So now onto Free Agency

[Mister Sinister]

I never said I wanted to get rid of Udoka. The man went to war for us. What I'm trying to say is if we want to improve our center position he may have to be packaged to get someone who is better than Kurt and Oberto. That's all I'm trying to say. That's if Mahimni sinks instead of swims.

I should rephrase. I'm more questioning why you consider him acceptable trade fodder, I guess.

[bigdog]

we don't need Azubuike. we already have a 6-5 sg/sf in Udoka and I was happy with his play last season.

We don't really need Artest, either. I think we will end up going after JR Smith, and if that doesn't work then we settle on Pietrus or James Jones. Pietrus said at one point last season that he would like to play for the Spurs alongside Tony Parker.


and I wasn't shocked when Thompson went that early. supposed his stock rised rapidly and teams liked him alot anywhere from late lottery to late 1st round. He kind of came out of nowhere but he was extremely consistent at Rider and he's someone I would have targeted if we needed a big.

[MaNu4Tres]

I should rephrase. I'm more questioning why you consider him acceptable trade fodder, I guess.

For one at his age and how much he makes, he probably has the most value we have in terms of assets that are tradeable. If you realistically look at it Tim, Manu, Bruce, Tony are untradeable. Oberto, Bonner, Vaughn, Udoka, Barry are the only chips we have to trade. So you tell me what package would be fair enough to obtain a big man who is better than Oberto and Kurt ( if we resign him). To me realistically Udoka packaged with Oberto is the only offer that could reel in an improvement at the starting post position. And Udoka would be expendable with Manu, Bruce, FA wing, and Barry in our rotation.

[T Park]

Udoka and Azubuike are not even close to the same player.

Thats like comparing Tim Duncan and Dwight Howard.

[bigdog]

Udoka and Azubuike are not even close to the same player.

Thats like comparing Tim Duncan and Dwight Howard.

I was just comparing their size. People want Azuibuke to come in and play like a 6-7 or 6-8 guy, when he's not. I love him as a player. He's very solid, but we need length, so that's really the only knock I have on him.

[MaNu4Tres]

I was just comparing their size. People want Azuibuke to come in and play like a 6-7 or 6-8 guy, when he's not. I love him as a player. He's very solid, but we need length, so that's really the only knock I have on him.

We need a consistent scorer who can be a multi-dimensional threat from the triple threat position at the wing. I'd really like to see us pony up the full MLE for J.R Smith for 2 years with a option for the 3rd.

[mrspurs]

for all those who said....our bigs suck(minus duncan of course) i totally agree with...look at how many players we have to lean on for scoring, compared to how many players we have to lean on to keep the paint under control,(which is where we got ate up at in the season and even more in the PO's) and imo the math doesnt favor us...if they dont get timmy some help via FA of course, we will be good, but in the end we wont have enough to control the paint. for me personally we lived and died behind the arc all of last season and the reason was cos we only had one option downlow.(most of the other top west teams had 2)........i dont want to live and die behind the arc again.....id rather find one more option downlow to help duncan so the rest of the league is scared like they used tobe when they came inside........go spurs go

[Tully365]

I should rephrase. I'm more questioning why you consider him acceptable trade fodder, I guess.

I like Udoka and hope the Spurs keep him, but I can see how other teams would want him-- any guy that can give a team 15+ mpg and is being paid just over 1 mil per is going to be attractive...plus he only has one year left on his contract.
The main reason I think the Spurs should use both their MLE and LLE (aside from trying to add decent players) is so they can start ac ulating trade pieces. That's one area where they are very weak right now. Bowen's a great defender, but at his age there wouldn't be too much interest. Same for Barry, same for Thomas if he resigns... That leaves Oberto, Udoka, Bonner, the rights to Splitter... that's not much to work with.

[wisnub]

I am hearing that Artest wants to opt out and that the Spurs will make a huge run at him.

I hope you're right.. that would be LEGENDARY!!!!!!!

[wisnub]

Bring On Magette...or Antawn. Dump Kt,horry And Finley... The Salary With Mle Should Do It. The With Under The Cap. Owner Got Richer And Fans Keep Worrying. Denver Is Also A Small Market But They Dont Afraid To Go Wayyyy Over The Luxury Tax. I Shouldnt Mention Dallas Coz They Got Money From Cuban. Its Time For Sa To Get Serious Additional Star Player From Free Agency (apologize For Capital Letter,im Doin This At Work)

[SenorSpur]

I was just comparing their size. People want Azuibuke to come in and play like a 6-7 or 6-8 guy, when he's not. I love him as a player. He's very solid, but we need length, so that's really the only knock I have on him.

Personally, I'd rather have Smith or Pietrus - in that order.

