Russell Westbrook TO SPURS?

[JPB]

Quick question...really don't know where exactly to ask it...

...what happens when we don't get Wenbanyama? Do we keep tanking? Pray a reasonably good FA signs here? Hope that all of these mid and late first round picks turn into a contender?

We're putting a lot of eggs in one basket and a town that became used to winning for most of the team's 50 years of existence won't stand for an extended period of losing based on praying to land another once in a lifetime talent. Tanking is stupid and rarely works, but this is a time where it's realistic to try.

But after that? Then what? Say we get a top 5 talent, if we're lucky (let's be real, we're gonna end up with something worthless like the 7th pick), we'll still suck unless we're very lucky.

Luck is a stupid way to plan. And even 2-3 years of packing it in before the season even starts is more than enough fuel to help move the Spurs to Austin.

I don't see any bright light at the end of this tunnel and it seems it's either Wenbanyama or a decade of futility.

That's why anti-tankers keep saying you have statiscally as much chances to become a contender by tanking than not for a team like SA...

Problem is we got Tim like that and fans always want to imagine for the better... Hope always sell. What if we got Victor... Yeah but what if not? I mean Wesley might end up as spurs best pick when everything is said and done and he was the 25th...

It's possible that spurs get a frnachise player lke that but they got one at 15 a few years ago by trading a late first one... Are we ready to be bottom feeders for years?

[spurraider21]

its absolutely stunning to me that " helping the lakers " is a legitimate consideration of some people here when it comes to making the move

its one thing if you dont think using up 40 mil in cap room for 1 unprotected first is simply not good enough. can agree to disagree there (though what else would you do with that cap space on a team going into a tank/rebuild year?). but wtf is this nonsense of basing decisions on spite?

you'd rather the spurs and lakers both be vs spurs and lakers both being good?

[exstatic]

We all know how miraculously the Lakers get lottery picks despite the odds, how a unlikely trade like Gasol revitalized them (I’m just not sure of the CP3 trade getting vetoed). My point is, of all the franchises the Lakers have the best chances of rebuilding, as you said because they’re in LA and it’s hollywood. In 5 or 7 years, I doubt that FRP would be a lottery. Just imo.

Anyways, I rather the Spurs go the CHA route. Trade them Poeltl for picks or Hayward and Kai, whatever. Hayward at least they can still convert to a FRP maybe next year, if possible.

They don’t own a pick until 2027, currently, so their lottery luck is immaterial. That pick and the 2029 will likely be outgoing in this deal, so we’re talking 2031 until Laker lottery luck matters.

Hayward would have to be a straight salary dump. That’s how he’s viewed health and contract wise around the league. You don’t send them an asset like Jakob for him. They send you multiple FRPs to take that deal.

Kai is a nothing burger. His college stats for two years were meh, his gleague stats were meh, and his NBA stats were hot garbage. As far as I can tell, he’s a tall black guy, and I may be wrong about that.

[John B]

would you rather the spurs get an extra first round pick in 2027 or not get an extra first round pick in 2027? which of those scenarios is better for the spurs?

mcdermott would absolutely not fetch a first on his own. not with 2 years on his deal. richardson probably would, but certainly not an unprotected one.

Again… that unprotected FRP that you kept on saying is most likely a late 1st round given Lakers miraculously rebuilding faster than any other franchise. They’re the Los Angeles ing Lakers, the NBA logo donned that jersey. J-Rich FRP would likely be the same minus 47 mil.

[exstatic]

For me, Westbrook is just a sacrifice too far... literally my least favorite player in the league, and I think buying him out for so many millions would be such a bad look for an historically frugal team that prides itself on all of the supposed character stuff. Tim Duncan busted his ass for two decades successfully competing against a Laker franchise that outspent the Spurs nearly every season of his career, so helping the Lakers and dropping $40mil or so in return for one FRP just doesn't add up in my eyes.

The have to spend 90% of the cap, whether it’s Westbrook or some other player(s) we cut. When teams salary dump players, there’s a reason. They’re injured or washed or otherwise in-useful, and it’s folly to keep them on your roster.

The pick will also be unprotected, or there will be no deal. Unprotected picks are more valuable than top4 protected, and probably twice as valuable as lottery protected picks.

[John B]

They don’t own a pick until 2027, currently, so their lottery luck is immaterial. That pick and the 2029 will likely be outgoing in this deal, so we’re talking 2031 until Laker lottery luck matters.

