
Oberto's biggest attribute is that he knows the system and plays fluidly with Timmy. Even Thomas, a very intelligent player, had trouble fitting into the offense. It would take Javtokas a while to find his way, if ever. Also, I don't know what the incentive is for him to even come over at this point, and especially after the last contract negotiations went south so badly.

[tav1]

I've only been saying this for two weeks...and getting either killed or ignored by ya'll for it.

The best scenario for the Spurs is two picks between the high teens and the late 20s. But, honestly, I'd be happy if they had pick 26 and 29. That'll be good for Walker and Hendrix, or something along those lines, and we can add Azubuike in free agency and an LLE point like Dixon or trade for someone like Rodriguez. An outstanding off season, if that were the case.

[TheProfessor]

Oberto is a nice player to have. I'd rather replace Bonner with Javtokas.
If Horry's not coming back, we need to keep Bonner or find another frontcourt player to stretch the floor.

[tav1]

How about Sanikidze, the 26 pick and one or both 2d round picks and/or a future pick or picks?

Depends on how much (and how far) they want to move up.

And they probably won't know that until the draft unfolds. So there may be secret "contingency deals" in place going in.

No one on earth, not even his momma, wants Sanikdze. He haunts this board on the basis of 15 minutes of good summer league play. If not for that, I'd doubt he ever existed.

[SenorSpur]

I've heard the names of Javtokas and Sanikidze for several years now. It's as though these are mythical figures. What's the chances of either of them ever seeing the light of day in a Spurs uniform? Or would it be better to include them as trade assets to try and move up in the draft?

[SenorSpur]

If Horry's not coming back, we need to keep Bonner or find another frontcourt player to stretch the floor.

Eduardo Najera

[picnroll]

If Horry's not coming back, we need to keep Bonner or find another frontcourt player to stretch the floor.

Bonner? Don't you mean stretch the bench?

[TheProfessor]

Eduardo Najera
That's a great solution. Trade his ass if that happens.

[TheProfessor]

Bonner? Don't you mean stretch the bench?
:lol Fair enough. Just find a big that can shoot a freaking three and get rid of him.

[tav1]

I've heard the names of Javtokas and Sanikidze for several years now. It's as though these are mythical figures. What's the chances of either of them ever seeing the light of day in a Spurs uniform? Or would it be better to include them as trade assets to try and move up in the draft?

If we can't get anything for Splitter, we can't get anything for those bozos.

[wildbill2u]

Do our rights to Spanoulis have any value? Despite all the anti-Kill Bill Pana invective on the site, he doesn't look too bad in vid clips.

I'd say that Presiti would listen to Pop about Spanoulis' true inclinations at the present time about returning to the NBA, assuming the team has actually kept in touch with him.

[TheProfessor]

Do our rights to Spanoulis have any value? Despite all the anti-Kill Bill Pana invective on the site, he doesn't look too bad in vid clips.

I'd say that Presiti would listen to Pop about Spanoulis' true inclinations at the present time about returning to the NBA, assuming the team has actually kept in touch with him.
If we bought out his contract, we don't retain any rights. It's too bad Kill Bill has soured so many on Spanoulis, he's actually an ideal backcourt option.

[Spur-Addict]

:lol Fair enough. Just find a big that can shoot a freaking three and get rid of him.

Maarty Leunen, then get rid of that massive bonner contract. If that's the type of player you want. I think he's better than Bonner anyways, plus he'll be cheaper. If he's around in the later rounds that is.

[TheProfessor]

Maarty Leunen, then get rid of that massive bonner contract. If that's the type of player you want. I think he's better than Bonner anyways, plus he'll be cheaper. If he's around in the later rounds that is.
I'm high on Leunen, though he's less than ideal in terms of physique and athleticism. I think he'll wind up in Europe after a cup of coffee in summer league. But taking a flyer at 57 wouldn't be awful, especially if we sent him overseas to develop and maintained his rights.

[Spur-Addict]

I'm high on Leunen, though he's less than ideal in terms of physique and athleticism. I think he'll wind up in Europe after a cup of coffee in summer league. But taking a flyer at 57 wouldn't be awful, especially if we sent him overseas to develop and maintained his rights.

Indeed. But, Bonner isn't athletic at all. In fact, Leu is more athletic in my opinion. Bonner is very stiff whereas Leu is more fluid although not so quick. I wouldn't draft him, but if that's the type of player you want i'd draft Lue late.

