Rumor: Spurs may be trying to move way up in the draft

[Josepatches_]

Not speaking on anything else (right or wrong, personal feelings), trading TP for the 2nd pick in the draft would be good value obviously. I don't think TP's value is nearly that high.

Agree

[cd98]

You think Tony only has 2-3 good years left? That's dumb. He has already evolved from the player he was before and I see him continuing to evolve as he gets older.

So much of what he does is dependent on speed. He'll lose some of that speed over the next few years (similar to Allen Iverson), then he won't be the same player. He might still be a good player, but not elite. He's not a Steve Nash jumpshooter or a Jason Kidd playmaker. Not saying that he won't be a solid player at 33 or 34, but why would someone with a no. 2 pick and a future that looks like a four year rebuilding project be interested in Tony Parker? And how hard is Tony Parker going to play for a team that won't have the talent to make the playoffs?

Tony has value to a team that needs a point guard to make the playoffs. Portland is a possibility. Or even Indiana (with its many, many assets). But not the Bobcats.

[CGD]

I think TP is gone after next season when Manu, Jax, and possible TD are off the books. Spurs will do right by TP to give him a shot to compete for a le with another team, and the Spurs will unload the best asset they have. TP is awesome, but he will probably go the way of KJ with the Suns whose game was also predicated on speed.

[ducks]

sr never was right on one not one thing

[T Park]

I think TP is gone after next season when Manu, Jax, and possible TD are off the books. Spurs will do right by TP to give him a shot to compete for a le with another team, and the Spurs will unload the best asset they have. TP is awesome, but he will probably go the way of KJ with the Suns whose game was also predicated on speed.

Duncan is only gonna sign a one year contract?

[dbestpro]

I could see Splitter moved so the Spurs can get Sullinger if he starts to fall due to his back issues.

[SpursFaninMS]

KU players rarely rarely pan out

???

Don't see many high draft picks like Robinson that have been busts.

Most of their players have the "great college player but don't translate to NBA stigma" and are drafted lower. Robinson isn't in that category.

[Thomas82]

I could see Splitter moved so the Spurs can get Sullinger if he starts to fall due to his back issues.

I can see us getting Perry Jones before we get Sullinger. Besides, we need somebody taller than 6'9".

[Duncan2177]

Bernard James?

[SenorSpur]

I could see Splitter moved so the Spurs can get Sullinger if he starts to fall due to his back issues.

The Spurs already have their version of Sulligner - his name is DeJuan Blair.

Why on earth would the Spurs need to invest in yet another undersized frontcourt player? This team needs size, length, toughness and athleticism in whatever big they get from this draft. Sullilnger does nothing to address any of those issues - for that matter neither does Blair.

[therealtruth]

The Spurs already have their version of Sulligner - his name is DeJuan Blair.

Why on earth would the Spurs need to invest in yet another undersized frontcourt player? This team needs size, length, toughness and athleticism in whatever big they get from this draft. Sullilnger does nothing to address any of those issues - for that matter neither does Blair.

I agree. Undersized bigs haven't worked so great for us lately.

[AFBlue]

The Spurs already have their version of Sulligner - his name is DeJuan Blair.

Why on earth would the Spurs need to invest in yet another undersized frontcourt player? This team needs size, length, toughness and athleticism in whatever big they get from this draft. Sullilnger does nothing to address any of those issues - for that matter neither does Blair.

DeJuan Blair is a hustle guy with no real post game to speak of. Sullinger would be an offensive upgrade over any big not named Duncan. Having said that, I agree he doesn't solve the issue of lacking interior length, defense or athleticism. Ultimately I think the reason he won't be a target is because Lorbek brings what Sully would.

[dunkman]

I doubt Leonard will get traded, he has huge upside. Pop hates Splitter, though. He may get lost, Blair may be moved too. Green isn't an FA, not sure what other younger players could be of interest for a trade scenario.

The Spurs could offer their pick and Blair to go few positions up, or the pick and Splitter to go +10 positions. While Ibaka was picked with a lower first rounder, its difficult to get an all-star pick with let's say a 15-th pick.

Parker could be moved for a better PG only, but there aren't many of them. The Celtics wanted to move Rondo, the Spurs wanted Paul, and the other PG's aren't worth the risk tbh. The Spurs could also trade Parker for an all-star big, in a scenario where the other team send an above average PG too.

[SpursFaninMS]

The Spurs already have their version of Sulligner - his name is DeJuan Blair.

Why on earth would the Spurs need to invest in yet another undersized frontcourt player? This team needs size, length, toughness and athleticism in whatever big they get from this draft. Sullilnger does nothing to address any of those issues - for that matter neither does Blair.

How in the world do you say Sullinger is DeJuan Blair?

Sullinger is three inches taller and they have completely different skill sets.

I get some of your concerns with Sullinger, but the comparison to Blair? Not even close.

He may be the best option we can hope for, though. We are not climbing up to #2. After that, the rest of the bigs are underwhelming.