Hayward would have to be a straight salary dump. That’s how he’s viewed health and contract wise around the league. You don’t send them an asset like Jakob for him. They send you multiple FRPs to take that deal.

Kai is a nothing burger. His college stats for two years were meh, his gleague stats were meh, and his NBA stats were hot garbage. As far as I can tell, he’s a tall black guy, and I may be wrong about that.

Damn 2031 unprotected? And if you’re saying is right about Hayward, then even better. Send us multiple FRP’s for his corpse.

[exstatic]

Again… that unprotected FRP that you kept on saying is most likely a late 1st round given Lakers miraculously rebuilding faster than any other franchise. They’re the Los Angeles ing Lakers, the NBA logo donned that jersey. J-Rich FRP would likely be the same minus 47 mil.

You’re not an nba history buff. Even with our recent downturn of the last 3 years, LA has missed the playoffs more times since 2013 (8) than we have in the history of the Spurs (7). They’re foundering, and they’re ed when LeBron moves on.

[exstatic]

Damn 2031 unprotected? And if you’re saying is right about Hayward, then even better. Send us multiple FRP’s for his corpse.

Can’t do both. LA or CHA.

[spurraider21]

Again… that unprotected FRP that you kept on saying is most likely a late 1st round given Lakers miraculously rebuilding faster than any other franchise. They’re the Los Angeles ing Lakers, the NBA logo donned that jersey. J-Rich FRP would likely be the same minus 47 mil.

you realize that the lakers had 6 consecutive years in the lottery leading up to the 18-19 season? including 3 consecutive years landing the #2 overall pick?

by 2027 lebron would be 43 and retired. anthony davis would be 34 and broken down. kyrie would be 35.

the lakers owe the pelicans a pick swap in 2023 and dont have their first round pick in 2024. they will not have ammuniton to get better.

[exstatic]

you realize that the lakers had 6 consecutive years in the lottery leading up to the 18-19 season? including 3 consecutive years landing the #2 overall pick?

by 2027 lebron would be 43 and retired. anthony davis would be 34 and broken down. kyrie would be 35.

the lakers owe the pelicans a pick swap in 2023 and dont have their first round pick in 2024. they will not have ammuniton to get better.

Everything is at least a pick swap up to 2027. The Kyrie/Russ deal would probably be 2027 unprot, 2028 swap, 2029 unprot to SA and BKN, with us getting one of the FRPs, an Brooklyn the other and the swap. That’s as far out as LA can trade picks.

[John B]

Can’t do both. LA or CHA.

Yup I think most posters here and fans would rather Spurs take Hayward than Westbrook, Hornets over Lakers.

[RC_Drunkford]

Quick question...really don't know where exactly to ask it...

...what happens when we don't get Wenbanyama? Do we keep tanking? Pray a reasonably good FA signs here? Hope that all of these mid and late first round picks turn into a contender?

We're putting a lot of eggs in one basket and a town that became used to winning for most of the team's 50 years of existence won't stand for an extended period of losing based on praying to land another once in a lifetime talent. Tanking is stupid and rarely works, but this is a time where it's realistic to try.

But after that? Then what? Say we get a top 5 talent, if we're lucky (let's be real, we're gonna end up with something worthless like the 7th pick), we'll still suck unless we're very lucky.

Luck is a stupid way to plan. And even 2-3 years of packing it in before the season even starts is more than enough fuel to help move the Spurs to Austin.

I don't see any bright light at the end of this tunnel and it seems it's either Wenbanyama or a decade of futility.

the 2023 draft is one of the best drafts in years. There are more potential franchise players in that draft than just Wembanyama. Ideally the Spurs get another 2023 pick from another team for Poeltl or J-Rich to draft a guy who could be a 2nd option. Their record should be bad enough to be able to get a top 5 pick and draft that franchise player the team is missing. Since that player will most likely be 19 years old it will take about 3 years for him to make a significant leap. In the meantime collect more picks. By 2026 the Spurs could be back on their way to a top 8 seed and by 2025 the collected draft picks plus swaps will hit until 2028. That means if the Spurs are a playoff team by then they would have assets for a trade or get lucky to get another one of those picks/swaps in the lottery to add more talent to the roster. Seems like a pretty good plan to me.