[objective]

I floated this in the CDR thread a couple of days ago and will tweak it here.

Seattle's ownership group is losing millions on the relocation whether they win the lawsuit or lose.

Seattle is a candidate therefore to sell their #24 pick, they still have loads more in the next couple of years. They are also candidates for a swap of the 24 for the 26 and cash.

Plus they could go for the beno trade exception just to get out from the last year of Adrian Griffen's scrub contract in a separate deal on the side.

[Harry Callahan]

I floated this in the CDR thread a couple of days ago and will tweak it here.

Seattle's ownership group is losing millions on the relocation whether they win the lawsuit or lose.

Seattle is a candidate therefore to sell their #24 pick, they still have loads more in the next couple of years. They are also candidates for a swap of the 24 for the 26 and cash.

Plus they could go for the beno trade exception just to get out from the last year of Adrian Griffen's scrub contract in a separate deal on the side.

Yes. Without a #1 next year at this point, maybe SA can buy one next year if they can get another #1 this year. Seattle may not want to get overloaded with guaranteed contracts for the lower #1s because if they have too many guys under rookie contracts they may not be able to pay them all in the long run.

Besides, I don't think they want to get too big of a payroll three years down the line. The new ownership does not appear to be one that wants to spend huge amounts of money on the roster at this point.

[SenorSpur]

I floated this in the CDR thread a couple of days ago and will tweak it here.

Seattle's ownership group is losing millions on the relocation whether they win the lawsuit or lose.

Seattle is a candidate therefore to sell their #24 pick, they still have loads more in the next couple of years. They are also candidates for a swap of the 24 for the 26 and cash.Plus they could go for the beno trade exception just to get out from the last year of Adrian Griffen's scrub contract in a separate deal on the side.

A swap will likely be dependent on how the draft lines up for the Spurs and where there is a specific prospect in their cross-hairs. Good potential idea. I just hope the Spurs FO are open to such ideas and not so concerned with "penny pinching" this time around.

To my knowledge, the Spurs have never drafted two prospects in the first round. Even if they do, it doesn't mean keeping them both. They can always be used a future bargaining chips.

[Mr. Body]

Seattle and SA have already proven to be close so far this draft season, as with the closed door joint session with Serge Ibaka in Europe, where not even Ibaka's agents were allowed in. I expect close links between the two offices for the near future, as there will be between Cleveland and SA. This won't mean Gasol-type collusion but relations that are, at least, better than neutral -- meaning advantageous deals on a tit-for-tat basis.

If Seattle means to sell a draft pick, SA gets some of the first bids.

[timvp]

I disagree completely. Why would they trade Ian when they have a dire need for a big of his size, talent and athleticism? As I said in the post you quoted, trading Mahinmi makes sense if the Spurs secretly believes he's not as good as his market value indicates or if he's still two or three years away from helping an NBA team. I like Mahinmi but there's no guarantee he's the answer in terms of adding "size, talent and athleticism".

If the Spurs don't think he's the answer and can get something in a trade that could help right away, I don't see a reason why not to pull the trigger.

[Thompson]

How desperate is Denver to dump salary?

Use a trade exception to sign and trade Horry plus cash to help buy him out (and maybe Splitter's rights) for Camby plus their 1st rounder.

[T Park]

God, no thank you on Camby.

[objective]

my draft day deal ideas are so genius they're spreading and even breaking off to form new threads (http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=99486)!

But back to the matter at hand . . .

I'm curious as to why the Spurs would want an additional first, considering their roster inflexibility. Not including Mahinmi they already have 9 guys for '09. With him it's 10, and either way the Spurs still have the MLE and LLE and could still re-sign Kurt Thomas.

So why bother with two firsts when it's hard to anticipate even finding time for a single first round pick? Even if they move Mahinmi to move up into the teens for the second first the same roster crunch exists. They must like a particular player a whole lot to want an extra first, for the first time in a long time it seems.

I'll go out on a limb and guess they want a higher first to draft Ajinca, and he will eventually have the same role Splitter had. Splitter is never coming, and down the road they'll still have need for another center, and Ajinca's that man. The Spurs have a good relationship with his agent, same as Mahinmi's, and Ajinca is well suited to being in the d-league for now.

I also don't anticipate the Spurs moving Mahinmi if only because he's on a very cheap contract.

