2013 General Free Agent Signings/News and Trades

[Baam]

Pop won't certainly go after him telling "we want you to play like you did last year". He would tell him that they will ask from him to try more defensively and to be more team oriented offensively. If Beasley isn't fine with that, then he wouldn't sign with Spurs. If Beasley agrees to change his game but it didn't work out for some reasons, Spurs could easily waive him. Anyway, let's see first if Suns waive Beasley.

Regarding the chemistry, I find it's important for Spurs to start this season with a new hope after the heartbreaking loss last year. Spurs have already tweak a little their team with Belinelli and Pendergraph and some players like Leonard, Joseph, De Colo or Baynes might have a bigger impact, but I doubt it's enough. If Spurs players were in the mindset "we looks better than last season", it certainly would help them to start with a fresh mind and not being stuck on last season huge disappointment. That's a reason I why so hard on Spurs FO for not getting Kirilenko, Spurs really needs some new blood to start battling again for a le. I don't want the 2013 run being remember as Ducan's wonderful but very cruel swan song.

I agree wholeheartedly, everyone needs something to get excited about, even the players imo.

The idea of just bringing the same team is depressing no matter how you put it, because 3 of the 4 best players are not going to get any better and are actually likely to become quite a bit worse or to get injured at this point in their careers...

[Spursfanfromafar]

Pop won't certainly go after him telling "we want you to play like you did last year". He would tell him that they will ask from him to try more defensively and to be more team oriented offensively. If Beasley isn't fine with that, then he wouldn't sign with Spurs. If Beasley agrees to change his game but it didn't work out for some reasons, Spurs could easily waive him. Anyway, let's see first if Suns waive Beasley.

Regarding the chemistry, I find it's important for Spurs to start this season with a new hope after the heartbreaking loss last year. Spurs have already tweak a little their team with Belinelli and Pendergraph and some players like Leonard, Joseph, De Colo or Baynes might have a bigger impact, but I doubt it's enough. If Spurs players were in the mindset "we look better than last season", it certainly would help them to start with a fresh mind and not being stuck on last season huge disappointment. That's a reason why I was so hard on Spurs FO for not getting Kirilenko, Spurs really needs some new blood to start battling again for a le. I don't want the 2013 run being remember as Duncan's wonderful but very cruel swan song.

I completely agree that the Spurs should do some tweaks to their bench to try get over the hump again. And I also agree that not getting Kirilenko was a setback and there is indeed a substantial hole in the lineup.

But I don't think Beasley is going to fill that up. Last year, he finished in the last decile in advanced plus/minus in offensive/defensive metrics, generally showed poor at ude and little inclination to improve or reduce his weaknesses (chucking, hardly any defense and so on), and now he has been caught with suspected marijuana after having a history with that already.

Knowing the Spurs, they would be very chary about a character like Beasley and that is why I thought he wasn't going to be a possibility.

[ace3g]

Adrian Wojnarowski @WojYahooNBA
The Knicks and 76ers are showing interest in free agent guard Chris Duhon, league sources tell Y! Sports.

[ace3g]

Adrian Wojnarowski @WojYahooNBA
Free agent guard Lester Hudson worked out for the Knicks today too, league source tells Y! Sports. Hudson played in China last season.

[Vic Petro]

Pop won't certainly go after him telling "we want you to play like you did last year". He would tell him that they will ask from him to try more defensively and to be more team oriented offensively. If Beasley isn't fine with that, then he wouldn't sign with Spurs. If Beasley agrees to change his game but it didn't work out for some reasons, Spurs could easily waive him. Anyway, let's see first if Suns waive Beasley.

Regarding the chemistry, I find it's important for Spurs to start this season with a new hope after the heartbreaking loss last year. Spurs have already tweak a little their team with Belinelli and Pendergraph and some players like Leonard, Joseph, De Colo or Baynes might have a bigger impact, but I doubt it's enough. If Spurs players were in the mindset "we look better than last season", it certainly would help them to start with a fresh mind and not being stuck on last season huge disappointment. That's a reason why I was so hard on Spurs FO for not getting Kirilenko, Spurs really needs some new blood to start battling again for a le. I don't want the 2013 run being remember as Duncan's wonderful but very cruel swan song.

I disagree with this strongly unless you are talking about the "new hope" being important for the fans and not the players. Do you really think if/when the Spurs are in the WCSF again they'll look around and say "I wish AK47 was here" or "Crap we have the same team as last year." That won't even enter into their minds. This psychological impact is way overrated imo. Once you are in the season, you are in the season. The Finals loss will be a motivating factor if this team gets to the Finals again, but apart from that 2012-13 season finish won't have any impact whatsoever on 2013-14 season.

[Bruno]

But I don't think Beasley is going to fill that up. Last year, he finished in the last decile in advanced plus/minus in offensive/defensive metrics, generally showed poor at ude and little inclination to improve or reduce his weaknesses (chucking, hardly any defense and so on), and now he has been caught with suspected marijuana after having a history with that already.

I agree and that's why I put him in the same category than Oden. There are something like a 90% odds that players like Beasley or Oden wouldn't work and really help Spurs but there are these 10% they could significantly improve the team. That late in the summer and with only the minimum salary to offer, I don't think you can find better than that. I rather see Spurs roll the dice on a high upside player even if he will likely fail that signing a marginal vet player or prospect.

