McDonald: Spurs weigh Mahinmi’s fate

[Manufan909]

Personally, I don't even know why this is even a question. Of course, the Spurs pick up the option. If Ian were 26 and his performance was steady, I could understand the hesitation. However, he's 22 and improving. Has tremedous upside and seemingly works hard.

With Duncan, McDyess and Ratliff all likely gone in 2 years, the Spurs would be big fools to throw away a young, developing big of his skill and potential. As I've said before, young, talented bigs are not growing on trees.

After all, Pop's comments on his practice habits and progess are convincing enough for me to believe that the team will pick up his option. I'd be shocked if they didn't.

Perfect reasoning. Hope that works on Holt like it did on me.

[Obstructed_View]

The Spurs picked up Beno's option, and that money is gone. Trying to recover it by failing to pick up Ian's option would be an even bigger mistake.

[TDMVPDPOY]

no b rainer, drop his ass now

[MaNu4Tres]

I wouldn't be surprised if Spurs don't pick it up and sign him for a lesser contract next off-season. A contract much like Blair's would be ideal.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

I think if they want him next year, they'll pick up the option. Don't jump to conclusions and say "duh!". In another year, they might not have picked up the option and tried to lowball him for year 4, but next summer, there's going to be a load of disappointed suitors in the FA game, and heaven help the team that has a prospect that's a FA.

Mahinmi had his big year with the Toros when the frontcourt rotation was set and there was no room for him in SA. Last year there was room and he was injured. While I think the Spurs aren't sure what they have, I don't think they've soured on him as much as this forum believes they have. They'd be foolish to run him off, especially to save the amount they could.

They'll pick it up. Dice and Theo will only be around 1-2 years. The team WILL be in need of another big a year from now. It WILL cost MORE to bring Splitter over, and there will be a lot of cashed up teams with money to burn, and we all know how much bigs can command on the FA market.

The price for Ian is actually very low, even for a gamble that he will be a serviceable big.

Triple yup, nice takes.

For me it breaks down like this:

1. Does he have the physical talent to be an NBA player?

Clearly, yes.

2. Does he have the will and desire to be an NBA player?

It seems like the coaches think so.

3. What is the ratio of financial risk:basketball reward?

Even with the lux tax hit, $2mil is nothing to venture at this point on a prospect you've been developing for 3 years who could be just about to take the next step, and at a time when you're spending.

4. Does he fit a team need?

Yes, Ratliff is a one-year hire, and who better to teach the kid his role - shot-blocking, rebounding and running the floor - than Theo, Dice and Timmy?

If they don't pick up his 4th year it's a BAD call according to my decision matrix.

[mountainballer]

dozens of reasons why the Spurs should pick Ian's option.
so few tries to also see the other hand.
and I don't think the money is the major point (of course also not to ignore though).
I guess even the biggest fans of Ian meanwhile agree, that he won't play a significant role this season.
BLACKJACK21 mentioned the possible 2010-11 big rotation.
for me this is the more important point than the money.
bringing in Tiago will be a priority and I'm confident that it will work.
then Spurs have Tim, Dice, Blair and Tiago for the regular rotation. a nicely balanced rotation with size, nice offensive and defensive potential and good mix of youth and experience.
then BJ21 mentioned the rumors, that the Spurs might extend Bonner. I also can see why. the 3pt shooting big looks like the missing piece for this front court. (whatever Ian could provide, Tiago can on a much higher level)
so again Ian would be the 6th big. no chance to play d-league. no minutes at all. not even garbage time.
and after 2010-11 his rookie contract is expired.
so, what sense does this make??????? they will have had a player for 4 years, who never climbed higher than #6 in the big rotation.
btw. it's not that the Spurs will stop any moves regarding big man for ever.
James Gist is still in the pipeline and 2010 they will have a 1st round pick again. as it looks right now, it could be pretty deep in the big man department (DX currently has 15 bigs going in the 1st round, plus 4 combo forwards)
and like every team the Spurs will scout the market, if an interesting project could be signed or acquired via trade.
question: do you rather give the spot of the 6th big to a player, who is on the last year of his rookie contract, or to a 1st round pick, who you could also send to the D-league and who is under contract till 2014?

