Roster - Remaining Spots

[ceperez]

Pretty much every Spurs prospect come to SA at some point every off-season. Hanga and Bertans have been each of the last four years. Richards used to come before he and the team seemingly had a fall out. LJC was in Vegas last off-season, even though he didn't play in the summer league. Dangubic was in SA last off-season, and I'm sure he'll be in some time in during the summer (probably when he gets cut from the national team). The Spurs have practices and meetings with them to come up with a gameplan for the following year. It's not a strange thing at all. In fact, if the Spurs decide to stash Milutinov, he and the Spurs have to sign a release so that he cap hold goes away. Makes sense to do that while he's in SA.

I guess I was just comparing the behavior with another center (i.e. Splitter), that never showed up.

Anyway, just watching this video:



Not a lot of lift, but he seems to be a serviceable big. Seems much quicker than Splitter. Also passes well from different angles.

A Spurs center must know how to pass... Baynes could never figure this one out.

[Chinook]

I guess I was just comparing the behavior with another center (i.e. Splitter), that never showed up.

Anyway, just watching this video:



Not a lot of lift, but he seems to be a serviceable big. Seems much quicker than Splitter. Also passes well from different angles.

Do you know that Splitter didn't show up? He grew up a huge fan of Duncan, so I doubt that he was giving the team the cold shoulder. Mind you, Tiago was already an established player in Europe when he got drafted. Like Manu in 1999, he wasn't a star over there like he would eventually be, but he was making good money and was under a long-term contract. I don't think Milutinov is in the same boat.

[BD24]

Milutinov moves much better than I thought he would. I was expecting him to move like his feet were in molasses. There is also the tweet that he has put on 25 pounds since this video, if thats true thats a really good sign. That would point to him having some great work ethic, if we are assuming most of that weight is muscle he has been working his butt off. He could be nba ready sooner than we thought.

Although I was angry with the pick at the time this makes me a bit more hopeful that he could pan out as a semi decent roll player.

[BillMc]

Do you know that Splitter didn't show up? He grew up a huge fan of Duncan, so I doubt that he was giving the team the cold shoulder. Mind you, Tiago was already an established player in Europe when he got drafted. Like Manu in 1999, he wasn't a star over there like he would eventually be, but he was making good money and was under a long-term contract. I don't think Milutinov is in the same boat.

He'd be a cheaper 5th big than Bonner with (hopefully) more future. But they may not want him wasting away on the bench, when he could get regular minutes in Europe

[SpursSerb]

Milutinov is not even playing in the summer league. He will be with the national team all summer. Considering that it's really hard to expect him in the spurs jersey next season.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

I wonder if being around Tony and Boris might bring the best out of Seraphin? He has shown flashes of potential, especially a couple of years ago for about 20 games near then end of the season. Fallback position for the minimum?

[ceperez]

Milutinov moves much better than I thought he would. I was expecting him to move like his feet were in molasses. There is also the tweet that he has put on 25 pounds since this video, if thats true thats a really good sign. That would point to him having some great work ethic, if we are assuming most of that weight is muscle he has been working his butt off. He could be nba ready sooner than we thought.

Although I was angry with the pick at the time this makes me a bit more hopeful that he could pan out as a semi decent roll player.

Agree.... he is quicker that I had thought he would be.

He isn't going to be a dominating center, but he looks like he will be good enough as a role player. Splitter also doesn't look impressive, but had enough quickness to be effective enough.

The question here is, will the Spurs find a center (actually they need 2 of them) to fill in the gap.

[Chinook]

Milutinov is not even playing in the summer league. He will be with the national team all summer. Considering that it's really hard to expect him in the spurs jersey next season.

I mean, that's not the rarest thing in the world. He had NT obligations first, and the Spurs aren't going to disrupt those without even knowing if they want him to come over. But I don't think that will be a determining factor. He may possibly be the best fourth or fifth big they can find for the money. If that's the case, they may bring him over. Part of this visit will be determining if they think he can help this season and if being overseas will develop him as much as being in the d-league. This isn't a normal year where the Spurs don't have the roster spot to carry a project.

[ceperez]

I wonder if being around Tony and Boris might bring the best out of Seraphin? He has shown flashes of potential, especially a couple of years ago for about 20 games near then end of the season. Fallback position for the minimum?

Seraphin isn't going to take the minimum.
He isn't that tall.
He doesn't know how to pass.
He is unreliable taking a mid-range shot.
He isn't very creating shooting down at the low post.

I say pass.

[Darkwaters]

He'd be a cheaper 5th big than Bonner with (hopefully) more future. But they may not want him wasting away on the bench, when he could get regular minutes in Europe

Bonner has a ton of value to this team as a fifth big. His corporate knowledge is immense and hes proven that hes more than capable of riding the bench until needed and stepping in at a moment's notice. With the team scrambling for any cheap depth I'm not sure how you don't sign Bonner to a one year minimum deal.

[Beaverfuzz]

JEREMY LIN!

[ceperez]

Bonner has a ton of value to this team as a fifth big. His corporate knowledge is immense and hes proven that hes more than capable of riding the bench until needed and stepping in at a moment's notice. With the team scrambling for any cheap depth I'm not sure how you don't sign Bonner to a one year minimum deal.

I am all for Bonner signing up with a similar deal as last year. What a bargain, I guy that can spread the floor and provide knowledge on the floor.

He's coming back, I guarantee it!

