#1 Free Agent Target should be: Pau Gasol

[ceperez]

I love Kwahi and Green (even though Danny can't do besides hitting threes on offense), but after them what? If Danny is having one of those games where his shot isn't falling who do we play? Who would be the 3rd wing on the inevitable smallball line-up we will have to play at some point if we want to go all thr way? A versatile, young athletic wing is a must for this team.

True. Spurs need an additional player that can create his own offense.

[Kawhitstorm]

I love Kwahi and Green (even though Danny can't do besides hitting threes on offense), but after them what? If Danny is having one of those games where his shot isn't falling who do we play? Who would be the 3rd wing on the inevitable smallball line-up we will have to play at some point if we want to go all thr way? A versatile, young athletic wing is a must for this team.

Harrison Barnes is about to get the max just because he's a YOUNG athletic 3 & D guy who can play the 4 in a small-ball line-up, it wouldn't be smart to s -out that kind of money on a backup wing when Kawhi/Danny are on the roster. The Cavs were playing Jefferson MAJOR minutes in the Finals when he was Rasual Butler status & 10 mill man Shumpert isn't that much better than Simmons.

Someone like Wes Johnson could probably be had for the room exception (he played for the vet min last season) & he would be fine as the 3rd wing. PATFO need to invest the cap space on a mobile 4/5 since the team doesn't have anyone who fits that description. (If they could dump Patty & sign E'Twaun Moore then he can also play backup 2 ala George Hill)

[Nathan89]

Biyombo doesn't fit next to Danny and lma on offense unless we added a stud pg. The only option for the spurs is to bolster a small ball lineup. That means an upgrade at the pg and wing position. That's the only way to increase play making ability without acquiring a stud.

[wildbill2u]

At this point in their careers, would you rather have Gasol or Diaw? They both made $7.5 million last year.

Per 36 Minutes

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Rk	Player	From	To	G	GS	MP	FG	FGA	FG%	3P	3PA	3P%	2P	2PA	2P%	FT	FTA	FT%	ORB	DRB	TRB	AST	STL	BLK	TOV	PF	PTS
1	Boris Diaw	2004	2016	991	531	27485	4.8	9.7	.496	0.6	1.7	.342	4.2	7.9	.529	1.3	1.9	.716	1.6	4.3	5.9	4.6	0.8	0.7	2.4	2.9	11.5
2	Pau Gasol	2002	2016	1055	1042	37202	7.1	13.9	.510	0.1	0.2	.297	7.0	13.7	.514	4.3	5.7	.755	2.7	7.0	9.7	3.4	0.5	1.7	2.4	2.3	18.6

[Nathan89]

Gasol over Diaw. Both are on defense but Gasol has length. Also Diaw disappears too much.

[wildbill2u]

There are some other options for a FA center. If i had my druthers, I think Hassan Whiteside would be it. Then we'd have the two best defenders in the league with Kwahi able to gamble more with Whiteside backing him up at the rim.

Two other possibilities are Ezeli (sp?) and believe it or not, Ian Mahinmi. Ian has worked himself into the NBA starting center we always hoped he could be.

[Emperor]

There are some other options for a FA center. If i had my druthers, I think Hassan Whiteside would be it. Then we'd have the two best defenders in the league with Kwahi able to gamble more with Whiteside backing him up at the rim.

Two other possibilities are Ezeli (sp?) and believe it or not, Ian Mahinmi. Ian has worked himself into the NBA starting center we always hoped he could be.

I wouldn't mind Mahinmi coming back. He was pretty solid for Indy this past season. Maybe even Jordan Hill also?

[wildbill2u]

One thing about former Spurs. I don't think any of them harbor any resentments about their trades to other teams because they got some additions to thier value during their time here because they actually received some good training and enhanced their skills.

[TD 21]

Here's the context: Featured role? Pau Gasol was the 3rd option on offense behind Rose and Butler. The assumption is that he fills Tim's role and is the third option here as well. Even if Tim decides to go another year, I think either player would be open to coming off the bench.