[ceperez]

For a big man, we got a bargain basement price.

Think about it, he was a D-league all star 2 years ago. That's when he was 20 years old?

[MaNu4Tres]

for a big man, we got a bargain basement price.

Think about it, he was a d-league all star 2 years ago. That's when he was 20 years old?

he was 21. He turns 23 in roughly two weeks.

[mountainballer]

For a big man, we got a bargain basement price.

Think about it, he was a D-league all star 2 years ago. That's when he was 20 years old?

oh well....

the 2008 d-league all stars (maybe you get the picture):

Morris Almond, Utah
Lance Allred, Idaho
Sean Banks, Los Angeles
Elton Brown, Colorado
Andre Barrett, Bakersfield
Kaniel ens, Colorado
Rod Benson, Dakota
Nick Fazekas, Tulsa
Kyrylo Fesenko, Utah
Eddie Gill, Colorado
Keith Langford, Austin
Randy Livingston, Idaho
Ian Mahinmi, Austin
Dwayne Mitc , Iowa
Jelani McCoy, Los Angeles
Kasib Powell, Sioux Falls
Carlos Powell, Dakota
Billy Thomas, Colorado
Jeremy Richardson, Fort Wayne
Cory Violette, Idaho

[mountainballer]

And Mahimni is the only player that has stuck on an NBA roster this year.

right. but I'm not sure what you try to say by pointing at this.
my point is, making the d-league all star team doesn't exactly prove you are NBA potential, as ceperez tried to tell us.

[Mel_13]

oh well....

the 2008 d-league all stars (maybe you get the picture):

Kinda like using some ACB highlight reels to project a player into an NBA rotation.

I have to believe that the Spurs are making their decision based almost entirely on Ian's performance behind closed doors.

[Bruno]

Sometime before Monday’s NBA roster deadline, the Spurs must determine whether Malik Hairston or Marcus Williams will still have a job in San Antonio when the season starts.

I'm really surprised to see Spurs taking that much time to make the final cut. Marcus Williams has been DNP-CD for the last two games and cutting him should be a no-brainer. Aside of Spurs having some trade talks where Williams is part of a package, I don't see why they are waiting that much.

Elsewhere on the roster, center Ian Mahinmi is battling a different, delayed sort of job insecurity. The Spurs have until Halloween to determine whether he will still have a job here next year.

I don't see Spurs picking Ian's option. The main reason of that is that if you pick Ian's option you have to give him some minutes this year (Ian won't improve if he doesn't play ).

Now, the deadline is at the end of the month. Spurs will play a back-to-back before that and Spurs could decide to give Ian some minutes in the second game to make their final choice (if they are still hesitating on what to do).

It's also noteworthy that Spurs have until the end of the month to pick Hill option for 2010-2011 even if it makes no doubt that the option will be picked.

[mountainballer]

I'm really surprised to see Spurs taking that much time to make the final cut. Marcus Williams has been DNP-CD for the last two games and cutting him should be a no-brainer. Aside of Spurs having some trade talks where Williams is part of a package, I don't see why they are waiting that much.

maybe it's just as simple as that: they don't want to make 2 announcements about either MW and Malik, but they are still not totally sure about Malik. (which wouldn't be a good sign that they will keep Malik btw.)

It's also noteworthy that Spurs have until the end of the month to pick Hill option for 2010-2011 even if it makes no doubt that the option will be picked.

didn't think about this. but it makes sense that even if it's a no brainer to pick Hill's option, they wait. if they go out with the message that they picked just Hill, everyone would assume that Ian won't be picked (Ian included). so it's better to also wait till deadline with the Hill option.

[MaNu4Tres]

I'm really surprised to see Spurs taking that much time to make the final cut. Marcus Williams has been DNP-CD for the last two games and cutting him should be a no-brainer. Aside of Spurs having some trade talks where Williams is part of a package, I don't see why they are waiting that much.



