Top 15 Bigman Candidates for the Minimum

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Originally Posted by Ginobili2Duncan

I'm still holding out hope for Tyrus Thomas.

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me too.

David Aldridge ‏@daldridgetnt
Wizards, per source, are about to amnesty Andray Blatche.

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Originally Posted by T Park

Yeah the combined 6 mins in three games he got at the end of the year clearly prove that.

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To be exact, Bonner played a combined 3 minutes in the last 3 games of the season.

Future will tell but how he ends the season in the doghouse is a clear sign that Pop gave up on Bonner. Once Pop gave up on a player, it's most of the time definitive.

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Originally Posted by Bruno

It looks more and more that Rockets will waive Leuer. He doesn't play at all with their SL team. Unless he is injured, he should be waived before Thursday when his contract became guaranteed. Once waived, the big risk is that a team claims him from waivers because Spurs are very far on the waivers picking order. With the ruling on early bird rights being kept when someone is claim from waivers, this risk is even bigger.

Another name that pop up is Andray Blatche. He will likely be amnestied by Wizards. The min offer he could claim for is $3.7M over 3 years. That's not a lot of money but it's still some money and a lot of teams will be scared by all the red flags surrounding him. Blatche would be easily worth a gamble. If Pop can make him again a committed player, he would be a terrific addition for Spurs.

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That would make no sense. He's inexpensive, young and has enough upside to be a decent stretch four/fourth big. Given all that, I'd be surprised if he goes unclaimed.

As for Blatche, maybe the Cavs or Hornets just decide to take the risk, but I doubt anyone commits to him for 3 years, particularly at decent money. The Spurs probably won't pursue him if he does go unclaimed and become unrestricted, but they should. His talent far exceeds that of any other fifth big option and if there's any environment he's going to "figure it out" or "get it" in, it's got to be this one, I'd imagine. And if all went according to plan, he could usurp Bonner in the rotation and upgrade the biggest weakness in the rotation, while also raising the ceiling of the team, even if just slightly.

Spurs won't replace Bonner's corporate knowledge for a talented knuckle head (Blanche).

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Originally Posted by TD 21

That would make no sense. He's inexpensive, young and has enough upside to be a decent stretch four/fourth big. Given all that, I'd be surprised if he goes unclaimed.

As for Blatche, maybe the Cavs or Hornets just decide to take the risk, but I doubt anyone commits to him for 3 years, particularly at decent money. The Spurs probably won't pursue him if he does go unclaimed and become unrestricted, but they should. His talent far exceeds that of any other fifth big option and if there's any environment he's going to "figure it out" or "get it" in, it's got to be this one, I'd imagine. And if all went according to plan, he could usurp Bonner in the rotation and upgrade the biggest weakness in the rotation, while also raising the ceiling of the team, even if just slightly.

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It's a total of 3.7M over the course of 3 yrs, not 3.7M per year for three years. He'll probably get claimed.

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Originally Posted by Mel_13

It's a total of 3.7M over the course of 3 yrs, not 3.7M per year for three years. He'll probably get claimed.

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Oh. Well in that case, yeah, he probably get's claimed. But I still don't think it's a lock. He's got a bad enough reputation that no team may want to commit to him for 3 years, inexpensive or not.

I guess no Birdman:

Marc Stein ‏@ESPNSteinLine
Toronto, as promised, would not amnesty Calderon. Charlotte decided NOT to amnesty Diop and Denver chose not to amnesty Birdman Andersen

I'd love to see Tolliver come back to the Spurs. He's a PF but can also play SF and is big enough to guard other teams big men.

Didn't I say Jamison wasn't going to sign for the minimum? Guess I was wrong. Then again, decent vets are only signing minimum deals with NY, LA or Miami right now. Jamison probably wouldn't even consider a minimum deal from the Spurs. It also sounds like Jermaine O'Neal is headed to the Lakers for the minimum. Good get, tbh.

As for the Spurs, I highly doubt they make a move until summer league is over. If no one emerges from summer league, that's when they might go after a Kenyon Martin or Turiaf, IMO.

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Originally Posted by timvp

Didn't I say Jamison wasn't going to sign for the minimum? Guess I was wrong. Then again, decent vets are only signing minimum deals with NY, LA or Miami right now. Jamison probably wouldn't even consider a minimum deal from the Spurs. It also sounds like Jermaine O'Neal is headed to the Lakers for the minimum. Good get, tbh.

As for the Spurs, I highly doubt they make a move until summer league is over. If no one emerges from summer league, that's when they might go after a Kenyon Martin or Turiaf, IMO.

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Same will hold true for Martin. He won't even consider the Spurs until all doors are closed for the 5 teams in NY, LA, and Miami. The French Connection may get Turiaf to listen, but he is also a former Knick, Laker, and Heat.

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Originally Posted by Bruno

It looks more and more that Rockets will waive Leuer. He doesn't play at all with their SL team. Unless he is injured, he should be waived before Thursday when his contract became guaranteed. Once waived, the big risk is that a team claims him from waivers because Spurs are very far on the waivers picking order. With the ruling on early bird rights being kept when someone is claim from waivers, this risk is even bigger.

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Supposedly the Rockets have to waive a player soon to make room for the Asik offersheet ... so the releasing on Leuer could be pushed up a day or two.

If Leuer doesn't get traded or claimed elsewhere, hopefully the Spurs scoop him up. He's not a player that would work in every system but in S.A. he could basically be a bigger, more well-rounded Bonner without the history of choking.