Gasol actually had a slightly higher usage rate than Butler, but more importantly, he was the go-to low post option and primary pick and roll big.

I'm not saying him and Aldridge can't work as a pairing offensively, I'm just saying, he wouldn't really solve any issue; he'd just be the most talented option and closest thing to a Duncan archetype.

Neither Duncan or him are coming off the bench. If Duncan chooses to forego retirement, they're not signing him.

Not a floor spacer? That's ridiculous. The guy has tremendous range. He made 24 3 pointers this past season from the C position. How many did Tim make? The guy can beat you inside or outside and is a threat on offense.

Floor spacing isn't the ability to make range shots, it's the ability to instill enough fear in the opposition that they guard you as such.

This is about the bigger picture. Pau Gasol will cost 7 to 8 Mill per season. He would fit on our payroll w/o any changes as is. Bring him in and address other needs through free agency like defense and backup pg. Move Diaw the out of here and consider bringing in an experienced pg like Jeremy Lin. If you can move TP, then all the better.

He cost $7-8M last time around because he was in a position where he had to reprove himself and the Bulls were the only team that offered everything he was looking for: a chance to contend (he thought), a featured role and more money than the other interested teams. He'll probably cost $10-12M this time around.

[tmtcsc]

There are some other options for a FA center. If i had my druthers, I think Hassan Whiteside would be it. Then we'd have the two best defenders in the league with Kwahi able to gamble more with Whiteside backing him up at the rim.

Two other possibilities are Ezeli (sp?) and believe it or not, Ian Mahinmi. Ian has worked himself into the NBA starting center we always hoped he could be.

I believe Whiteside is going to make Max money. Spurs need to fill lots of holes right now and should consider spreading the $$ around. I think Allen Crabbe in Portland is going to be a player. Wish we could get him but I think Portland would match offers.

[tmtcsc]

Gasol actually had a slightly higher usage rate than Butler, but more importantly, he was the go-to low post option and primary pick and roll big.

I'm not saying him and Aldridge can't work as a pairing offensively, I'm just saying, he wouldn't really solve any issue; he'd just be the most talented option and closest thing to a Duncan archetype.

Neither Duncan or him are coming off the bench. If Duncan chooses to forego retirement, they're not signing him.



Floor spacing isn't the ability to make range shots, it's the ability to instill enough fear in opposing coaches/defenders that they guard you as such. They don't, in his case.



He cost $7-8M last time around because he was in a position where he had to reprove himself and the Bulls were the only team that offered everything he was looking for: a chance to contend (he thought), a featured role and more money than the other interested teams. He'll probably cost $10-12M this time around.

Not only does Gasol have 3 pt range, he also has a solid mid-range jumper. If defenders don't stay honest he can torch them. What makes you so sure Gasol or Duncan wouldn't come off the bench in the best interest of the team? I wouldn't want to see Duncan come off the bench mind you, but Gasol is the better player IF Duncan has lingering knee issues. , I'd rather Tim retire to be honest. If his knee isn't right I hope he goes out now. I hated to see scrubs give him a hard time in the playoffs.

If his knee is better, then he starts and Gasol comes off the bench. I think Gasol could respect that.

Why did Gasol have to prove himself in Chicago? He was an UFA that averaged 17 pts in his last sting with Lakers. He was on a crap team.

No doubt Gasol was worth more than 7.5 Mill per season and could get more now, but he's proven that $$ is hisn't biggest motivator at this point. Winning a Championship is. I'm hoping the Spurs plug him in to TD's spot.

[TD 21]

Not only does Gasol have 3 pt range, he also has a solid mid-range jumper. If defenders don't stay honest he can torch them. What makes you so sure Gasol or Duncan wouldn't come off the bench in the best interest of the team? I wouldn't want to see Duncan come off the bench mind you, but Gasol is the better player IF Duncan has lingering knee issues. , I'd rather Tim retire to be honest. If his knee isn't right I hope he goes out now. I hated to see scrubs give him a hard time in the playoffs.

