Trade!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mountainballer]

Bottom Line: Oberto is not the issue...the entire frontcourt outside of Duncan is the issue.

So getting back to the original question I would say to trade one of the frontcourt players (preferably Elson) for cap space and try to pick up PJ Brown, or for another swingman (Rasual Butler?) and concede to go small-ball.

agree. Oberto isn't the problem. and he would be versatile enough to play any role in a changed frontcourt line-up, if a trade happened. (this would take Elson another 3 years)
considering that the only somehow attracting asset the Spurs can offer are expiring contracts, the best bet might be to look at teams with players on long term contracts, that might no longer be part of the future plans.

Joel Przybilla? 2006 the Spurs wanted him and offered the MLE. he resigned for the MLE with the Blazers. with Oden comming back 2008, the Blazers might be happy to get rid of his long term contract. next season they will still be lux tax payer, so trading Przybilla for expirings makes even more sense.
(can't tell if he would be the solution. but if asked if I think he would be more helpful than Elson, I would say yes.)

Jeff Foster? he saw one DNP-CD and a just 2 minutes game in the last 3 games of the Pacers. signs that they change the rotation and that he is available as a result? (Foster has another year on his contract at 5.5M per year and Indy also doesn't have significant contracts that expire 2008) I like the idea of bringing him home.

Nick Collison? don't really think that the Sonics are open to trade him right now, but who knows. it was the old management that signed him to his long term contract and the new management in Seattle might have different ideas. as RC should have Presti's number, it's worth a call.

none of the mentioned is a premium player and all are not exactly a bargain (but also not totally overpayed IMO), but they could fit. (in different ways). considering, that next season the Spurs will have a low cost center in Splitter (maybe another cheap frontcourt player in Mahinmi, if he is ready), a not very expensive player in Oberto, there should be room for a 5-6 million player.

btw. I like the idea of getting Butler. not as much as somehow getting James Jones, but Butler is also a nice option. (and a realistic scenario, maybe with the problem, that Hornets and Spurs are now rivals again and might easily meet in the PO)

[tav1]

I posted these on another thread a few days ago, but I still think they make sense:

Of the Knicks Balkman and Chandler are worth looking at simply because they are inexpensive and could potentially fill a need at the wing in future seasons. But I don't see many deals that would get that done. Elson and a #1 for those two is probably as high as the Spurs would go, and maybe that's too high, but I don't see the Knicks biting. That also leaves us thin and dependent on Bonner in the frontcourt. Brent Barry is a player the Knicks could use because of their poor spacing, but I don't think the Spurs want to lose him, especially since he is there de facto third point.

The Pistons have three players that we could probably get for Elson and/or a future draft pick: Walter Hermann, Flip Murray and Primoz Brezac. If the Spurs waited until Feb. 14, they could potentially get Murray and Hermann for Elson and a #2. That sounds plausible and might be worthwhile.

Toronto is no longer playing Juan Dixon. They could use a back-up center who is more fleet of foot, and so Dixon for Elson could happen. Again, that *may* help each team and works under the cap.

The Bobcats have injury problems all over the place and could really use a playoff berth: a combination of Dudley, Davidson and Harrington might get them Brent Barry. Dudley has potential, and Davidson and Harrington would shore up the front court for the playoffs.

Memphis: Elson/Barry for Hakim Warrick and Swift would saves Memphis a little money. I'd consider that trade.

Milwaukee: This is my personal fave: Elson and a #1 for Charlie Villanueva. This is doable because Milwaukee only benefits from playing and developing Yi. I'd do this in a heartbeat if I were the Spurs.

Minnesota: With Telfair, Foye and Brewer, Minnesota might want to shed McCants contract. Elson for McCants and Gomes works and is probably worth doing. The Spurs might have to give up a 2nd round draft pick as well.

New Jersey: Nachbar and Marcus Williams might be available, but I don't see a scenario wherein we could get either.

Orlando: Barry and a second round pick might land Arroyo and Foyle. It's lopsided, but Arroyo is not seeing much playing time and Barry would help the Magic more in playoffs. I'd do it.

Portland: If the Blazers want to save money, then Channing Frye for Elson might be worth it. I think Frye wouldn't do much worse than Elson and could potentially be a nice upgrade.

In addition to these, I'd say Phat Tony's Rasual Butler suggestion and Mountainballers Joel Pryzbilla suggestion are the sort of scenarios that are possible and could be beneficial. Pryzbilla's long contract with Splitter and Mahinmi in waiting and Oberto tied up, may not be too wise, though.