In terms of upside, I think Sullinger has more than any big outside of Davis and Robinson with the caution tag being his back.

[baseline bum]

I wouldn't mind seeing the Spurs trade into the mid first round to pick up Perry Jones (I think he'd be an absolute steal here), but they don't have any expendable talent like Hill this year. His teammate Quincy Miller might be a good gamble too a little later in the first.

[SenorSpur]

How in the world do you say Sullinger is DeJuan Blair?

Sullinger is three inches taller and they have completely different skill sets.

I get some of your concerns with Sullinger, but the comparison to Blair? Not even close.

He may be the best option we can hope for, though. We are not climbing up to #2. After that, the rest of the bigs are underwhelming.

In terms of upside, I think Sullinger has more than any big outside of Davis and Robinson with the caution tag being his back.

The height comparsion notwithstanding, both Blair and Sullinger are undersized bigs. THAT is the common thread. Be that as it may, Sullinger is somewhat of a tweener - not quick enough to play SF, not necessarily big strong enough to play PF. That is the rub. If the Spurs keep Diaw and bring over Lorbek, they will not have done enough to address their sheer lack of size, athleticism and toughness in the frontcourt.

I stand by my earlier point that Sullinger addresses NONE of what the Spurs are lacking in the frontcourt. The OKC and Memphis playoff series are still fresh in my mind.

I hope his back issues are nothing severe. Perhaps he'll find his niche with the right team, but the Spurs are not the right fit for him.

[SpursFaninMS]

The guy I would want to see the Spurs draft is Arnett Moultrie. He is a natural scorer and a pretty darn good defender when he wants to be. Reminds me alot of Aldridge and his stats were comparable to his in college.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1...ro-projections

I think he would groom nicely in the Spurs system.

Seen a lot of Moultrie....not sold on him at all.

His post game is underdeveloped. I won't see he can't do it, but he has a long way to go.

[SpursFaninMS]

The height comparsion notwithstanding, both Blair and Sullinger are undersized bigs. THAT is the common thread. Be that as it may, Sullinger is somewhat of a tweener - not quick enough to play SF, not necessarily big strong enough to play PF. That is the rub. If the Spurs keep Diaw and bring over Lorbek, they will not have done enough to address their sheer lack of size, athleticism and toughness in the frontcourt.

I stand by my earlier point that Sullinger addresses NONE of what the Spurs are lacking in the frontcourt. The OKC and Memphis playoff series are still fresh in my mind.

I hope his back issues are nothing severe. Perhaps he'll find his niche with the right team, but the Spurs are not the right fit for him.

Yes, Sullinger is a tweener and undersized; but as I was saying, nowhere near the extent that Blair is. To compare: Sullinger is the same size as Z-Bo, one of the players we fear the most. Edit: Also, his wingspan is 7'1.

Defensive concerns: Do not dispute. He's got a lot to improve on, but he's still got three inches on Blair and is a physical.

Doesn't address what we are lacking? Not sure what you're seeing there.

--He's got a classic post game....one of the best we've seen from a college prospect in a long time. With Duncan's post game fading, we need this desperately.
--Physical player
--Tough rebounder
--Can step out and hit the jumper too

The OKC and Memphis losses fresh on your mind: Completely different things cost us each series. Though we can debate this for a long time, we can probably agree that OKC beat us outside of the paint and slowed down our offense due to us having zero ability to penetrate except for TP in a couple of games and Manu in a couple others. Memphis' bigs beat us up a couple of years.

I'm really interested to see what happens with Sully's back. If he can stay healthy, I guarantee this guy will be a force on offense. The post up player is a dying breed and because of this, fewer players know how to defend a back to the basket scorer. The guy's offense game is outstanding.

He's got flaws, for sure; but I would take him over wannabe SFs like Perry Jones or Moultrie in a heartbeat.

[SenorSpur]

Yes, Sullinger is a tweener and undersized; but as I was saying, nowhere near the extent that Blair is. To compare: Sullinger is the same size as Z-Bo, one of the players we fear the most.

Defensive concerns: Do not dispute. He's got a lot to improve on, but he's still got three inches on Blair and is a physical.

Doesn't address what we are lacking? Not sure what you're seeing there.

--He's got a classic post game....one of the best we've seen from a college prospect in a long time. With Duncan's post game fading, we need this desperately.
--Physical player
--Tough rebounder
--Can step out and hit the jumper too

The OKC and Memphis losses fresh on your mind: Completely different things cost us each series. Though we can debate this for a long time, we can probably agree that OKC beat us outside of the paint and slowed down our offense due to us having zero ability to penetrate except for TP in a couple of games and Manu in a couple others. Memphis' bigs beat us up a couple of years.

I'm really interested to see what happens with Sully's back. If he can stay healthy, I guarantee this guy will be a force on offense. The post up player is a dying breed and because of this, fewer players know how to defend a back to the basket scorer. The guy's offense game is outstanding.