If his knee is better, then he starts and Gasol comes off the bench. I think Gasol could respect that.

Why did Gasol have to prove himself in Chicago? He was an UFA that averaged 17 pts in his last sting with Lakers. He was on a crap team.

No doubt Gasol was worth more than 7.5 Mill per season and could get more now, but he's proven that $$ is hisn't biggest motivator at this point. Winning a Championship is. I'm hoping the Spurs plug him in to TD's spot.

What does that have to do with what I said?

There's only a need for one. Marjanovic will more than likely be re-signed and become the primary backup center. Even if that weren't the case, I don't believe that they'd ever ask Duncan to come off the bench in perpetuity nor pursue Gasol to do the same. Gasol has a massive ego.

You and your ppg averages. Gasol was injured and his play declined towards the end of his Lakers tenure. It wasn't known what the primary reason was for his decline: Age or injury/unhappiness with the situation.

Again, the Bulls were the only team that could offer EVERYTHING he was seeking, like the Spurs were with Aldridge. He didn't take less because he's altruistic.

I'm not necessarily opposed to signing him, I'm just saying, he wouldn't really solve any particular issue.

[SpurPadre]

Meaningless thread without tspence chiming in, tbh.

[dabom]

I'd take Diaw over Gasol. He already knows the system. The thing is Pop can't have Diaw with another PF. Of course the team will look like when that happens.

[dabom]

And Pop isn't afraid to bench Diaw when he needs to. I'm pretty sure he'd ride or die with Gasol if he came. Just like Dwest.

[SAGirl]

Biyombo doesn't fit next to Danny and lma on offense unless we added a stud pg. The only option for the spurs is to bolster a small ball lineup. That means an upgrade at the pg and wing position. That's the only way to increase play making ability without acquiring a stud.

Definitely one of the big issues to consider in FA is how they want to play.

[tmtcsc]

What does that have to do with what I said?

You wrote: "Floor spacing isn't the ability to make range shots, it's the ability to instill enough fear in opposing coaches/defenders that they guard you as such. They don't, in his case."


I'm arguing that he does space the floor and opponents would have to guard him away from the basket. How does that not solve the problem of having guys like Kanter and Adams cheating because they don't fear Tim will shoot, much less make a shot? Also, no matter what caliber of rebounder you think Gasol is, he averaged a double-double.

I'm just saying, he wouldn't really solve any particular issue.

Agree to disagree.

[wildbill2u]

I believe Whiteside is going to make Max money. Spurs need to fill lots of holes right now and should consider spreading the $$ around. I think Allen Crabbe in Portland is going to be a player. Wish we could get him but I think Portland would match offers.

I'm afraid you're right about Hassan getting max money. Lots of teams would love that defense from a young center with offensive upside. Maybe our counterpart is NDoye. I still like that guy as a development player. He did some impressive work in the D league at the end of the season. Big and MObile and Hostile.

Per 36 Minutes

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Season	Tm	G	GS	MP	FG	FGA	FG%	3P	3PA	3P%	2P	2PA	2P%	FT	FTA	FT%	ORB	DRB	TRB	AST	STL	BLK	TOV	PF	PTS
2015-16	AUS	49	14	941	4.9	8.6	.571	0.0	0.0	.000	4.9	8.6	.573	4.9	6.8	.723	4.3	8.8	13.1	1.5	0.8	2.1	3.2	3.7	14.8
Career		49	14	941	4.9	8.6	.571	0.0	0.0	.000	4.9	8.6	.573	4.9	6.8	.723	4.3	8.8	13.1	1.5	0.8	2.1	3.2	3.7	14.8

[TD 21]

You wrote: "Floor spacing isn't the ability to make range shots, it's the ability to instill enough fear in opposing coaches/defenders that they guard you as such. They don't, in his case."


