Free Agent: Carlos Delfino

[tav1]

Yeah, that's true. But just to give a frame of reference, here are the last seven guys chosen with the 57th pick:

Sammy Majia
Loukas Mavrokefalidis
Marcin Gortat
Sergei Karalov
Xue Yuyang
Randy Holcomb
Alvin Jones

Tully, this is a sobering reminder of how much we might expect from Gist. I of course will root for him and remain optimistic by putting my most positive basketball voodoo into the air by hoping he is the exception to the rule. But given this reminder, I continue to hope that the Spurs will make every effort to secure a quality young player--24 or younger--with the trade exception if they don't use it elsewhere *and* Hairston and Gist play to the odds. What others on this board say about refilling the pipeline and putting some reserves in the cupboard remains true. Ideally, we'd do this through the draft. But if there is a player (Wilson Chandler, for example) that we could get on a short contract flier and play him in Austin for a year, I'm all for it.

[SenorSpur]

Yeah, that's true. But just to give a frame of reference, here are the last seven guys chosen with the 57th pick:

Sammy Majia
Loukas Mavrokefalidis
Marcin Gortat
Sergei Karalov
Xue Yuyang
Randy Holcomb
Alvin Jones

An unheralded list indeed. However, there are more successful finds in that round than one may think. For some perspective, here are some notable second round picks in recent years:

Gilbert Arenas
Monta Ellis
Paul Milsap
Carl Landry
Mehmet Okur
Louis Williams
Stephen Jackson
Daniel Gibson
Brandon Bass
Ryan Gomes

Going back a few years:
P.J. Brown
Antonio Davis
Nick Van Exel
Steve Kerr
Jerome Kersey
Gerald Wilkins
Anthony Mason
Vernon Maxwell

Of course, don't forget our beloved Manu Ginobili was chosen @ pick #57 too. I know that's an exception, but you get the point.

The Spurs do not have and likely do not want the financial commitment that comes with having first rounders over the next several years. Therefore, they have to get talent from somewhere. The most fiscally responsible way to do this is via the second round.

I simply hate for the Spurs to rush to judgement on both Hairston and Gist before these guys have an opportunity to develop. The ultimate insult would be for us to, one day, see them contributing for some other team.

[Tully365]

An unheralded list indeed. However, there are more successful finds in that round than one may think. For some perspective, here are some notable second round picks in recent years:

Gilbert Arenas
Monta Ellis
Paul Milsap
Carl Landry
Mehmet Okur
Louis Williams
Stephen Jackson
Daniel Gibson
Brandon Bass
Ryan Gomes

Going back a few years:
P.J. Brown
Antonio Davis
Nick Van Exel
Steve Kerr
Jerome Kersey
Gerald Wilkins
Anthony Mason
Vernon Maxwell

Of course, don't forget our beloved Manu Ginobili was chosen @ pick #57 too. I know that's an exception, but you get the point.

The Spurs do not have and likely do not want to be financial commitment that comes with having first rounders over the next several years. Therefore, they have to get talent from somewhere. The most fiscally responsible way to do this is via the second round.

I simply hate for the Spurs to rush to judgement on both Hairston and Gist before these guys have an opportunity to develop. The ultimate insult would be for us to, one day, see them contributing for some other team.

Great post. I'm with you on this, and still believe the Spurs are one of the best at evaluating talent, so I'm cautiously optimistic. I hope Chris Douglas-Roberts turns out to be one of those 2nd round gems. I love the way he plays, and felt bad for him dropping so much on draft day. There were actually a few minutes there, from picks 35-40 when I started to think, "o god, is it possible the Spurs still get CDR??" But who knows, Hairston's numbers are similar to CDR's and maybe he will be the 2nd round steal... can't wait for summer leagues,,,

[Mal]

For same price I would sign Delfino instead of Barry or Finley. I see more potential in him.

[SenorSpur]

Great post. I'm with you on this, and still believe the Spurs are one of the best at evaluating talent, so I'm cautiously optimistic. I hope Chris Douglas-Roberts turns out to be one of those 2nd round gems. I love the way he plays, and felt bad for him dropping so much on draft day. There were actually a few minutes there, from picks 35-40 when I started to think, "o god, is it possible the Spurs still get CDR??" But who knows, Hairston's numbers are similar to CDR's and maybe he will be the 2nd round steal... can't wait for summer leagues,,,

Like some have stated earlier, I'm pleased that the Spurs have rediscovered the domestic side and started focusing on college-level players, as opposed to ignoring them strictly for the Euros. The economic downturns in this country have pretty much dictated as much.

