Udoka's next stop? Looks like the Spurs

[BeerIsGood!]

An additional positive to the Spurs' FO strategy is that it keeps you from eating horrible contracts after you over pay for a player that proves to be less than what you expected. While you may lose out on a PJ Brown or SJax you also rarely take a Jerome James type contract. The only one I can recall is Rasho, but the Spurs were fortunate to unload that contract after the '06 season. I think the situation with Rasho's contract may have made them even more frugal now.

[ThomasGranger]

An additional positive to the Spurs' FO strategy is that it keeps you from eating horrible contracts after you over pay for a player that proves to be less than what you expected. While you may lose out on a PJ Brown or SJax you also rarely take a Jerome James type contract. The only one I can recall is Rasho, but the Spurs were fortunate to unload that contract after the '06 season. I think the situation with Rasho's contract may have made them even more frugal now.

Malik's contract comes to mind as well.

[ducks]

Good question.

It's probably about even. The problem is that the strategy is more prone to backfire when there is more money on the line. While the Spurs were able to sign players like Bowen, Barry and hopefully Udoka for less than their market value, they had some big losses such as losing out of PJ Brown for a couple million and whatever happened in the SJax fiasco.

It seemingly worked well in this scenario so can't really complain.

I wonder if his agent would inform the spurs and would the spurs offerred more if they did

[wildbill2u]

Malik's contract comes to mind as well.

I agree. Even more than Rasho, Malik's contract was an albatross--and fortunately they were able to hang it around Isaiah's neck.

Personally, I don't think Udoka is the second coming of Bruce or anything. But he may be a nice role player for the price. The Spurs are getting pretty good at finding those complimentary players without paying an arm and a leg for them.

Even Beno isn't getting much in the way of salary so he's relatively harmless capwise at the end of the bench.

[Spurs Brazil]

Good question.

It's probably about even. The problem is that the strategy is more prone to backfire when there is more money on the line. While the Spurs were able to sign players like Bowen, Barry and hopefully Udoka for less than their market value, they had some big losses such as losing out of PJ Brown for a couple million and whatever happened in the SJax fiasco.

It seemingly worked well in this scenario so can't really complain.

Spurs also won with Rasho. Wolves were offering more

[Darkwaters]

I think it'll be great if we can sign Udoka at 2M/yr and we definitely need the infusion of youth on the wings but I still see the need for a long 3. I don't think Tim is the answer on Dirk for extended periods because he's still faster than Tim and can pull Tim out of shotblocking position.

We're going to need another forward that is mobile and at least 6'7" before Bowen declines seriously. Right now the only prospects we have are Williams and Sanikidze (maybe Mahinmi?). I hope one of them pans out.

We have several players working their way through the system that could potentially fill that role. Sanikidze and Mahinmi are obvious choices because of their length and athleticism. Although, I think that both are probably a ways away. The most obvious benefactor to that need is Tiago Splitter. Tiago could play the 5 next to Duncan but defend Dirk while Duncan guards whichever center the Mavs trot out. Bowen/Udoka could then guard Howard and we're off to the races. And while Splitter will spend next year in Europe there is still a possibility that Elson could pull off some "second year in system" magic and be a viable player (at least in games against Dallas) for the upcoming season.

But with the infusion of Udoka and Splitter (next season) we'll have some nice defensive replacements that are much more refined than your typical NBA project...they're ready to contribute from day 1.

[SRJ]

Re: Stephen Jackson

I thought no other team offered him more than the Spurs did, at about $3-$4 million per? IIRC, he played the 2003-04 season at just over $1 million with Atlanta.

[nfg3]

NICEEEEEE! Excellent points made, too. I was sweating this one out and I'm glad its hopefully done. Love the point about have a lockdown wing defender on the court at all times. Our second unit should now be in position to either extend leads given them by the starters or cut into any defeceit. I believe we are more flexible in our options now than before.

As for Udoka possibly being a starter I have to agree with others that talk about his offensive capabillities. Finely's offensive output I believe would surpass Udoka's based on what I know of the guy. He will be able to spell Bowen and give him more rest during the season which will help Bowen come playoff time.

This will be interesting to see how he fits into our system. I believe that he stated that he wanted to be a Bowen type player. Well he now has the chance to learn under the master.

[urunobili]

I couldn't be happier.. finally they spent some money...

