Spurs' future draft picks

[ChumpDumper]

I wonder if a Ricky Sanchez deal is possible with these players -- have them play in the D-League on their own without actually being signed -- or was Sanchez just grandfathered in since the Idaho was a CBA team before coming into the D-League. Something like that might work for Yue if the Chinese cover alot of his expenses anyway.

[AFBlue]

From Chad Ford's latest. I thought this tidbit was interesting, given that some have said the Spurs would likely trade their first rounder...here are some teams reportedly looking to get in the first round mix. Granted, most of the suggestions are for higher picks....but what, if anything, do you think the Spurs could get out of these teams?

• Several teams, including the Cavs, Mavs, Pacers and Raptors, are trying to figure out how to get into the first round.

The Cavs and Mavs, unfortunately, don't have a lot of assets with which to move up. A couple of the Cavs' best young players -- Anderson Varejao and Sasha Pavlovic -- are hitting free agency. The Mavs could offer Jason Terry, but I don't think anyone's giving up a high pick for him.

The Pacers have a lot more trade bait. Jermaine O'Neal is still available and could help the Pacers land pick No. 19 from the Lakers or possibly No. 17 from the Nets as part of a larger trade. And the Pacers also have a $4 million dollar trade exception that they picked up in the Al Harrington deal. That means they could approach a cash-strapped team like Phoenix, offer to take a salary under $4 million off their hands and get pick No. 24 or No. 29 for doing it.

The Raptors also have some ammunition, point guard Jose Calderon. He is on the last year of his contract, and with T.J. Ford's extension kicking in, it's unlikely that the Raptors will be willing to fork over the cash next year.

Calderon could be a valuable trade chip to move Toronto into the late lottery to mid-first round. The Hawks at No. 11, the Wizards at No. 16, the Lakers at No. 19, the Heat at No. 20 and the Knicks at No. 23 are all looking for point guards.

http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog...name=ford_chad

[pad300]

More General Reading - NBADraft.net's positional ratings:
SF's
http://www.nbadraft.net/2007smallforwards001.asp
SG's
http://www.nbadraft.net/2007shootingguards001.asp
and PG's
http://www.nbadraft.net/2007pointguards001.asp

I will note that I am not as impressed by NBADraft.net's analysis as with Draftexpress and Hoopsanalyst.

Further Question I previously asked regarding what the audience would consider a fair value of picks for Scolas' rights. A follow up - who out there would do either 31 and 35 for Scola (from Seattle) or 37 and 42 for Scola (from Portland)? Particularly in light of the Oberto opt-out and potential Finley opt-out, we might be looking for some cheap parts for at least a year, maybe 2...

[AFBlue]

Further Question I previously asked regarding what the audience would consider a fair value of picks for Scolas' rights. A follow up - who out there would do either 31 and 35 for Scola (from Seattle) or 37 and 42 for Scola (from Portland)? Particularly in light of the Oberto opt-out and potential Finley opt-out, we might be looking for some cheap parts for at least a year, maybe 2...

Not impossible, but the Spurs are much more likely to fill their roster with veterans, than with a bunch of young guys. I think the Spurs are likely to go international with one of their picks already (though I don't think it's a given), so it's hard for me to believe they would add more picks.

[AFBlue]

A few interesting quick hitters from ESPNs Andy Katz....

The one BIG rumor going around after the Suns scheduled workouts with Noah, Brewer, and Brendan Wright was that they were close to a deal to move into the top 10...both Ford and Katz commented as such.

Quick hitters on the draft:


• LSU junior forward Glen Davis is skyrocketing up the draft and New Jersey is very interested in Davis selecting at No. 17. The Nets, according to sources, are high on Davis, Colorado State's Jason Smith or former Boston College center Sean Williams. Davis has worked out for New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Utah, Miami, Golden State, Washington, Houston and was at Detroit Monday.


• The rumors of a promise to DePaul's Wilson Chandler to New York at No. 23 may be misdirected. According to sources, Chandler's guarantee is actually more likely with one of Phoenix's late first-round picks at No. 24 or 29.


