The Gist

[mountainballer]

Hairston/Williams is really the only roster decision to be made.

(sort of) a roster decision is also the team option for Ian's 2010-11 season, which they need to pick till end of Oktober. if they don't pick it, he is technically still on the roster for the season, but it's clear that he doesn't have a future with the Spurs.
(much like when the Kings didn't pick the TO for Shelden Williams, or the Wolves didn't pick the TO for Carney)
in this case the question would be: do they keep a player (who has a guaranteed contract for 2009-10), who will be gone soon and therefore waive a player, who might have a future with the team (like Hairston or Williams), or do they swallow his salary and waive him, to be able to keep both other guys.
(of course there are several other scenarios before this, a trade including his salary for a TE as an exit strategy)

[coyotes_geek]

Can he go to Austin without sign a contract or get waived by the Spurs?

I don't think he can

I asked the guys over at realgm's cba board. According to one of the gurus there he could go to the NBDL, just not the Toros. If Gist decided to play in the d-league he would enter the d-league draft and have to play for whatever team drafts him. The Toros would not be allowed to draft him, trade for him or sign him as a d-league FA if he went undrafted. The Spurs would still hold his draft rights though, just like any other draft-and-stash player who is playing professionally on a non-NBA contract.

But like phila said, the d-league pays squat, so in all likelihood Gist is headed back to europe.

[raspsa]

I think Europe would make sense.. he's got to earn a living. Hopefully he doesn't get too comfortable and give up his NBA dreams.. lots of players have used their time in Europe to improve their game.. if they are good, they will get noticed by NBA teams .