Oberto is expected to re-sign with the Spurs.

[Steve-O-Matic]

I wouldn't even want him as a 15th man. He's not worth the roster spot he'd occupy at the expense of just about anyone else. Totally useless.

[Marcus Bryant]

It makes more sense that the Spurs use their MLE or a trade to land a starting quality big and then find a decent 3rd big, unless they feel comfortable going with Bonner or Mahinmi as that. I think you want Mahinmi to begin next season as the 4th big. That would give him an opportunity during the regular season to get meaningful minutes, yet you don't risk throwing him into the fire too soon and destroying his confidence.

I don't mind Bonner. His skillset is useful. But he shouldn't be anything more than the 4th big (and better, the 5th). You want him for certain situations. He did step up in the last regular season, but the poor team defense ultimately reflected his shortcomings.

If the Spurs are going for broke, as it were, this offseason, then using the MLE on a McDyess, Pachulia, or Wallace to be the starting big makes a lot of sense. The only way Oberto makes any kind of sense is if the Spurs intend to deal Bonner in a draft day deal which returns them a decent first off the bench kind of bigman (ie Foster).

Starters
4 Duncan
5 McDyess, Pachulia, or Wallace

Bench
4 Mahinmi
4/5 Foster
5 Oberto

Who knows, maybe Christmas will come on June 25th and the Spurs will announce they are signing Splitter tomorrow?

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

As a 12th man, I'd like it. But the Spurs need to sign two more bigs that are better than him.

This.

[bigdog]

The Spurs are fully capable of getting a couple of bigs that are better than Oberto.
Like I said, the only reason I'd get Oberto is if we couldn't get those other bigs.

[angelbelow]

hmm i would welcome oberto back, but not until we take a look at our other options..

[montgod]

hmm i would welcome oberto back, but not until we take a look at our other options..

...Many, many, many other options.

[Obstructed_View]

A guy that can be had for the minimum, knows the offense and the defense, is probably feeling much better since heart surgery and was the starter on a Spurs championship team? No thanks.

[Ditty]

we need to get ing younger or at least still be able to play retire fab

duncan,gooden,wallace,mcdyess,mihinmi should be our front court damnit get rid of bonner and finley dont resign udoku,bruce or fab unless nothing goes as planned but i pretty sure everyone wants to beat the lakers and the spurs just need one big guy to beat them

[EricB]

A guy that can be had for the minimum, knows the offense and the defense, is probably feeling much better since heart surgery and was the starter on a Spurs championship team? No thanks.

[EricB]

we need to get ing younger or at least still be able to play retire fab

duncan,gooden,wallace,mcdyess,mihinmi should be our front court damnit get rid of bonner and finley dont resign udoku,bruce or fab unless nothing goes as planned but i pretty sure everyone wants to beat the lakers and the spurs just need one big guy to beat them

How are you

forget it.

Damn Spursreport...

[spursfan1000]

Please don't bring him back as our starting center or backup center. I wouldent mind having him as a 12th man. He isnt as good as he used to be and now he has heart problems, we could sign him as insurance, if out starting center or the backup center gets hurt we could use him.

[Chomag]

No offense but I really do think Oberto should just call it a career and retire. It's just not worth it for him.

That heart thing is no laughing matter. Even if after his correction at his age he is at risk every-time he exerts himself out on the court. I must say he had a pretty damn good career.

[raspsa]

I don't know if Oberto is reliable. His heart condition could act up without warning and based on previous incidednts, he will not be available to play for extended periods. On top of that, his health and family should be his priority.

[crc21209]

I've said it before and I'll say it again....Oberto > Bonner. Sure Bonner had his flashes of brilliance last year in the beginning of the season (Boston game) but when it came down to it he ing choked when it mattered. Oberto plays better D than him, knows the system better than him, can run the high/low with TD better than him for damn sure, and can rebound better than him. Fab is just one of those players who has "it". A great knowledge for the game and he is very underrated. I would love to have Fab back if it is as the 4th or 5th big on the team. Because if Bonner is going to get major minutes next year, we may be in trouble.

[Mugen]

you all are crazy for not wanting fab back as our 5th big. great passing big man who knows the system very well.

not like hes gonna be starting next to timmy, the MLE is going towards a better big.

having fab around to mentor ian and as an insurance policy is pretty much a no brainer.

[SenorSpur]

While Fab is a serviceable big and a great team guy, he doesn't rebound, score, defend or block shots at a level that warrants him being a rotation player. At this point, he's nothing more than an end-of-bench, situational-type player.

If the goal of this offseason is to retool the roster by upgrading the talent level, Fab doesn't do that. Therefore, I'd rather see the Spurs go in a different direction.

[Texas_Ranger]

If we can't get 2 or 3 better Centers then OK, but if we get some good bigs, then he should just go to Europe.

[rascal]

It' s a wasted roster spot if he comes back. They need guys who can jump.

[Bukefal]

We dont need the guy, its time for us to go new, and release some players instead of circling with the same players over and over again. Goodbye Oberto!!! As for Bowen, I think the same, but im more feeling sorry for him being gone, than oberto. Its time for us to say goodbye to both of them, and get some better younger players!!!

[ploto]

Where's the CIA on Oberto??

[Stump]

If we're trying to grab an old ex-spur to function as insurance incase injuries happen, I'd rather seek out Thomas and Rasho first. However, Oberto would probably be considerably cheaper, as I bet he can be had the minimum (800K) whereas those other two would at best agree to the LLE (1.7 mil)

[jackseven]

Big men and heart problems are usually not a good combination. He couldn't be counted on to fill in any extended minutes, if someone got injured.

He's got a lot of local knowledge, and he works well enough in certain situations. I wouldn't mind seeing him play an enforcer role at times, either. But can you picture him getting playoff minutes at the end of next season? If not, the roster spot would probably be better spent on a younger player.

Fat is probably the most non-enforcer type of person in the NBA. Sean Elliott even seriously referred to him as a "sweet heart". You must have him mistaken for someone else.

... The Spurs just unloaded a ton of baggage and went 20 steps in the right direction. I hope they don't take it back and pick up Fat to be a Jaque Vaughn without the hustle and work ethic at the end of the bench. Use that roster spot to bring in someone that could actually do something.

[InK]

Oberto back is more essencial at this moment then getting Bruce back. At the same price though. We don't have the cash to throw at anyone except a quality big, and if Fab wants to sign for 1m or less, then we take him.

This is a piece of the puzzle move plus we don't want to have a rooster full of guys who are clueless about the system. I support if it happens.

[InK]

... The Spurs just unloaded a ton of baggage and went 20 steps in the right direction. I hope they don't take it back and pick up Fat to be a Jaque Vaughn without the hustle and work ethic at the end of the bench. Use that roster spot to bring in someone that could actually do something.

There is gonna be plenty of time for your rebuilding fantasy, but that time sure is aint now.

[urunobili]

We dont need the guy, its time for us to go new, and release some players instead of circling with the same players over and over again. Goodbye Oberto!!! As for Bowen, I think the same, but im more feeling sorry for him being gone, than oberto. Its time for us to say goodbye to both of them, and get some better younger players!!!

same here