ESPN: Spurs Emerging as Favorites to Sign Kevin Martin

[Darius Bieber]

At this point, it only makes sense to cut Bonner for Butler... Since it's past the deadline, Butler wouldn't be eligible to sign with a playoff team. Doubt the Spurs would do that to him.

[Spurs9]

I wouldn't mind having Martin on the roster moving forward after this year too. Assuming he signs with us, and plays like he used to years ago.

[Arcadian]

First of all, let me just say that I think this could be an important addition, especially with Martin's ability to stretch the floor and make 3s as 3 pt shooting has probably been our biggest weakness this season, and a reason for our very low 3pt attempts (6th least attempts in the league, although we do shoot them at an absolutely excellent %). We simply don't have enough great shooters as we did in the past. To beat the Warriors, you need floor spacing and shot making, as it might be impossible to stop them and Steph Curry consistently in a 7-game series. This is why I think we must sign Martin if he's willing to join. Historically and even last season, he has proven to be a reliable scorer and 3pt shooter, so in that sense I think he can be even better version of Belinelli offensively. Defense is another matter.. He is still 33 years old, so his age is not much of an issue here and I feel he can contribute on the offensive end immediately, similarly to what he did with OKC averaging 14.0 ppg while shooting a career best 42.6% from 3. I see no reason he can't be an excellent spot up 3pt shooter as he was in OKC.

Now to get to my main point: If Kevin Martin decides to join the Spurs, I am starting to lean towards the idea that the Spurs would decide to waive Simmons to make room.

Simply put, experience matters to Pop, and this team is fighting for a championship and is in win now mode. Surely, Simmons won't be getting any significant minutes in the stretch run or playoffs, while Kyle Anderson has seemingly cemented a role ahead of Simmons I believe. Also, and unfortunately, Pop is not the type to waive a professional like Bonner who has been with the team for 10 years now. I just can't see it happening, although as a fan I would say he's the easiest choice. I also think Rasual's experience, ability to stretch the floor and play defense would also give him the edge over the inexperienced Simmons. Finally, if Pop was thinking to waive either Bonner or Butler, I think he would have probably wanted to do that prior to the deadline to be waived in order to be playoff eligible on another team, especially in the case of Butler. I can't assume any team would want Bonner at this point.

In the end, my head says they should just waive Bonner as he won't be playing for us anyway, but my gut says Pop will waive Simmons which would be sad.

It has been stated numerous times that Simmons is the most athletic and aggressive player on the team. Before Anderson broke into the rotation, Simmons was doing a fine job. He didn't do anything to deserve losing a spot.

Bonner is beyond done, old, injured, and an ugly ginger white man. His experience doesn't mean if he can't make a difference on the court.

Cut Bonner, and give him an assistant coaching job.

[sasaint]

At this point, it only makes sense to cut Bonner for Butler... Since it's past the deadline, Butler wouldn't be eligible to sign with a playoff team. Doubt the Spurs would do that to him.

Best observation in this thread so far.

[TDomination]

If Bonner gets cut, then i see the spurs turning around and signing to him to some sort of coaching position. So that he can stay on the bench.

[Chinook]

It has been stated numerous times that Simmons is the most athletic and aggressive player on the team. Before Anderson broke into the rotation, Simmons was doing a fine job. He didn't do anything to deserve losing a spot.

Simmons has been a dumpster fire recently, really on both ends. He hasn't done enough to get cut, but he's definitely been the worst player on the team besides Bonner and McCallum.

[rjv]

Simmons has been a dumpster fire recently, really on both ends. He hasn't done enough to get cut, but he's definitely been the worst player on the team besides Bonner and McCallum.

agreed. simmons' play really has taken a downward turn since just prior to the all-star break. coupled with the improvement of slo-mo, i'm convinced that simmons will see a significant decrease in minutes once Manu is back in the rotation.

[will_spurs]

Also, and unfortunately, Pop is not the type to waive a professional like Bonner who has been with the team for 10 years now.

I don't know about that. PATFO had no qualms sending Bruce Bowen away to be waived by Milwaukee to get Richard Jefferson.

