Spurs Waive Darius Washington

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Originally Posted by SenorSpur

I still wonder what the Spurs will now do for a 3rd string, developmental PG. I thought that was the sole purpose of getting rid of Beno - because Darius proved to be the younger, cheaper option with more drive and upside. As of right now, there are no options in the pipeline.

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It became obvious in the last stretch of games that Pop had lost all confidence in Washington to help this team in the short term when he went with Barry as the 3rd string PG.

So, while this is frustrating because Washington showed so much promise at the beginning of the season, he effectively played himself out of any role with the Spurs in the short term.

Still, I don't think this is the last time we'll see Washington....

As you mentioned, the Spurs don't have a younger option for backup PG, so there is still a hole left to be filled. The Spurs could bring Washington back, along with a few others, to compete for the third-string PG spot.

Bottom Line: No young PG in the system isn't alarming because they wouldn't be of use this year anyways. Washington, or other young PG, could still probably be in the plans for next year but the Spurs needed short-term answers at the swing position.

I suppose the recent waiving of Washington will create another Spanoulis-laced KBP thread resolving that Vassillis is the Spurs intended target in the upcoming offseason.

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Originally Posted by Darkwaters

I suppose the recent waiving of Washington will create another Spanoulis-laced KBP thread resolving that Vassillis is the Spurs intended target in the upcoming offseason.

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I'm waiting for a draft Dragic thread. :)

This all seems like a lot of fuss over the 15th roster spot.

Is Langford really a point? It seems early to give up on Washington. And Williams? wtf!

I'm stymied. We are missing some crucial information, I think. Maybe Ginobli's hand is worse then they are letting on, or maybe Washington did something unprofessional in the locker room to underscore his poor play...who knows. But something is amiss here.

Often the simplest explanation is the right one.
I think that Spurs have waived Washington because they don't consider him as a good enough prospect.

In both of his two stints with Spurs, he was in the doghouse. Pop said that he needed to learn how to lead a team. They send him in D-League and the result was that he lead this league in turnovers and had more turnovers than assists. :rolleyes
He put great stats in D-League and had a couple of great preseason game but it wasn't enough to overcome his drawbacks. I guess that the fact that CJ Watson put better stats than him in D-League didn't help his case.

Spurs tried to develop a young PG but it didn't work. Maybe they have given up too soon on him. Future will tell.

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Originally Posted by tav1

This all seems like a lot of fuss over the 15th roster spot.

Is Langford really a point? It seems early to give up on Washington. And Williams? wtf!

I'm stymied. We are missing some crucial information, I think. Maybe Ginobli's hand is worse then they are letting on, or maybe Washington did something unprofessional in the locker room to underscore his poor play...who knows. But something is amiss here.

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Judging from his workout opponents, it seems the Spurs were looking more for a Manu backup than a Parker backup, but the roster situation may mean he sees time at both spots.

The Spurs are putting their investment in the Toros to good use.

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Originally Posted by tav1

This all seems like a lot of fuss over the 15th roster spot.

Is Langford really a point? It seems early to give up on Washington. And Williams? wtf!

I'm stymied. We are missing some crucial information, I think. Maybe Ginobli's hand is worse then they are letting on, or maybe Washington did something unprofessional in the locker room to underscore his poor play...who knows. But something is amiss here.

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There's a whole bunch of overreaction regarding Washington at this point.

The Spurs didn't "give up" on Washington!

The Spurs had two swingmen go down and needed to replace them with two swingmen. To do so, they had to get rid of Washington.

I'm not saying that they're still as high on Washington as they once were, because he clearly played himself out of contention for backup and even third-string PG with his play with the Spurs this season.

What I am saying is that the Spurs cut Washington out of necessity and it wouldn't be unrealistic to see him back with the Spurs in future training camp(s) vying for the third-string PG spot.

In fact, I could see a scenario where the Spurs cut Langford (assuming he gets the permanent 14th spot) later on in the season and re-sign Washington if there is an injury to Parker or Vaughn. I think it far more likely that they'd go after Washington than any other PG.

Bottom Line: Washington is gone.......for now. It will now be up to him whether he wants to stick with the Toros and fight to get back on this team. It may be later this season, next season, or never....but I don't think the Spurs have given up on him for good.

Actually, Kill Bill has kept true to his word about no V-Span posts.

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Originally Posted by PHAT TONY

The Spurs didn't "give up" on Washington!

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Do you realize that Washington is now on the waivers and that 29 nba team can pick him?
They have given up on him.

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Originally Posted by Bruno

Do you realize that Washington is now on the waivers and that 29 nba team can pick him?
They have given up on him.

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And there were other NBA teams interested in him when the Spurs signed him, I believe. So it's likely he might not clear waivers and someone with grab him.

The last spot on the roster is often like the back up quarterback controversy on an NFL team.

Spurs fans get excited over some untested (but hard-working) rookie at the 15th spot or some Euro (Javtokas) who probably won't pan out.

Remember we carried Sean Marks for years and he always got lots of cheers when he went in for a minute in garbage time.

