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Feel bad for Ian, but that was my prediction...
The info is in today's french newspaper L'Equipe.
Mahinmi confirmed the news: "Pop told me that I've played well in the preseason but that it wasn't enough"
Feel bad for Ian, but that was my prediction...
This sort of happens with a team this deep. Godspeed
That sucks I liked Mahinmi
Not all is lost. Mahinmi is still on the team. If he can show he can play, he'll still get a chance at a spurs contract over the offseason.
Indeed. Ian has had bad luck go against him more than anything. If he had played last season, he might be starting now, and Haislip/Theo wouldn't have been signed. Tim/Ian/Blair/Dyess/Bonner is still damn deep.
The Spurs obviously think it's worth risking having to pay him even more if he shows he can stick, and he's got trade value either way.
A bit surprising, but it may work out for the best for both sides if the Spurs manage to bring Splitter next year and Mahinmi finds a team where he'd get some minutes to improve.Being the 6th big in the roatation and looking nowhere near moving up this year or next will not help his cause.
Good luch to him.
I don't think this is a bad decision at all. Ian is a great kid, and I wish him all the best. But I predicted this when I famously said this offseason that his cap was much closer to that of an Elson like player than a David West like player. He's good enough to compete for a backup role on a bad team, but in his best interest he really should go back over seas to see if he can find some hunger to play here again.
Good luck Ian. Play your heart out, you still get to live the dream a little while longer, and might just earn a niche somewhere.
Now, the best for both sides is a trade.
Ian needs to play basketball to improve and it won't be with Spurs.
Spurs don't need to have 7 bigs. I rather see them giving playing time to Haislip than Mahinmi because Haislip is also locked for 2010-2011. Tradign Mahinmi will alllow Spurs to save some money. A trade like Mahinmi + cash to pay his salary + $200K as incentive for nothing will save Spurs $800K because of the luxury tax.
If the Spurs continue to blow folks out maybe they can get Ian a little burn to showcase him.
Unfortunately, never thought he'd get it
What a pity.
Does make sense.
If an expiring contract is enough motivation for Mahinmi to step up his game, and if he does, then re-signing him for a higher figure may also make sense.
It's a bit of a gamble, however the Spurs do have several other good players also in expiring contracts (i.e. Ginobili, Mason, Bonner).
You predicted that too, props.
Bonner+Finley+Mahinmi = intriguing package for some team looking for expirings and youth.
Now that's the spirit!If the Spurs continue to blow folks out maybe they can get Ian a little burn to showcase him.
PS I am not hating on Bonley in saying that, I'm just pointing out that if they were moved for the right piece to put us over the top against the Lakers I'd do it. But who is available to counter Odom in the 6-7mil range?
2nd round pick and cash from the Cavaliers, we need a young C.
Spurs would be outbid by any team willing to pay more than 1.78M.
Wonder if he's worth anything on the market. But I doubt we could get anything better than a 2nd rounder for him. Sad that he didn't turn out to be a good player.
I don't think he'll play much this year, but at least he makes a good trade incentive.
Called it. So much for the next defensive anchor...
He's officially trade filler now...
Well that sucks.
So far, I'm 2 out of 3. My call was:
Hill - option accepted
Ian - option declined
Malik - released soon after 3 Nov
Not a good sign for Malik that he was in a suit last night. Looks like, at this point, he's just injury insurance until the pro-rated guaranteed portion of his contract is up. I'd be happy to be wrong on this one, but I don't think it'll happen.
I'm not surprised, he's just now healthy and will take him some time to get where he needs to be, especially on this team. I really had some hope for him too. It seems like he needs more confidence, he plays well for the Toros but then he stalls on the NBA level. IMO it would be in his best interest to play in Europe for a few years and then try a comeback. He's still young, so it's not like he'll be over the hill should he return to the NBA. Can the Spurs still send him to the Toros? Would it even matter?
If we really want him, after this season we can alway try to get him via FA next summer (probably for cheaper than 1.8M too). Spurs have a "knowledge advantage" vis-a-vis other potential FA bidders since many teams haven't really observed Ian. This won't change unless somehow Ian gets significant minutes this season.
Sadly for Ian, the Splitter sage resumes next summer which may make him less desired by the Spurs. Best bet is to try to get something in exchange for him via trade.
I had a feeling 3.5 million was too much for a 6th big.
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