Spurs Waive Rasual Butler

[ElNono]

Explain to me the humor in this situation.

IMO, it's hilarious Jeff wrote an entire piece on why Butler stuck with the Spurs (pro's pro and always ready), only to get it completely invalidated two weeks later...

[SAGirl]

The team in general struggles from 3, especially compared to last year. Bonner over Butler should not surprise anybody.

I just wish we had waived Butler before the deadline, for his sake. After all, in a much bigger "gamble" we waived Splitter in hopes of landing LMA.

I just knew it as soon as Bonner got healthy and started raining 3s he wasn't getting cut. Spurs must see Rocket in practice and knew he had the shot. I nostradamused that last night.

[Dex]

Hopefully, the Spurs offer Butler some sort of assistant or player development position, even if it is in the short term.

I know the guy was just an end of the bench, veteran minimum player....but he wasn't your average one. He's a seasoned veteran who probably felt blessed to finally have a real chance at a ring, and did things the right way the whole time he was here. He also seemed close to several guys in the locker room, particularly West. Something tells me it won't sit well with those guys to see him totally shown the door.

I know it's not exactly what Butler would have wanted, but if he could at least be staff and assist with practices, he could still legitimately earn a ring...instead of getting a pity ring if the Spurs do manage to get through Golden State.

[RD2191]

Matt Bonner has hit like one meaningful 3 in his career. Just that guy. Hopefully he snaps an ankle soon.

[.G.]

Saulboutdatcorporateknowledge

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Well not only did the Spurs feel Martin is better than Butler..

But you can add Houston, Dallas and Atlanta.

Or pretty much any GM that actually makes these decisions and not just post on "SpursTalk"

No one was arguing otherwise with respect to Butler vs. Martin.

They are, however, arguing Bonner should have been cut before Butler.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

It's regrettable how things ended with Butler, but this was the right move.

Keeping Butler around would've given us a veritable logjam at the wing. There aren't enough minutes to go around for 7 SG / SF's.

Also, unknown to most people is that Bonner has played extremely well in his limited minutes this season, shooting 55% from 3 and posting an RPM of +1.39. Butler, on the other hand, has been a net negative, with an RPM of -0.87.

Bonner occupies a niche as a shooting big, which is useful in certain matchup situations (e.g. Serge Ibaka). He's also a beloved presence in the locker room and in the broader San Antonio community, and contributes so many intangibles that lie beyond the basketball court.

It's difficult to waive Butler this late in the season, but keeping Bonner over Butler is absolutely the right move.

The regular season has never been a problem for Bonner. It's the playoffs where his percentages dip by 20% and opposing teams just leave him wide ass open that is the problem

[Mugen]

I like Rasual, wish him well. He's a pro so he knows the deal tbh.

[gameFACE]

It really didn't matter to me whether it was Bonner or Butler. But it's always entertaining to see how strong an umbilical cord connection some fans have to a player that won't make a difference anyway

I just hope Kevin Martin isn't Tracy McGrady revisited.

[Mugen]

The regular season has never been a problem for Bonner. It's the playoffs where his percentages dip by 20% and opposing teams just leave him wide ass open that is the problem

The first part of your statement is correct. The second part, not so much. Bonner still drew attention (see OKC in 2014).

Regardless, neither Bonner or Butler were going to see much playoff time barring injury.

[sasaint]

I just knew it as soon as Bonner got healthy and started raining 3s he wasn't getting cut. Spurs must see Rocket in practice and knew he had the shot. I nostradamused that last night.

. I saw your Nostradamus post. Good call. I do wish they had done it before the deadline, though. Plus the length of time since the announcement about adding KMart still puzzles me.

[SpurPadre]

The first part of your statement is correct. The second part, not so much. Bonner still drew attention (see OKC in 2014).

Regardless, neither Bonner or Butler were going to see much playoff time barring injury.

His role then continues to be overblown to the point of myth. Diaw getting more minutes in that series was the REAL difference maker.

[gambit1990]

damn, that. i hope the spurs add him to the staff. at least for the rest of the season.

[ChumpDumper]

Too bad.

[coachmac87]

No one was arguing otherwise with respect to Butler vs. Martin.

They are, however, arguing Bonner should have been cut before Butler.

You must've never heard of The Great Chinook..

[cd98]

People are making too much of this. He played well here for a 36 year old but we'll be okay with losing his 1.2 points a game. Remember the Spurs tried to get Butler in years past and he always shunned them for other teams, like the Clippers and the Wizards. So Spurs cut him so they could sign Martin. I do that deal in a sec. So long, Butler, we hardly saw you play.

[TheMulletMan3000]

, I wasn't prepared for this

[sasaint]

People are making too much of this. He played well here for a 36 year old but we'll be okay with losing his 1.2 points a game. Remember the Spurs tried to get Butler in years past and he always shunned them for other teams, like the Clippers and the Wizards. So Spurs cut him so they could sign Martin. I do that deal in a sec. So long, Butler, we hardly saw you play.

I was not aware we pursued him in the past. (Good one, Johnny )

[TDomination]

It really didn't matter to me whether it was Bonner or Butler. But it's always entertaining to see how strong an umbilical cord connection some fans have to a player that won't make a difference anyway

I just hope Kevin Martin isn't Tracy McGrady revisited.

Kevin Martin has already done better then Mcgrady did in the year he came with the Spurs. If i recall correctly, Mcgrady didn't play that entire year when we signed him.

Martin has already had several 20+ games with the Wolves this year and he looks in great shape. He's gonna be a factor.

[DesignatedT]

It's a business. Boo in hoo. Butler will make $1,500,000 this season from the Spurs.

[SAGirl]

. I saw your Nostradamus post. Good call. I do wish they had done it before the deadline, though. Plus the length of time since the announcement about adding KMart still puzzles me.

Actually Nono' s article made me think both Ray and Butler might have been notified through their agents that the Spurs were looking to make a move. I suppose Rasual himself could have asked to be waived if there were other teams interested, but he might have decided of his own accord to wait out. There was a chance the Martin deal doesn't go through in time and his agent would have known if there was interest in him. Again his 31% from 3 didn't help.

[SpurPadre]

People are making too much of this. He played well here for a 36 year old but we'll be okay with losing his 1.2 points a game. Remember the Spurs tried to get Butler in years past and he always shunned them for other teams, like the Clippers and the Wizards. So Spurs cut him so they could sign Martin. I do that deal in a sec. So long, Butler, we hardly saw you play.

It's more of an ethical issue that people rightfully have a problem with, tbh.

[TDfan2007]

Sucks, but the guy will still get paid. Still not sold on Kevin Martin over him. Butler is an underrated defender with deceptive athleticism.

[Obi Juan Kenobi]

It's more of an ethical issue that people rightfully have a problem with, tbh.

[cd98]

It's more of an ethical issue that people rightfully have a problem with, tbh.

Ethical? Spurs pick the person they think is best to be on the roster. There are no guarantees to be on the team. Butler was paid. What are the ethical issues? You like Butler more than Bonner? Well, Pop and RC thought it was more important to have Bonner. Nothing ethical about that.