[LakerHater]

[bklynspursfan]

Wow, the Blazers Mo? lol... Thought he wanted to win

[Ditty]

Well at least he didn't go to Miami

[LakerHater]

[Baam]

They went from one of the worst bench in the nba to a pretty good one. Definitely gonna make the playoffs imo.

That said I'm not sure they even needed Mo Williams with Lillard and CJ McCollum... They're stacked up to SF but they would have benefited a lot more from a big instead of a PG...

[Sausage]

Well I was hoping the Spurs could get one of Oden or Mo, but struck out on both. Who can the Spurs go after now? Pretty sure knowing the Spurs they are done. I would've loved for the Spurs to get a legit backup PG like a Mo Williams.

[timtonymanu]

The Blazers have a logjam at guards (sound familiar?): Lillard, McCollum, Matthews, Mo, Barton, Watson, Crabbe.

But they had a good offseason. Their crappy roster was fighting for a playoff spot all the way towards the last month of the season. I'm pretty excited to see what they can do this year.

If Mo was looking to start though, I don't see how he fits with the Blazers since Matthews/Lillard is their starting backcourt.

[Jwash_1986]

They went from one of the worst bench in the nba to a pretty good one. Definitely gonna make the playoffs imo.

That said I'm not sure they even needed Mo Williams with Lillard and CJ McCollum... They're stacked up to SF but they would have benefited a lot more from a big instead of a PG...

At least there trying to compete can't see no wrong in that. Williams is a nice addition and it'll probably be more beneficial than will ever see. Not like Lillard needs mentoring since he's a upcoming stud in the league but him and Williams game has some comparison. Williams also has the right at ude so its a plus in the department of showing the youngster how to take care of business on and off the court. I like Blazers off season, they still try and making pushes even of there miserable curse they've been tortured with.

[Bruno]

Do you really think if/when the Spurs are in the WCSF again they'll look around and say "I wish AK47 was here" or "Crap we have the same team as last year." That won't even enter into their minds. This psychological impact is way overrated imo.

No, I don't. That isn't how I think Spurs standing pat could have a negative impact.

The 2012-2013 season was a grueling campaign for Spurs both physically and mentally. They played about 110 games in a little less than 9 months with an end as harsh as you could imagine. I don't think it will be that easy for Spurs to get ready for the 2013-2014 season. Last season could take a toll on this season with the team lacking positive momentum. Spurs getting for example Kirilenko would certainly have bring back some excitement to the team and help it get back on track for 2013-2014.

[SpursDynasty21]

Adding some big-name star players can help bring excitement to the team, and also the fanbase.

[DesignatedT]

When you say "the spurs" you are really talking about the big 3 and pop. Everyone will fall in line and follow their lead. If they aren't motivated for another run and crack at the 'ship, there is nothing Kirilenko would have done to change that lol. I don't believe Duncan will come back ready for a farewell tour just yet.

I wanted a deeper proven roster because of the risk of injury going up after a long season like that. Not because the spurs won't be motivated. That's re ed. If the big three aren't motivated than the season will be lost anyway. No matter who you brought in.

[timtonymanu]

No, I don't. That isn't how I think Spurs standing pat could have a negative impact.

The 2012-2013 season was a grueling campaign for Spurs both physically and mentally. They played about 110 games in a little less than 9 months with an end as harsh as you could imagine. I don't think it will be that easy for Spurs to get ready for the 2013-2014 season. Last season could take a toll on this season with the team lacking positive momentum. Spurs getting for example Kirilenko would certainly have bring back some excitement to the team and help it get back on track for 2013-2014.

The team bounced back from losing 4 playoff games in a row after winning 20 straight games. Yeah, I know the lockout season was much shorter and less grueling on the team, but as heartbreaking as last year was, I don't see the team mentally checking out. Hopefully with an increased role of guys like Leonard, Splitter, and Joseph, it will keep Tim, Tony, and Manu as fresh for the playoffs. I actually think we made minor upgrades to our roster from last season. Belinelli > Neal, Pendergraph > Bonner, Blair.

[szkorhetz]

Beasley is waived. RC, Make it happen.

[DPG21920]

Quite a bad off season for the Spurs all things considered. It could workout just fine in the end, but they seemingly left quite a bit on the table. As always though, the season is long & fluid. Things can change rapidly

[look_at_g_shred]

If we could just sign a SF for the bench that can come in and defend only, i'd be satisfied.

[Bruno]

And I'm not saying that Spurs won't be able to bounce back this year. It's just that is going to be very tough to start this season for Spurs while being fresh both mentally and physically and being as hungry as ever to win the le. I have no clue if they will be ever to do that but it's gonna be tough and adding an impact player would certainly have helped to give back Spurs a new impulse.

[Mel_13]

The last time the Spurs added an impact player, they finished with the worst regular season record in the Duncan era. Just sayin'.

[Bruno]

The last time the Spurs added an impact player, they finished with the worst regular season record in the Duncan era. Just sayin'.

Not really. They won 20 game sin a row and makes it to the WCF after a bunch of disappointing postseasons.

[xmas1997]

Just imagine if they had gotten both Kirilenko and Oden.
But neither were coming here.