is the udoka thing dead?

[BacktoBasics]

Funny how you give Bruce 2 years at his age and you say a much younger player is old.

Actually what I'm saying is that once Bruce is really done we get what 2 years out of this guy if even that. Doesn't make sense. Its not a long term solution.

[BacktoBasics]

Bruce was 30 when we brought him in to the Spurs. So, how is Udoka being 30 himself problematic? He seems to be in good shape and he hasn't been playing years and years of 82 game NBA seasons either. Hes probably better off than you might think.

Regardless, I think Sanikidze is their current project for their future long 3 (and eventual Bowen replacement) while Udoka is Bowen's immediate successor. Is 21 year old Viktor Sanikidze young enough for you?

21 sounds good to me. So why not bring him over right away and farm him up? I admit to not knowing much about his game or his current contract situation. It sounds a million times better than handing a roster spot to Ian who will bring absolutely nothing to the table.

[mountainballer]

I've always been intrigued by the ambiguity of the term "Bowen replacement".

Are we suggesting that the Spurs FO will be able to find a player that will be able to guard the opposing team's best perimeter player and simultaneously be the starting SF even though they have the body of a SG?

Or are we suggesting that the "Bowen replacement" be a long SF with the ability to defend and play the PF role as well?

Or are we merely suggesting that the replacement for Bowen will be a defensive-oriented player that starts at SF?

Obviously it would be great to find all of the attributes in one package but I'm not sure that player even exists.

More than likely the Spurs will find someone to guard the best perimeter player and another who will be the long 3/small ball 4 the Spurs are looking for.

But again, I'm still confused as to what we're referring to as the "Bowen replacement".

as you point out, it's a bit simple to find just "replacements" for players and therefore looking for a cloone. we won't find this replacement, not for Bowen and even less for Tim in some years.
what Spurs have to find, are 3 new perimeter players till start of the 2008-09 season to take the spots of Bowen, Barry and Finley (don't think that either of the three will resign). a player like Udoka will more likely take the role of Barry, considering his size, ball handling ability and good basketball IQ.
(don't want to say that Udoka is even close to Barry's abilities on offense, so he would have to compensate with his defense).
so, if Udoka would be signed this year, the Bowen "replacement" will be found next year either one of the homepool of White, Williams and Sanikidze, or whoever is available via trade or FA.

[Dave McNulla]

Pritchard says he wouldn’t make a decision on Udoka until after Outlaw’s situation is cleared, and he thinks that could take at least several more weeks.

translation: if you sign him, you'll be locked into a maybe contract until the last minute possible.

[ploto]

http://www.portlandtribune.com/sport...61900157901100

Ime Udoka’s price tag has dropped, but it seems unlikely the Jefferson High and Portland State grad will wind up with the Blazers again.

Portland could sign him for the $1.8 million biannual exception, giving him two years at about $3.8 million, but the Blazers will have 15 players with guaranteed contracts once restricted free agent Travis Outlaw is in the fold.

Udoka’s agent, Erin Cowan, says he has offers from two other teams — one of them is believed to be San Antonio, though Cowan wouldn’t confirm it.

“We’ll probably get it done no later than Wednesday,” Cowan says.

Pritchard says he wouldn’t make a decision on Udoka until after Outlaw’s situation is cleared, and he thinks that could take at least several more weeks.

Funny- how 8 days ago his agent claimed he had an offer for $12M for 3 years- then it was $9M for 3 years- now it is simply an offer! Don't see the Spurs overpaying for a guy with very little interest it appears around the league.

[Solid D]

Funny- how 8 days ago his agent claimed he had an offer for $12M for 3 years- then it was $9M for 3 years- now it is simply an offer! Don't see the Spurs overpaying for a guy with very little interest it appears around the league.

It never hurts to ask, right?

One minor point here is that Udoka's agent has never been quoted directly. The story that initially broke in this article by Jason Quick http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/or...390.xml&coll=7
stated "According to league sources, Udoka's agent -- Erin Cowan -- has informed the Blazers that a Western Conference team has offered him a three-year, $12 million contract....Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard said if that offer is real, it is far more than the Blazers are willing to pay for Udoka."

So we have "league sources" and a blog from their media guy stating 3 years/$9M, an amount that he removed later in the day. Sometimes mystery can be an agent's friend but if the final contract ends up being lower, the agent looks bad, especially if the information is fabricated.

[jag]

no potential.

With every post you show your ignorance.

[mountainballer]

It never hurts to ask, right?

One minor point here is that Udoka's agent has never been quoted directly. The story that initially broke in this article by Jason Quick http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/or...390.xml&coll=7
stated "According to league sources, Udoka's agent -- Erin Cowan -- has informed the Blazers that a Western Conference team has offered him a three-year, $12 million contract....Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard said if that offer is real, it is far more than the Blazers are willing to pay for Udoka."

So we have "league sources" and a blog from their media guy stating 3 years/$9M, an amount that he removed later in the day. Sometimes mystery can be an agent's friend but if the final contract ends up being lower, the agent looks bad, especially if the information is fabricated.

seems as if Udoka is Cowans only client.
(don't know for sure, maybe some more in other sports)
so, if Udoka is his Rod Tidwell, he might have mixed up the numbers. didn't Tidwell finally get this 12 million $?

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

translation: if you sign him, you'll be locked into a maybe contract until the last minute possible.