[Kori Ellis]

though i dont like tpark very much, i'm going to defend him here-

Are you defending him for treating every single poster like in every thread that was posted yesterday?

[1Parker1]

I must say, one trade I really wished they made last year and the year before was Barry. But after watching the Spurs struggle with their offense the past month and their lack of ball movement, I realize that Brent Barry is the next most valuable player on the Spurs after Parker, Duncan, Bowen, and Manu. Brent Barry is more often than not money from 3 point land and he's a good ball handler/distributer, 2 things the Spurs have been lacking especially since he's been out.

[diego]

Are you defending him for treating every single poster like in every thread that was posted yesterday?

no, that's exactly what i dont like about him, what i was defending was his stance, that ting on oberto for not being a shot blocker, and without providing realistic alternatives, is pointless and unfair. would i like to pair dwight howard and duncan? or sheed and duncan? or camby and duncan? sure. but that is impossible and people who on our players for specific plays like Manu4Tres did are no better than tpark's infamous "I'll never cheer this team again" routine. a bunch of fairweather bull

[MaNu4Tres]

I hardly think Fabs was "looking to flop".

Tell you what. Give me 10 feet to build the speed, stand there with your hands in the air while I lower my head into your stomach at 40 mph, and when you go flying backwards on your ass, tell me you were "just flopping". It was such an obvious call. Yet the refs stood there mute.

I suppose Tony, when he went in, took it across the face so hard he couldn't get up off the floor, was "just floppin" too. And BTW, that one was obvious and wasn't called either.

lol 40 m.p.h in 10 feet i'd like to see that.

[AFBlue]

agree. Oberto isn't the problem. and he would be versatile enough to play any role in a changed frontcourt line-up, if a trade happened. (this would take Elson another 3 years)
considering that the only somehow attracting asset the Spurs can offer are expiring contracts, the best bet might be to look at teams with players on long term contracts, that might no longer be part of the future plans.

Joel Przybilla?...

Jeff Foster?....

Nick Collison?....

none of the mentioned is a premium player and all are not exactly a bargain (but also not totally overpayed IMO), but they could fit. (in different ways). considering, that next season the Spurs will have a low cost center in Splitter (maybe another cheap frontcourt player in Mahinmi, if he is ready), a not very expensive player in Oberto, there should be room for a 5-6 million player.

btw. I like the idea of getting Butler. not as much as somehow getting James Jones, but Butler is also a nice option. (and a realistic scenario, maybe with the problem, that Hornets and Spurs are now rivals again and might easily meet in the PO)

I think Pryzbilla is a solid big that is underrated and I don't really question the amount of his contract, but more the length of it....

The Spurs pitched Tim Duncan the idea of leaving some money on the table for 2010 because they have a plan to go out and grab one or two significant players for the future of this team. I don't think they would sacrafice that for Pryzbilla or any other "role player" for that matter.

I also like Foster because of his defense and rebounding, but trading for him might prove difficult because only Brent Barry is a similar salary match....and the more I see Barry knocking down threes and keeping the ball moving on offense, I think the less likely it is that the Spurs trade him. Not to mention the fact that he's the de facto third PG right now.

Collison is another guy signed beyond 2010, but I also question whether he'd be able to play good defense. On a positive note, he has far more offensive game than either of the other two mentioned.

At this point, I think it's really tough to make a move and I don't see many frontcourt options. The Spurs may just have to grin and bear it with their current roster and try to slim down the rotation with the players they've got...which may not include much time, if any, for a couple of the frontcourt guys.

Oh, and on Butler....

I think he's a solid defender that is good at shooting spot-up three pointers. The negative with him is that his contract, if traded for Elson, would likely put the Spurs over the lux tax threshold...and there's that good point you brought up about in-division rivals.

Bottom Line: It'll be tough to get any help this time around...even if the Spurs want to deal.

FWIW, Jackie Butler is still out there....

[ArgSpursFan.]

I told you all,we should've kept Scola.
We could've have a big guy putting up 8/6 from the bench.
That was the trade that should've not been made.
Now it's too late to be trading ,we have to deal with what we have.
BTW,Elson sucks mayor ass!!!!

[Bruno]

I don't think Spurs will or should do a trade.
Spurs' team is a great deep team and with few weaknesses. The only way I see a trade is if there is a great opportunity.

If I were Spurs GM, I would do nothing before the deadline. Barring a miracle, I won't do a trade.
At the end of February, I will sign Linton Johnson for the reminder of the season and see if he can help Spurs as small ball PF.
Just before the playoff, I will sign Keith Langford.
Saying that I'm not Spurs GM so what I say is quite useless.

