Are we really using Erik Williams as bait?

[Please_dont_ban_me]

Here's what I don't get...

He is in the last year of his contract. So his value for us, is to a team looking to get that last year contract to relieve them of capspace. Right? So they have to give up something...something meaning a guy with a contract, for more than one year...probably 2-3 years at the least...common sense would dictate...in order to get Erik Williams.

The Spurs have made it clear we're not interested in a contract like that.



So what exactly are we using him as bait for?

[Please_dont_ban_me]

who is Erik Williams?



And we will keep him. He can still play.

I would hope so...but why haven't we introduced him yet? That's a little odd.

What happens when we have to bring him in, what do we say? Uh, we tried trading him. But nobody wanted him. So now we're stuck with him, everybody...meet Eric Williams!

[TDMVPDPOY]

erica williams?

[Kori Ellis]

They might look to package him and see what they can get.

There's not many minutes for Barry and Williams behind Manu/Bowen/Finley.

[Kori Ellis]

I think you are overlooking the possibility of an injury. If Manu, Finley, or Bowen (unlikely), get injured for an extended period of time, there will be plenty of time for Barry and Williams.

Plus, who would we want in return for Williams? We already are set at 1, 2, and 3. And now we have plenty of bigs in Duncan, Horry, Oberto, Butler, Bonner, and Elson. I actually think we are in really good shape.

I am not overlooking the possibility of injuries. If they get rid of Williams and Barry, they'd obviously trade them for another wing player so they'd still have a backup in case of injuries. But I think they want someone younger in return for Williams/Barry. It's not secret that they've been shopping Barry for a long time. If they need to thrown in Williams to give the other team an expiring contract, they will.

I think the whole point (if it happens) would be to make room for some younger guys on the roster.

If Butler becomes a starter, then the Spurs bench will be old as .

Elson - 30
Barry - 35 in December
Finley - 33
Horry - 36 soon
Oberto - 31
Vaughn - 31
Williams - 34

Bonner and Beno are the only young reserves.

[Kori Ellis]

So if they package Barry and Williams to try to get a young player, who do you think they should go after? There are no young players that get paid around 9 million a year that would interest the Spurs. Darius Miles is one of the few wing players who is young that gets paid that much. And I dont think anyone wants him. I could see trading Barry OR Williams for someone young, but not both.

I would think they might take back one younger player, plus another player with an expiring contract (or two years left). Not one $9M player.

Again, I'm not saying it's going to happen. I just think it's something that they will continue to try to do. The Spurs need to get younger.

[intlspurshk]

Hedo or Hedon't and Orlando doesn't like his contract now.

[SpursWillOwn]

We don't like hedo as well

[exstatic]

Here's what I don't get...

He is in the last year of his contract. So his value for us, is to a team looking to get that last year contract to relieve them of capspace. Right? So they have to give up something...something meaning a guy with a contract, for more than one year...probably 2-3 years at the least...common sense would dictate...in order to get Erik Williams.

The Spurs have made it clear we're not interested in a contract like that.



So what exactly are we using him as bait for?

WTF are you talking about? SA offered Pryz a 4 year contract this summer. There look to be two windows they are shooting at: '08 and '10. The only contracts I think they would NOT entertain would be past '10. That's a lot of ing contracts, leaguewide.

[Bruno]

Spars are fine at PG and at C but we still have a big hole in our roster between our biggest swingmen (Bowen and Finley) and our fastest bigs (Horry and Bonner). We still need a SF/PF.

[SpursWillOwn]

to go over the hump of western conference we need a solid matchup for players like dirk and marion. hope spurs fo could get danny granger or gerald green

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

to go over the hump of western conference we need a solid matchup for players like dirk and marion. hope spurs fo could get danny granger or gerald green

Come on folks, be realistic with your trade fantasies.

[furry_spurry]

Originally it seemed the Spurs would trade him and if they couldn't, then possibly buy him out, but it does not appear so anymore. More and more it seems he will be on the roster, and they will see if they can utilize him because they need another SF.

[SpursWillOwn]

i obviously do not mean to get that trade thru this season

[Mr. Body]

There's a possibility Williams doesn't want to come, isn't there? He belly-ached the last year about getting closer to his son in the NY area and he just got traded further away. There's a chance he could just as soon retire as play anywhere, if he doesn't get traded. He's little more than an expiring at this point.

[furry_spurry]

There's a possibility Williams doesn't want to come, isn't there? He belly-ached the last year about getting closer to his son in the NY area and he just got traded further away. There's a chance he could just as soon retire as play anywhere, if he doesn't get traded. He's little more than an expiring at this point.

Problem with that theory is he had a player option on his contract this summer, and he exercised it- presumably because he wanted the money- hence he knew he was going to get traded and be somewhere else. Now of course he could be a royal pain and try to make the Spurs want to get rid of him. But for what they are going to have to pay him, they will at least see if they can use him. They can always cut him later.

[reydawg]

Sounds like we've gone fishing.

[MoSpur]

I think the Spurs will package him and might be part of a multi-team trade.

[Mr. Body]

Problem with that theory is he had a player option on his contract this summer, and he exercised it- presumably because he wanted the money- hence he knew he was going to get traded and be somewhere else. Now of course he could be a royal pain and try to make the Spurs want to get rid of him. But for what they are going to have to pay him, they will at least see if they can use him. They can always cut him later.

Well, it's free money, so of course he was going to exercise the option, no matter whether he decided to be a pain and force a trade, retire, or what. It's fishy there's been no announcement, assigning of numbers, etc., so I think everyone's right in assuming he'll never be a Spur.

[furry_spurry]

Well, it's free money, so of course he was going to exercise the option, no matter whether he decided to be a pain and force a trade, retire, or what. It's fishy there's been no announcement, assigning of numbers, etc., so I think everyone's right in assuming he'll never be a Spur.

That's what I thought, too, but lately I have been hearing they may hold onto him if they can't trade him. You know the Spurs- they like to think they are the ones who can handle the "problem guy."

[Spurminator]

I don't know about anyone else, but I'd take Hedo back in a heartbeat.



On a completely unrelated note, I'm hoping the Spurs give a serious look to this guy Ime Udoka in Portland next summer. I think he could be a pretty good defensive specialist off the bench and it looks like he has a decent jumper.

Plus, he can probably be had for pennies (though I'm sure his agent will try to squeeze out a $3-4 mill per year deal).

[ShoogarBear]

I'd take Hedo back if he has a heartbeat.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

i obviously do not mean to get that trade thru this season

It doesn't matter what season you want to trade for those guys, it's going to cost you TP, TD, or Manu to do it.

[SpursWillOwn]

o c'mon green or granger costs TP TD an manu? a vet + expiring contract sounds feasible

[SenorSpur]

I'd take Hedo back if he has a heartbeat.

Hedo is the cowardly lion from the Wizard of Oz.