I think the goal here is to draft their next home grown big 3 that can stay together with the main part of the young core to build another long term contender

[baseline bum]

Quick question...really don't know where exactly to ask it...

...what happens when we don't get Wenbanyama? Do we keep tanking? Pray a reasonably good FA signs here? Hope that all of these mid and late first round picks turn into a contender?

We're putting a lot of eggs in one basket and a town that became used to winning for most of the team's 50 years of existence won't stand for an extended period of losing based on praying to land another once in a lifetime talent. Tanking is stupid and rarely works, but this is a time where it's realistic to try.

But after that? Then what? Say we get a top 5 talent, if we're lucky (let's be real, we're gonna end up with something worthless like the 7th pick), we'll still suck unless we're very lucky.

Luck is a stupid way to plan. And even 2-3 years of packing it in before the season even starts is more than enough fuel to help move the Spurs to Austin.

I don't see any bright light at the end of this tunnel and it seems it's either Wenbanyama or a decade of futility.

Not really putting their eggs in one basket, as even in the best case it's an 86% chance they don't get Wenbanyama. Think it's more about assuring themselves of high picks so they can take a few swings at high talent and high ceiling guys that they just aren't able to do drafting around #10 every year.

[Leetonidas]

Quick question...really don't know where exactly to ask it...

...what happens when we don't get Wenbanyama? Do we keep tanking? Pray a reasonably good FA signs here? Hope that all of these mid and late first round picks turn into a contender?

We're putting a lot of eggs in one basket and a town that became used to winning for most of the team's 50 years of existence won't stand for an extended period of losing based on praying to land another once in a lifetime talent. Tanking is stupid and rarely works, but this is a time where it's realistic to try.

But after that? Then what? Say we get a top 5 talent, if we're lucky (let's be real, we're gonna end up with something worthless like the 7th pick), we'll still suck unless we're very lucky.

Luck is a stupid way to plan. And even 2-3 years of packing it in before the season even starts is more than enough fuel to help move the Spurs to Austin.

I don't see any bright light at the end of this tunnel and it seems it's either Wenbanyama or a decade of futility.

It doesn't have to be him. Spurs will likely end with at worst a top 5 pick in the draft where the real talent lies. I mean Memphis missed out on the "generational prospect" and are actually better for it. So regardless the only way to add top tier talent is to suck for a couple years

[John B]

the 2023 draft is one of the best drafts in years. There are more potential franchise players in that draft than just Wembanyama. Ideally the Spurs get another 2023 pick from another team for Poeltl or J-Rich to draft a guy who could be a 2nd option. Their record should be bad enough to be able to get a top 5 pick and draft that franchise player the team is missing. Since that player will most likely be 19 years old it will take about 3 years for him to make a significant leap. In the meantime collect more picks. By 2026 the Spurs could be back on their way to a top 8 seed and by 2025 the collected draft picks plus swaps will hit until 2028. That means if the Spurs are a playoff team by then they would have assets for a trade or get lucky to get another one of those picks/swaps in the lottery to add more talent to the roster. Seems like a pretty good plan to me.

I think the goal here is to draft their next home grown big 3 that can stay together with the main part of the young core to build another long term contender

They could’ve done that 4 years ago and would be in the 5th year phase this season. But well

[RC_Drunkford]

They could’ve done that 4 years ago and would be in the 5th year phase this season. But well

blame Pop chasing his record for that

[baseline bum]

Also luck is how the Spurs ever got any good:

1. Luck in the Viriginia Squires selling them Ice
2. Luck in winning the lottery in 1987
3. Luck in winning the lottery in 1997
4. Luck in Manu Ginobili going from a guy who hit a bunch of threes when the Spurs were scouting someone else out at the game to a top player in Euroleague

Also lots of luck in winning the lottery in 87 when David was the man to draft as opposed to 86 when it would have been Brad Daugherty, or 90 when it would have been Derrick Coleman. Same for 97.

[exstatic]

Quick question...really don't know where exactly to ask it...

...what happens when we don't get Wenbanyama? Do we keep tanking? Pray a reasonably good FA signs here? Hope that all of these mid and late first round picks turn into a contender?

We're putting a lot of eggs in one basket and a town that became used to winning for most of the team's 50 years of existence won't stand for an extended period of losing based on praying to land another once in a lifetime talent. Tanking is stupid and rarely works, but this is a time where it's realistic to try.