• A number of teams told ESPN.com that they believed USC's Gabe Pruitt has a bottom-guarantee from Miami at No. 20.


• After talking to a number of teams Monday, the consensus was that the biggest slider in the first round could be Kansas' Julian Wright, who could fall to Washington at No. 16.

[tempest186]

Green Room invitees for the draft

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_ar...een_room_list/

· Corey Brewer (Florida)
· Michael Conley (Ohio St.)
· Kevin Durant (Texas)
· Jeff Green (Georgetown)
· Spencer Hawes (Washington)
· Al Horford (Florida)
· Yi Jianlian (China)
· Acie Law IV (Texas A&M)
· Joakim Noah (Florida)
· Greg Oden (Ohio St.)
· Rodney Stuckey (Eastern Washington)
· Al Thornton (Florida St.)
· Brandan Wright (North Carolina)
· Julian Wright (Kansas)
· Nick Young (USC) [READ]

[Mr. Body]

What the heck is a "bottom-guarantee"?

[AFBlue]

What the heck is a "bottom-guarantee"?

Googling right now....

[pad300]

Interesting article pointed out by TrueHoop:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/25/sp...=1&oref=slogin

[pad300]

Not impossible, but the Spurs are much more likely to fill their roster with veterans, than with a bunch of young guys. I think the Spurs are likely to go international with one of their picks already (though I don't think it's a given), so it's hard for me to believe they would add more picks.

Actually, I was thinking more in terms of 2008. Consider having 28, 33, 37, 42, and 58 in 2007, and 28 and 58 in 2008. Assume Oberto and Finley both opt out for more money and years elsewhere...

In 2k7 our roster looks currently :

Bigs: Tim, Horry, Elson, Butler,
Wings: Barry, Bowen, Manu, White
PG's: Parker, Beno

Random guess at a mock, trying not to be too crazy (work off of Draftexpress)
Pick # 28 Koponen, Stash in Europe for 1 year
#33 Dominic Mcguire - cheap contract up to 3 years of team options
#37 Demetris Nichols - cheap contract up to 3 years of team options
#42 Ramon Sessions - cheap contract up to 3 years of team options
#58 Ali Traore, Stash in Europe

Bigs - Tim, Horry, Elson, Butler, Javtokas (2 years, 2nd year team option), Vet Min Big
Wings - Barry,Bowen,White, Manu, Mcguire, Nichols
PG's - Parker, Sessions, Vaughn (resigned).

Dump Beno somehow as a trade...

Guaranteed contracts in 2k8
In 2K8
Bigs - Tim
Wings - Manu
PG's - Parker

Options
Bigs - Javtokas, Butler
Wings - McGuire, Nichols
PGs - Sessions

+ a bunch of capspace (1 big FA + smaller deals)

Exceptions that Don't count against cap
1st Round picks - Mahnimi, Koponen, 2008 1st
The key value here is that there is an exception to sign 1st round picks with guaranteed contracts -

http://members.cox.net/lmcoon/salarycap.htm#19

ROOKIE EXCEPTION -- Teams may sign their first round draft picks to rookie "scale" contracts even if they will be over the cap as a result (see question number 41).

This gives the Spurs 3 players they can sign in 2008 above and beyond the salary cap limits...Leaving them more space for that big FA signing. The 2nd round rookie contracts from the 07 draft are all team options, so they only keep the players who worked out...

[Darkwaters]

Actually, I was thinking more in terms of 2008. Consider having 28, 33, 37, 42, and 58 in 2007, and 28 and 58 in 2008. Assume Oberto and Finley both opt out for more money and years elsewhere...

In 2k7 our roster looks currently :

Bigs: Tim, Horry, Elson, Butler,
Wings: Barry, Bowen, Manu, White
PG's: Parker, Beno

Random guess at a mock, trying not to be too crazy (work off of Draftexpress)
Pick # 28 Koponen, Stash in Europe for 1 year
#33 Dominic Mcguire - cheap contract up to 3 years of team options
#37 Demetris Nichols - cheap contract up to 3 years of team options
#42 Ramon Sessions - cheap contract up to 3 years of team options
#58 Ali Traore, Stash in Europe

Bigs - Tim, Horry, Elson, Butler, Javtokas (2 years, 2nd year team option), Vet Min Big
Wings - Barry,Bowen,White, Manu, Mcguire, Nichols
PG's - Parker, Sessions, Vaughn (resigned).