[Marcus Bryant]

Whatever makes you feel good, I guess.

-MB

[SPURSGOAT]

Spurs might be able to pull something off for an additional first round pick... I dunno, like all of you have said, what can we offer really outside of the big 3 and Ian. Can the Spurs just buy a spot off someone or is there a limitation on that?

[AFBlue]

At this point I think it's far more likely that the Spurs trade out of the first round rather than trading up or adding another first round pick.

Still, if the Spurs traded their #26 pick for Minnesota or Portland's multiple early second round picks, it wouldn't be such a bad deal.

[objective]

Whatever makes you feel good, I guess.

-MB

i'm just happy somebody read what I wrote.

[SenorSpur]

As I said in the post you quoted, trading Mahinmi makes sense if the Spurs secretly believes he's not as good as his market value indicates or if he's still two or three years away from helping an NBA team. I like Mahinmi but there's no guarantee he's the answer in terms of adding "size, talent and athleticism".

If the Spurs don't think he's the answer and can get something in a trade that could help right away, I don't see a reason why not to pull the trigger.

I understand your point, but at what point do the Spurs make a decision on Ian? This year? Next year? You're right. There is no guarantee that he'll answer their needs. However, the kid is still developing. So it seems to me they may not know this for 1 or 2 seasons. What sense does it make to draft a young player, develop him overseas for a couple of years, bring him over to the D-League for a year, then turn him loose? If the kid can't play, OK? But will they really know that after one full season on the active roster?

At some point, the Spurs coaches need to truly invest some rotation time in some of these guys before jettisoning them away. Part of the reason the "talent cupboard" is bare is because they've got nothing tangible to show for their drafts 5 out of the last six drafts. A contending team can ill-afford to go that long without adding and developing a couple of young players from its draft. Free agents are not going to keep coming here to play for the veterans minimum. Therefore in order to develop their bench depth, it's even more critical for the FO to make sound drafting decisions and allowing them to develop.

[objective]

As I said in the post you quoted, trading Mahinmi makes sense if the Spurs secretly believes he's not as good as his market value indicates or if he's still two or three years away from helping an NBA team. I like Mahinmi but there's no guarantee he's the answer in terms of adding "size, talent and athleticism".

If the Spurs don't think he's the answer and can get something in a trade that could help right away, I don't see a reason why not to pull the trigger.

re: trading Mahinmi to move up into the teens

Not that I want the Spurs to trade Mahinmi, but one scenario I can see is dealing Mahinmi to Cleveland for the #19.

The Cavs might want to move the pick if Rush or whoever their guy is off the board at that point and Ferry might see Mahinmi as ready to step in as an athlete to run with Lebron. Ferry was involved in scouting Mahinmi during 04/05 and very well could be the east coast executive quoted in SI as saying that Mahinmi had future all-star potential.

[A.H 21-50]

Maybe the best option for sas is to keep no.26 and trade to early second round with minny and portland
by using trades exceptions , future second round pick , absorbing a contract ..

[SenorSpur]

re: trading Mahinmi to move up into the teens

Not that I want the Spurs to trade Mahinmi, but one scenario I can see is dealing Mahinmi to Cleveland for the #19.

The Cavs might want to move the pick if Rush or whoever their guy is off the board at that point and Ferry might see Mahinmi as ready to step in as an athlete to run with Lebron. Ferry was involved in scouting Mahinmi during 04/05 and very well could be the east coast executive quoted in SI as saying that Mahinmi had future all-star potential.

So if you trade Mahinmi and with Splitter not coming, what do you do for a backup big? That's robbing Peter to pay Paul. You're simply opening up yet another hole.

[ShoogarBear]

Ordinarily, the best bet for selling a pick would be the Suns, but it loosk like this year they're actually planning to participate in the draft.

[objective]

So if you trade Mahinmi and with Splitter not coming, what do you do for a backup big? That's robbing Peter to pay Paul. You're simply opening up yet another hole.

I don't advocate trading Mahinmi at all, I'm just looking at things in case the Spurs don't care for him.

I wouldn't be shocked if the Spurs just re-sign Kurt Thomas and once again go with the old guys under the plan of "If only we were healthy against LA and if only Kurt Thomas had a full training camp". That's a line of thinking I could easily see the Spurs buying into.

[SenorSpur]

I don't advocate trading Mahinmi at all, I'm just looking at things in case the Spurs don't care for him.

