Spurs Bigs - who to target

[onechance87]

And I'm saying, no, they need a center. They have plenty of PFs. Finding a center that doesn't crater the defense when Victor goes to the bench is really the only true priority right now. That's where the money should go. Then they can also sign an "inexpensive, seasoned big" to be the third-stringer so they're not back in this position when some guy can't go.

Aldama would maybe be a luxury, but center is the position where they're hurting and have been hurting for a few years now. Guys like Sochan and Barnes are going to play, and they'll play PF when they do. Johnson and Bryant will likely to minutes there too. The team likely is not going to play big like so fans want. The teams' strength is their guards right now, and they will play lineups where Castle and Vassell play SF. "Upgrading" to Aldama should not be the priority.

yup a center who defends and rebounds should be the first player we go after.

[CGD]

Ayton seems like a very unlikely Spur, if only because he's assuredly gone after one season. In this upcoming hybrid season (of developing a lot of youth while trying to win now) I'd much rather go after someone who could potentially be part of the roster for years to come.

They have Ayton, TimeLord, and the Chinese kid, and seemingly a mandate to “got for it” next year.

What do we think it would take to get Clingan from them?

[LeBowen]

They have Ayton, TimeLord, and the Chinese kid, and seemingly a mandate to “got for it” next year.

What do we think it would take to get Clingan from them?

Clingan isn't going anywhere, he'd cost too much for someone who would never start for us.
Ayton is on his way out, Chinese kid is a long-term project and Timelord isn't an NBA player anymore after all the injuries.
They also have Doup Reath, but he's not good enough.

[SpursFan86]

[Robz4000]

we like what we have

[Guru of Nothing]

BroLo should be gettable especially with the Mitch connection tbh.

I kinda wonder if Lopez could have been the plan all along. It's easy to connect dots with the Mitch connection, and maybe that explains punting on the 38.

Maybe bring him in on 2/40 with second year a team option. Would still love to see the team throw a cheap dart at young prospect, regardless.

Anyway, Lopez checks just about every box but timeline ... then again, if he's effectively here on a one year contract, I'd say he aligns with line perfectly, if you stop and consider this year's development schedule is overflowing as it is. Might be better to spend next year's 1st on the next Sorber.

[LeBowen]

Conspiracy theory, but I don't think Bryant would've taken #11 if there was anything going on with Lopez.

[ChumpDumper]

I’m kinda intrigued by Isaiah Jackson as a reclamation project (ruptured Achilles at the start of last season) however I assume the spurs would rather just continue rolling with Bassey as a project. Mason Plumlee, Kevin Looney, Larry Nance seem realistic

Im afraid Horford stays with the C’s, Lopez goes ring chasing, Aldama/Kortnet gets a bag from somewhere.

trade market makes some sense I’m just not too sure who will be available

I like the idea of Jackson if he's still got springs. I'm higher on Yabusele than most; I feel he plays with a real élan when games actually matter.

[CGD]

Oof, speaks volumes about the C free agency market.

[RC_Drunkford]

I wonder what Ainge wants for Walker Kessler. He‘s on the last year of his rookie deal and extension eligible

[TD 21]

I wonder if Isaac might be an option too...and is he even sane? Was he just vaxination hesitant or is he a pure flat earth trumper?

I wouldn't touch his made of glass, MAGA ass with a 10, 000 foot poll and I doubt the Spurs would either.

He's another option that randomly popped into my head: Branham or Wesley + 2nd for (Jalen) Smith or Branham and Wesley for Smith and Carter.

The Bulls have financial flexibility, guard depth and an aversion to draft capital, so this one is dicey. But if they inexplicably intend to retain Vucevic, they might prefer a more inexpensive third C, since Collins usurped him last season.

[spurs10]

I like the idea of Jackson if he's still got springs. I'm higher on Yabusele than most; I feel he plays with a real élan when games actually matter.

Yabusele has a lot of fight in him, wonder if he can board.

[exstatic]

Yabusele has a lot of fight in him, wonder if he can board.

Career TRB% just under 12, so not fantastic.

[jesterbobman]

Making a rough guess of positions, I'd get to something like this as the construction by position, with a line for FA / Trade targets copied below.

Position	PG	Combo G	SG	SG/SF	SF	F	PF	PF/C	C
Current Roster	Fox	Harper Wesley	Branham	Castle Vassell	Keldon Champagnie	Barnes Bryant	Sochan		Wemby
Potential returnees	McLaughlin						Mamu		Bassey
FA / TradeOptions						Laravia	Aldama Naz Reid	J Collins	Capela, Kornet BroLo ...

