Top 30 Spurs Small Forward Free Agent Targets

[ElNono]

If the Spurs aren't going to sign RJ and need a starter out of free agency, the only two players to sign for the rest of the MLE are Matt Barnes and Rasual Butler.

The more I look at Barnes, the more he makes sense. He's a good defender, a great rebounder for a small forward, finishes well at the basket and has three-point range. His three-point percentage on paper doesn't look good on paper but his splits tell an interesting story. When he starts he can really shoot from deep -- 35.8% in 2010, 38.2% in 2009 and 38.1% in 2008. His shooting struggles from three-point land are when he's coming off the bench -- 18.8% in 2008, 28.8% in 2009 and 28.7% in 2008.

From strictly a value point of value, the Spurs would get more bang for the buck signing Barnes for ~$2.5M and starting him at small forward than signing Richard Jefferson for ~$7M and starting him at power forward. Barnes would hold some risk because of his history of making everyone around him hate him by the end of the season, but the reward would be a small forward who could fit a valuable role for cheap.

Butler doesn't offer the upset you could get from Barnes but he's an extremely safe bet. He's a solid defender, a 36.3% three-point shooter and stays healthy. He could buy 20-25 minutes of decent play.

I can tell you haven't been sleeping lately...

[HarlemHeat37]

Timvp became an insomniac after hearing about the figures on Bonner's contract..

[timvp]

Yeah, Bonner making ten times market value and Scola getting a $50 million deal has me staring at the ceiling at night . . .

[DAF86]

Sign the best shooter available.

[MI21]

Is Barnes a realistic option though?

I remember him saying he only wants to play in California, but obviously that changed with Orlando.

I'm pretty big on him as a player, he is an annoying prick, who thinks he is a bit better than he is. On a team like the Spurs, that sort of thing can either backfire heavily or end up being the bit of nastiness that can really help (Buckets, Elie, etc).

He shoots 3's well from the 45's and corners, which is a fit in the Spurs offense. He is a good cutter off the ball and gets a lot of layups that way. Pesky defender with the aforementioned nasty streak and a good passer. He just never really puts it all together consistently.

I really like him over James ing Jones. Butler I would be alright with.

[Bruno]

July 16th: candidates to be Spurs starting SF: Alonzo Gee and Malik Hairston.

While I trust Spurs FO, it's preoccupying to have a that big hole on a team with championship aspirations that late in the summer. Spurs aren't in comfortable situation and it could get very ugly soon.

[EricB]

but but but Hairston would be all star level if given then chance!

[scottspurs]

Dang, I miss Bruce Bowen.

[tdunk21]

but but but Hairston would be all star level if given then chance!

is he really that good?

[Obstructed_View]

but but but Hairston would be all star level if given then chance!

You're an idiot.

[mikeb2016]

If the Spurs aren't going to sign RJ and need a starter out of free agency, the only two players to sign for the rest of the MLE are Matt Barnes and Rasual Butler.

The more I look at Barnes, the more he makes sense. He's a good defender, a great rebounder for a small forward, finishes well at the basket and has three-point range. His three-point percentage doesn't look good on paper but his splits tell an interesting story. When he starts he can really shoot from deep -- 35.8% in 2010, 38.2% in 2009 and 38.1% in 2008. His shooting struggles from three-point land are when he's coming off the bench -- 18.8% in 2008, 28.8% in 2009 and 28.7% in 2008.

From strictly a value point of view, the Spurs would get more bang for the buck signing Barnes for ~$2.5M and starting him at small forward than signing Richard Jefferson for ~$7M and starting him at power forward. Barnes would hold some risk because of his history of making everyone around him hate him by the end of the season, but the reward would be a small forward who could fit a valuable role for cheap.

Butler doesn't offer the upset you could get from Barnes but he's an extremely safe bet. He's a solid defender, a 36.3% three-point shooter and stays healthy. He could buy 20-25 minutes of decent play.

