Doesn't matter. They have Early-Bird rights with Hayes.
*hack* *gasp*
Doesn't matter. They have Early-Bird rights with Hayes.
Mahinmi could have been brought into Butler's spot regardless of Scola.
Even if Mahnmi turns into Amare Stoudemire 2.0, that's no excuse to sell Scola to the damn Rockets for cricket legs. No excuse.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...e.35d9aa1.html
Spurs find spot for Scola, Butler — Houston
Web Posted: 07/12/2007 10:51 PM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News
Ending a five-year relationship with Luis Scola, during which his agent once famously declared the Argentine forward was being held prisoner in the "country of liberty," the Spurs finally found a home for him, about 200 miles from their own.
The Spurs traded Scola's draft rights and center Jackie Butler to the Houston Rockets on Thursday evening for guard Vassilis Spanoulis, a 2009 second-round pick and cash.
A 2002 second-round draft pick of the Spurs, Scola has been playing for Spanish team Tau Ceramica, where he is generally regarded as one of the best players in Europe. The Spurs had hoped to sign him two years ago, but his buyout was too large, so they instead opted to bring over his friend and countryman, center Fabricio Oberto.
The Spurs had since fielded offers for Scola, but didn't find anything to their liking until this week. A year ago, Scola's agent accused the Spurs of preventing his client from reaching the NBA, saying "in the country of liberty, he is being held prisoner."
"As an organization, we felt responsible to allow Luis to pursue his dream of the NBA," Spurs general manager R.C. Buford said, "and this was the best opportunity to realize his value."
While the trade potentially landed Houston a starting power forward, it did little for the Spurs other than reduce their payroll and open up a roster spot. The trade removed the $2.4 million Butler was due to make this season, and the Spurs also might not have to pay Spanoulis the $1.9 million he is slated to earn.
After playing sparingly last season, Spanoulis had already told the Rockets he wanted to return to Greece. The trade isn't expected to make him change his mind: Two weeks ago, his agent, Miodrag Raznatovic, said, "They could trade him to San Antonio and he could be the starting point guard, and he would say, 'No, I cannot.'"
If the Spurs have to pay all or part of Spanoulis' salary, it will be offset by the cash the Rockets included in the deal.
The Spurs didn't think they would have room for Scola even after next season because they plan on signing one of his teammates on Tau Ceramica, forward Tiago Splitter, their first-round draft pick in June. They also are re-signing Oberto.
Butler signed with the Spurs a year ago, but rarely played after reporting out of shape. Though he has shown improvement and is just 22 years old, team officials questioned whether he would ever be successful playing in their defensive system, which requires their big men to make reads and communicate with teammates.
"With our roster intact, it would appear unlikely that neither (Butler nor Scola) would impact our rotation," Buford said.
The Spurs had hoped to trade Scola outside their division and were close to sending him to Cleveland, but a three-team deal that would have sent Butler to Sacramento fell apart. A potential trade to send Butler to New Jersey also didn't materialize, so the Spurs decided to package Scola with him.
The Spurs re-signed two of their own free agents Thursday, solidifying deals with forward Matt Bonner (three years, $9 million) and Jacque Vaughn (two years, $2.5 million). They had hoped to also sign Detroit forward Amir Johnson to an offer sheet, but he agreed to take less money (three years, $11 million) to stay with the Pistons.
Buford wouldn't comment on whether trading Butler increased the odds the Spurs will sign Ian Mahinmi, their 2005 first-round pick, except to say, the trade "gives us roster options."
With Johnson off the market, the Spurs could turn their attention to Portland free-agent swingman Ime Udoka. Udoka, who turns 30 in August, averaged 8.4 points and 3.7 rebounds while starting 75 games for Trail Blazers.
Udoka is a rugged defender and a dependable 3-point shooter, skills he shares in common with Bruce Bowen, the player he would most likely back up.
Never heard anyone call Rasho a balla.