[ceperez]

Simmons has been a dumpster fire recently, really on both ends. He hasn't done enough to get cut, but he's definitely been the worst player on the team besides Bonner and McCallum.

Actually, Boban has been worse. At least Simmons has played in the regular rotation, Boban has come in only in garbage time.

We certainly don't want to can Boban for Martin.

[ceperez]

I don't know about that. PATFO had no qualms sending Bruce Bowen away to be waived by Milwaukee to get Richard Jefferson.

Exactly... the had no qualms about Bruce even worse, they didn't bother to signing him up when he was waived. So let's not assume that they won't can Bonner.

[Arcadian]

Simmons has been a dumpster fire recently, really on both ends. He hasn't done enough to get cut, but he's definitely been the worst player on the team besides Bonner and McCallum.

You expect ups and downs from rookies. He's shown a lot of potential. He brings more to the team than Bonner.

[Spur|n|Austin]

If Bonner gets cut, then i see the spurs turning around and signing to him to some sort of coaching position. So that he can stay on the bench.

That would truly be the win-win scenario here.

[ceperez]

That would truly be the win-win scenario here.

Or maybe even front office work.... we just lost Sean Marks.

[daslicer]

A lot of talk about this guy but the spurs still haven't officially signed him yet.

[ChumpDumper]

A lot of talk about this guy but the spurs still haven't officially signed him yet.

They can't, yet.

[Dex]

A lot of talk about this guy but the spurs still haven't officially signed him yet.

This is how we roll.

[TheGreatYacht]

As a Stretch 4:
Butler > Bonner

As a player:
Butler > Bonner

Cut him. This ain't a charity, Spurs don't owe him anything. They already kept him in the league 9 years too long

[Chinook]

You expect ups and downs from rookies. He's shown a lot of potential. He brings more to the team than Bonner.

Definitely. Don't want him cut for Martin. But he definitely lost his spot fair and square.

[Hoops Czar]

You expect ups and downs from rookies. He's shown a lot of potential. He brings more to the team than Bonner.

In fairness, he'll be 27 before the start of next season. There may be a small bit of upside still to come but what you're seeing is who he is. He's basically the 2016 version of Malik Hairston.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Simmons has been a dumpster fire recently, really on both ends. He hasn't done enough to get cut, but he's definitely been the worst player on the team besides Bonner and McCallum.

He's shooting 43% for the month and had one game where he was actually bad defensively against Utah and got pulled. Prior to that he was getting steady minutes for months. Teams have adjusted to how he likes to drive to the hoop and he tries to force the issue. Hardly a dumpster fire but I'm not surprised that you are using a ty analogy as opposed to talking about what he's been doing on the court.

Last time I checked, you suck at predicting what the front office is actually doing --you couldn't figure out LMA for example-- and they have not made an announcement. And I am also not surprised you are once again going after one of Spursfans favorite players or one we're excited about.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

In fairness, he'll be 27 before the start of next season. There may be a small bit of upside still to come but what you're seeing is who he is. He's basically the 2016 version of Malik Hairston.

If you compare him to other players that didn't wander the CBA wilderness it looks hopeless. I prefer to compare apples to apples. He is not your typical NBA prospect. Spurs are full of guys like him and why they are able to stay ahead of the curve: player development.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Definitely. Don't want him cut for Martin. But he definitely lost his spot fair and square.

Lost what?

If you're talking about KA in the short term getting more minutes then sure but you are peddling this like he got relegated to the end of the bench. It's been one game that he's been in the doghouse since he was undisciplined vs Utah. You are just fearmongering at this point.

[Spurs9]

I wish wojtek would break the scoop soon.

[timtonymanu]

I wish wojtek would break the scoop soon.

There won't be any announcement probably until Friday morning.

[Twisted_Dawg]

As a Stretch 4:
Butler > Bonner

As a player:
Butler > Bonner

Cut him. This ain't a charity, Spurs don't owe him anything. They already kept him in the league 9 years too long

^^^^ Right here, this^^^^^