[Chinook]

Bonner has a ton of value to this team as a fifth big. His corporate knowledge is immense and hes proven that hes more than capable of riding the bench until needed and stepping in at a moment's notice. With the team scrambling for any cheap depth I'm not sure how you don't sign Bonner to a one year minimum deal.

Well first because the Spurs don't even have a fourth big yet. Bonner as a rotation player is disastrous. Even if the Spurs sign West, Bonner shouldn't be the fifth big, as that is ideally suited for a fringe-rotation center (like Udoh or Withey) as opposed to a four. The Spurs have plenty of options at PF. If the team secures a legitimate center to back up Duncan, Bonner makes sense. But he has to be the absolute lowest priority now. Maybe even behind Ayres.

[Mr. Body]

I'm feeling Milutinov may be the guy as backup C, especially if they pick up West. Sooner than they'd like, maybe, but he has a lot of promising tools.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Seraphin isn't going to take the minimum.
He isn't that tall.
He doesn't know how to pass.
He is unreliable taking a mid-range shot.
He isn't very creating shooting down at the low post.

I say pass.

Last resort only then.

I'm also intrigued by what the Spurs could make of Casspi.

And I agree with those who'd like to keep CoJo if Manu retires. I'd like to keep him whatever happens, but we can't afford him in a lot of scenarios from what I've read.

[SpursSerb]

I mean, that's not the rarest thing in the world. He had NT obligations first, and the Spurs aren't going to disrupt those without even knowing if they want him to come over. But I don't think that will be a determining factor. He may possibly be the best fourth or fifth big they can find for the money. If that's the case, they may bring him over. Part of this visit will be determining if they think he can help this season and if being overseas will develop him as much as being in the d-league. This isn't a normal year where the Spurs don't have the roster spot to carry a project.

We'll see. He is coming back in Belgrade on 12th and then he will decide with Partizans management his future. H

[100%duncan]

Bonner should just go to the FO tbh. Sign west and ellington for vet mins. Get milutinov to play 5th big. Resign manu. Keep patty.

TD/Milutinov
LMA/West/Bobo
Kawhi/KA/ellington
DG/Manu
TP/Mills/Cojo

[ceperez]

Last resort only then.

I'm also intrigued by what the Spurs could make of Casspi.

And I agree with those who'd like to keep CoJo if Manu retires. I'd like to keep him whatever happens, but we can't afford him in a lot of scenarios from what I've read.

Casspi has got length and can shoot.
Unfortunately, he isn't going to take the minimum. Not expecting him in the team.

Cojo... Spurs can't afford him. He's good as gone. Further, he never knows how to set up the offense after 3 years with the Spurs.

I'll take my chances with Anderson setting up the offense over CoJo.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Bonner has a ton of value to this team as a fifth big. His corporate knowledge is immense and hes proven that hes more than capable of riding the bench until needed and stepping in at a moment's notice. With the team scrambling for any cheap depth I'm not sure how you don't sign Bonner to a one year minimum deal.

I'm sure he will be. He's also clearly a great locker room guy, and kinda has "player mascot" status. If he's not playing I hope he's a development coach.

[SpursFan86]

Can you imagine what this place would be like if the Spurs just re-sign Bonner and Ayres to be the 4th and 5th bigs?

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

There Will Be Blood

[ceperez]

Bonner should just go to the FO tbh. Sign west and ellington for vet mins. Get milutinov to play 5th big. Resign manu. Keep patty.

TD/Milutinov
LMA/West/Bobo
Kawhi/KA
DG/Manu
TP/Mills/Cojo

I don't know about a 20 year old being the backup center. From the looks of it, Spurs aren't playing with a center this year.

Here is what I think is likely this year:

Parker / Mills
Green/ Ginobili / Eddie
Leonard / Anderson
Aldridge / Diaw
Duncan / West / Bonner

The team's problem is lack of centers and the loss of 3 point shooting.

I would try to get Rashard Lewis if he's healthy.

Lalanne may have some value but probably at 13th man.

Jeremy Lin if he'll sign the minimum and Manu isn't available.

[CGD]

Can you imagine what this place would be like if the Spurs just re-sign Bonner and Ayres to be the 4th and 5th bigs?

And that would confirm the Spursfan spoiled brat narrative, in a summer that saw them sign two of the top 3 free agents in the market, and get a of a deal on the top 3D guy available.

[ceperez]

Can you imagine what this place would be like if the Spurs just re-sign Bonner and Ayres to be the 4th and 5th bigs?

I would hate to see Ayres coming back. However, no other team seems to be interested in his services and 'he's gotten over himself'. So I wouldn't be surprised!

[100%duncan]

I don't know about a 20 year old being the backup center. From the looks of it, Spurs aren't playing with a center this year.

Here is what I think is likely this year:

Parker / Mills
Green/ Ginobili / Eddie
Leonard / Anderson
Aldridge / Diaw
Duncan / West / Bonner

The team's problem is lack of centers and the loss of 3 point shooting.

I would try to get Rashard Lewis if he's healthy.

Lalanne may have some value but probably at 13th man.

Jeremy Lin if he'll sign the minimum and Manu isn't available.

Why? It's a low risk high reward type of move since we cant really sign any big or no one would come and sit in the bemch for the vet min. Again assuming Bonner goes into the FO. Gotta start em young as long as his body is nba ready. Hes got the summer to improve