He's got flaws, for sure; but I would take him over wannabe SFs like Perry Jones or Moultrie in a heartbeat.

God yes! I would too. I've not watched a lot of Sullinger, but the times I've seen him, I wasn't blown away by his production. As a matter of fact, Robinson "ate his lunch" when they went head to head. I admit that I have some questions as to how his game will translate into the pros. He may do very well. I just don't want him with the Spurs.

The final point I'll make here is that at 36 years old, Duncan should not be forced to continue being the best shotblocker, rebounder and post defender on the Spurs. It's too much of a load for him. He needs serious help in those areas and there really isn't no one on the roster capable of helping him with the heavy lifting. Thus the need for more of an athletic, defensive-minded PF/C type, in the mode of a Bernard James, Robert Sacre, Henry Sims or Kyle O'Quinn.

The Spurs don't necessarily need more post offense. They will be much improved in that area with the likely addition of Lorbek. Instead, they are more desparate for help in the aforementioned areas where Duncan is declining. As such, the Spurs MUST get away from the undersized and underskilled bigs.

[SpursFaninMS]

God yes! I would too. I've not watched a lot of Sullinger, but the times I've seen him, I wasn't blown away by his production. As a matter of fact, Robinson "ate his lunch" when they went head to head. I admit that I have some questions as to how his game will translate into the pros. He may do very well. I just don't want him with the Spurs.

The final point I'll make here is that at 36 years old, Duncan should not be forced to continue being the best shotblocker, rebounder and post defender on the Spurs. It's too much of a load for him. He needs serious help in those areas and there really isn't no one on the roster capable of helping him with the heavy lifting. Thus the need for more of an athletic, defensive-minded PF/C type, in the mode of a Bernard James, Robert Sacre, Henry Sims or Kyle O'Quinn.

The Spurs don't necessarily need more post offense. They will be much improved in that area with the likely addition of Lorbek. Instead, they are more desparate for help in the aforementioned areas where Duncan is declining. As such, the Spurs MUST get away from the undersized and underskilled bigs.

.

I don't necessarily disagree 100 percent with what you are saying. I guess my point of view on this is that I think there A LOT of different things we need. Our team needs a post scorer, size, someone to defend a 4, athleticism, ability to penetrate, and toughness. Basically, we could use everything outside of shooting. I feel like Sullinger definitely provides the post scoring, toughness, and is not woefully undersized. I've watched a lot of him and have been high on him for a long time. Robinson crushed him, no doubt; but do remember that Kansas keyed their defense on him when OSU's other big scorer ran into foul trouble. We will have to agree to disagree on him, though. I'm glad to see you can actually have a rational disagreement on this board.

By the way, glad someone isn't falling for the Perry Jones/Arnette Moultrie-type player that is fool's gold.

[SenorSpur]

.

I don't necessarily disagree 100 percent with what you are saying. I guess my point of view on this is that I think there A LOT of different things we need. Our team needs a post scorer, size, someone to defend a 4, athleticism, ability to penetrate, and toughness. Basically, we could use everything outside of shooting. I feel like Sullinger definitely provides the post scoring, toughness, and is not woefully undersized. I've watched a lot of him and have been high on him for a long time. Robinson crushed him, no doubt; but do remember that Kansas keyed their defense on him when OSU's other big scorer ran into foul trouble. We will have to agree to disagree on him, though. I'm glad to see you can actually have a rational disagreement on this board.

By the way, glad someone isn't falling for the Perry Jones/Arnette Moultrie-type player that is fool's gold.

You're right. The Spurs do need a myriad of skill set enhancements along the frontline. It's very unlikely they can get all that with one player. After all, they don't have a number one overall pick and they're just no more Tim Duncan's out there.

I heard today that Sullinger's back issues could cause him to slide possibly into the second round. While I doubt that he'd slide that far, if the Spurs were to somehow be able to sneak into the middle of the round and get him, there's no way they could bring back Blair. Same for Lorbek. If he's joining the team next year, I don't think you can bring back Bonner. This is a team that doesn't need to carry players of similar skill sets.

Don't get me wrong. I don't think Sullinger is a bad player. I just think there are better options for what the Spurs need at this juncture - particularly the four I mentioned in my previous post.

For the record, you're right about Jones and Moultrie. Fool's gold of the highest order. Both masquerading as SF's in a PF's body.

[therealtruth]

I am tired of losing in the playoffs because teams stop Parker.

[Spursfan092120]

I am tired of losing in the playoffs because teams stop Parker.

So Tony's supposed to dominate every team and other people get away with disappearing...and it's all Tony's fault. Yeah..that makes sense.

[SpursFaninMS]

So Tony's supposed to dominate every team and other people get away with disappearing...and it's all Tony's fault. Yeah..that makes sense.

Not all Tony's fault.....Matt Bonner's fault, too.

[Vic Petro]

If he falls out of the top 10, Henson would be an interesting target. He's skinny as but he can rebound and he can help Timmy protect the rim.