Wojnarowski: Spurs look to trade McDyess, eye Thomas

[ShoogarBear]

The national media always did. I remember reading all those top bigmen of all-time lists that were so popular a few years ago when Shaq and Duncan were both in their primes, and national writers like Jack Ramsay (and lots of others) always put Ewing ahead.

Robinson should have started ahead of Ewing on the Dream Team, but didn't because of this bias.

[The Truth #6]

I could see Cleveland and Denver having some use for Dice's size. He's a nice guy but if we can get something promising back then I think it's a solid move. This season is over.

What happens now if we don't trade Mason and Dice? I can't imagine it will be a locker room with a positive, winning at ude. This season is shot and the FO needs to pull off these trades.

However, I still think they're teasing us with some of these leaks to Yahoo. There's probably a few good plans in place, but they probably won't work out and we'll end up with plan B or C.

I'm curious about the mindset of the FO at this point. Do they think it's time to rebuild on the fly? I sure hope so.

I could appreciate Manu and Dice at Cleveland if it came to that. If the Cavs win a le it will be hard for Lebron to leave. And if Lebron leaves, then Cleveland as a franchise (and city?) will be devastated.

[SenorSpur]

I don't know anybody who thinks Ewing was better than Robinson. I live in New York and know tons of Knicks fans and no one thinks Ewing was better.

Are you saying that most view Robinson as better than Ewing?

I always heard the reputation of New York sports fans as being a very, very intelligent breed. Still wonder why they keep s ing out good money to attend Knick games, when they've sucked for about 15 years.

[angelbelow]

If Dyess is happy (emphasis on those two words) to go back to Denver and the Nuggets and Spurs can pull it off, then id be all for Dyess playing alongside his buddy Chauncey again

A front court rotation of Melo/Dyess/K/Nene/Birdman , that would be pretty sweet

Theres no way we trade Dice without getting a big back though. We would just be too thin.

[Mr. Body]

Are you saying that most view Robinson as better than Ewing?

I always heard the reputation of New York sports fans as being a very, very intelligent breed. Still wonder why they keep s ing out good money to attend Knick games, when they've sucked for about 15 years.

Yeah, most Knicks fans I know -- who are very wry about the current team -- would admit Robinson was better than Ewing.

Well, maybe not my wife, but she's a huge homer for all NY teams.

[tav1]

If all San Antonio wants back for McDyess is expiring cap, JR. Giddens, Bill Walker, and Tony Allen almost fits the description. Boston might not want the extra money, but Wallace has been a failed experiment on par with RJ.

[HarlemHeat37]

Boston wants to get younger, I don't think they would take him..

[Mal]

If Spurs acquire Thomas, then can throw a pick into package. There are only bigs in this draft. Spurs need backup PG, so pick is worth sending for a big_for_now_and_here

[SenorSpur]

If Spurs acquire Thomas, then can throw a pick into package. There are only bigs in this draft. Spurs need backup PG, so pick is worth sending for a big_for_now_and_here

Bull ! First round picks are like gold. This team will soon be facing a major roster overhaul. As such, the Spurs SHOULD NOT part with any 1st round picks.

[Josepatches_]

To avoid a total and dramatic roster overhaul in 2-3 years, it's better to gradually improve the talent level by adding a couple of younger, more talented pieces at a time.

TT is young but nothing more.That overhaul is going to happen anyway with or without Thomas.....if he stays here next summer.

[TD 21]

It makes perfect sense. As much as the Spurs like the type of player McDyess is, why would they choose him, presumably a year and a half away from retirement, over Thomas? A Duncan-Thomas-Blair-Splitter front court next season is very intriguing and would allow the team to focus their efforts almost solely on the perimeter, namely the wings.

Assuming Parker re-signs a year and a half from now, with him, Hill and a second-tier prospect like De Colo in the wings, the Spurs are set up relatively well at the point.

The wings are a different story. There's not a single building block in place there, but luckily for the Spurs that's the easiest area in the league to find talent. Assuming Ginobili re-signs, Jefferson will be a Spur until at least the '11 trade deadline and Hairston is a 4th/5th wing option next season, that leaves one-two (because Hill will see time at SG) spots to fill on the wings. My guess is Finley retires, which leaves Bogans, who I'd say is 50/50 to return. If the Spurs can't trade for a relatively significant wing, then they should take a flier on a young player like Wright, McGuire, Almond, etc. All cheap and attainable. The other spot has to be at least a semi-established player ala Mason. SF, in particular, is where the organization is thinnest.

[phxspurfan]

In the beginning I was shocked. But after reading the takes in this thread I agree that rooting for a trade because we're old and decrepit and then tossing the idea of shopping McD conflict.

It's clear the Spurs FO is getting desperate, shopping their starting center. It's also clear that by doing so they have to get a big in return. Logically, the big we get back in return would have to at least be considered a better shot blocker and paint defender than who we're shipping out.

