De Colo and Thomas assigned to Toros ( Dec 21)

[Baam]

That said another big deadline in a few days, that's when Tiago becomes eligible for a trade...

We'll see a clearer picture at that point... Do they try to move him or do they stick with him... What's the plan, do they one in first place...

[Bruno]

The deadline when Thomas contract becomes guaranteed is January 7, 5 pm ET. Spurs will play one game (today) before the deadline.

Regarding Thomas, his previous bad D-League game (scoreless in 9 minutes played) was because of a concussion. Spurs should also be encouraged by how well Kendall Marshall and James Johnson have done since being call up. It may remind them that pleasant surprises can happen but they need first to give Thomas some minutes with Spurs.

The previously talked article from Mark Deeks:
http://beta.thescore.com/nba/news/398515

The Spurs have grand designs on Thomas's future, as well they should. He will survive.

If Thomas is cut, the next in line to receive a 10 days contract could very well be Devin Ebanks. Similarly to Thomas, he is now shooting/making way more 3's than in the past. In 15 D-League games played, he is 44/121 (36.4%) from behind the arc.

[Bruno]

Anyone think maybe the Spurs are holding on to him to include him in a trade later on? Maybe they signed him to block a certain team from getting him and plan to package him with one or more of Bonner/De Colo/Random player #3 to get someone? Its far out there but it.

It's not possible. Players signed can't be traded for at least 3 months. Thomas was signed in early December. He can't be traded before early March and it's after the trade deadline.

[313]

After we got Baynes last season, when did he start playing?

[Bruno]

De Colo has been recalled, Thomas hasn't.

So Thomas won't play a single second with Spurs before the guarantee deadline. De Colo being recalled might mean someone won't play or is questionable for today's Spurs game.

[RD2191]

[TheGoldStandard]

De Colo has been recalled, Thomas hasn't.

So Thomas won't play a single second with Spurs before the guarantee deadline. De Colo being recalled might mean someone won't play or is questionable for today's Spurs game.

De Colo really wanted to see a clippers game that's all. Spurs front office has mis managed a lot of opportunities to either improve or evaluate talent. The extension for splitter was just terrible giving him more at the beginning of the deal, rather backload that deal so we can move him later.

For a team that just went to the finals they have absolutely no chip on their shoulder, I can see the old guys not getting caught up but the young guys are playing with no fire at all.

[Kyuui-Musikq]

Regarding Thomas, his previous bad D-League game (scoreless in 9 minutes played) was because of a concussion. Spurs should also be encouraged by how well Kendall Marshall and James Johnson have done since being call up. It may remind them that pleasant surprises can happen but they need first to give Thomas some minutes with Spurs

Sometimes I wish I was pursuing Kinesiology as my major instead of Bio so I could work my way into the SFO somehow.

These guys were only two players I've lobbied for this year besides Emeka Okafor

[TD 21]

For all the obvious reasons, I'm not surprised that Thomas is likely to be kept. I suspect "grand designs" means he pushes, if not altogether usurps Ayres for fourth big next season.

By guaranteeing him, that should ensure that a transaction is made at some point . . . knowing them, it'll probably be something as minor as paying the Jazz to take De Colo.

[TheGoldStandard]

For all the obvious reasons, I'm not surprised that Thomas is likely to be kept. I suspect "grand designs" means he pushes, if not altogether usurps Ayres for fourth big next season.

By guaranteeing him, that should ensure that a transaction is made at some point . . . knowing them, it'll probably be something as minor as paying the Jazz to take De Colo.

Spurs won't move anyone. theyll probably keep Ayres and Thomas and let Diaw go next season

[TD 21]

Spurs won't move anyone. theyll probably keep Ayres and Thomas and let Diaw go next season

They will, or else they'll be going into the playoffs woefully thin at SF and at the forward spots period. They can't possibly be so ignorant as to prioritize a seventh guard/fourteenth man over basically a fourth forward (Ayres' non existent jump shot has made him strictly a C on offense and they're clearly done with Bonner)/tenth man.

[TheGoldStandard]

They will, or else they'll be going into the playoffs woefully thin at SF and at the forward spots period. They can't possibly be so ignorant as to prioritize a seventh guard/fourteenth man over basically a fourth forward (Ayres' non existent jump shot has made him strictly a C on offense and they're clearly done with Bonner)/tenth man.