With all the Spurs much-heralded success in evaluating talent in the Euro market and their famous draft-n-stash philosophy, the cupboard of talent in the pipeline is virtually nill. Consequently, that is another reason the Spurs will have to alter their strategy somewhat and begin taking a longer look at developing some of these second-rounders on their own dime.

BTW, word on CDR. It will be interesting to watch how he develops over the next several years, versus Hairston. Another tandem to watch is the development of Hill and Batum.

[ChumpDumper]

I think the Spurs were trying to trade away their high second rounder, they just got a free look at Hairston in the process.

[Sway]

I think the Spurs were trying to trade away their high second rounder, they just got a free look at Hairston in the process.

Im not sure about that. The trade that got the Spurs Hairston was made before he was picked. Hairston also worked out for the Spurs and was asked to come back for a second work out but couldnt due to his schedule. I think the Spurs specifically went after Hairston.

[ChumpDumper]

I think the main attraction was next season's pick.

[Tully365]

Tully, this is a sobering reminder of how much we might expect from Gist. I of course will root for him and remain optimistic by putting my most positive basketball voodoo into the air by hoping he is the exception to the rule. But given this reminder, I continue to hope that the Spurs will make every effort to secure a quality young player--24 or younger--with the trade exception if they don't use it elsewhere *and* Hairston and Gist play to the odds. What others on this board say about refilling the pipeline and putting some reserves in the cupboard remains true. Ideally, we'd do this through the draft. But if there is a player (Wilson Chandler, for example) that we could get on a short contract flier and play him in Austin for a year, I'm all for it.

Damn! I forgot about putting bball voodoo in the air!! I'm gonna do that right now.

[Tully365]

Im not sure about that. The trade that got the Spurs Hairston was made before he was picked. Hairston also worked out for the Spurs and was asked to come back for a second work out but couldnt due to his schedule. I think the Spurs specifically went after Hairston.

That was a steal for the Spurs, don't you think? Hairston has potential, the cash they got (I read it was 500,000) pays for all of the ten day contracts/D League call ups or pays most of a minimum salary-- and if Hairston makes the team as a 2nd rounder, that Suns money pays most of his salary, which means the Spurs take a serious look at him with almost no financial risk. And, if Phoenix isn't as good next year, that pick might be closer to the one that netted a CDR or a Mario Chalmers-type player.

[Sway]

That was a steal for the Spurs, don't you think? Hairston has potential, the cash they got (I read it was 500,000) pays for all of the ten day contracts/D League call ups or pays most of a minimum salary-- and if Hairston makes the team as a 2nd rounder, that Suns money pays most of his salary, which means the Spurs take a serious look at him with almost no financial risk. And, if Phoenix isn't as good next year, that pick might be closer to the one that netted a CDR or a Mario Chalmers-type player.

I agree, this was a great move on the Spurs part. They got a pretty good prospect, some cash, and a future pick. It doesnt get better than that. I also think Hairston is going to surpirse a lot of people which will make this trade even better for the Spurs.

[intlspurshk]

The 2nd pick SPURS got is Warrior's pick, isn't it???

[dastrey]

The Spurs were an injured Ginobili away from getting to the Finals. They don't need to find a savior. Delfino would be a great addition to this team. He doesn't have to play spectacular. He just has to give us more than an old Finley did. A 2 year contract around 7 million would be fair.

[lapeapod]

I'm a really big fan of Delfino's and I've followed his career since he was with the Pistons. He's athletic, can defend, play two positions (SG and SF), bring the ball up, is a really good rebounder and for the strongest point he's a really good teammate. Carlos is most interested in a 3 year contract with some stability. He's played in 192 games straight so he's very healthy and the Spurs would be a really good fit for Delfino.

Just compare Delfino's stats with Mikael Pietrus's stats and Carlos hands down holds his own with Pietrus. He can be a solid 10 points and 5 boards off the bench with 25 minutes of play. He's just turning 26 years old so he's in his prime and will only get better. European players always take longer to mature than their American counterparts. Look at Luis Scola, he's a 27 year old rookie so not a young kid.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

What do you have to say on the topic of his ability of being a primadonna?