If we hear sometime this weekend that Ronnie Brewer is getting 4 mil/yr from the Bulls, then never mind this thought, but if he could be had on the cheap for what's left of the MLE, would you not think him a good pick up? I understand his outside shot leaves a lot to be desired, but he is one of the few players remaining with any potential to get better. I know your evaluation of him at the beginning of this thread is not terribly flattering (but spot on indeed), but do you really think that he wouldn't be better than Butler? Is there a chance with some good coaching and playing with a lot of talent around him, that Ronnie Brewer could turn into an excellent role player for the Spurs?

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Dear god, Gee and Hairston as our SF rotation........... that's just terrible.

Hairston starting is going to SUCK!!!!

[coyotes_geek]

If we hear sometime this weekend that Ronnie Brewer is getting 4 mil/yr from the Bulls, then never mind this thought, but if he could be had on the cheap for what's left of the MLE, would you not think him a good pick up? I understand his outside shot leaves a lot to be desired, but he is one of the few players remaining with any potential to get better. I know your evaluation of him at the beginning of this thread is not terribly flattering (but spot on indeed), but do you really think that he wouldn't be better than Butler? Is there a chance with some good coaching and playing with a lot of talent around him, that Ronnie Brewer could turn into an excellent role player for the Spurs?

I'd take Brewer in a heartbeat, but I don't see any way that he does not get an offer, or multiple offers, in excess of what the Spurs have left from their MLE.

[Obstructed_View]

I'd take Brewer in a heartbeat, but I don't see any way that he does not get an offer, or multiple offers, in excess of what the Spurs have left from their MLE.

I agree. Way too much to hope for.

[MaNu4Tres]

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index....delonte_w.html

Wing search on: In addition to looking for point guards via trade, league sources said the Cavs have been interested in several free agent wings. Ronnie Brewer, a defensive specialist who averaged 8.8 points and 3.3 assists for the Jazz and Grizzlies last season, is on the radar. Several teams have interest in him, including the Chicago Bulls.

Also on the Cavs' list is forward Rasual Butler, who averaged 11.9 points and 2.9 rebounds for the Los Angeles Clippers. Sources also indicate the Cavs have interest in Antoine Wright, a solid defender who averaged 6.5 points for the Raptors last season, and former Cav Flip Murray, a scoring specialist who averaged 9.9 points with the Bobcats and Bulls in 2009-10.



* FYI- Cavs can offer more than the 2.4 million salary the Spurs can offer for both Butler and Brewer*

[PDXSpursFan]

We can strike another name from the list. Barnes to make announcement today. Most likely Mavs, Lakers or Heat:

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/pla...=137927&spln=1

[MaNu4Tres]

Well it's looking like Jefferson is the most realistic option after all...

Who would have thunk it?

[ElNono]

Well it's looking like is the most realistic option after all...

Who would have thunk it?

For 3 years/MLE money he is. More than that, pass...

[EricB]

For 3 years/MLE money he is. More than that, pass...

Look, get used to Jefferson being here. The Hairston unrealistic fan boys will have to temper it down. The team likes him as do I, but REALISTIC he is NOT a starting 3 in this league.

[AFBlue]

Based on what we've heard to this point, it looks an awful lot like RJ is coming back at some point. If the Spurs were showing genuine interest in potential starters like T-Mac or Howard, then I would say different...but I haven't seen it.

[Darkwaters]

is he really that good?

Yep. Absolutely that good.

PS: My money is on Ian Mahinmi winning the MVP next year in Dallas.

[jiggy_55]

Ronnie brewer is off the list too. Reportedly agrees 3 yr 12.5 million deal with Chicago.

[ace3g]

He turned down Boston

SpearsNBAYahoo

Ronnie Brewer tells Y! Sports he turned down Boston offer to sign 3-year, $12.5 million deal with Bulls. Big pro for CHI was chance to start

[ohmwrecker]

who is that in your avatar? I want to say it's a really young Tom Waits. Who is a bad ass musician.

Ding! Ding!

[Obstructed_View]

Look, get used to Jefferson being here. The Hairston unrealistic fan boys will have to temper it down. The team likes him as do I, but REALISTIC he is NOT a starting 3 in this league.

Even though he's better than Keith Bogans, who Pop had no problem starting for 50 games.