Spurs' future draft picks

[Mr. Body]

Rusty - Beno's time on the Spurs is done. It's a matter of where the Spurs dump him at this point.

A rookie PG, combo or otherwise, is needed for a future back-up. Whether he starts stealing time from Vaughn next year or plays more the year after, it's a priority. Vaughn was always intended as a third stringer, in any case, but Beno's fecklessness got in the way of plans.

[Rustyman]

Rusty - Beno's time on the Spurs is done. It's a matter of where the Spurs dump him at this point.

A rookie PG, combo or otherwise, is needed for a future back-up. Whether he starts stealing time from Vaughn next year or plays more the year after, it's a priority. Vaughn was always intended as a third stringer, in any case, but Beno's fecklessness got in the way of plans.

Is Beno's deal for next year a team option or not? If so, I can see the possibility of the Spurs dumping him, however, the Spurs are a pretty frugal organization and if they cannot get anyone to play the 2nd/3rd PG for Beno money, I think they keep him.

Also, if Beno has a guaranteed contract for next year, I think it is almost a certainty the Spurs don't cut him. They may do all in their power to trade him for a bag of nuts but they are unlikely to swallow his salary and get nothing in return. Just my 2 cents.

[Mr. Body]

Next year is guaranteed. They sweated the decision before last season, when they had to pick it up. In retrospect I'm sure they regret it, but they may get something for him yet. I'm pretty sure they will; otherwise, yeah, they have a tough decision whether to cut him or let him tag along for another year, wasting a roster spot.

[mountainballer]

There are about 10 minutes backing up Tony Parker and for that Vaughn or a similar player suffices, especially if Beno stays for another year.

sorry, no insult, but this calculation is just wrong.
no team plays exclusivly either the starting PG, or his back-up instead of him.
neither do the Spurs.
it's a question of rotations. so you can't claim, that there are only 10 minutes to give to this back-up, whoever he is.
the perfect back-up (who the Spurs didn't have for....can't remember) will open additional options about rotations and line ups (play also alongside Tony who moves to SG, or play some SG himself...), he would be a 20 minutes player. just take Beno's minutes and reduce Barry's to 15 and you've got the missing playing time.
the fact that the Spurs have won it all this year, doesn't tell that there isn't still room for improvement. and the back-up PG area is obviously such an improvement area.

[AFBlue]

Is Beno's deal for next year a team option or not? If so, I can see the possibility of the Spurs dumping him, however, the Spurs are a pretty frugal organization and if they cannot get anyone to play the 2nd/3rd PG for Beno money, I think they keep him.

Also, if Beno has a guaranteed contract for next year, I think it is almost a certainty the Spurs don't cut him. They may do all in their power to trade him for a bag of nuts but they are unlikely to swallow his salary and get nothing in return. Just my 2 cents.

Like it or not Rusty, it's clear that the Spurs are targeting a PG in the upcoming draft. Whether that player is international (Koponen) or domestic (Pruitt, Dowdell, etc.), it is more than likely they will be drafting a PG in the draft on Thursday.

That means they're not sold on Beno being on this team, and I think he'll be gone by training camp.

[mountainballer]

That means they're not sold on Beno being on this team, and I think he'll be gone by training camp.

I hope he's gone on draft night.
(as a part of a package we use to either trade up, or part of a package of one of our picks for a decent player)

[A.H 21-50]

I hope he's gone on draft night.
(as a part of a package we use to either trade up, or part of a package of one of our picks for a decent player)

The Cavs has shown interest in Beno, He could be shopped for a 2nd round pick
And as Tony Phat said the Spurs Will probably draft a PG during this draft , they did a lot of workouts with some pg's and twice with some of them.

Rusty if we look now the spurs roster , they will not be a lot a roster spot available but the FO might know who will go and who will stay and it will also depends on oberto , scola situations and mahinmi's situation with his injury...
so nothing done yet

A lot of options for this draft.......

[K-State Spur]

Besides that, the comparison just doesn't hold water...

Drew Gooden is a PF and will be a PF for his entire career. Julian Wright may have played the majority of his minutes at PF (which is why it's understandable that his jumpshot is underdeveloped), but his long-term position in the NBA is SF.