[lapeapod]

On the subject of Carlos being a primadonna. Carlos is really soft spoken and doesn't usually talk much. He's usually one of the last players at practice and stays late working on his game with any of the other gym rats. He got the reputation as a primadonna his rookie year because he hurt his knee and wouldn't "man-up" and play like Larry Brown wanted to without getting a second opinion on it from his own doctor in Argentina. Carlos did get the surgery and spent the summer bicycling in his native country to get back in shape.

When Delfino was with the Pistons he primarily backed up Tayshaun Prince who was really durable and never missed one game. It's basically was lack of playing time for Carlos that led to his unhappiness and talking to the Spanish press about his role with the Pistons. Joe Dumars always has said to let him know if you want a trade and he'll accomodate you. So last summer Delfino asked his agent to make a trade and Carlos ended up with the Raptors where he played in every game, averaged 9 points and over 4 boards in 24 minutes per game.

I think next week it should shake out for lots of free agents on where they'll land and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Delfino is a Spur. He has said he's very excited about the thought of playing with Manu and Olberto plus the weather is a lot nicer than Toronto's.

[Kindergarten Cop]

The 2nd pick SPURS got is Warrior's pick, isn't it???

Yes, it was the Warriors pick that we acquired from Phoenix - which will likely be a much better pick than the Suns' second rounder with Davis bolting.

[timvp]

Pistons consider a Carlos Delfino return
By VINCE ELLIS

The Pistons have been in contact with several free-agent swingmen around the league, and one name is particularly interesting.

Former Piston Carlos Delfino is among the free agents the team is considering signing. Tomorrow is the first day NBA free agents can sign contracts, although they can agree to deals earlier.

Delfino, a 6-foot-6 forward from Argentina, averaged nine points per game in 82 games for the Toronto Raptors last season, his fourth year in the NBA.

A restricted free agent, Delfino received a qualifying offer by the Raptors in June, which means Toronto has the right to match any offer he gets.

But the Raptors have a glut of swingmen and might be reluctant to match.

The Pistons traded Delfino to Toronto in 2007 for draft picks after three years of inconsistent play and minutes. He was the Pistons’ second, first-round selection in 2003 — the year Darko Milicic was taken second overall.

The NBA will release the salary cap number for the 2008-09 season Wednesday, a figure expected to be about $59 million, with the luxury tax kicking in at $70 million.
The Pistons have committed $60 million in salary for next season, but can use the mid-level exception — around $5.6 million — to sign a player or two.

The Pistons have also contacted Golden State’s Mickael Pietrus, Portland’s James Jones, Boston’s James Posey and Utah’s C.J. Miles.

Published reports said the Pistons might be interested in pursuing Clippers free agent Corey Maggette, but he is thought to be waiting to see if he can get a big deal from a team that has plenty of spending money under the salary cap.

Interesting turn of events . . .

[lapeapod]

I just don't see Delfino signing with the Pistons as long as Tayshaun Prince and Rip Hamilton are still the starters. The main reason Carlos asked to be traded was to get some more playing time because Tay and Rip average 38-39 mpg so what will have changed if he comes back to them. It's a compliment to Delfino though the Pistons like his game more than what they have in Jarvis Hayes and are considering offering him a contract.

The Spurs are in the lead to sign Delfino so it should happen pretty soon if they offer up a fair contract. Carlos is ready to start working out with the Argentina team for the Olympics and he wants to be under a contract so that's one less thing to worry about this summer.

If Delfino signs then Manu can take his time recovering from his ankle injury and not log in so many minutes during the regular season and let Delfino play lots of minutes and you mark my words he'll average 10-14 points per game and 5-7 rebounds with regular minutes.

[SequSpur]

i thought you all said delfino signed with the spurs?

[ChumpDumper]

We were just making a buzz.

[Spurs4lyf]

Are there any updates? Is Delfino going to sign with the Pistons again?

[Mr. Body]

I'd rather have Delfino than Mason.

[nkdlunch]

I'd rather have Delfino than Mason.

no in way. Mason's play is already at least 1 level above Delfino's. Mason is a lot more consistent and a lot more clutch.

oh yeah, and he is deadly from straightaway 3s

[picnroll]

I'd rather have Delfino than Mason.

Is that based on last year's production of the two?