It can and probably will

[ace3g]

Toros had another game tonight:

field goalsrebounds
	pos	min	fgm-a	3pm-a	ftm-a	+/-	off	def	tot	ast	pf	st	to	bs	ba	pts
C. Fells	G	37:16	4-14	2-6	0-0	-15	0	5	5	1	0	2	2	0	0	10
M. Thomas	F	37:08	8-12	1-4	2-3	-9	3	5	8	2	4	1	2	1	0	19
E. Dawson	F	37:13	9-17	0-2	1-1	+6	5	5	10	6	3	0	1	4	0	19
R. Murray	G	44:18	11-22	2-9	11-14	-5	1	5	6	1	4	1	4	0	3	35
M. Kabongo	G	41:52	8-13	1-3	5-8	0	2	7	9	6	5	3	3	0	0	22
L. Zeller		15:33	3-6	2-3	0-0	-2	0	1	1	2	0	0	1	0	0	8
J. Cowan		05:46	0-0	0-0	0-0	-9	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0
J. Simmons		12:56	0-0	0-0	0-2	-2	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0
C. Westbrook		07:08	0-1	0-0	0-0	+1	0	0	0	2	1	1	0	0	0	0
J. Howard		00:00	0	0	0-0	-	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
K. Hunt		00:00	0	0	0-0	-	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Total		239	43-85	8-27	19-28		11	28	39	21	17	8	14	5	3	113

Also made a trade:

SIOUX FALLS, SD -

The Sioux Falls Skyforce announced today that the team has acquired guard Tre Kelley from the Austin Toros in exchange for guard Charlie Westbrook. The team also waived center Phil Jones. The active roster now stands at 10 players.

Kelley averaged 14.2 points and 5.1 assists in 10 games (eight starts) with Austin this season. He holds NBA Development League career averages of 11.8 points and 4.7 assists in 69 games (29 starts) with Austin. The 6-0, 188-pound guard averaged 11.1 points and 3.8 assists in four seasons (134 games) at the University of South Carolina.

Season tickets and 12-ticket flex packs for the 2013-14 season are on sale. Discounts and benefits are available for groups of 10 or more. For more information, please contact a Skyforce representative at (605) 332-0605.

http://www.keloland.com/newsdetail.c...ros/?id=158269

[ChumpDumper]

They will, or else they'll be going into the playoffs woefully thin at SF and at the forward spots period. They can't possibly be so ignorant as to prioritize a seventh guard/fourteenth man over basically a fourth forward (Ayres' non existent jump shot has made him strictly a C on offense and they're clearly done with Bonner)/tenth man.

Eh, I wouldn't say they are done with Bonner. It's still experimentation time and Bonner is the most known quan y of all the big men not named Duncan. That's not to say he couldn't be traded. Anyone outside the big four could this season.

The trade the Toros made seems to indicate they are pretty intent on developing Kabongo for what that's worth.

[Kyuui-Musikq]

Did anyone who caught the clips broadcast of the game tonight hear Michael Smith say he talked to Sean Elliott before the game and he told Smith that the Spurs are high on Baynes and had plans for him? Or that Sean said he was "a keeper". It was something along those lines.

If true, and they really are keeping Thomas, Bonner and Diaw are probably gonna be let go after this season if they don't try to move them at the deadline for a pick or someone they really like.

[ChumpDumper]

Did anyone who caught the clips broadcast of the game tonight hear Michael Smith say he talked to Sean ****** before the game and he told Smith that they were high on Baynes and had plans for him? Or that Sean said he was "a keeper". It was something along those lines.

If true, and they really are keeping Thomas, Bonner and Diaw are probably gonna be let go after this season if they don't try to move them at the deadline for a pick or someone they really like.

Sean did say that, but there is no way in they would let Diaw go in favor of either of these guys.

[jeebus]

After we got Baynes last season, when did he start playing?

Sparingly. His first real game was pretty good(it was pretty soon after he was signed); it was against some East team that wasn't great so it was basically 2nd half blow out minutes. He didn't play much after that until the game 4 Laker game where he started and made Dwert quit.

[jeebus]

If true, and they really are keeping Thomas, Bonner and Diaw are probably gonna be let go after this season if they don't try to move them at the deadline for a pick or someone they really like.

Diaw>Boner and Thomas.

I highly doubt Boner will be back next season unless it's a vet minimum deal for a year. I wouldn't mind trading Ayres for a value pack of condoms and let Thomas take his spot.

[Kyuui-Musikq]

Sean did say that, but there is no way in they would let Diaw go in favor of either of these guys.