I don't see Spurs picking Ian's option. The main reason of that is that if you pick Ian's option you have to give him some minutes this year (Ian won't improve if he doesn't play ).

Now, the deadline is at the end of the month. Spurs will play a back-to-back before that and Spurs could decide to give Ian some minutes in the second game to make their final choice (if they are still hesitating on what to do).

It's also noteworthy that Spurs have until the end of the month to pick Hill option for 2010-2011 even if it makes no doubt that the option will be picked.

I really don't see where Mahimni fits in the grand scheme of things. With McDyess here for another year and possibly two. And with Blair and the type of playing time he will earn if he keeps producing the way he is, not to mention he will be here for another 3 years after this year if his knees are able to stay stable. The Spurs and Bonner are in talks about an extension. Splitter most likely will come over next year as well. That's Duncan/ McDyess/ Blair/ Bonner/ Splitter depth chart next year maybe the year after.

This leads me to believe :

A. Mahimni may be used as a sweetner in a deal.

B. Mahimni's option isn't picked up and Spurs try to sign him to to a lesser contract similiar to Blair's where they keep working with him until McDyess retires and a spot in the rotation opens up.

As much as I like Mahimni's skill set for a 22 year old athletic prospect, he is round peg trying to fit in a square hole. He simply doesn't fit in the grand scheme of things in regards of playing time and improving in that sense. If he is picked up most likely he will be on the inactive list the majority of the time not only this year but the ensuing years as well.


Good take on the Spurs taking their time with their decision on Williams and Hairston, considering Williams had DNP's the last 2 games. Maybe a trade is in the works? Who knows.

[Bruno]

I really don't see where Mahimni fits in the grand scheme of things. With McDyess here for another year and possibly two. And with Blair and the type of playing time he will earn if he keeps producing the way he is, not to mention he will be here for another 3 years after this year if his knees are able to stay stable. The Spurs and Bonner are in talks about an extension. Splitter most likely will come over next year as well. That's Duncan/ McDyess/ Blair/ Bonner/ Splitter depth chart next year maybe the year after.

Let's see:
- McDyess is old.
- Bonner has been horrible in big games and isn't a very good player.
- Blair's knees are a time bomb.
- It's far from sure that Splitter will go in NBA in 2010 and if he does, he will be a rookie.

In a perfect scenario, Spurs will have too much bigmen but there are many sources of concerns and odds are low that this perfect scenario happens.

I disagree with the notion that Mahinmi's option won't be picked because of too much bigmen. If the option isn't picked, it will be mainly because Spurs don't see Ian as an interesting enough prospect.

[MaNu4Tres]

Let's see:
- McDyess is old.
- Bonner has been horrible in big games and isn't a very good player.
- Blair's knees are a time bomb.
- It's far from sure that Splitter will go in NBA in 2010 and if he does, he will be a rookie.

In a perfect scenario, Spurs will have too much bigmen but there are many sources of concerns and odds are low that this perfect scenario happens.

I disagree with the notion that Mahinmi's option won't be picked because of too much bigmen. If the option isn't picked, it will be mainly because Spurs don't see Ian as an interesting enough prospect.

I think they already believe Mahimni is an interesting prospect. I just don't think they believe a player who will be on the inactive list the majority time is worth roughly 3.5 million next year.


Let's see:
-McDyess is 35 and is our second best big man on the roster.
I guess when Bruce was 35 years old that would be a reason why Spurs would have wanted to spend 3.5 million on the likes an athletic young prospect by the name of James White to spend the majority of the year in a sportscoat? Just because Bruce was simply old.

-Matt Bonner had a rough series against the Mavs. But so did everyone not named Tim, Tony and Fin. Fact is Pop loves Matty and values him more than Mahimni for sure. As long as Matt is here, Mahimni won't ever see the floor at the expense of Matt Bonner. Hate to break your heart but that's the truth. Matty had a very productive 82 games out of 87 last year. Darn.

