Stein: Michael Finley released

[angelbelow]

Wow... shocking

[nkdlunch]

this drops our team average age by about 12 years

[Chomag]

So there is no Pop/Fin conspiracy??

Pop has Bogans now. Sorry Finley but Pop has moved on to fresher meat.

All kidding aside though, I wish Finley the best. He is a class act and has been one of my favorite players since he was a rookie. Sad thing is even though Finley is pretty much done, he is still better then Bogans.

[Bruno]

Surprising move.

Spurs were too deep on the perimeter. One of Bogans, Mason and Finley had to go or to be in the doghouse. They all have been quite bad this year but Finley was the older so Spurs going with Bogans and Mason is maybe the best choice. It would be even better if Finley agreed to a buyout that saved some money to the FO.

Spurs have now 12 players under contract. They have 2 weeks to sign a 13th player.

[Bruno]

moi je tourne ma veste... toujours du bon côté

[timvp]

Fin has always been a class act. From all accounts, he was a perfect teammate and everyone respected him. TD and Pop have always raved about him. Plus Fin deserves props for turning down more money before deciding to come to San Antonio.

That said, this is a very good development. Fin's NBA career is over. It was time for the Spurs to move on. Fin can go try to win a championship elsewhere.

[Old School 44]

Not that I want this, but it wouldn't surprise me if they made a run at Z.
Even though many think he's going back to the Cavs.

[Quiet Strength]

haha wow I didn't see that coming. I was kinda happy that pop was now giving finley the minutes he deserves on the spurs. This is even better. I hope he can play well for another team.

[ChumpDumper]

AJ is a shooter who could easily slip into the Spurs system. Feed Tim in the post, let his man double, hit open jumper. Like I said he should just be signed for a 13th man spot.

Can he play any D? There are some decent enough point guards in the D-League, but most of them suck at defense. I think the best point guard defender there is injured.

[timvp]

Spurs have now 12 players under contract. They have 2 weeks to sign a 13th player.

Yeah, I expect the Spurs to take the entire two weeks so they can save as much money as possible.

A third point guard makes sense. The rest of the positions have enough bodies.

[Libri]

Fin can go try to win a championship elsewhere.

????

Cavaliers
Lakers
Celtics
Mavericks
Magic

[Chomag]

Spurs have now 12 players under contract. They have 2 weeks to sign a 13th player.

We should have signed Theo Rattlif! Oh wait...

[Bruno]

Yeah, I expect the Spurs to take the entire two weeks so they can save as much money as possible.

Spurs could save even more money by signing a player only to a 10 days contract in 2 weeks. At the end of this 10 days contract, wait another 2 weeks before re-signing a new player.

[Sausage]

Sources: Spurs to release Finley
By Marc Stein
ESPN.com

The San Antonio Spurs have agreed to release former All-Star guard Michael Finley later Monday to allow Finley to pursue opportunities with other teams, according to sources close to the situation.

Finley was a key member of San Antonio's 2007 championship team after leaving the Spurs' longtime rivals in Dallas but has struggled to earn playing time this season from coach Gregg Popovich.

As long as the Spurs waive the 36-year-old before midnight Monday, Finley will be eligible to play in the playoffs for another team.

Marc Stein is a senior NBA writer for ESPN.com.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4956729

[angelbelow]

does this also mean they realize they cant win a le?

[anakha]

does this also mean they realize they cant win a le?

I honestly doubt Finley was the difference between winning or not winning a le.

[lurker23]

Spurs could save even more money by signing a player only to a 10 days contract in 2 weeks. At the end of this 10 days contract, wait another 2 weeks before re-signing a new player.

Two weeks- March 15
End of first 10 day contract- March 25
Another two weeks- April 8
End of another 10 day contract- end of regular season

Are teams required to have 13 guys in the playoffs? I assume a playoff eligible player would need to have a contract for the rest of the season, and not just a 10-day at the end of the season.

[galvatron3000]

So is Fin going to Denver then?

[Ditty]

is bonner next?

[jiggy_55]

HOLY !

I guess good news for us Spurs fans who have been calling for the younger legs to play.. I just hope Bogans' minutes are to drop now..

[phxspurfan]

I doubt the Spurs sign a 13th player. I think Fin wanted to go because of PT (already been verified I guess) and the Spurs, haveing already dumped Theo, will just stay with teh current roster and hope for the best. They may be cutting their losses after the RJ debacle.


Even still, RJ, now playing in his natural position, may yet surprise and become the 4th reliable option the FO thought he could be to this team.

[ChumpDumper]

I doubt the Spurs sign a 13th player.

They have to at some point, but it could just be 10-days as stated.

[tdunk21]

its on espn site...so maybe its legit news....so what next????are we signing anyone or givin hairston and mahinmi some PT

[poop]

wait...what? did i just read that correctly? no..no it cant be.no. there must be some mistake....what..i..thought..i..read could never, ever happen. no, i must be mistaken.

[Bruno]

Two weeks- March 15
End of first 10 day contract- March 25
Another two weeks- April 8
End of another 10 day contract- end of regular season

Are teams required to have 13 guys in the playoffs? I assume a playoff eligible player would need to have a contract for the rest of the season, and not just a 10-day at the end of the season.

I think teams must have 13 players under contract for the playoffs but salaries paid during the playoffs don't count against the tax.