Bonner played a lot of time at small forward in Toronto. He has to have some footspeed to do that.
I'm not saying he's a Bruce Bowen or anything, but I think he's going to be a nice addition and a Spur for a long time.
I can admit I don't know everything and I'm open to being persuaded otherwise...
Okay, so unloading Rasho (starting center) for 2 non-starting, somewhat uni-dimensional role players and a 2nd round pick is good because it saved us money on Rasho's contract??
...and this was the most we could ask for? Sounds like we gave him a avu contract, then, if we saved so much money and the Spurs barely break even for the trouble?
Can you explain more, Kori?
SAN ANTONIO -- The San Antonio Spurs traded center Rasho Nesterovic and cash to the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday for forwards Matt Bonner and Eric Williams and a second-round pick in 2009.
The move creates flexibility for the Spurs on their roster and salary cap.
Rasho Nesterovic
Center
San Antonio Spurs
Profile
2006 SEASON STATISTICS
GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT%
80 4.5 3.9 0.4 .515 .600
The 30-year-old Nesterovic has $23.5 million and three years left on his contract, while Bonner and Williams are entering the final year of their contracts. They could be traded again to teams hoping to open cap room next summer or the Spurs could keep them and enjoy that luxury themselves in 2007.
Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo is eager to put the 7-foot, 255-pound Nesterovic in the middle alongside blossoming forward Chris Bosh.
"He's a smart basketball player who will help address our needs, particularly on the defensive end of the floor," Colangelo said.
Nesterovic signed with San Antonio three summers ago with the unenviable task of replacing David Robinson -- numerically, that is, as no one expected him to live up to the Admiral's standards.
Nesterovic averaged 8.7 points and 7.7 rebounds over 28.7 minutes his first season, then dropped off drastically. He was down to career lows of 4.5 points and 3.9 rebounds this past season, while splitting time with Nazr Mohammed.
Neither center played much in the second-round series against Dallas, which the Spurs lost in seven games. Coach Gregg Popovich used a smaller lineup with forward Robert Horry at center and hinted he might go with that kind of lineup more next season.
This move could be the first step in that direction, with the 6-foot-10 Bonner a candidate to start in the middle.
Mohammed is a free agent, so whether the club tries to re-sign him will be the next indicator. If the Spurs are interested in keeping Mohammed, he might be more willing to listen with Nesterovic out of the way.
Bonner, coming off his second season out of Florida, averaged 7.5 points and 3.6 rebounds last season. He also made 42 percent of his 3-pointers.
"Bonner is a big guy who has the unique ability of knocking down the outside shot, which will help us spread the floor," Spurs general manager R.C. Buford said. "Williams gives us a steady veteran presence and some added depth at the forward position."
Williams, who turns 34 next month, is an 11-year veteran with career averages of 8.8 points and 3.3 rebounds. He played only 28 games last season and averaged a career-low 3.3 points. The Spurs will be his sixth team, fifth in four seasons. He was acquired by Toronto in the deal that sent Vince Carter to New Jersey.
The Raptors also released center Robert Whaley.
apologies if this has already been reported but does this mean we might have more small ball than ever now??
spurs want players they can play in the playoffs rasho hardly played in the playoffs because it was bad matchups
he makes to much to keep around to play in one game out of 5
When did Haslem become a "beast"at the comparisons of Bonner to Haslem. Haslem is a beast. Bonner isn't
good lord.
OOO looky we can make clever little 5th grade nicknames, how CUTE!!!and you said NeVEr wasn't a piece of . I'd say I was closer to right than you were and 99% of the rest of SA would agree
closer than me?
Uh oookey, whatever.
Good trade. AS Buford said it gives them flexibility:
1) These players give potentially more on the court flexibility than Rasho alone, particularly if Williams isn't over the hill a la Van Exel. If he is though they aren't depending on him unless they don't get a long 3.
2) They can turn around and trade their expiring contracts for better players.
3) They'll be more inclined to get players that require long term contracts knowing Rasho is off the books and these guys will be off the books next year
4) they can potentially be big players in the '07 or '08 free agent market.
but somebody explian to me how Bonner is any better a small ball big than Horry even in Horry's advanced state of age.
like i said before in the other thread. I live in toronto and saw bonner play constantly. he's a greathustler and can hit the 3 ball at a decent clip. I'm really happy he's on board in SA, he's a great energy player and we unloaded the biggest thorn in our side financially. I can't see how this trade is anything less than stellar.
Small Ball
Now the Spurs need to go steal some players from the Sonics.
Wilcox can be had via sign and trade.
Lewis, Collison, Ridnour, Fortson, and the young centers can be had via trade.
They are fielding offers for any/all of them.
Let's get Speedy back!
Email this to Pop.
and it gets you a combination of Malik Rose and Danny Ferry.Okay, so unloading Rasho (starting center) for 2 non-starting, somewhat uni-dimensional role players and a 2nd round pick is good because it saved us money on Rasho's contract??
Duh, how is it not?!?!?
Matt Bonner is 26 years old and played a lot at small forward last year. Could Robert Horry survive at small forward for even a week last year? No.but somebody explian to me how Bonner is any better a small ball big than Horry even in Horry's advanced state of age.
He isn't quick or a monster athlete, but he's going to surprise you.
A great sign for Bonner is that in 2004-05 he shot 92 3-pointers and hit 42.4% of them and then in 2005-06 he shot 243 3-pointers and hit 42.0% of them. Good to see that kind of accuracy across seasons and especially with him shooting substantially more in the second season.
The way I see it, the only currency we would be willing to part with that has any value are Barry (back to the Sonics??), Scola, and future draft picks. Who do you see us being able to land?
Edited to add: I forgot about Williams's expiring contract.
For Wilcox? What's Seattle looking for?
I miss rasho a class act all the way! good luck in toronto, But I like this Bonner guy he can shoot, have one of the best shooting percentage for a non superstar, he's tough too, as far as I can remember KG wanted to fight him after a hard foul.
The Spurs now have the flexibility to take back a big contract in a S&T for Mohammed.
Duh -- I forgot about that. Does Seattle want Nazr? Would Nazr want to go to Seattle?
Yeah, Bonner is already a better three-point shooter than Ferry ever was. Having a three-point shot when you are playing next to Tim Duncan is vital. There was no one like that on the free agent market ... but the Spurs found one.
Add to that a mean streak and some toughness and the Spurs got a very good role player for years to come.
Wilcox for S&T of Nazr plus Barry?
Wilcox would be great. Think of Dallas having to play Dirk on Wilcox on D while Diop or Damp covered Duncan.
I wouldn't mind seeing the Spurs make a run at Reggie Evans still.
I don't know exactly. I just know that they are fielding offers for just about everyone on their roster.
They say they'll try to keep Wilcox but aren't going to overpay.
Watson looks like he is going to start over Ridnour and Luke doesn't want to be a backup.
They apparently think that they don't need both of the young centers.
Rashard has a player option for 07-08 and supposedly he doesn't want to stay. So they are looking to trade him now.
Fortson is just dead weight (literally) but has an expiring contract that teams may find enticing.
Nazr is bolting too, so now we have potentially all new people at the center spot. I think this is great news.
That's a lot of dealing to coordinate. Also have forgotten what the rules are on both sides signing and trading players. Not sure that's kosher per the CBA.
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