I wouldn't be shocked if the Spurs just re-sign Kurt Thomas and once again go with the old guys under the plan of "If only we were healthy against LA and if only Kurt Thomas had a full training camp". That's a line of thinking I could easily see the Spurs buying into.

..and a line of flawed thinking I don't buy into. Consider the big men in the Western Conference. Oden, Stoudamire, Bynum, Gasol, Shaq, Chandler. Duncan can't keep having to matchup against these guys alone. As of now, Duncan is having to rebound, defend the paint, block shots and score without much help from the bigs on this team. He needs another big to help take some of the load off of him.

[The Truth #6]

I don't think Ian's stock is high enough to get us anything great in the first round. If we move up to the mid to late teens of the 1st round, who are we going to get? A wing with just as many manybes. I'd rather keep Ian, try to sign a quality wing with the MLE and scrap the 2010 plan. Our window of winning a title could easily be closed by then. We won't be terrible, but I think the wear on Tim and Manu, plus the realistic retirement of Bowen makes 2010 seem too late to me to begin rebuilding.

[TDMVPDPOY]

would you guys be disappointed if the spurs draft someone out of the rader that we havnt talked about yet? maybe someone in the jungles of africa or another nail in the haystack of euro...

[Mr. Body]

would you guys be disappointed if the spurs draft someone out of the rader that we havnt talked about yet? maybe someone in the jungles of africa or another nail in the haystack of euro...

Yes. This will mean a player far away from contributing.

[SenorSpur]

Yes. This will mean a player far away from contributing.

Exactly. If there was ever a time the Spurs needed to have an infusion of young player who can contribute immediately - its' now.

[lakehorn]

Here is a list of first rookie salary scale with a exception worth approximately $1.847M, that could equal the 9th pick salary. I don't see any of the teams between 9-12 trading for that exception, maybe Portland at 13 since they have 3 second round picks. It would probably cost the exception, and either both secornd round picks or our 1st round pick or all 3 draft picks to get the 13th pick. Portland's already a pretty young team so more draft picks wouldn't help.

1 $4,019,000
2 $3,595,800
3 $3,229,200
4 $2,911,400
5 $2,636,400
6 $2,394,600
7 $2,186,000
8 $2,002,600
9 $1,840,800
10 $1,748,800
11 $1,661,300
12 $1,578,200
13 $1,499,300
14 $1,424,400
15 $1,353,100
16 $1,285,500
17 $1,221,200
18 $1,160,200
19 $1,107,900
20 $1,063,600
21 $1,021,000
22 $980,200
23 $941,100
24 $903,400
25 $867,200
26 $838,500
27 $814,300
28 $809,300
29 $803,400
30 $797,600

[Avitus1]

I'd love to see them get another first round draft pick but we have little to deal with. I doubt it would happen but it would be very good but honestly I just dont see it happening. If it does happen I wonder how long it would be before both the guys are actually playing on the team.

[loveforthegame]

I wish the draft would get here already so we'd have some idea of what the Spurs might do this summer.

All the rumors will drive me crazy till then.

[mountainballer]

there might be one scenario to get the #24 pick from the Sonics not mentioned yet.
Spurs use the Beno TE plus a future pick (or the Splitter rights?) to acquire Griffin plus the #24 pick.
why this is probably more attractive for the Sonics than it seems on first sight?
Griffin is dead meat, he only takes away a roster spot. Sonics otherwise likely would waive him this summer. dumping him for a TE not only saves this kind of money (1.7 million), it increases the cap room for the Sonics from about 10 million to almost 12 million. we don't know what the plans of Presti are, but if he plans to raise the speed of the rebuilding process, he might want to become a bigger player in this years free agency.
the difference of having 10 million or 12, is the difference of being able to offer an about 60 million deal or a 70 million deal to a FA.
for example, they could make a run at Okafor, who turned down 60 million from the Bobcats last summer.
(can anyone see Okafor and his defense as a perfect fit alongside Durant's scoring? I can)
or participate in the Calderon sweepstake. (and not use the #4 pick on Bayless and instead pick Lopez or Love).
just a few options of several.

[clubalien]

The Spurs could buy a first round pick but there doesn't seem to be many sellers this year. The only way I can see how to get an additional first round pick would be to trade Ian Mahinmi for a pick.