Not really. After tendering an offer sheet, the team only has 14 days to match or let him walk.

And if you're talking about Udoka, he's an unrestricted free agent.

[justanotherspursfan]

Not really. After tendering an offer sheet, the team only has 14 days to match or let him walk.

Didn't the last CBA drop it to 7 days?

And if you're talking about Udoka, he's an unrestricted free agent.

This is the important point.

[objective]

an expierenced vet who has bounced around could be just like Bowen with the Spurs

Or an experienced vet who has bounced around could be just like Chucky Brown for the Spurs

[Reckless28]

with all this talk about replacing bowen, i would like to have seen giorgos printezis. the spurs traded him to toronto. he's 6'8" 220lbs, athletic, good defender and rebounder. good spot up shooter. i'd settle for udoka. still not completely sold on sandikze or marcus williams.

[Darkwaters]

with all this talk about replacing bowen, i would like to have seen giorgos printezis. the spurs traded him to toronto. he's 6'8" 220lbs, athletic, good defender and rebounder. good spot up shooter. i'd settle for udoka. still not completely sold on sandikze or marcus williams.

I'm more sold on Sanikidze than Printezis at this point. That being said, both of these players are all potential and don't have nearly enough substance to stick at the moment. So I sure wouldn't mind having both. Printezis looks like he could be a quality player in a year or two. But I am just more intrigued by Viktor.

[timvp]

http://www.portlandtribune.com/sport...61900157901100

Ime Udoka’s price tag has dropped, but it seems unlikely the Jefferson High and Portland State grad will wind up with the Blazers again.

Portland could sign him for the $1.8 million biannual exception, giving him two years at about $3.8 million, but the Blazers will have 15 players with guaranteed contracts once restricted free agent Travis Outlaw is in the fold.

Udoka’s agent, Erin Cowan, says he has offers from two other teams — one of them is believed to be San Antonio, though Cowan wouldn’t confirm it.

“We’ll probably get it done no later than Wednesday,” Cowan says.

Pritchard says he wouldn’t make a decision on Udoka until after Outlaw’s situation is cleared, and he thinks that could take at least several more weeks.

If the Spurs sign Udoka for two-years, $3.8M that'd have to go down as the best signing of the summer. Jason Kapono made $24M and literally the only thing he does better is shoot threes ... and even then, Udoka was a 40%+ three point shooter so he's no brick layer himself.

Udoka is the better defender, rebounder, ballhandler. Gets more steals and blocks. Gets to the line more. Hasn't choked in the playoffs. Udoka is better than Kapono at literally everything outside of shooting threes.

Three-years, $9M would be a good buy. Two-years, $3.8M would be unreal compared to what others are getting.

[Marcus Bryant]

Actually what I'm saying is that once Bruce is really done we get what 2 years out of this guy if even that. Doesn't make sense. Its not a long term solution.

Then that's the next 2 years with Duncan and Ginobili moving through the latter stages of their careers. Works for me. Who knows what will be happening 2 days from now, let alone 2 years.

[Marcus Bryant]

If the Spurs sign Udoka for two-years, $3.8M that'd have to go down as the best signing of the summer. Jason Kapono made $24M and literally the only thing he does better is shoot threes ... and even then, Udoka was a 40%+ three point shooter so he's no brick layer himself.

Udoka is the better defender, rebounder, ballhandler. Gets more steals and blocks. Gets to the line more. Hasn't choked in the playoffs. Udoka is better than Kapono at literally everything outside of shooting threes.

Three-years, $9M would be a good buy. Two-years, $3.8M would be unreal compared to what others are getting.

Yeah, that would be very nice. Still wouldn't make up for The Trade...

[ducks]

if it was 2 years that cheap
then victor should be ready to be brougth in then
bowen money would go to udoka and then spurs would give vistor udoka money now

[ducks]

if spurs land him that would be awesoem considering most fa's they land are old
and udoka would be getting that type money but a younger player

[Reckless28]

udokad wants a 3 year deal worth anywhere between 9 mil-12 mil, so i hear.

[Darkwaters]

I'd gladly give 3 years, 9M. But the 2 years, 3.8M plan is amazingly good.

Heck, you could still make a run at Barnes at that point.

[ploto]

Unless they unload salary, whatever he gets will potentially count double.

Funny- I said a couple of days ago that teams were only offering LLE type money, and I was told that I did not know what I was talking about.

[T Park]

God, would you STFU already.

.

[anakha]

Unless they unload salary, whatever he gets will potentially count double.

Funny- I said a couple of days ago that teams were only offering LLE type money, and I was told that I did not know what I was talking about.

What!? You, be accused of talking out of your ass? How could that ever have happened? Aren't you an unbiased purveyor of facts and truth in this board of lies and doublespeak?

[Da Spurs]

From everything I've read, we're pretty close to the luxury tax ceiling. Signing Udoka for $3 mil would potentially cost the Spurs $8 mil. I just don't see them doing that. It wouldn't make any financial sense at all.

[Slinkyman]

From everything I've read, we're pretty close to the luxury tax ceiling. Signing Udoka for $3 mil would potentially cost the Spurs $8 mil. I just don't see them doing that. It wouldn't make any financial sense at all.

i heard we're trading Beno to the silverstars for becky hammons, that move should save the spurs 1 million while giving us an upgrade at the PG position.