But after that? Then what? Say we get a top 5 talent, if we're lucky (let's be real, we're gonna end up with something worthless like the 7th pick), we'll still suck unless we're very lucky.

Luck is a stupid way to plan. And even 2-3 years of packing it in before the season even starts is more than enough fuel to help move the Spurs to Austin.

I don't see any bright light at the end of this tunnel and it seems it's either Wenbanyama or a decade of futility.

If you’re THE WORST ING TEAM IN THE NBA, you only have a 14% chance at Wemby.

Rebuilding is hard, but stockpiling FRPs, some unprotected, is the way to go.

[Leetonidas]

If the Spurs have a top 3 worst record then they are at worst guaranteed the #5 pick. I'll take that over fighting for 32 wins and a play in exit for the 12th pick again any day. Jaden Ivey was 5th this year. we'd all feel much better if we had a prospect like him on the roster. the spurs dont even have to tank to do it, their roster is poor enough that they can lose games while still developing their young players

[offset formation]

Hasn't Westbrook been a terrible finisher at the rim most of his career?

He blows quite a few because he never mastered the touch he needed while going 3 million miles an hour. But he dunked quite a bit and had a decent amount of finishes in transition. Lots of easy points. He'd have games where his little corner bankshot was on and also hit 2 or 3 threes out of 8 or something too. But it's almost always the easy points for him and the FT resulting from crashing hard that fueled his scoring.

[TD 21]

He'd almost certainly want a buyout, but I'm not sure anyone would sign him immediately, especially since he's most likely still not at the point where he'd be willing to accept being a 6th man.

So presuming the Spurs were amendable to him playing for them at least through the trade deadline (between the gaping hole at PG, lack of box office appeal and his need to be on his best behavior to try to rehabilitate his reputation/value as much as possible, they might be), it'd be either that or sit at home hoping some treadmill or better team has their PG suffer a season ending injury and gets desperate.

If the Spurs have a top 3 worst record then they are at worst guaranteed the #5 pick. I'll take that over fighting for 32 wins and a play in exit for the 12th pick again any day. Jaden Ivey was 5th this year. we'd all feel much better if we had a prospect like him on the roster. the spurs dont even have to tank to do it, their roster is poor enough that they can lose games while still developing their young players

Nah, they'd need to finish with the worst record to guarantee a top 5 pick, but I agree with the rest.

I'd be surprised if they haven't found a higher ceiling offensive player than Murray within' two years.

[Leetonidas]

He'd almost certainly want a buyout, but I'm not sure anyone would sign him immediately, especially since he's most likely still not at the point where he'd be willing to accept being a 6th man.

So presuming the Spurs were amendable to him playing for them at least through the trade deadline (between the gaping hole at PG, lack of box office appeal and his need to be on his best behavior to try to rehabilitate his reputation/value as much as possible, they might be), it'd be either that or sit at home hoping some treadmill or better team has their PG suffer a season ending injury and gets desperate.



Nah, they'd need to finish with the worst record to guarantee a top 5 pick, but I agree with the rest.

I'd be surprised if they haven't found a higher ceiling offensive player than Murray within' two years.

ah, you're right, my bad. Spurs are projected to have the worst record in the league this year though. regardless, the odds are in our favor for a top 5 pick. people just need to let it play out. i mean, what was the alternative anyway? we probably still miss the playoffs even with Murray and clearly Phx was always going to match Ayton so unless we're going to sell the farm to trade for Gobert we don't really have many options

[Chomag]

If we really must take a high contract to waive, why not Hayward?

[baseline bum]

He blows quite a few because he never mastered the touch he needed while going 3 million miles an hour. But he dunked quite a bit and had a decent amount of finishes in transition. Lots of easy points. He'd have games where his little corner bankshot was on and also hit 2 or 3 threes out of 8 or something too. But it's almost always the easy points for him and the FT resulting from crashing hard that fueled his scoring.

Didn't he have one of the league worst shooting percentages at the rim though? Could swear I saw a video from BBallBreakdown or something showing that back when he was still on OKC.

[exstatic]

If we really must take a high contract to waive, why not Haywood?

Because CHA isn’t in a corner like the Lakers are. They don’t have a demanding HOF Diva calling that shots. They don’t even yet see Hayward as a salary dump candidate. They’re light years from even considering an unprotected FRP as a chip in the pot.