I agree with TD 21 in that I think the Spurs will make a move for someone who's a legit SF. We're still in the experimental stages, sure, but I have to think RC, Pop and co. have been analyzing who exactly is expendable in trade scenarios dependent on who they'd receive in return or players we potentially have already who they feel adequately replace a player.

I guess what am getting at is, however versatile Diaw is, I think he could be made available given we get the proper player in return or by some other means besides trade. The fact that he could guard SF wouldn't mean much if we had a SF who could guard SF and did it effectively, not to dumb down what his value is our system so simply. In that sense I don't see Diaw as untouchable or other players who aren't Manu, Parker, Duncan and Kawhi. It would just have to be a definite Win scenario for us.

[Kyuui-Musikq]

Diaw>Boner and Thomas.

I highly doubt Boner will be back next season unless it's a vet minimum deal for a year. I wouldn't mind trading Ayres for a value pack of condoms and let Thomas take his spot.

I just need to see this guy get some minutes already. He hasn't played a single game and I don't think it's anything but by design, for whatever reason.

Diaw is great and all, but hypothetically, a 21-28 yr old 6-7 SF who can shoot, dribble, pass and play good perimeter D would be better. And if it was a decision to be made either Diaw or the latter, I'd choose the latter.

[SpursRock20]

Anyone holding onto a slim amount of hope that the Spurs are going to start giving some burn for De Colo to "show him off" to some of the other teams to the league? Really surprised me that he got some burn tonight even though it was a blowout. The dude never plays anymore. It was the first game that he played more than a minute in since that Warriors game where everyone sat about 10 games ago.

[TD 21]

Eh, I wouldn't say they are done with Bonner. It's still experimentation time and Bonner is the most known quan y of all the big men not named Duncan. That's not to say he couldn't be traded. Anyone outside the big four could this season.

The trade the Toros made seems to indicate they are pretty intent on developing Kabongo for what that's worth.

I know it's still experimentation time, but in an attempt to spread the floor, he's often played Diaw 12-18 minute spurts (young Duncan was the last Spur to play stretches that lengthy), in order to avoid playing Bonner. Then tonight, with Diaw out, he went small instead.

That being said, it's still easier to imagine a scenario whereby Bonner could play a minimal role in the playoffs, as opposed to De Colo, which is why I suspect he's the one who's jettisoned in order to free up a roster spot for an SF. Still, Bonner's days are numbered.

Speaking of Kabongo, how's he looked?

[ChumpDumper]

Diaw>Boner and Thomas.

I highly doubt Boner will be back next season unless it's a vet minimum deal for a year. I wouldn't mind trading Ayres for a value pack of condoms and let Thomas take his spot.

I agree with TD 21 in that I think the Spurs will make a move for someone who's a legit SF. We're still in the experimental stages, sure, but I have to think RC, Pop and co. have been analyzing who exactly is expendable in trade scenarios dependent on who they'd receive in return or players we potentially have already who they feel adequately replace a player.

I guess what am getting at is, however versatile Diaw is, I think he could be made available given we get the proper player in return or by some other means besides trade. The fact that he could guard SF wouldn't mean much if we had a SF who could guard SF and did it effectively, not to dumb down what his value is our system so simply. In that sense I don't see Diaw as untouchable or other players who aren't Manu, Parker, Duncan and Kawhi. It would just have to be a definite Win scenario for us.

Diaw will not be traded for a 15 mpg small forward. I feel pretty comfortable saying that. Diaw fits in pretty much every lineup, even at SF. That's rare.

I know it's still experimentation time, but in an attempt to spread the floor, he's often played Diaw 12-18 minute spurts (young Duncan was the last Spur to play stretches that lengthy), in order to avoid playing Bonner. Then tonight, with Diaw out, he went small instead.

That being said, it's still easier to imagine a scenario whereby Bonner could play a minimal role in the playoffs, as opposed to De Colo, which is why I suspect he's the one who's jettisoned in order to free up a roster spot for an SF. Still, Bonner's days are numbered.

Speaking of Kabongo, how's he looked?

Kabongo looks really good tbh. He drives and finishes well but I haven't really seen him against a very good defense yet. Pretty promising at this point though.

[ace3g]

Toros about to acquire Dexter Pittman

To make room for Pittman on their roster, the Toros are set to release the seldom used 2013 D-League Draft selection Kyle Hunt. The versatile talented forward is set to enter the NBADL Player Pool, according to a source.

http://www.ridiculousupside.com/2014...dexter-pittman

[Bruno]

It's a little weird to sign Pittman while Toros still have Dawson and Zeller. Maybe Dawson will soon sign overseas.