James Anderson wants to leave spurs

[Cant_Be_Faded]

Doesn't it make sense to trade him? I mean not picking up the option is a sure thing sign we are not resigning him right?

[Bruno]

I wouldn't be surprised if Spurs front office have leaked this trade demand on purpose to let other teams know that JA is available.

With the luxury tax, salary dumping JA makes a lot sense financially wise for Spurs. There are 15 teams with cap space or a trade exception big enough to absorb JA's contract: Pacers, Kings, Cavs, Raptors, Wizards, Bobcats, Mavs, Nuggets, Clippers, Lakers, Hornets, Thunder, Magic, Sixers and Jazz. Dumping JA's contract should be doable in a good condition.

The biggest negative of salary dumping JA now is that his expiring contract won't be available for a bigger trade at the deadline. Saying that, you had to be realistic: even with JA's expiring contract, Spurs are in a awfully though situation to make a significant trade. There are few risks that the dumping of JA's contract avoid Spurs to do a big trade.

I didn't like Spurs not picking JA's option but now that it's done. A salary dump is likely the best to do for Spurs.

[K-State Spur]

Although a minor issue overall the Spurs probably dropped the ball on this one. It really should have been a no brainer to pick up the option & if the Spurs trade him it will likely be for a pittance. They should hold onto him if he's not extremely unhappy as his value right now is much higher to the Spurs than a 2nd rounder based on his production in limited minutes.

It's easier to say that after his play the last 10 days or so. He had been more than a little awful in the weeks leading up to that decision. More than just being a young player with inconsistent minutes excuses. And he was given opportunity to win more minutes coming out of the chute this year, and didn't come close to earning that.

If it's between picking up his option and the great unknown for his roster spot next year - then I would agree that it's a mistake.

But if they've already decided that they want to give his spot to de Colo next year, I think it's justifiable.

[DPG21920]

Try playing better. He was getting rotation minutes at the first of the season but proceeded to go 4-19 from distance and he looked terrible on defense. He's been better in spot minutes as of late but it's hard to justify giving him minutes ahead of the rest of the pack that outplayed him earlier in the year.

No one to blame but himself tbh.

RJ still plays despite sucking. Not really fair IMHO.

[DPG21920]

I agree w Bruno though about them leaking it. I was thinking the same thing.

[SenorSpur]

I also believe the Spurs errored by not picking up his option too. It simply made no sense. That sent a clear message to the kid that he's not wanted around here. Therefore, why wouldn't he want out. As a former Big 12 Player of the Year, he's obviously got some skills. It's not surprising that the kid wants more playing time and feels he should be playing. I fear that he goes elsewhere and makes the Spurs look foolish.

That said, if the Spurs can flip him for a big, that would be ideal.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Indiana or the Clippers would definitely be the best places for Anderson to go. A backcourt of Paul/Anderson/Mo/Foye/Bledsoe or Collison/George/Hill/Anderson/Jones and then possibly adding Eric Gordon next year would be killer. Of course, that's assuming Anderson would go back to playing solidly as he's done before but keeping it consistent.

[SenorSpur]

Is James really worse than RJ that he can't get any playing time at all?

Now there is a salient point.

[rasho8]

Well when you look uip the roster ansd that choking dog RJ is getting 20+ minutes per game with a stat line of 0 and 1.... yeah its probably really annoying.

Im on JA's side, trade him or let him play. And with Manu always playing hurt I see no reason not to keep him.

[Russ]

Looks like Pop (finally) pushed the right motivational button on JA.

[K-State Spur]

RJ still plays despite sucking. Not really fair IMHO.

RJ - disappointing as he is - has knocked down open perimeter shots. Anderson has not. I'd also argue that RJ is slightly better defensively, but neither is good in that dept.

Now, even if those weren't true, Pop would probably play RJ over him anyways I admit. But those at least add legitimate reasons to back the current rotation.

It's tough for a guy with a PER of 10 (JA) to be complaining about lack of PT period, even if the guy ahead of him is only 11.6 (RJ).

[JR3]

I don't blame him. I'm a little uncomfortable with how we haven't found a way to utilize him. I think he is more talented than we give him credit. But our other guys are giving us better minutes. I just hope other teams recognize his potential and give us some value in return.

[SenorSpur]

Well when you look uip the roster ansd that choking dog RJ is getting 20+ minutes per game with a stat line of 0 and 1.... yeah its probably really annoying.

Im on JA's side, trade him or let him play. And with Manu always playing hurt I see no reason not to keep him.

Another good point. I've said it before. With RJ likely gone next season and Manu always injured and likely retiring after next season, it makes no sense to create yet another hole at a position where the Spurs are strongest. JA did struggle early, but based on what we saw against Utah, it's hard to understand how he cannot get time.

I hate the Mavs, but one thing I like about Mavs coach Rick Carlisle is players get PT based upon how they're currently performing. If a player is struggling and his backup is clearly outplaying him, both in practice and games, that backup gets the minutes. The in bent has to earn his way back in. Outside of Dirk, that's how Carlisle does his business. He doesn't force-feed PT or develop a loyalty to any player simply because of reputation.

[mountainballer]

I wouldn't be surprised if Spurs front office have leaked this trade demand on purpose to let other teams know that JA is available.

