Matt Bonner Back For More: One-Year, Minimum Deal

[Dex]

He's like the 6th big now. You could do a of a lot worse for that spot.

I love having Matty around the team, and apparently the guys in the locker room feel the same way.

Welcome back, Red Mamba.

[Silver&Black]

At least it wasn't Errors

[philldafunk]

I wish I had more hands to give this more thumbs down.

[timtonymanu]

Doesn't this signing potentially stunt the growth of some of the other young up and comers we have that could've benefited from being in the roster and learning the system directly from Pop and practicing with the rest of the team? And don't we have enough players that can space the floor, thus making Bonner redundant?

I do think Bonner is redundant but I don't expect him to get in the way. The Spurs have enough depth that I think Bonner only sees garbage time minutes. Replacing Baynes and Ayres with better players like West and Boban should limit his minutes, imo. Bonner is here to mentor

[timtonymanu]

That's like saying "At least I didn't get cancer, just AIDS."

rofl

[BatManu20]

[Spur|n|Austin]

The Legend of the Red Mamba continues

[Chinook]

Lalanne isn't worthy of a roster spot right now.

What's interesting is that since the Spurs still obviously need a vet wing, they appear committed to carrying 15 players.

The Spurs have never been a team that caters to obvious needs. I could see them rolling with 14 for a while. But it does seem clear that Holt and Co. are willing to pay the tax this season.

[Vic Petro]

That's like saying "At least I didn't get cancer, just AIDS."

[BillMc]

Any 5th or 6th big whose presence can affect a series (regardless of performance) as Bonner did against OKC 2 years ago is certainly worth the minimum. Throw in that he knows and accepts his role, is well-liked in the locker room, and that his knowledge of the system will be especially useful in the early part of the season while the new bigs learn, and this is a good signing.

Also, the enjoyment of the Red Mamba effectively trolling ST has high entertainment value that some plodding nondescript end of the bench big just can't have.

[timvp]

I could see them rolling with 14 for a while. But it does seem clear that Holt and Co. are willing to pay the tax this season.

With the Bonner signing, are the Spurs automatically over the lux tax threshold next season? Looks pretty damn close to me. Bruno?

[Sean Cagney]

winning #6 wouldn't be the same without the red mamba.

As long as he's glued to the bench im good... Now please no Ayres!!!

[bklynspursfan]

Awesome

[BatManu20]

Bonner is Pop's golfing buddy. Who else would've accompanied him on his weekend La Cantera golf excursions, tbh?

[BillMc]

As long as he's glued to the bench im good... Now please no Ayres!!!

Matt and Jeff are ready from the bench this season.

[spursistan]

I'm actually starting to admire it for the of it all..Imagine Bonner 3 time NBA Champions ..More rings with Spurs than D Rob ..

[intlspurshk]

Waste of money. At least Ayres can play defense

[timtonymanu]

I'm actually starting to admire it for the of it all..Imagine Bonner 3 time NBA Champions ..More rings with Spurs than D Rob ..

Wow.

[Splits]

With the Bonner signing, are the Spurs automatically over the lux tax threshold next season? Looks pretty damn close to me. Bruno?

From another thread:

I'm interested to see what will be Spurs position regarding the luxury tax.

If Spurs don't sign another player and go with 13 players, they will be just under the tax.
If Spurs go with 14 players , they should be just a little above the tax. They could however go under if Boris doesn't reach all his incentives and if West has signed only a 1 year contract and not a 2 years contract with a player option for the second season.
With 15 players, Spurs will be over the tax threshold.

By being under the tax, Spurs should receive about $3M when the luxury tax collected will be redistributed. Will Spurs really try to get these $3M or will they be fine by being around $1M above the tax threshold?

[timtonymanu]

When are Kawhi, Manu, and West expected to sign?

[aal04]

I would have preferred a prime Hakeem or prime Shaq, but for the minimum I cant complain

[Aztecfan03]

I like him as a sixth big. There aren't many sixth bigs who are useful at all. At least with Bonner, there are situations where it makes sense for Pop to play him a few minutes here and there.

Plus, with BOBAN, there are some situations where you CAN'T play him, so having a sixth big who knows the system is a plus.

I guess so...

[timvp]

I could see them rolling with 14 for a while.

Considering that the Spurs appeared ready to let Bonner walk a few days ago, I think this move may be a sign that the Spurs are now higher on Kyle Anderson (and possibly Jonathon Simmons). If they think Anderson is a legit backup small forward (and he's looked the part over the last two or three summer league games), suddenly you don't really have to sign an old retread and can instead wait and possibly shop the buyout market later in the year.

SG: Green, Ginobili, Simmons, McCallum, Mills
SF: Leonard, Anderson, Green, Ginobili, Simmons (?), Diaw (?)

That depth is pretty good if Anderson has convinced the Spurs he's a real NBA player and Simmons has convinced the Spurs he's a prospect worthy of a minutes to analyze further.

[timtonymanu]

I was probably the biggest Bonner hater on the board circa 2011. But considering it's 2015-2016 and this is still on the team, you just gotta admire his resiliency.

Hating on him is pointless, it'd be like hating on the sun for rising every morning tbh

Pretty amazing we still have a player from the dark ages of the Spurs . . Won't surprise me if Bonner plays here till Kawhi retires.

[jermaine]

MUTHASUCKIN MATT BONNER BA-BY... MY WHITE BROTHA FROM ANOTHA MOTHA.... MY WIGGA IS BACK!!!!!!