2013 General Free Agent Signings/News and Trades

[spurraider21]

can we realistically expect more from Oden than from Baynes? Oden was ridiculously foul prone even when he still had some athleticism left. He's been out of the game for years, and you can't trust him for more than 15 minutes per game anyway. I'd rather develop a guy with a future than a guy who's going to be playing on borrowed time

[TD 21]

I'm not overthinking this at all. Pendergraph wasn't brought in to be the third center. I'm sure he'll get some minutes there, but I don't think he's there on the depth chart right now. Oden would be taking Baynes' spot from last season, while Pendergraph would be taking Blair's.

You are, to the point now where you're arguing semantics, like the difference between the third center and 15th man.

Pendergraph was brought in to provide reliable depth at both big positions, since they obviously aren't sold on Baynes being able to provide it at one. But, if you look at the big rotation, they start two centers and bring two power forwards (who, for obvious reasons, can't play center) off the bench. Since he's obviously not going to start, if he's to crack the rotation, it'll be as the backup center, which would allow Splitter to play almost exclusively as the starting power forward. The value in this is obvious: In tandem with Duncan, they are the best defensive interior tandem in the league.

[DesignatedT]

Bonner + Blair for Ariza.

Pick up Thomas.

[Chinook]

You are, to the point now where you're arguing semantics, like the difference between the third center and 15th man.

Pendergraph was brought in to provide reliable depth at both big positions, since they obviously aren't sold on Baynes being able to provide it at one. But, if you look at the big rotation, they start two centers and bring two power forwards (who, for obvious reasons, can't play center) off the bench. Since he's obviously not going to start, if he's to crack the rotation, it'll be as the backup center, which would allow Splitter to play almost exclusively as the starting power forward. The value in this is obvious: In tandem with Duncan, they are the best defensive interior tandem in the league.

Oden and Duncan can't play together on defense. If Oden gets into the rotation, he'd be strictly Duncan's backup while Splitter plays the four exclusively and Diaw is strictly Splitter's backup.

I already understand how Oden would fit into the rotation. He and Splitter can't really play together, though. So that reduces the minutes for everyone else. Splitter plays well as the backup center. If anything, the Spurs need to make sure he gets all of those minutes in the post-season. But in the regular season, he'll probably only get most of them. Diaw will get some, and Pendergraph will get some. Oden/Baynes will only get whatever's left.

The 15th man is a spot which is open now. If the Spurs sign Oden and call it an off-season, I would not be happy. If they moved Baynes, signed Oden, brought in another player to back up Leonard and then called it an off-season, I'd be happier. That's not a semantic objection at all.

[TD 21]

I already understand how Oden would fit into the rotation. He and Splitter can't really play together, though. So that reduces the minutes for everyone else. Splitter plays well as the backup center. If anything, the Spurs need to make sure he gets all of those minutes in the post-season. But in the regular season, he'll probably only get most of them. Diaw will get some, and Pendergraph will get some. Oden/Baynes will only get whatever's left.

The 15th man is a spot which is open now. If the Spurs sign Oden and call it an off-season, I would not be happy. If they moved Baynes, signed Oden, brought in another player to back up Leonard and then called it an off-season, I'd be happier. That's not a semantic objection at all.

The part you put in bold was about Pendergraph, not Oden.

Disagree about utilizing Splitter as the backup center as much as possible. That would have been ideal had they signed or traded for a legitimate starting power forward. But because they didn't, the ideal scenario now is for Pendergraph to become the backup center, which, as I said, in turn, would allow Splitter to truly become the starting power forward. If that happens, this probably becomes the best defensive team in the league.

They wouldn't be stupid enough to carry 7 bigs and one small forward. If they sign Oden, Baynes is gone.

[Chinook]

The part you put in bold was about Pendergraph, not Oden.

Disagree about utilizing Splitter as the backup center as much as possible. That would have been ideal had they signed or traded for a legitimate starting power forward. But because they didn't, the ideal scenario now is for Pendergraph to become the backup center, which, as I said, in turn, would allow Splitter to truly become the starting power forward. If that happens, this probably becomes the best defensive team in the league.

They wouldn't be stupid enough to carry 7 bigs and one small forward. If they sign Oden, Baynes is gone.

Sorry. Totally misread that part. I agree that so long as Splitter starts, Pendergraph will probably play the five, although he and Diaw are the same height, and Boris has more girth.

And I hope the Spurs wouldn't carry seven bigs, but they're currently carrying seven guards, so you never know.