If the Spurs are interested in Leuer and the Rockets were going to release him, Spurs could do this
http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=6pnnms2

Take on Leuers contract with the TJ Ford Trade Exception. Then, no chance at waivers and have early bird.

timvp, do you think Spurs should go after Blatche if he clears waivers?

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Originally Posted by timvp

Supposedly the Rockets have to waive a player soon to make room for the Asik offersheet ... so the releasing on Leuer could be pushed up a day or two.

If Leuer doesn't get traded or claimed elsewhere, hopefully the Spurs scoop him up. He's not a player that would work in every system but in S.A. he could basically be a bigger, more well-rounded Bonner without the history of choking.

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What history?? Who the hell is this guy...

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Originally Posted by Ginobili2Duncan

I'm still holding out hope for Tyrus Thomas.

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Originally Posted by gambit1990

me too.

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The question is why. I've followed his career and he's never been able to put it together despite many chances. Last season he couldn't even consistently start on the worst team in NBA history. Pass.

Would Bonner consistently start on the worst team in history? Also, did Diaw?

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Originally Posted by Spurs da champs

I guess no Birdman:

Marc Stein ‏@ESPNSteinLine
Toronto, as promised, would not amnesty Calderon. Charlotte decided NOT to amnesty Diop and Denver chose not to amnesty Birdman Andersen

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Apparently not, they are amnestying the Birdman:

http://tracking.si.com/2012/07/18/nu...?sct=nba_t2_a5

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Originally Posted by DPG21920

Would Bonner consistently start on the worst team in history? Also, did Diaw?

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Yes, and yes, Diaw played big minutes over there.

Thomas was the Bobcat's "big signing" two years ago and had all the opportunity in the world to prove to the coaches that he can play, and then to play and impress everyone. He has done neither.

I have even less faith in Thomas than I have in A Randolph, and that's saying something. However, if anyone could turn those two guys around it'd be Pop/Tim or Karl.

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Originally Posted by TD 21

That would make no sense. He's inexpensive, young and has enough upside to be a decent stretch four/fourth big. Given all that, I'd be surprised if he goes unclaimed.

As for Blatche, maybe the Cavs or Hornets just decide to take the risk, but I doubt anyone commits to him for 3 years, particularly at decent money. The Spurs probably won't pursue him if he does go unclaimed and become unrestricted, but they should. His talent far exceeds that of any other fifth big option and if there's any environment he's going to "figure it out" or "get it" in, it's got to be this one, I'd imagine. And if all went according to plan, he could usurp Bonner in the rotation and upgrade the biggest weakness in the rotation, while also raising the ceiling of the team, even if just slightly.

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I'm not sure which teams have money to bid but teams with young players shouldn't touch a player like Blatche.

I dont know if Blatch gets picked up. Darko is probably a better talent than this guy, and also has head case issues, but didn't get picked up. But even if this guy clears, I'm happy not taking him. For a team that at this point lives and dies by its chemistry and not its athletism, this guy is not a fit.

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Originally Posted by timvp

If Leuer doesn't get traded or claimed elsewhere, hopefully the Spurs scoop him up. He's not a player that would work in every system but in S.A. he could basically be a bigger, more well-rounded Bonner without the history of choking.

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I agree he'd be a great replacement, but it's not Like-for-Like.

Leuer doesn't have anywhere near the range of Bonner. Last season, he shot 3-9 threes in 46 games.

Teams usually know 5x more about players than what is reported in the press, which makes Seven Day Dray such a risk. Still, Washington was not a good environment for a young man with mental issues (or, he may just be stupid). I can't help but wonder if Stephen Jackson could get through to him.

I wouldn't mind if the Spurs talked with Blatche, but he shouldn't receive more than a unguaranteed vet minimum contract.

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Originally Posted by tav1

Teams usually know 5x more about players than what is reported in the press, which makes Seven Day Dray such a risk. Still, Washington was not a good environment for a young man with mental issues (or, he may just be stupid). I can't help but wonder if Stephen Jackson could get through to him.

I wouldn't mind if the Spurs talked with Blatche, but he shouldn't receive more than a unguaranteed vet minimum contract.

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Don't worry he won't because that is all the Spurs could offer him this season.

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Originally Posted by Mel_13

It's a total of 3.7M over the course of 3 yrs, not 3.7M per year for three years. He'll probably get claimed.

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Originally Posted by TD 21

Oh. Well in that case, yeah, he probably get's claimed. But I still don't think it's a lock. He's got a bad enough reputation that no team may want to commit to him for 3 years, inexpensive or not.

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Appears unlikely to be claimed:

Nine teams under the salary cap have the ability to claim recently cut forward Andray Blatche off the waiver wire by Thursday, but for a number of reasons, Cleveland, Houston, Minnesota, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento and Toronto are expected to pass.

Blatche, 25, is the youngest of the 14 players to get cut using the amnesty provision, but the price tag for claiming him and his reputation around the league make it more than likely that he will soon become an unrestricted free agent.

A team would have to make a minimum bid of at least $3.79 million – the sum of minimum salaries over the next three years – in order to claim Blatche. Most of those teams under the salary cap are young and rebuilding and wouldn’t want to add a potential distraction to the locker room. Three front office executives from teams with cap room were adamant that they would not touch Blatche.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...cktW_blog.html