However, if the Spurs end up somehow with Artest, I'd dance with the devil for a year or two. We would rule the West.

[Tully365]

Personally, I'd rather have Smith or Pietrus - in that order.

However, if the Spurs end up somehow with Artest, I'd dance with the devil for a year or two. We would rule the West.

The Devil is a very good dancer, no question. Funny that it seems like Pop is open to it. And Ron is on record saying that Duncan is a pimp. It would be crazy, but lots of the great things in life are crazy, no?

You know, Tskitishvili is available in Europe. I hear he has AMAZING UPSIDE!

[Darkwaters]

What about signing a combination of Kelenna Azubuike/James Jones/Mickael Pietrus and also Ryan Gomes? Gomes could play time at either forward spot and then the former player could be our new scoring wing.

[AFBlue]

Spurs need to throw the entire MLE at JR Smith or Artest, if he opts out.

If neither of those two things happen, get Pietrus...which I think is most likely.

[SenorSpur]

What about signing a combination of Kelenna Azubuike/James Jones/Mickael Pietrus and also Ryan Gomes? Gomes could play time at either forward spot and then the former player could be our new scoring wing.

Forgot about James Jones. He's more of a spot up shooter. I'd put him behind Smith, Pietrus and Artest. I like Azibuke a lot but I don't like his absence of length. Also, I'm not sure what kind of defender he is.

Just heard on Ticket 760 that Denver has extended a qualifying offer to J.R Smith, so they'd be in a position to match any FA offer he receives.

[manufor3]

maurice evans would work. get him

[T Park]

If the Nuggets go all out and go into deeper Luxury tax , they are totally re ed.

[AFBlue]

Just heard on Ticket 760 that Denver has extended a qualifying offer to J.R Smith, so they'd be in a position to match any FA offer he receives.

That's to be expected...they'd be idiots not to have done that.

What I wonder about is all the speculation. I've seen ESPN and some others linking JR Smith to the Spurs...is any of that based in a stated postion by the Spurs FO?

[SenorSpur]

That's to be expected...they'd be idiots not to have done that.

What I wonder about is all the speculation. I've seen ESPN and some others linking JR Smith to the Spurs...is any of that based in a stated postion by the Spurs FO?

I personally believe that based on their #1 draft target, they're clearly saying they intend to fill the immediate need for a wing player in FA.

[rj215]

Does anyone think Pop and RC are crazy/brave enough to think that resigning Finley is enough to address scoring from the wing? I feel like maybe Manu's injury could have them thinking that they were right there if he was healthy. And I can't say that I disagree. But seriously Fin-Dog, Big Shot Rob and Damon have to go if we want to compete against more athletic teams.

I'd take Artest, Azabuke, JR and Pietrus in that order if we luck out with Free Agency.

[Mr. Body]

Does anyone think Pop and RC are crazy/brave enough to think that resigning Finley is enough to address scoring from the wing? I feel like maybe Manu's injury could have them thinking that they were right there if he was healthy. And I can't say that I disagree. But seriously Fin-Dog, Big Shot Rob and Damon have to go if we want to compete against more athletic teams.

I'd take Artest, Azabuke, JR and Pietrus in that order if we luck out with Free Agency.

I think we'll see Finley back. Horry possibly too.

[tav1]

I never said I wanted to get rid of Udoka. The man went to war for us. What I'm trying to say is if we want to improve our center position he may have to be packaged to get someone who is better than Kurt and Oberto. That's all I'm trying to say. That's if Mahimni sinks instead of swims.

Kurt Thomas is pretty stinkin' good. It's hard for me to imagine a realistic upgrade over him. If we give him a training game and get modest production out of Mahinmi, and I think our big rotation is fine. We would benefit from another shot blocker and better minutes from Bonner, but you can't have everything.

[T Park]

I think we'll see Finley back. Horry possibly too.

Horry yes, Finley no.

[tav1]

Does anyone think Pop and RC are crazy/brave enough to think that resigning Finley is enough to address scoring from the wing? I feel like maybe Manu's injury could have them thinking that they were right there if he was healthy. And I can't say that I disagree. But seriously Fin-Dog, Big Shot Rob and Damon have to go if we want to compete against more athletic teams.

I'd take Artest, Azabuke, JR and Pietrus in that order if we luck out with Free Agency.

At this point, you go after Artest if he opts out. If he doesn't, or the Spurs cant get him, you hope for Azubuike. I think Buike is more than sufficient. He's an upgrade over Finley and fits the Spurs style of hard working character guys.

[Kindergarten Cop]

I think we'll see Finley back. Horry possibly too.

I can see Finley going back to Dallas and the Spurs re-signing Horry.