[TD 21]

Sorry. Totally misread that part. I agree that so long as Splitter starts, Pendergraph will probably play the five, although he and Diaw are the same height, and Boris has more girth.

And I hope the Spurs wouldn't carry seven bigs, but they're currently carrying seven guards, so you never know.

Actually, they're not. Pendergraph is the rare player who's listed height is less than his height in shoes. He's really 6-10 in shoes and he weighs 250. It's anyone's guess what Diaw's current weight is, but I remember seeing something early last season that had him at 255, which seems pretty accurate. It's not just that, though. Pendergraph is longer and a far superior rebounder and shot blocker. Make no mistake: When they play together, he'll be the center.

The difference is, despite that, they still had the roster flexibility to carry two true small forwards, plus two of their guards can slide up to small forward, whereas none of their bigs can slide down to small forward. People claim Diaw can, but when they were healthy, the only small forwards he guarded were James and Anthony and he only guarded them when they were playing power forward.

[Ice009]

I don't want it. Despite what people keep saying, there's almost no upside in it for the Spurs. At his best, Oden's Duncan with no outside game. With Splitter making so much money, he'll be Tim's primary backup, and Diaw, Pendergraph and Baynes will all play minutes at the five. Oden's just a wasted roster spot.

Oden is a number 1 draft pick who once had the potential to be one of the greatest defenders of all time. You don't just lose defensive instincts like that. He could still provide shot blocking and rim protection if his knee will allow him to play. I can't even say that his potential is gone (like other players who entered the NBA around the same time and haven't improved much), because he simply hasn't been on the court. He was really starting to play some great ball in around 25 minutes a game before he got hurt last time.

We don't need hardly any offense from him at all.

I don't think you know what you are talking about. Unless you have seen him in person yourself, recently, to say that he is completely done, then I think he is well worth the risk. There's other players that teams took a risk on, like McDyess for example, and the reward far outweighs the risk IMO. You're not going to be paying him Andrew Bynum money. If he wanted to come here and you were to turn him down, then that would be idiotic IMO.

[spurraider21]

His defensive instincts are overstated and never really transferred to the NBA. He was incredibly foul prone. Averaged 4 fouls per game on 22 minutes per

[Ice009]

His defensive instincts are overstated and never really transferred to the NBA. He was incredibly foul prone. Averaged 4 fouls per game on 22 minutes per

He was working on it and getting better. Every time he started looking good, he got hurt, so he never really had the time to adapt. Even though he was still adapting, he was still blocking shots and providing rim protection. He was also starting to rebound the ball too. His main flaw defensively, as you stated, was fouls. He was foul prone, but I think he would have adapted with consistent court time, something that he never got.

[spurraider21]

He was working on it and getting better. Every time he started looking good, he got hurt, so he never really had the time to adapt. Even though he was still adapting, he was still blocking shots and providing rim protection. He was also starting to rebound the ball too. His main flaw defensively, as you stated, was fouls. He was foul prone, but I think he would have adapted with consistent court time, something that he never got.

I doubt his 4 years off the court have helped his defensive instincts much, and his loss of athleticism would presumably have him fouling more to compensate. While I'd be OK with an Oden signing simply due to the risk/reward (imagine if he could actually stay healthy for a few seasons), I'm not exactly head over heels when it comes to this potential move. I'd be much more interesting in landing a guy like Ariza. I don't think Oden would be a significant upgrade to Baynes, for example

[Chinook]

Oden is a number 1 draft pick who once had the potential to be one of the greatest defenders of all time. You don't just lose defensive instincts like that. He could still provide shot blocking and rim protection if his knee will allow him to play. I can't even say that his potential is gone (like other players who entered the NBA around the same time and haven't improved much), because he simply hasn't been on the court. He was really starting to play some great ball in around 25 minutes a game before he got hurt last time.

We don't need hardly any offense from him at all.

I don't think you know what you are talking about. Unless you have seen him in person yourself, recently, to say that he is completely done, then I think he is well worth the risk. There's other players that teams took a risk on, like McDyess for example, and the reward far outweighs the risk IMO. You're not going to be paying him Andrew Bynum money. If he wanted to come here and you were to turn him down, then that would be idiotic IMO.