Wright may be a project as a SF, but he's a smart player, hard worker, and incredible athlete with a bright future....I would love him on this team!

Wright's going to be used more as a light PF in this league once teams accept that his range and and handle are worse than many centers.

[coopdogg3]

agree. beside the point that IMO, that this "2008 plan" is just a myth, (the Spurs will never signe another big contract when they pay 40 million to the big 3), the money to pay a late 1st rounder is about the same as the veteran minimum.
as PT says, they will take a player they like. if all players on their list are gone at this point, they might think about some other strategies. but it would be stupid to decide by cap considerations in the fist place.

I agree, I think the 2008 Master Plan is a fairy tale. So this is a crucial off-season where they need to bring in some new talent to replace all the pieces that will be missing next year. Hopefully they can add a piece or 2 of that puzzle during the draft.

[mountainballer]

I agree, I think the 2008 Master Plan is a fairy tale. So this is a crucial off-season where they need to bring in some new talent to replace all the pieces that will be missing next year. Hopefully they can add a piece or 2 of that puzzle during the draft.

yes. and they won't want to repleace 5 or 6 regular rotation players next summer, they will be smart enough to stretch the rebuilding process of the supporting cast over two summers. tha's why I'm sure we will see some new (younger) faces this year.

[Mitch Cumsteen]

Wright's going to be used more as a light PF in this league once teams accept that his range and and handle are worse than many centers.

Spoken like a true K-State fan. I think Julian Wright is the third best player in this draft. His basketball IQ is off the charts and he's an outstanding passer. He's the type of guy who makes his teammates better with his passing and vision, and there aren't a lot of them at his size. There's nothing wrong with his handle. Dude played point guard in high school. Once his range improves, he's going to be an All-Star.

[K-State Spur]

Spoken like a true K-State fan. I think Julian Wright is the third best player in this draft. His basketball IQ is off the charts and he's an outstanding passer. He's the type of guy who makes his teammates better with his passing and vision, and there aren't a lot of them at his size. There's nothing wrong with his handle. Dude played point guard in high school. Once his range improves, he's going to be an All-Star.

Nothing to do with being a KSU fan (except that I may have seen him play more than many on this board). He is a great passer, good shot blocker, decent rebounder, and a solid defender. But his handle does suck and his range literally ends at 5 feet out.

And people talking about Affalo not coming to play in some games, that's nothing compared to Wright. Wright had ELEVEN (11!) games this past year where he totaled less than 8 pts AND less than 7 rebounds.

In the 2 biggest games of the year:
vs. SIU - 7 pts, 3 boards, 1 assist
vs. UCLA - 8 pts, 5 boards, 4 assists, and a couple blown layups

[Mitch Cumsteen]

Nothing to do with being a KSU fan (except that I may have seen him play more than many on this board). He is a great passer, good shot blocker, decent rebounder, and a solid defender. But his handle does suck and his range literally ends at 5 feet out.

And people talking about Affalo not coming to play in some games, that's nothing compared to Wright. Wright had ELEVEN (11!) games this past year where he totaled less than 8 pts AND less than 7 rebounds.

In the 2 biggest games of the year:
vs. SIU - 7 pts, 3 boards, 1 assist
vs. UCLA - 8 pts, 5 boards, 4 assists, and a couple blown layups

I'm going to respectfully disagree with your opinion on his handle. I know that I'm in the minority with my high opinion of him. I just think he's the type of guy that the numbers don't bear out how good he is and how he can impact the game. He also played on a team where he didn't have to be the man scoring every night, and could defer to his teammates and do other things to help his team win. You can teach someone to be a better shooter. You can't teach someone how to anticipate how a defender is going to move and hit a cutter in stride. It's difficult to teach guys who are used to dominating the ball how to be a good teammate and move without the ball. Wright just knows how to play the game. The only real shortcomings that he has are his strength and jumpshot. I don't see any reason why they both won't improve with time.

[Mr. Body]

Flatly stated, Julian Wright is the long 3 we've so badly needed.

Not that he'd be available.

