DeRozan back with the Spurs?

[drpill]

If you change Demar to Markkanen, would your narrative remain the same? I’m not advocating Demar, but surely getting Markkanen means he’ll be 2/3 option and less opportunities for “young players to see the court.”

I understand getting CP3 is partly to set more structured offense and help the young core. But once we start talking either Markkanen, Demar or whoever vet, we are talking about competing, with more vets production and less from the young core and even less for some.

It feels like two very different proposals -- Lauri would be a long term part of a championship core, while Demar would be a stopgap piece at best. Demar also overlaps too much with Castle, who is going to need a lot of reps if he's going to set down the right developmental path. Lauri would take playing time away from Sochan (if he were still here in that scenario) and others, but again, as a long-term part of the team that is a more justifiable tradeoff. If Derozan was willing to sign a one year deal with a clear agreement that he would take a reduced role, sure, give it some consideration. But that seems unlikely.

If we're talking going all-in with Lauri and Derozan, it sounds like an entertaining ride. But if you're doing that because you're serious about trying to compete then the roster has issues. Lauri adds spacing at least, so the Derozan fit wouldn't be quite as ugly. In any case, if it means a multi-year contract for Demar, the Spurs should stay far away imo.

[Splits]

DeRozan is going to get paid way more than what he is worth to the Spurs by some other team. He started all 79 games he played last year at almost 39 minutes a game, dominates the mid-range, can't shoot the 3, but for a team that is loaded with gunners he's a perfect fit.

I've never been a huge fan of his, but CP0 + DR just for the knowledge well our teenagers could gain from him would be great. But it ain't happening for an MLE, some fringe contender will pay him +18m for his last big contract and it ain't us.

[Splits]

Yeah I just disagree with you there.

[slick'81]

Only take derozan if you bring in lauri. If spurs want those bottom playoff seeds that is the way

[Splits]

If they're going for DeRozan, they're probably going for leadership and learning rather than finishing off a team of players they don't feel are quite ready. That's what Paul does, helps the kid learn, with fit taking a bit of a backseat.

Agree with this. We're not contending this year. Would alter "kid" to "kids" since we have so many of them. But it's a somewhat novel strategy to bring in short-term vets for long-term knowledge and accelerating the growth trajectory.

[tmtcsc]

Hard, hard “no, not only no, NO” pass on Derozan. I don’t care that he’s a good guy and Pop was nice to him. He’s a nothing piece and a waste of money. He would be an impediment to the Spurs’ progress. I don’t like CP3 joining the team either but I get it. He can bring some intangible value to his teammates’ experience.

[Mr. Body]

Agree with this. We're not contending this year. Would alter "kid" to "kids" since we have so many of them. But it's a somewhat novel strategy to bring in short-term vets for long-term knowledge and accelerating the growth trajectory.

I definitely meant to say 'kids.'

If they get DDR, it's sort of like an academy year. Learn alongside two vets who won't be there a year from now. Winning would be nice, but the point is the long term. The young players are a total mess right now and getting a boost would help.

[TD 21]

According to Wojnarowski, the Kings in a sign and trade is the most likely possibility right now but they're trying to find a third team because the Bulls don't want to take back significant salary.

I wonder if the Spurs help facilitate it by acquiring Barnes for next to nothing. Granted, he's signed through '26, so maybe that dissuades them.

[Chinook]

The Spurs are slated to have like $87 Million in cap space in the summer of 2026, though their first-rounders and other contracts will each up some of that. Even with this inflation, we're looking at a tier-three max being $61 Million or so. It's possible for the team to get a max slot that year. For whom, I'd have no idea. The upshot is that two-year deals to sync with Collins and the 2022 draftees and the low-salary points of both Johnson's and Vassell's deals would make a lot of sense. Like if there's any kind of long-term concrete plan whatsoever, it seems to involve the summer of 2026 as a key period.

[baseline bum]

According to Wojnarowski, the Kings in a sign and trade is the most likely possibility right now but they're trying to find a third team because the Bulls don't want to take back significant salary.

I wonder if the Spurs help facilitate it by acquiring Barnes for next to nothing. Granted, he's signed through '26, so maybe that dissuades them.

Gross. No use for Barnes now with CP3 here so that Castle or Vassell starts at SF.

[Chinook]

Gross. No use for Barnes now with CP3 here so that Castle or Vassell starts at SF.

There's still no backup power-forward on the roster, and Barnes shot 38 percent from three.

[TD 21]

^ That and I don't get this bizarre obsession with starting.

How about creating compe ion so that replacement player Sochan or unproven Castle have to earn their spot? They'll still receive plenty of minutes off the bench either way and it'll only be temporary since I'm skeptical Paul will be here beyond the trade deadline/buy out window anyway.

[baseline bum]

There's still no backup power-forward on the roster, and Barnes shot 38 percent from three.

Seems like a lot of money to pay a backup who isn't much of an upgrade over Champagnie. I hope the Spurs can find better uses for their capspace than Barnes.

[Chinook]

Seems like a lot of money to pay a backup who isn't much of an upgrade over Champagnie. I hope the Spurs can find better uses for their capspace than Barnes.

Would it change your mind if we add in "He can post-up Tony Parker while the rest of his team starves for touches"?

[baseline bum]

^ That and I don't get this bizarre obsession with starting.

How about creating compe ion so that replacement player Sochan or unproven Castle have to earn their spot? They'll still receive plenty of minutes off the bench either way and it'll only be temporary since I'm skeptical Paul will be here beyond the trade deadline/buy out window anyway.

Meh Champagnie can do the same thing for a sixth of what Barnes costs.

[Tyronn Lue]

DDR/CP3 could anchor the bench unit.

For a season, sure.

[Tyronn Lue]

^ That and I don't get this bizarre obsession with starting.

How about creating compe ion so that replacement player Sochan or unproven Castle have to earn their spot? They'll still receive plenty of minutes off the bench either way and it'll only be temporary since I'm skeptical Paul will be here beyond the trade deadline/buy out window anyway.

How many bench players do you see in the all star games or on all NBA teams? Not many for sure.

[gambit1990]

me a week ago:

in b4 the spurs trade draft picks & assets for demar derozan.

ST after you've seen my posts:

[sfernald]

I think I would rather take Barnes into cap space and receive a couple seconds over actually paying out for Demar!

[TD 21]

Per Stein, Spurs have emerged as potential third team facilitator . . .

[LeBowen]

Per Stein, Spurs emerging as third team facilitator . . .

Good stuff, Barnes would fit great here for a couple of seasons.

[Obstructed_View]

Who's that dude who beat the out of his wife in front of his kids?

Yeah, I'd rather get that guy.

[NASpurs]

Per Stein, Spurs have emerged as potential third team facilitator . . .

[Dejounte]

Barnes would be a better get than Batum would have, and I really wanted Batum

[Obstructed_View]

Hey, trading cap space for no tangible asset! A very Spursian move. At least DeBallhog DeNodefense ends up somewhere else.