I disagree. The Spurs don't need a one-way player who hurts spacing, can't defend the pick-and-roll and can't even handle 25 minutes a game in his early 20s. It doesn't matter is there's a one-percent chance that he's not done. He's not worth the risk -- and that's really sad since I agree it's not really that high of a cost. Besides being hurt, he's out of basketball shape and is rusty. I don't think people really appreciate how done Oden seems to be. He's not Bynum or McDyess. He's not even Grant Hill. His comeback would be the single-most surprising return in NBA history. I just hope he'll be able to live a healthy life without being bound to a wheel chair in his forties.

Even his biggest supporters on here don't think he'll be much of a role-player over the next season or two. They think he'll be a good player to have when Duncan retires (which, as I explained, it a major catch-22). If you don't even think he can be more than a bench big in the post-Duncan era, then why should we want him to join the Spurs at all?

[TheGreatYacht]

I don't get all this arguing on whether Oden should join or not, signing him to a minimum deal should be a no-brainer. If Greg Oden decides to play in SA, then I have no doubt that the FO will sign him unless they're complete morons. He's a low risk, high reward player. We're talking about a 15th roster for a dude that was a former #1 draft pick and a legit Center that has the potential of being better than Tiago Splitter IF healthy.

Good big men are very spare in today's age. All this has probably already been covered in the arguments going on above me but whatever. I agree with the poster above, if the Spurs sign Oden then this most likely means that Baynes will be the odd man out.

[DesignatedT]

Yeah I don't see the big debate here. I'd rather bring Oden in, even if it isn't a need instead of giving the final roster spot to someone like DeShaun Thomas. If Oden could regain his form (I understand it's unlikely) it could be a huge addition. For a minimum contract that type of signing is a no-brainer.

Do I hope the Spurs have other plans in mind about their roster? Yeah, I do, like getting a reliable backup PG, and/or another athletic Forward but I don't see how signing Oden to a minimum deal hurts these efforts if the Spurs are seriously interested in doing them.

[Vic Petro]

Spurs worked out Ryan Gomes

Gomes last played in the NBA for the Los Angeles Clippers in 2011-12. He says he has worked out for the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs, but is still weighing his options for the upcoming season. He says he is using this summer to improve his off-the-dribble shooting.
"I was never a superstar kind of guy, I was more of fill-in guy, but I've always been consistent," he said. "My last year playing with Los Angeles wasn't my best year, it was probably my worst in the NBA. So if I go to a team like [the Thunder or Spurs] I know what my roll is already. I'll come in and try to fill any void they have there."

http://touch.courant.com/#story/hc-p...0723-20130722/

[MR-Clutch]

Yeah I don't see the big debate here. I'd rather bring Oden in, even if it isn't a need instead of giving the final roster spot to someone like DeShaun Thomas. If Oden could regain his form (I understand it's unlikely) it could be a huge addition. For a minimum contract that type of signing is a no-brainer.

Do I hope the Spurs have other plans in mind about their roster? Yeah, I do, like getting a reliable backup PG, and/or another athletic Forward but I don't see how signing Oden to a minimum deal hurts these efforts if the Spurs are seriously interested in doing them.

[loveforthegame]

Spurs worked out Ryan Gomes

http://touch.courant.com/#story/hc-p...0723-20130722/

Forgot about him. Used to like his game. Nothing special but solid. He'd fit the backup SF position.

[bklynspursfan]

I didn't know where it'd be fit to post this, but saw it on FB....

~Laker fans be like "We got cap space"

[fleggy2k2]

I didn't know where it'd be fit to post this, but saw it on FB....

~Laker fans be like "We got cap space"

lol tmac

[spurraider21]

lol why is tmac in that picture

[look_at_g_shred]

lol why is tmac in that picture

I believe I read somewhere and it said he's gonna sign a two year deal with LA

[bklynspursfan]

NBA Legion ‏@MySportsLegion3m
Greg Oden is deciding to sign with either the Heat or Spurs, Pelicans a long shot. (h/t ESPN)

[I. Hustle]

NBA Legion ‏@MySportsLegion3m
Greg Oden is deciding to sign with either the Heat or the Heat, Pelicans a long shot. (h/t ESPN)

translated and fify

[chrhawk]

I didn't know where it'd be fit to post this, but saw it on FB....

~Laker fans be like "We got cap space"

I'm going to borrow this as my sig.

[chrhawk]

NBA Legion ‏@MySportsLegion3m
Greg Oden is deciding to sign with either the Heat or Spurs, Pelicans a long shot. (h/t ESPN)

If the Spurs are really trying this hard to pursue Oden then they must be confident that he'll be able to help them down the road.