How high would trading Mahinmi get the Spurs in the draft? Tough to say but I'd guess at least 18ish. If the Spurs secretly don't like him as a prospect or still think he's a couple years away, I wouldn't be against trading Mahinmi for a player in this draft the Spurs think can help right away.

we better get dwight howard or something more than an 18th pick if we are trading our future away.

[intlspurshk]

would you guys be disappointed if the spurs draft someone out of the rader that we havnt talked about yet? maybe someone in the jungles of africa or another nail in the haystack of euro...

I would be as Sam Pesti is no longer with the team and RC doesn't have so much time to explore new players. Their scouts are not that good nowadays too.

[angelbelow]

the Splitter rights have any value?

ZERO... teams know hes over there for 4 years, no would want him until he redeclares that hes coming over in 2010 or 2012.

[intlspurshk]

Maybe SPURS best strategy is to trade down with Portland/Timberwolve/Sonics while every teams want to trade up but SPURS have nothing to offer, especially when those sure 1st round picks (C. Lee, Rush, Ibaka, Chamlers) will be gone.

Then SPURS will have 4 2nd rd picks in which they can draft any combinations of

SF/SG: Bill Walker, Ryan Anderson, K Weaver, JR Ghidden, Pat Catalhes
PS: Mike Taylor
PF/C: DJ White, J Dorsey, Jason Thompson, Omer Asik, N Pekovic

These are all high risk, high rewards picks. But if only 2 out of 4 become part of the SPURS backup, it is still a remarkable draft.

[SenorSpur]

Maybe SPURS best strategy is to trade down with Portland/Timberwolve/Sonics while every teams want to trade up but SPURS have nothing to offer, especially when those sure 1st round picks (C. Lee, Rush, Ibaka, Chamlers) will be gone.

Then SPURS will have 4 2nd rd picks in which they can draft any combinations of

SF/SG: Bill Walker, Ryan Anderson, K Weaver, JR Ghidden, Pat Catalhes
PS: Mike Taylor
PF/C: DJ White, J Dorsey, Jason Thompson, Omer Asik, N Pekovic

These are all high risk, high rewards picks. But if only 2 out of 4 become part of the SPURS backup, it is still a remarkable draft.


If Batum is on the board, they should and will likely stay there. I don't see any redeeming value for them trading down. They need to select the best player on their board @ #26. Trading down does nothing.

[Tully365]

Maybe SPURS best strategy is to trade down with Portland/Timberwolve/Sonics while every teams want to trade up but SPURS have nothing to offer, especially when those sure 1st round picks (C. Lee, Rush, Ibaka, Chamlers) will be gone.

Then SPURS will have 4 2nd rd picks in which they can draft any combinations of

SF/SG: Bill Walker, Ryan Anderson, K Weaver, JR Ghidden, Pat Catalhes
PS: Mike Taylor
PF/C: DJ White, J Dorsey, Jason Thompson, Omer Asik, N Pekovic

These are all high risk, high rewards picks. But if only 2 out of 4 become part of the SPURS backup, it is still a remarkable draft.

I know mock drafts are fraught with homerism and blind faith, but still, most of them call for at least one of the guys being mentioned as appealing to the Spurs as likely to still be around, be it Chalmers, CDR, C Lee, or a big like Ajinca... if anything, why not use the trade exception to move up a few spots and increase the odds a bit. I read something yesterday that there is suddenly a concern from some teams that Batum might have an genetic heart problem... I don't know the details-- apparently his father and grandfather both died young from it-- but something like that could easily change his draft position 5 spots. Bill Walker of Kansas is another unusual case-- he just injured his knee and cannot workout for teams anymore, but has decided to stay in the draft. All kinds of crazy things could happen in the next 4 days...

[intlspurshk]

Batum won't be around at 26. If he is, it means he has heart problem and SPURS won't take the risk. If SPURS interested players are gone, I believe they will trade down to get more options/flexbility. There are still a lot of "best players" available, esp in PF/C area.

T Wolves and Blazers are high 2nd rd pick which won't be much different from 27 - 30 picks (honestly I don't think SPURS will draft CDR, D Hardin and JJ Hickson) andd GM will not risk 1st rd pick on Bill Walker

[Spurtacus]

I wish the draft would get here already so we'd have some idea of what the Spurs might do this summer.

All the rumors will drive me crazy till then.

No kidding. :bang