[coopdogg3]

Flatly stated, Julian Wright is the long 3 we've so badly needed.

Not that he'd be available.

I think Durant is the long 3 that we so badly need.

I would prefer Brewer to Wright. Not that it matters in the least bit.

[Mr. Body]

I think Durant is the long 3 that we so badly need.

I would prefer Brewer to Wright. Not that it matters in the least bit.

I think the whole conversation started because Julian Wright was tumbling down the draft boards. Sure, I'd rather have Brewer, but he's guaranteed to be gone by the top 10. J. Wright stands a good chance of falling out of the lottery.

[K-State Spur]

Flatly stated, Julian Wright is the long 3 we've so badly needed.

Not that he'd be available.

His inability to hit knock down open shots would really hurt there. (Not that there is no way that he can get any better, but I don't think you can bank on him developing a reliable perimeter game either.)

As great as Bowen has been on the defensive end, if he's not hitting that corner 3, his value is greatly diminished.

[coopdogg3]

I think the whole conversation started because Julian Wright was tumbling down the draft boards. Sure, I'd rather have Brewer, but he's guaranteed to be gone by the top 10. J. Wright stands a good chance of falling out of the lottery.

Really?? Wow, I need to go catch up on my NBA Draft. I can't believe Wright would drop that far.

[Bruno]

http://draftexpress.com/workout.php?...0&pid=0&tid=20

Gabe Pruitt, Sun Yue and DJ Strawberry will work out with Spurs on June 25th.

[AFBlue]

http://draftexpress.com/workout.php?...0&pid=0&tid=20

Gabe Pruitt, Sun Yue and DJ Strawberry will work out with Spurs on June 25th.

Pruitt in for a second look....I really like the possibility of him on this team.

[timvp]

http://draftexpress.com/workout.php?...0&pid=0&tid=20

Gabe Pruitt, Sun Yue and DJ Strawberry will work out with Spurs on June 25th.

Interesting. Are we sure this is a second look for Pruitt? If it is, perhaps there was something to the rumors of the Spurs liking him.

Yue and Strawberry are both pretty good options at 58. Strawberry has been telling teams he can be a Bruce Bowen type player. I guess the Spurs will see first hand.

[Mr. Body]

Still it's weird a rumor of a 'promise' for Pruitt came about.

Like timvp says, Strawberry and Yue are two guys for the 58 pick, which suggests they're ready to use it on a domestic player. Of course it'll be a continuum, depending on whether they draft a foreign guy earlier. As I've thought for a while, they may be looking to add two rookies this offseason.

[timvp]

Still it's weird a rumor of a 'promise' for Pruitt came about.

Like timvp says, Strawberry and Yue are two guys for the 58 pick, which suggests they're ready to use it on a domestic player. Of course it'll be a continuum, depending on whether they draft a foreign guy earlier. As I've thought for a while, they may be looking to add two rookies this offseason.

I think Yue and Strawberry are more a matter of just taking a look at everyone. They may be in the mix at 58 but most likely not because the Spurs don't have the roster space.

Although Yue or Strawberry may agree to hone their skills overseas a la Derrick Dial, which would make them more intriguing to the Spurs.

[picnroll]

They've been bringing Strawberry in some with the PGs like Pruitt, Koponen and Dowdell. Maybe to see how these PGs handle defensive pressure.

[pad300]

I think Yue and Strawberry are more a matter of just taking a look at everyone. They may be in the mix at 58 but most likely not because the Spurs don't have the roster space.

Although Yue or Strawberry may agree to hone their skills overseas a la Derrick Dial, which would make them more intriguing to the Spurs.

I'm pretty sure Yue would be willing to go overseas. If we could get him a decent spot to develop, it' not like he's at home now... Strawberry I don't know about. He might prefer to stay home and try the D-league.

[Darkwaters]

I've been pimping the DJ Strawberry idea for a while. I would love to grab him up. If he goes to Europe for a year or two to get better then I'd like it even more.

Chumpdumper was the first to mention Sun Yue and I like him as well. He would have to be willing to stay overseas (and play in a more difficult league) but he would be intriguing as can be.