Spurs and the trade Deadline

[coyotes_geek]

I just got an e-mail from a buddy who is peripherally connected to the Bobcats. He insists that Raja Bell is seriously being shopped, and that the Spurs have expressed interest. That doesn't mean much, I know. But I thought Bell was off the market, and that much apparently isn't true.

All these trade rumors are long shots, but he would be a good addition IMO.

Makes sense given how the Spurs D hasn't been that good this year. Fab+Ime for Bell works. But all that does is save the Bobcats a little bit of cash. Not sure that's enough. Then again, I'm not really sure what the Bobcats think their plan is anyways. With MJ calling the shots, who the knows.

[SouthTexasRancher]

If Manu is out for the year, the team should NOT(!) do much at the deadline. That doesn't mean to ignore a good deal to be had if it's out there. But you don't gut the team or give up anything of value at that point.

Without a healthy Manu, there is not a deal out there that would put this team over the Lakers in the West. There are deals that could be made IN ADDITION to Manu, but no deals that would serve as a subs ute.

It would suck to become an also-ran in what has been one of Duncan's finest years, but you're better off re-gearing for next fall than making a desperation move that wouldn't change the balance of power anyways.

How about Pop, RC & Holt going after a trade for someone like

Tayshuan Prince who is just 28 years old? $9.5 mil/ 3 yr contract

13.7 ppg - 6.5 rpg - 3.3 apg and plays defense!!!

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/player...?playerId=1724

OR

Richard 'Rip' Hamilton who is 31 years old and now has to come off the bench because of AI. $10.8 mil/ 5 yr contract

17.5 ppg - 2.9 rpg - 3.6 apg

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/player...e?playerId=294

and not even have to give up Mason or Manu.

We give up Udoka, Vaughn, Finley, Bowen and either Oberto or Thomas and since the Pistons are several $ million above the limit, they could release one or more of the Spurs if Detroit is really intent on clearing cap space and wanting to go younger. We'd get a guy who would easily fit into Pop's system and we'd hardly miss a beat by playoff time.

Course Detroit would most likely nix this trade in a heartbeat unless we give them Mason or possibly Hill. Finley might ok it since he is from that neck of the woods (around the bend in Melrose Park, Il.). Udoka is young. Vaughn could be a 12th man/player coach or use him as an assistant coach to clear more cap room. I doubt at Bowen's, KT's and Oberto's age they'd want to keep any or all, especially since each are in the $4mil. range, so we might get one of them back for one more playoff run.

One thing for sure is if Manu is gone for the season Pop & RC have to do some kind of trade unless they plan to tank the season and go for the Lottery, which I highly doubt.

According to ESPN's Trade Machine either trade would work.

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine

On the other hand to get either Sheed or Vince Carter, we will have to give up too many players including Mason or Manu depending on which of the above trades we tried (Mason in the Sheed deal and Manu in the VC deal )which would be stupid at this point. But, if we stick with our present lineup, minus Manu, then we'll be up a creek without a paddle come playoff time. This team, even with a healthy Manu will have a difficult enough time when we go up against the Lakers. We would have to be totally healthy, playing at the top of our game and hope like we don't get refs like Joey 'The head' Crawford, which rest assured that Dip Stern will make sure Crawford officiates as many Spurs games as possible.

Then again knowing Pop keeps secrets as tight as Osama bin Laden keeps his present location from the rest of the world outside of the Taliban and al Qaeda, then we will likely see no trade at all or something off the wall like bringing DRob, Sean, Avery, The Iceman and Horry out of retirement and sending guys like Udoka to a new 'Z' League in Siberia.

[coyotes_geek]

Aren't Prince & Hamilton the two guys Dumars is trying to build around?

[wisnub]

I am getting very curious to see if the Spurs pull off any trade(s) before the deadline. Before I was thinking they would make some kind of move albeit last minute but a move non the less but as time approaches I'm thinking nothing may transpire. I do think most of the reports are smoke screen plays that the Spurs are using as a ploy but this economic turmoil may change the game for the Spurs franchise now and the near future.

I still trust there is a move in the works ( truly expect Udoka to be moved) but it's significance may be the equilvilent of watching snails mate.

I'm anxious just to see what transpires at the end of the deadline, moves will be made last minute by a number of teams or atleast attempts. What do you think?

I think spurs is trying..but i doubt it will ever happen. The fact is Spurs is extremely sucks like virgin got DP when it comes to trading big names. Even Magette thinks its much better playing with loser team rather than playing for SA

[galvatron3000]

Well, I'm glad the Spurs held on to Mason and Hill and didn't break up the Big 3 (which I never thought they would) They can ride the season with this unit and perhaps get lucky but for the future they have pieces worth keeping and building around. This summer Artest and R. Wallace will be available and either of those guys are worth the Spurs offering a few millions too if those guys are willing to come and take less, Wallace being the more likely although some contender is sure to extend him more money than us. All in all no trade was worth given up future flexiblity and development of young talent and with the economy crumbling, no trade is a good trade. We have 1 roster spot open too though no one is available at the moment, lol.

[chreph]

Well, I'm glad the Spurs held on to Mason and Hill and didn't break up the Big 3 (which I never thought they would) They can ride the season with this unit and perhaps get lucky but for the future they have pieces worth keeping and building around. This summer Artest and R. Wallace will be available and either of those guys are worth the Spurs offering a few millions too if those guys are willing to come and take less

I was on the fence about trading our "future" at first but the bottom line is there is no "future" as far as championships go once Duncan is gone. It is/was pointless to baby our future like we're OKC/Memphis/Portland. The Spurs needed to do whatever they could to try and squeeze 1 or 2 more les over the next 2-3 years but couldn't swallow the luxury tax. Also, I'm tired of the whole "if _____ is willing to take less $$ to come here in the offseason" pipedream. Unless the "_____" in question is WAAAAYYY over the hill and nothing more than a marginal role player (finley, van exel, etc), it never pans out. We're not getting Sheed for mid-level exemption money. The only chance we had to bring in someone still playing at an all-star level was by eating some luxury tax dollars at the trade deadline this year. Now we've just got to hope that Manu can go longer than 60 days without a severly hampering injury and that the Lakers fall apart