Settle down. Maybe we'll grow to love Langford.

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Originally Posted by Kori Ellis

And there were other NBA teams interested in him when the Spurs signed him, I believe. So it's likely he might not clear waivers and someone with grab him.

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If I remember well, Seattle was one of the team interested.
If a team pick Washington from waivers, it would be a good news for Spurs because it will give them more luxury tax flexibility.

How tall in Langford? Just wondering since he'll more than likely be added to the end of the wing rotation instead of the point. With two injured wing players out it'll be interesting to see if he gets a shot from Pop to enter the game while the game is still tight.

One thing I like is that the Spurs are using this spot to evaluate and develop youth instead of just sticking an old vet out there to enjoy the ride.

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Originally Posted by BeerIsGood!

How tall in Langford?

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6'3.5" in shoes with a huge 6'9" wingspan.

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Originally Posted by Bruno

6'3.5" in shoes with a huge 6'9" wingspan.

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Thanks, Bruno. Hopefully Udoka and Finley really keep going hot until at least Manu returns and Langford remains just insurance, but it might be interesting to see what he can do if needed.

Man that blows. I mean he had a couple bad games but he had mega energy and hustle.

Wow, tonight I might witness the worst loss in D-League history.

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Originally Posted by Bruno

Do you realize that Washington is now on the waivers and that 29 nba team can pick him?
They have given up on him.

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Yes, I do realize that. But I would say that given the circumstances (two injured guards) it was a necessity.

If he gets picked up, he still only has a contract through the end of this year if I remember correctly. Let me know if I'm wrong about that one.

But if I'm correct, the Spurs will have just as much chance to pick him up next year as any of the other 29 teams.

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Originally Posted by PHAT TONY

Yes, I do realize that. But I would say that given the circumstances (two injured guards) it was a necessity.

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It wasn't a necessity. Spurs had still 3 SG/SF and could have played some minutes with two PGs. And Barry isn't out for the season, he will be back in two weeks. Manu could even be back sooner.
I don't see Spurs waiving a prospect they like because of that. So it means that Spurs weren't that high on Washington.

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Originally Posted by PHAT TONY

If he gets picked up, he still only has a contract through the end of this year if I remember correctly. Let me know if I'm wrong about that one.

But if I'm correct, the Spurs will have just as much chance to pick him up next year as any of the other 29 teams.

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Washington will be a restricted free agent next summer if a team picks him, likes him and wants to keep him. The case where Spurs have as much chance is the case where Washington "sucks".

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Originally Posted by PHAT TONY

But if I'm correct, the Spurs will have just as much chance to pick him up next year as any of the other 29 teams.

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Most of the midseason contracts that are signed by young players (outside of 10 day contracts) are a guarantee for the rest of the current season and a team option for the following season. Even training camp contracts, the team has an option for the following season (if they were to sign them for the rest of the current year). The 2-year/2nd year team option is pretty standard.

The Nuggets waived Jelani McCoy again last night.

That may have influenced the timing.

EDIT: Duh. Why didn't I get that from tomcat's post? It was late/early I guess.

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Originally Posted by tomcat

According to a source of the Toros, Langford beat out Jeremy Richardson, Marcus Williams, Kaniel Dickens and Dermarr Johnson in the Spurs workout in drills and 1 on 1. Spurs were high on Richardson, ie inviting him in a day early and to the game but Langford abused him.

Langford also blasted the competition in the Denver workout that included Marcus Williams and Nugget players Bobby Jones and Von Wafer. Jelani McCoy was waived the next day but Kenyon Martin went down that nite. Enter need for a big.

I say we are selling Langford short as the Spurs are high on him. RC was at the game last night to see firsthand before the decision was made. Turned out Langford had some sort of staph infection and could not practice or anything. Out 12 days but still good enough to make it I guess.

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This looks like some good info :tu

I'm not surprised that Langford is a workout wonder. However, I question how that'll translate to the NBA.

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Originally Posted by tomcat

Almost forgot, when Kenyon Martin went down for the Nuggets, they resigned Jelani McCoy.

Nuggets just waived McCoy and requested info on Langford's injury from the Toros Thursday morning. Could have forced Spurs to move quicker.

D Wash will be fine. I dont see him in the dleague long. He will be signed soon.

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Yeah, the Nuggets interested in Langford makes sense and makes it understandable why the Spurs seemingly moved in such a rush. It looks sloppy from the outside but it's more logical if the Nuggets or another team were starting to talk with Langford about bringing him in.

Regarding DWash, if the Warriors can get rid of Hudson in time, Washington would be a natural fit in Nelson's system.

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Originally Posted by timvp

Regarding DWash, if the Warriors can get rid of Hudson in time, Washington would be a natural fit in Nelson's system.

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was it really that he would never make it as a Spur system player due to his game style? i thought Pop and FO was exited about his game and his upside... there must be something we don;t know

If it's points the Toros are looking for, Guillermo Diaz was apparently just waived by Anaheim. Whomever they may want, the Toros get first shot at waived or otherwise available players.