What I wrote about Butler was based upon what I had heard and had been hearing for some time. The decision to shed him was definite when the cap figures came in. Just because people did not want to hear it, did not justify some of the awful things people wrote TO me. I will chalk it up to their inability to believe that the Spurs would do something that stupid.
My only consolation- I am not alone in my opinion of the organization- at least for a little while tonight.
This better ing happen. If we let Udoka walk too, this is the worst offseason ever.With Johnson off the market, the Spurs could turn their attention to Portland free-agent swingman Ime Udoka. Udoka, who turns 30 in August, averaged 8.4 points and 3.7 rebounds while starting 75 games for Trail Blazers.
Udoka is a rugged defender and a dependable 3-point shooter, skills he shares in common with Bruce Bowen, the player he would most likely back up.
To shed Butler- they gave up Luis Scola. Justify that.A potential trade to send Butler to New Jersey also didn't materialize, so the Spurs decided to package Scola with him.
We better ing land Udoka or I'm seriously going to kill Holt myself.
. I should have just gone to bed without checking the news.
As much as it sucks to say so, I can't imagine the Spurs have anything up their sleeves to offset this terrible move.
Obviously HoltCat would favor such a move. I wonder if anyone if the FO argued against it?
you, Buford, you idiotic .
Like how this makes it sound like they're saving $2.4 million + $1.9 million. Must be the new Spurs math. No, you freaking idiots, you stand to save... perhaps... $2.4 million. But only if Spanoulis decides not to take the money legally owed to him.While the trade potentially landed Houston a starting power forward, it did little for the Spurs other than reduce their payroll and open up a roster spot. The trade removed the $2.4 million Butler was due to make this season, and the Spurs also might not have to pay Spanoulis the $1.9 million he is slated to earn.
And the Spurs only get cash from Houston to offset Spanoulis's money. No money to Spanoulis = no money from Houston. Freaking brilliant.
Yes! Just throw in Scola like he was an apple pie! That's nice! I'm sure Houston might find a spot for him somewhere!The Spurs had hoped to trade Scola outside their division and were close to sending him to Cleveland, but a three-team deal that would have sent Butler to Sacramento fell apart. A potential trade to send Butler to New Jersey also didn't materialize, so the Spurs decided to package Scola with him.
that. I got first dibs on mutilating his ass.
Yes, and it also means the Spurs will now have a couple of new faces wearing sport jackets during the games in 2007-08.
lol
Here you go sir, a $50 bill. Oops, looks like I have a $50 and a $100 bill! Why don't I pay you $100 to take $50 off my hands, kind sir. All I would like in return is a penny.
Oh my ing god... They should've done this trade. There's nothing we could've gotten in return worse than this trade.The Spurs had hoped to trade Scola outside their division and were close to sending him to Cleveland, but a three-team deal that would have sent Butler to Sacramento fell apart. A potential trade to send Butler to New Jersey also didn't materialize, so the Spurs decided to package Scola with him.
I bet if Beno was any good he would have been in the deal too. Not for a better player, just more cash.
I have a ing headache and didn't get any studying done tonight. I hate the ing Spurs. For a night I know what it's like to be a Celtics fan.
I'll never make fun of Isiah Thomas again....
Even the Celtics have made better off season moves than the Spurs so far.
I have to admit this "trade" mystifies me. Basically we gave these guys away for nada. I dont think either Williams or White are locks either. I hope there is much more to come in the near future.
Too right. I have a whole new respect for Celtics and Knicks fans, such an empty feeling.
cosignI'll never make fun of Isiah Thomas again....
Someone stop R.C. before he trades Splitter and Sanikidze to Dallas for an assistant coach to be named later and cash.
IF THIS WAS
BUTLER FOR SPINOLI and 2nd ROUND PICK and CASH
I would be like
GREAT JOB SPURS
but throw in SCOLA ????
man get a BJ at least for that fancy dinner.
Where's Ken Loomis when he's most needed...
This is a nigthmare right? All what i want is Beno out and the Spurs gifted the Rockets Luis Scola...
i need a beer
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