This of course ignores the very real possibility that the Spurs will just tank and rebuild at this point.

[Baseline]

I love the idea of Thomas. He would fit alongside Tim similar to the way Horry did. Thomas isn't as smart a player as Horry was, but he's way more athletic - capable of guarding both the 3 and the 4 spot. And playing with Tim makes everybody smarter.

Obviously Thomas doesn't give us the three-ball like Horry, but his sheer athleticism on the offensive end would be a welcomed site.

All that said, I'd much rather keep Dice and ship out Bonner, Finley and whoever. I'd rather keep Mason, but if he's on the way out, so be it.

[dbestpro]

Bull ! First round picks are like gold. This team will soon be facing a major roster overhaul. As such, the Spurs SHOULD NOT part with any 1st round picks.

Early second round picks are like gold. Late first round picks can be a guaranteed pain.

[SenorSpur]

Early second round picks are like gold. Late first round picks can be a guaranteed pain.

Disagree. Maybe if your team is a perennail championship contender and is stacked with a deep roster.

The Spurs are neither. The Spurs are a mediocre team and as their record slips, their draft order improves. I repeat, a team in this position, and one that will undergo an eminent rebuild, DOES NOT give away draft picks.

[dbestpro]

This is where I disagree. Rebuilding is a term for perennial losers. Reloading is for teams like the Spurs. Very few teams successfully rebuild an entire team. Free agent acquisitions and trades are the ticket. LA was having the same discussions we are having now before they got Gasol.

[exstatic]

I think this is a bad move...Dice was just gearing up for a 2nd half run and was looking pretty good.

It's not a trade for this year. Blair is the real deal, and if they can save the difference between his salary and Dice's, that's money to put in the Manu pot this summer.

[DPG21920]

It's not a trade for this year. Blair is the real deal, and if they can save the difference between his salary and Dice's, that's money to put in the Manu pot this summer.

Why do you want to extend Manu if you have no shot to win a le?

[8FOR!3]

I love the idea of Thomas. He would fit alongside Tim similar to the way Horry did. Thomas isn't as smart a player as Horry was, but he's way more athletic - capable of guarding both the 3 and the 4 spot. And playing with Tim makes everybody smarter.

Obviously Thomas doesn't give us the three-ball like Horry, but his sheer athleticism on the offensive end would be a welcomed site.

All that said, I'd much rather keep Dice and ship out Bonner, Finley and whoever. I'd rather keep Mason, but if he's on the way out, so be it.

I was always a huge Robert Horry fan, but as far as shooting the three, when was the last time he was ever consistent at it for us anyways? His last couple of years with us his three wasn't the slightest bit reliable. No more than a guy like Bonner if anything.

[wildbill2u]

Dice is 35 and way past his 'sell by' date. Why would any fan or GM be satisfied with a guy who makes millions but only comes to play for half a season? That's BS about not playing well in the beginning of the year is just an excuse for bad play.

And Why should anyone assume that the last few games renaissance will last? Who or what guarantees he'll really come on in the last half of the season?

[exstatic]

I was always a huge Robert Horry fan, but as far as shooting the three, when was the last time he was ever consistent at it for us anyways? His last couple of years with us his three wasn't the slightest bit reliable. No more than a guy like Bonner if anything.

His long shot was reliable enough to space the floor. His defense was better than any big we had after Dave. He could block shots and rebound. One of the major problems we have now is that we have those skills covered, but with like 3 players that have to be shuffled in and out. That requires decisions and right guesses. The demise of Robert Horry's career has had as much effect on our fade from contender to also ran as any other single factor.

[SenorSpur]

This is where I disagree. Rebuilding is a term for perennial losers. Reloading is for teams like the Spurs. Very few teams successfully rebuild an entire team. Free agent acquisitions and trades are the ticket. LA was having the same discussions we are having now before they got Gasol.

I agree that the reason the Spurs have avoided the dreaded "r" word is Robinson and Duncan. The Spurs have built and reloaded around them for the past 20 years. That means they've been perennial contenders during most of that period.

I disagree that rebuilding is a term for perennial losers. You wouldn't call the Utah Jazz perennial losers. Yet they were forced to rebuild after the Stockton/Malone era ended.

For the Spurs, Duncan is 33. Gino is 32. Both have a lot of miles. TP is hobbled by injury and fatigue. Manu is likely gone next year. Use whatever term you want. This team is staring down its first major rebuild effort. Therefore, it's better to add younger pieces a little at a time, rather than a complete, sudden overhaul.

And by the way, championship contenders are fortified through free agency and trades. The Spurs are no longer afforded such a luxury, as the acquisitions made this summer have not panned out. They now need to build via a combination of all those plus the draft. Whether Pop has the stomach for it, we'll see.