-Blair's knees going down the ter is the only way Mahimni would ever see the floor over Blair. Unfortunately for Mahimni, Blair's knees are fine right now and have been the past 4 years and on top of that they are monitored daily by Spurs trainers. That being said things look more bright than cloudy for Blair and his deteriating 20 year old body.

-If Splitter does indeed come over, he may be a rookie but he would be put in the rotation instantly. Something that can't be said for Mahimni.

[wildbill2u]

I think they give him a one year contract and see how it goes. Maybe they can sell it to someone if it doesn't go well.

[completely deck]

As someone already said, I think they'll keep him but only as trade bait

[galvatron3000]

If he's holding his own in practice and you have great veteran Bigs there to help guide this "22" year old prospect and everything the saying is true and not smoke screen to garner trade partners, then pick up the option. He is going to improve, how much who knows but he is going to get better. He can learn alot this year alone especially in limited practices. If just one Big gets hurt he'll be needed, I'm tired of Bonner anyway. I'd rather have size inside instead of size on the perimeter at this point simply because I want to see more rebounding and presence downlow. Bonner provides non. I don't see the point of Bonner and Haislip unless a trade is in the works soon.

Williams will eventually be cut because Hairston has perform well for a second year player in a system he is more familiar with. We asked for youth now we have it yet we holding on to age that we dont need "in some cases"

[velik_m]

Why pay 3 million for your 6th big? I say they don't pick his option.

[Muser]

Pick it up.

Best case - He develops into a decent big who can be used in the post Duncan era.

Worst case - Trade chip.

[MaNu4Tres]

To be completely honest if Spurs indeed don't pick up his option and believe 3-3.5 million is too much for a 6th big which is understandable, Spurs still will be in good position to resign him for a contract similiar to Blair's.

Reason why I say this is because next year the cap is due to decrease next year due to the economy.

On top of that most teams in the NBA aren't even carrying more than 13 players as they used to. There's a lot of players that had NBA jobs last year that won't this year because of the economy and with the cap decreasing that most likely will be the case next year as well.

Spurs will still be in good position to resign him for the price they want, if they decide they still want to continue developing him.

[Bruno]

Let's see:
-McDyess is 35 and is our second best big man on the roster.
I guess when Bruce was 35 years old that would be a reason why Spurs would have wanted to spend 3.5 million on the likes an athletic young prospect by the name of James White to spend the majority of the year in a sportscoat? Just because Bruce was simply old.

-Matt Bonner had a rough series against the Mavs. But so did everyone not named Tim, Tony and Fin. Fact is Pop loves Matty and values him more than Mahimni for sure. As long as Matt is here, Mahimni won't ever see the floor at the expense of Matt Bonner. Hate to break your heart but that's the truth. Matty had a very productive 82 games out of 87 last year. Darn.

-Blair's knees going down the ter is the only way Mahimni would ever see the floor over Blair. Unfortunately for Mahimni, Blair's knees are fine right now and have been the past 4 years and on top of that they are monitored daily by Spurs trainers. That being said things look more bright than cloudy for Blair and his deteriating 20 year old body.

-If Splitter does indeed come over, he may be a rookie but he would be put in the rotation instantly. Something that can't be said for Mahimni.

Let's see:
- You compare Mahinmi to "James White".
- You think that Ian will never be at Bonner's level while Bonner is a very average player who does nothing when it mattered.
- You think that Splitter will be immediately above Mahinmi in the rotation.

It's hard to come with another conclusion that you think that Ian is a scrub. I have no problem with that but you should stop with the BS like "fits in the grand scheme of things" or "he is round peg trying to fit in a square hole". It's ridiculous.

[Ice009]

The Spurs and Bonner are in talks about an extension.

Where did you hear this?

You seem to be the only one on the message board saying this. I think I saw you mention this in the game thread the other day too. Did I miss the discussion on this?

[Bruno]

Bonner's contract can't be extended.