Barnes and Bryant can play PF minutes, but it really puts in perspective how weak the Backup C minutes are. That's the most important position.
I was on Clingan Island as a good use of #8 pre draft last year, or Sorber this year, as not losing the backup minutes by a ton is important - With the clearest example being the Sixers losing playoff series even when winning the Embiid minutes by approximately 5000. Transforming a big loss into a neutral is a huge bump in team quality.

I think there's still a gap at PF, but C is most important. I would be in on John Collins as a value play if it costs Keldon, Branham + a second, but there's still a C hole - Collins can fill in in a pinch, but I think he's a 90% PF, rather than a true PF/C Hybrid.
Guys above, Wendell, Rob Williams...would all be fine options, depending on the plan for the defense, and whether they want a pure drop/ Centrefield big, or a more mobile / switch big, and if they prioritise defensive skills or offensive skills at C. But a C upgrade is priority #1.

[exstatic]

Making a rough guess of positions, I'd get to something like this as the construction by position, with a line for FA / Trade targets copied below.

PG	Combo G	SG	SG/SF	SF	F	PF	PF/C	C
Fox	Harper Wesley	Branham	Castle Vassell	Keldon Champagnie	Barnes Bryant	Sochan		Wemby
McLaughlin						Mamu		Bassey
					Laravia	Aldama Naz Reid	J Collins	Capela, Kornet BroLo ...

Barnes and Bryant can play PF minutes, but it really puts in perspective how weak the Backup C minutes are. That's the most important position.
I was on Clingan Island as a good use of #8 pre draft last year, or Sorber this year, as not losing the backup minutes by a ton is important - With the clearest example being the Sixers losing playoff series even when winning the Embiid minutes by approximately 5000. Transforming a big loss into a neutral is a huge bump in team quality.

I think there's still a gap at PF, but C is most important. I would be in on John Collins as a value play if it costs Keldon, Branham + a second, but there's still a C hole - Collins can fill in in a pinch, but I think he's a 90% PF, rather than a true PF/C Hybrid.
Guys above, Wendell, Rob Williams...would all be fine options, depending on the plan for the defense, and whether they want a pure drop/ Centrefield big, or a more mobile / switch big, and if they prioritise defensive skills or offensive skills at C. But a C upgrade is priority #1.

You’re going to bring back McLaughlin, but strip him of his number and give it to a rookie?

[Dejounte]

I wouldn't touch his made of glass, MAGA ass with a 10, 000 foot poll and I doubt the Spurs would either.

He's another option that randomly popped into my head: Branham or Wesley + 2nd for (Jalen) Smith or Branham and Wesley for Smith and Carter.

The Bulls have financial flexibility, guard depth and an aversion to draft capital, so this one is dicey. But if they inexplicably intend to retain Vucevic, they might prefer a more inexpensive third C, since Collins usurped him last season.

Isaac the kind of guy who would defend Michael Tait’s crimes and say everyone should move on because he repented. Nasty people

[spurs10]

Career TRB% just under 12, so not fantastic.

Thanks, seems average though.

[RC_Drunkford]

[BackHome]

Any good Centers in Europe we could bring over?

[exstatic]

Thanks, seems average though.

For a SF.

[Ice009]

I just realized Brook Lopez wears #11, so I guess that means they're definitely not going after him if giving that number to Carter Bryant already.

[J_Paco]

Oof, speaks volumes about the C free agency market.

He is a terrible option as a full-time starter - as Phoenix found out - but I would gladly take him as Wemby's primary backup. I think Malaki's contract would match & would be expiring to boot. Throw in a 2nd round pick to sweeten the deal and one problem is solved.

And maybe tender an offer to Vukcevic as well - is he a restricted or unrestricted FA? - since he can play some 4 and stretches the floor more.

[Ice009]

How come Vukcevic has only played 10 and 35 games for the Wizards the past two seasons? Has he been injured? Doesn't sound too good if he wasn't and couldn't break the rotation for a terrible Wizards team. I don't know anything about him, so just asking.

[J_Paco]

How come Vukcevic has only played 10 and 35 games for the Wizards the past two seasons? Has he been injured? Doesn't sound too good if he wasn't and couldn't break the rotation for a terrible Wizards team. I don't know anything about him, so just asking.

I believe they didn't bring him in from Europe until the tail end of the '23 - '24 season, so that limited him in his rookie season, and he didn't crack the (pitiful) Wizards rotation until January of last season.

He's a guy with limited NBA game time, but could develop into a solid 4th or 5th big.

[Ice009]

Thanks. That doesn't sound too bad then. Have you watched him play? Is he decent?