[ploto]

Toronto is no longer playing Juan Dixon. They could use a back-up center who is more fleet of foot, and so Dixon for Elson could happen. Again, that *may* help each team and works under the cap.

With TJ Ford out, Juan Dixon is the back up point guard most nights. Secondly, Raps would rather play Kris Humphries than Elson.

[ploto]

The Spurs aren't a very cohesive unit right now.

It is just odd to me because of all the years these guys have been playing together. I have never seen that many passes to "no one" in one Spurs game!

[ChumpDumper]

Haven't really seen an impact trade proposed, but I'll keep looking.

I told you all,we should've kept Scola.
We could've have a big guy putting up 8/6 from the bench.

He wouldn't be doing that here, and that isn't a trade suggestion.

[BacktoBasics]

I'm not reading all 5 pages but I woke up this morning thinking a guy like Martell Webster might be had for a couple of vets with expiring deals and a draft pick or two.

[AFBlue]

I'm not reading all 5 pages but I woke up this morning thinking a guy like Martell Webster might be had for a couple of vets with expiring deals and a draft pick or two.

You might be right about the Blazers moving Webster because they already have a ton of prospects that are set to come across the pond in the next year or two (Koponen, Fernandez, Freeland, etc.).

The issue is what the Spurs have to trade for him...

Webster has really had an excellent season and shot the ball well. More than likely the Blazers will try to capitalize on that by moving him along with one of their bad contracts and get an expiring contract in return. And their "bad" contracts are guys like Raef LaFrentz ($12M) and Darius Miles ($8M).

The only deal the Spurs could make would be Elson + Barry...and that's alot to give up for Martell Webster and Darius Miles...who has one good leg, at ude problems, and a contract that escalates over the next two seasons beyond this one.

I like where your head is, but that's a tough one to pull off.

[Ocotillo]

How about Sequ for a Maverick poster to be named later?

[AFBlue]

One that I just can't get out of my head....

Spurs trade Elson for Mikael Pietrus.

Reasons For:

- Both have expiring contracts, so neither team is under any obligation to retain either player if they don't perform well, but both would have sufficient time to "try out" for their respective new teams to see if they warrant an off-season offer.

- Pietrus is athletic, strong, plays decent defense, and can be a good shooter. He can play both 2 and 3, and might be another guard in the mix for that small-ball 4 position that Pop loves so much... , could he be worse than Bones Barry?

Reasons Against:

- Pietrus has a low BBIQ and might find it difficult to adjust to the system in enough time to make a difference in the playoffs.


Bottom Line: It has the makings of a deal with both parties wanting to possibly shake things up and reasonable contracts that expire.

I'd still put the odds against it, but you never know...

[SpurOutofTownFan]

What's the purpose of trading now? when the new person comes over he will have to learn the system etc and will probalby be left out of the team for playoffs.. heck... Udoka is still learning. Trading at this point is a double-edged sword.

[AFBlue]

What's the purpose of trading now? when the new person comes over he will have to learn the system etc and will probalby be left out of the team for playoffs.. heck... Udoka is still learning. Trading at this point is a double-edged sword.

Not exactly true....

Nazr came in a mid-season trade and was able to make an immediate impact during the Spurs' championship run in '05.

[SpurOutofTownFan]

Not exactly true....

Nazr came in a mid-season trade and was able to make an immediate impact during the Spurs' championship run in '05.

Yeah you're right I remember but he was the only option pretty much we had so he had to learn it really quick - I would like to think about that as an exception unless we bring a class A guy which is probably not possible. I don't know - I honestly don't think they will make any trades unless something goes terribly wrong from now to trade time.

[tav1]

With TJ Ford out, Juan Dixon is the back up point guard most nights. Secondly, Raps would rather play Kris Humphries than Elson.

Darrick Martin has assumed Ford's minutes, not Dixon. On the 14th, despite two overtimes, Dixon didn't play.

[tav1]

Strictly for cap purposes, the Blazers might entertain Fyre and Webster for Barry. That hurts the Spurs this summer, though.

[ChumpDumper]

FWIW, Jackie Butler is still out there....

Screw that. If we're going to get some fat bas , let's get one that's playing ball now.

[Hemotivo]

He's playing in the LIGA DE LAS AMERICAS

for Cangrejeros de Santurce (Puerto Rico)
fun player to watch

[Bruno]

[CENTER]Screw that. If we're going to get some fat bas , let's get one that's playing ball now.

No love for this guy ?

[ChumpDumper]

I really like that fat bas . He's forty pounds away from the NBA.