[waly.mg]

Very nice
Finally one player

[juncan]

Yeah, that blog has it listed different from the actual article. I think the blog is wrong because it's referencing the article . . . the blog writer must have just gotten confused.

Either way, even if it's a 2-year, $4M deal, that's a steal for the Spurs.

I checked with Joe Freeman (the author), he said the deal is worth a little more than $2 million TOTAL, not per season.

Sounds like last year's DeShawn Stevenson.

[Bruno]

I checked with Joe Freeman (the author), he said the deal is worth a little more than $2 million TOTAL, not per season.

Sounds like last year's DeShawn Stevenson.

Thanks.

[Spurs Brazil]

Udoka, the Spurs and Blake in Baltimore
Posted by jfreeman August 13, 2007 12:47PM
In case you missed today's story in The Oregonian, Ime Udoka is on the verge of signing with the defending champs. I'm hearing the deal is worth a little more than $2 million over two years, and the second year probably will be a player option.

My first thought after hearing the particulars was, "Wait, couldn't the Blazers have afforded that?" Udoka and his agent, Erin Cowan, have said all along that the small forward wished to return to Portland, the franchise that allowed him to blossom from a D-Leaguer to NBA starter last season. But when Cowan told the Blazers early in free agency that one Western Conference team had offered a three-year deal for $12 million, the Blazers scoffed.

That deal -- and those dollars -- never materialized.

Cowan told me on Sunday that a couple factors hurt his client, most notably concerns about his knees (he has torn his anterior cruciate ligament twice). But I imagine teams were hesitant to unload $12 million on a player who just turned 30 and has just one season of experience as an NBA starter.

Which leads me back to the Blazers.

I imagine Udoka will thrive with the Spurs. He's a tireless worker and team-first guy who also happens to mix great perimeter defense with an excellent three-point shot. He would have been a good fit for this young Blazers team.

Just a hunch, but even with the roster limitations -- the team already has 15 players under contract for next season -- I think General Manager Kevin Pritchard would have found a way to retain Udoka for $2 million.

On an unrelated note, Reader Andrew forwarded me this story on point guard Steve Blake from The Baltimore Sun. Enjoy ...

--Freeman
http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindbla...lake_in_b.html

[timvp]

I checked with Joe Freeman (the author), he said the deal is worth a little more than $2 million TOTAL, not per season.

Sounds like last year's DeShawn Stevenson.

Nice job.

Good to see great Spurs fans even exist in China

[timvp]

Udoka's agent is the big loser in all this. He floated some outrageous numbers that turned out to be total lies. He tried to lie Udoka into a big contract. Now the whole league knows this guy will go above and beyond the boundaries that most dishonest agents even dare venture.

[Solid D]

Freeman said the same thing on the Ticket760 in an interview with Walter P. A little over $2M total over 2 years. He also said the deal is almost done. They were working out whether the 2nd year would be a player option or team option but that it would probably be finalized by Tuesday.

[timvp]

Freeman said the same thing on the Ticket760 in an interview with Walter P. A little over $2M total over 2 years. He also said the deal is almost done. They were working out whether the 2nd year would be a player option or team option but that it would probably be finalized by Tuesday.

Thanks for the info.

Let's hope for no option or team option.

[jmard5]

Alrighty!

[CubanMustGo]

Udoka's agent is the big loser in all this. He floated some outrageous numbers that turned out to be total lies. He tried to lie Udoka into a big contract. Now the whole league knows this guy will go above and beyond the boundaries that most dishonest agents even dare venture.

If I was Udoka I would find a new agent.

[exstatic]

Very different from the 3yrs/$9

That could be what he gets next summer. Bowen signed for less than $800K for his first year, opted out, and got a nice deal from the Spurs.

[BigBeezie]

I'm glad the Spurs finally picked this guy up. I'm just concerned that (1) he didn't commit to us right away (2) he may only have to play here a year

The guys the Spurs pick-up usually do better over time.

[Kindergarten Cop]

Very different from the 3yrs/$9

Even more different than 3yrs/$12M.

[Solid D]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=8mx1F3Jmvm4

For those who haven't already seen this video clip...check out the extra effort by Ime Udoka on a couple of these plays to help win a game early last season.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

I love the offseason now! Oh my Jesus this guy might have guaranteed us another championship. Well, not really, but we got a WHOLE lot better with this signing.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

I wouldn't say Udoka HAS to be on the 12-man roster.

I'd kill myself if he isn't on the 12-man roster come start of the season.