Another Young Buck that the Spurs could possibly pursue?

[tav1]

I just find strange to see Spurs talking about re-signing Bonner while he has show nothing in playoffs and that there is still a full year of basketball before he becomes a free agent.

I can definitively see Spurs trading Bonner.
Trading Finley is less likely but Pop/Spurs have decided not to re-sign Oberto and Bowen this summer so Finley also could be a goner.

From what I gather, and it's limited, Pop really likes the spacing Bonner provides and is not likely to depart from him unless another floor stretcher is unearthed. Haislip has an opportunity, but Bonner has outperformed him in every way thus far. The Spurs won't trade him unless a) the talent coming back is too good to pass up and/or b) they have a replacement player with a similar skill set (Haislip?).

Joe Alexander would be interesting as a D-League trial run, but I don't see a deal that works. It's hard to imagine the Spurs moving an important piece like Finley just to get a look at Joe Alexander.

A lot of the players whose options are not be picked up might remain with the team they're currently on. For example, Milwaukee can resign Alexander this summer for half of what he currently makes, which might be their angle in all this.

In terms of Mahinmi: he's still valuable insurance in case something happens to Ratliff. And you never know, it's a long season.

If the Spurs trade Mahinmi, they obviously won't get a whole lot back, if anything. Here are a couple ideas I like:

Mahinmi for Ajinca: Brown doesn't like Ajinca, and Mahinmi is more accomplished. Ajinca has a skill set the Spurs could use (range on his shot, decent shot blocking) and a year of D-League eligibility. I'd probably keep Mahinmi, but it's something to think about.

Mahinmi for...wait for it...Pops Mensah Bonsu: Don't kill me. Their salaries match and the Spurs know Pops can give them some production as a deep reserve. In his brief time with the Spurs, Mensah-Bonsu gave them more production than Mahinmi has. Houston's interest is landing a more traditional big to shore up their frontline between Ming injuries.

Mahinmi for Sean Marks and a 2nd

Mahinmi for Batum: I'm joking, but wanted to make you smile.

Mahinmi for Donte Greene: Quin Snyder project.

I keep reading that team's will look to shed money once the deadline approaches, and overpaid/overhyped players such as Rudy Gay could be available. So maybe the Spurs wait and see what a package like Mason Jr., Mahinmi and a draft pick can fetch.

[HarlemHeat37]

I don't like any of those guys as options..none of them would contribute now, and Ian is a better project than any of them..

Bonsu is an undersized big man that doesn't play consistent defense, and we already have 2 of those guys in the rotation..

The last idea is the best one..there will probably be some good deals available at the deadline..

[tav1]

I don't like any of those guys as options..none of them would contribute now, and Ian is a better project than any of them..

Bonsu is an undersized big man that doesn't play consistent defense, and we already have 2 of those guys in the rotation..

The last idea is the best one..there will probably be some good deals available at the deadline..

I can buy that. I'm not soap boxing for any of those suggestions, just throwing them out there for discussion.

[Bruno]

From what I gather, and it's limited, Pop really likes the spacing Bonner provides and is not likely to depart from him unless another floor stretcher is unearthed. Haislip has an opportunity, but Bonner has outperformed him in every way thus far. The Spurs won't trade him unless a) the talent coming back is too good to pass up and/or b) they have a replacement player with a similar skill set (Haislip?).

Joe Alexander would be interesting as a D-League trial run, but I don't see a deal that works. It's hard to imagine the Spurs moving an important piece like Finley just to get a look at Joe Alexander.

Spurs won't trade for Alexander. If they are interested, they will wait next summer to sign him as a unrestricted free agent.

If Spurs do a trade for another bigman, Bonner will likely be included. Keeping him will make few sense because there won't be playing time available.

Pop surely like the spacing Bonner bring but if the other player bring some defense, he will also like it.

In terms of Mahinmi:

I fully disagree with you on Mahinmi.

Ian has zero trade value for two reasons:
First, what GM would be interested in a player Spurs have decided he wasn't worth $1.78M? Spurs are a respected organization and know Mahinmi way more than other teams. There is no reason fro a GM to think that Mahinmi is an interesting prospect.
Second, his contract isn't good. He will be an unrestricted free agent next summer. Teams won't invest time and money on a player who can leave next summer.

The most likely trade is a Beno like one that is to say Mahinmi + cash to at least pay his salary for a top 55 protected second round pick.
This move will save Spurs some money with the luxury tax.

[raspsa]

Swap Ian for him.

[superjames1992]

Being a West Virginia fan, I'd love to see Joe Alexander on the Spurs.

[Mr. Body]

I's vw cwey interested in Joe Alexander. Very. The guy has athleticism out the ass and just needs time to season himself. Maybe he doesn't make it, maybe he does, but Milwaukee clearly has a positional logjam and money troubles. Alexander is a gamer and well worth a look.

[Austin_Toros]

I think it was more a positional logjam on a cash strapped team.

To be honest, I didn't really remember him, and had to go look him up. NBAdraft had him rated as a 10 of 10 athletically. Ship them the carcass of Mike Finley and a second rounder, cut Malik, and go with this as your dev swingman project.