With the luxury tax, salary dumping JA makes a lot sense financially wise for Spurs. There are 15 teams with cap space or a trade exception big enough to absorb JA's contract: Pacers, Kings, Cavs, Raptors, Wizards, Bobcats, Mavs, Nuggets, Clippers, Lakers, Hornets, Thunder, Magic, Sixers and Jazz. Dumping JA's contract should be doable in a good condition.

The biggest negative of salary dumping JA now is that his expiring contract won't be available for a bigger trade at the deadline. Saying that, you had to be realistic: even with JA's expiring contract, Spurs are in a awfully though situation to make a significant trade. There are few risks that the dumping of JA's contract avoid Spurs to do a big trade.

I didn't like Spurs not picking JA's option but now that it's done. A salary dump is likely the best to do for Spurs.

I also think that at the end of the day we will see a pure dump scenario. question will be, do the Spurs find a taker, or do they need to include money, that covers the salary, to get rid of him. (like it was the case with Beno). Spurs will still save some tax money. I think for the latter scenario they can wait till deadline, b/c there will be a team that agrees to such a deal. However, the salary of JA' contract will likely become crucial, if the Spurs try to trade Blair. Blair + JA can bring back 3.1 million, what opens quite a lot more options than Blair alone. (like Ilyasova, Randolph, J. Johnson, J. Hill, Thompson, Hickson etc.)

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

I also think that at the end of the day we will see a pure dump scenario. question will be, do the Spurs find a taker, or do they need to include money, that covers the salary, to get rid of him. (like it was the case with Beno). Spurs will still save some tax money. I think for the latter scenario they can wait till deadline, b/c there will be a team that agrees to such a deal. However, the salary of JA' contract will likely become crucial, if the Spurs try to trade Blair. Blair + JA can bring back 3.1 million, what opens quite a lot more options than Blair alone. (like Ilyasova, Randolph, J. Johnson, J. Hill, Thompson, Hickson etc.)

Ersanity!

[justinandimcool]

Lol at people saying they don't blame him.

Manu goes down, he gets a starting job. s it up.

Gets a decent rotation spot, no big. s it up.

He's lucky to be getting the few minutes he does on this team. We're the second best team in the conference and he wants out? This guy doesn't wanna win, he doesn't wanna learn from anybody, he just wants his pay day. He's not a Spur.

Send his ass to rot in Charlotte.


That is, if it's him instigating this trade, not his agent.

[DPG21920]

People getting upset at JA are silly. It's not personal and this type of stuff is common place in the NBA business. As long as he's not a malcontent (which he's not) & plays hard when called upon (which he does ) people should not take exception to this.

[hater]

b-bye

[DPG21920]

I still say keep him unless he's part of a package for a big. With Manu unreliable due to constant injury wing depth is critical. Even though a small sample size, JA's advanced impact is solid and he's more valuable to the Spurs right now basketball wise than the value of a dump for nothing.

[DrSteffo]

I remember when Roger Mason Jr requested a trade... that was kind of funny.

Yes indeed and stupid too. I'm just happy Splitter didn't request a trade.

[baseline bum]

You can't trade him; I mean, he's worth nothing right now. I definitely see James' side since the Spurs have basically given up on him by not picking up the option, but in no way should they accommodate his request unless they can get a veteran capable of giving a few good minutes every night.

[Bruno]

I also think that at the end of the day we will see a pure dump scenario. question will be, do the Spurs find a taker, or do they need to include money, that covers the salary, to get rid of him. (like it was the case with Beno). Spurs will still save some tax money. I think for the latter scenario they can wait till deadline, b/c there will be a team that agrees to such a deal.

Good point.
If a team is only interested in cash to do a JA trade, Spurs can as well 3 weeks for the trade deadline. Right now, Spurs shouldn't call other teams about JA. They should wait to see if there are some interest. If nobody is interested, then they should do a salary dump trade with cash at the deadline.

However, the salary of JA' contract will likely become crucial, if the Spurs try to trade Blair. Blair + JA can bring back 3.1 million, what opens quite a lot more options than Blair alone. (like Ilyasova, Randolph, J. Johnson, J. Hill, Thompson, Hickson etc.)

I'm not sure Spurs consider Randolph or Hickson as upgrades over Blair.

[GSH]

People getting upset at JA are silly. It's not personal and this type of stuff is common place in the NBA business. As long as he's not a malcontent (which he's not) & plays hard when called upon (which he does ) people should not take exception to this.

If he didn't bring it up privately, I'd be upset at him. That "it's a business" thing works both ways, and sitting on the bench could cost him a of a lot of money. Doing it publicly is a different story. But you're right, it hasn't seemed to affect his play. And it would be a lot worse if he was a higher-profile player. As long as it doesn't become a repe ive thing, it's not the end of the world. I don't suppose the Spurs would tolerate a locker room distraction for very long anyway.

I'm sure not hating on the guy. I want him to get back to being the rookie James Anderson, and prove the FO wrong.

[mountainballer]

I'm not sure Spurs consider Randolph or Hickson as upgrades over Blair.

last years version of Hickson maybe yes, this years version...not so much. with Randolph there's always the upside thing, but yes, maybe this has gone old.

[sehui]

We don't need him; his choice makes sense.

But can we really only get a 2nd rounder for him? I mean wasn't he like a 16-17th pick in the 1st round? What about late 1st-rounder?