Spurs trading out of the first round?

[Solid D]

Spurs always do their due-diligence and what-if scenarios. If the Blazers, Thunder, Rockets, or the like were to jump in front of the Spurs and get the last guy on their list...they trade out.

Boston being willing to trade out gives a team an opportunity to jump in front.

...now we just see the announcement that the Thunder have traded up for #18. Right on cue.

[E-RockWill]

This is exactly why, even with all the rumors and perceived activity, I haven't allowed myself to get too excited. Anything could happen. Nothing has been predetermined.

This

[Brazil]

...now we just see the announcement that the Thunder have traded up for #18. Right on cue.

they will go after Seraphin

[Solid D]

they will go after Seraphin

They want a Big in the worst way.

[DPG21920]

I don't think it's a coincidence that all these consecutive picks are available.

The 15 players in the green room (Wall, Turner, Favors, Johnson, Cousins, Monroe, Davis, Aminu, Babbit, Udoh, Henry, George, Patterson, Aldrich and Hayward) all looked good but there is a big drop after that. Teams picking just after this top 15 are in a complicate situation.

I agree. People want excitement and stories, but sometimes the obvious and simple answer is the easiest.

If the Spurs wanted to move up some, they could have easily done so with Miami. I don't see the Spurs making any moves and I don't see any worth while players in their range.

Just move the pick. I hate to see them doing it for money reasons and not winning reasons, but I understand.

[Solid D]

If the spurs trade the pick or do the draft and stash.......they are not serious about winning another le. There are several up and coming teams out west, we must improve our bench, size, shooting and athletic ability and at 20 Im sure we can get someone who can improve us in one or more areas.

Not necessarily, Texas 2 Step. Money factors cause teams to come up with some interesting plans in order to win. Case in point, the Blackhawks just traded Dustin Byfuglien to Atlanta for picks and role players. The Heat traded out to save $2M to put them closer to the hunt for someone like LeBron in FA. Money, Free Agency, and potential talent that can contribute now, all play into the decisions.

[DPG21920]

Spurs are not a team with cap space though.

[Solid D]

Spurs are not a team with cap space though.

The variable aspects of potential decisions include moving someone like Richard Jefferson or a certain PG.

[DPG21920]

Even sans RJ, the Spurs are still over the cap. Spurs have to improve via trade & draft, because FA is Tiago and that is pretty much it. Sure, they might be able to find a decent wing for the LLE, but this draft (in theory) was a chance to add.

If they are trading the pick because they don't want guaranteed salary, that is a cost cutting move and not a winning move.

Other teams, like Miami, that is not the case necessarily, but for the Spurs that appears to be the case if true.

Now if they trade a pick for a player, great.

[PDXSpursFan]

Yes, trade #20 and Hill for a big that will help us win now.

[SenorSpur]

If the spurs trade the pick or do the draft and stash.......they are not serious about winning another le. There are several up and coming teams out west, we must improve our bench, size, shooting and athletic ability and at 20 Im sure we can get someone who can improve us in one or more areas.

Agreed. I don't believe this rumor for one minute. Regardless of the Splitter situation, the Spurs need to draft a player that can best provide even a minor contribution next season.

BTW, ESPN's Chad Ford was just on ESPN1250 "the Zone" with Chris and Jason and he stated that the Spurs have been one of the teams most active in talks. He went onto say that they have been actively trying to shop RJ. Assuming they're able to somehow move him, and even if they don't, they STILL need to address the SF position in this draft.

I'm convinced they're trying to move up to take the SF of their choice.

[Bruno]

If the Spurs wanted to move up some, they could have easily done so with Miami.

Miami had the 18th pick. If Spurs wanted one of the top 15 player,
it likely wasn't enough.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

I could see this. I've envisioned the Spurs trying to trade up or trade out of round 1 because I don't know if there are too many players who can help the Spurs win now who will be available at 20.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

A team with a short window won't want to pay guaranteed money to a project player.

[SenorSpur]

A team with a short window won't want to pay guaranteed money to a project player.

Right. They'll be coveting a player who can come in and contribute almost immediately. AFter all, success has been had with Hill and Blair. I'm sure they will go that route again.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

Right. They'll be coveting a player who can come in and contribute almost immediately. AFter all, success has been had with Hill and Blair. I'm sure they will go that route again.

Exactly....if they end up drafting at 20 it won't be for one of the project centers some people are projecting. Maybe they have someone in mind at 20...but I still think the rumors about them trying to move the pick are true.

[DPG21920]

Miami had the 18th pick. If Spurs wanted one of the top 15 player,
it likely wasn't enough.

Yeah, I know, but it was just an example. It does not appear that hard to move up closer to that 15 pick. Every little bit helps, especially when there is not a lot of cost associated.

[AnthonyM]

Sweet, Jebus!

I guess they weren't lying about too much plastic surgery making you look like a cat . . .

Are you kidding?...she looks good!

[Solid D]

Even sans RJ, the Spurs are still over the cap. Spurs have to improve via trade & draft, because FA is Tiago and that is pretty much it. Sure, they might be able to find a decent wing for the LLE, but this draft (in theory) was a chance to add.

If they are trading the pick because they don't want guaranteed salary, that is a cost cutting move and not a winning move.

Other teams, like Miami, that is not the case necessarily, but for the Spurs that appears to be the case if true.

Now if they trade a pick for a player, great.

Yes, trading out of the first round just for the sake of salary dump, without other moves is not a winning move. You are correct.

[Solid D]

I guess they weren't lying about too much plastic surgery making you look like a cat . . .

I can't believe Katherine Heigl got plastic surgery!

[DPG21920]

I thought that was Rene Zelwedger.

[Mel_13]

Unfortunately, Heather Locklear.

[Solid D]

Unfortunately, Heather Locklear.

That's sad. I was kidding about Katherine, but I had no idea that might be Heather.

[ChuckD]

With the perception that this is a weak draft, they could only expect their 20th pick to be valued as a late first rounder. Wouldn't get too much in return me thinks.

I haven't heard ANYONE say it was a weak draft. In fact, they say that players 10-20 are very consistent, meaning lotto talent down to 20.

[AnthonyM]

That's sad. I was kidding about Katherine, but I had no idea that might be Heather.

Yeah...I got it from a "celeb before and after" thread in The Club.

There are some other sad ones...but Heather takes the cake.