I'm arguing that he does space the floor and opponents would have to guard him away from the basket. How does that not solve the problem of having guys like Kanter and Adams cheating because they don't fear Tim will shoot, much less make a shot? Also, no matter what caliber of rebounder you think Gasol is, he averaged a double-double.




Agree to disagree.

You might think they should, but they don't really. In general, teams don't really care about mid rangers or low volume three-point shooting.

As I said, I think him and Aldridge would find a way to function fine together offensively though.

His rebounding is definitely not an issue. In fact, his past few seasons have been his best on the defensive glass.

[SAGirl]

I'm afraid you're right about Hassan getting max money. Lots of teams would love that defense from a young center with offensive upside. Maybe our counterpart is NDoye. I still like that guy as a development player. He did some impressive work in the D league at the end of the season. Big and MObile and Hostile.

Per 36 Minutes

Glossary · SHARE · Embed · CSV · Export · PRE · LINK · ?

Season	Tm	G	GS	MP	FG	FGA	FG%	3P	3PA	3P%	2P	2PA	2P%	FT	FTA	FT%	ORB	DRB	TRB	AST	STL	BLK	TOV	PF	PTS
2015-16	AUS	49	14	941	4.9	8.6	.571	0.0	0.0	.000	4.9	8.6	.573	4.9	6.8	.723	4.3	8.8	13.1	1.5	0.8	2.1	3.2	3.7	14.8
Career		49	14	941	4.9	8.6	.571	0.0	0.0	.000	4.9	8.6	.573	4.9	6.8	.723	4.3	8.8	13.1	1.5	0.8	2.1	3.2	3.7	14.8

I like Ndoye and I hope he gets a real chance with us. We are looking like we are running out of spots unless some guys retire TBH, that is why I am less optimistic he would have a chance to make the team, not because he can't play. I think if not with us, he will be picked up by someone though.

[AFMadison]

Spurs have the best starting wing combo in the league in Danny/Kawhi who, if needed, can handle playing 40 minutes in a playoff series.

What the team is lacking is a TWO-WAY point guard like Conley & a mobile 4/5 like Horford/Biyombo/Ian. Since it's possible to hide Porker or not miss much by benching him for whoever replaces Patty(), the mobile 4 is imperative as they will essentially be involved in every play (ala Tristan).

If Tim retires then I wouldn't mind throwing 3yrs/50mill on Biyombo (less that Tristan's deal) as opposed to giving Horford 4yrs/100mill. Now that Ibaka is gone, Horford/LMA would get a full dose of Adams/Kanter/Sabonis who would maul them on the boards. I also wouldn't mind Ian for something like 3yrs/42mill although he's also a mediocre rebounder.

As far as backup PGs, I hope Fatty gets moved & is replaced by someone who can actually be effective when their shot isn't falling. Looking at two-way backup PGs on the market, Delly is overrated & is thus going to get overpaid but E'Twaun Moore would be nice if the Bulls don't plan on bringing him back. Vasquez is a ty defender but he can at least run the offense & drive so he's also an option.

IMO, if Tim doesn't retire then there are going to be a lot of FAs that won't sign b/c they don't want to come off the bench. At this point, I hope he just hangs it up b/c knees don't get better with age. Best case scenario, he's willing to come off the bench for the minimum then PATFO can sell him as a mentor, which should especially be attractive to someone like Biyombo.

Edit your post again and make it better...

[CosmicCowboy]

If KD is strongly leaning towards returning to OKC smartest thing he can do is stall Spurs and GS to miss out on other acceptable FA's.

[AFMadison]

[Nathan89]

Pau would probably be guarded more closely than Duncan was getting guarded at the top of the key. Defenders were sitting back making it impossible for LMA. In that scenario he's able to shoot and dribble more than Duncan if he wants to get closer. Also he maintains a the great passing.

[sasaint]

If KD is strongly leaning towards returning to OKC smartest thing he can do is stall Spurs and GS to miss out on other acceptable FA's.

Exactly, which is why the Spurs would be wise to pursue truly realistic options from the get-go. The time to pursue another big fish is 2017.