Dump Beno somehow as a trade...

Guaranteed contracts in 2k8
In 2K8
Bigs - Tim
Wings - Manu
PG's - Parker

Options
Bigs - Javtokas, Butler
Wings - McGuire, Nichols
PGs - Sessions

+ a bunch of capspace (1 big FA + smaller deals)

Exceptions that Don't count against cap
1st Round picks - Mahnimi, Koponen, 2008 1st
The key value here is that there is an exception to sign 1st round picks with guaranteed contracts -

http://members.cox.net/lmcoon/salarycap.htm#19


This gives the Spurs 3 players they can sign in 2008 above and beyond the salary cap limits...Leaving them more space for that big FA signing. The 2nd round rookie contracts from the 07 draft are all team options, so they only keep the players who worked out...

Problem number 1: Why does Seattle trade the 31 and the 35 for Scola again? Frankly, to work that deal Mahinmi would HAVE to be included. And frankly, judging by the huge rebuilding job that they have ahead of them out there, I don't know that they want another young big and would be willing to sacrifice two great draft picks in this deep draft.

[Bruno]

Exceptions that Don't count against cap
1st Round picks - Mahnimi, Koponen, 2008 1st

You're again wrong.
1st round pick count against the cap wether they are signed or unsigned. The point of the CBA FAQ that you use just say that team over the cap can sign first round picks.

And please, stop posting your fantasy plans in this thread, it's not draft related.

[mountainballer]

Interesting article pointed out by TrueHoop:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/25/sp...=1&oref=slogin

this was really a great read and very interesting. this Stephen Danley is obviously a very talented writer.
I liked the part about Nichols. during the last weeks I also wondered why Nichols isn't moving up the boards a bit. for us this is good, so he will stay in our reach. he worked out for the Spurs, so there is at least some interest at their side.
Nichols has all the tools to become a very good defender (his lane agility test was superb, best time of the last 4 years) and obviously he is a very good shooter, probably the best of all players in this draft. he has written "great role player" all over him.
considering his skill set, he would be a great fit. he doesn't need to be a great ball handler, or create his own shot, when playing alongside the players the Spurs currently have. his role could be defined very similar to Bowen's.

[Mr. Body]

Nichols could be the Spurs' sleeper. We should move up this thread.

[Rustyman]

Unless Beno is traded, there isn't even really a roster spot for the 33rd pick. Put Mahinmi/Scola in place of Ely, re-sign everyone else and the team would be full.

How many roster spots do the Spurs have for draftees next season? According to Hoopshype, Bonner, Vaughn and Ely are all free agents and have the Spurs have team options on Horry and Bowen. In addition, Oberto has opted out, Finley can opt out and it seems the team would like to get rid of Barry and Beno if possible.

So potential roster spots for next season are:

Horry - contract will be guaranteed
Bowen - contract will be guaranteed
Oberto - may extend but I expect some team will find $4 million a year for 3-4 years a small enough cost to hurt the Spurs and gain a savvy big man in return.
Ely - he is done
Bonner - probability of staying if Oberto goes but Horry staying hurts his chances of being extended.
Vaughn - probably staying but if he goes, a similar veteran will be signed for the same money.
Finley - most seem to think he will not opt out but I think he still has a lot to offer a contender and if he receives a 3+ year deal, he is gone. This is his best possible time to go as even if he wins another ring next year he is a year older and therefore less attractive to other teams.
Beno - will be swapped for any remotely positive offer.
Barry - would like to trade him but only for a salary dump.

So Ely, one of Oberto/Bonner and potentially Beno/Barry roster spots will become available.

Ely's spot goes to the 33 pick. The Oberto/Bonner slot goes to Mahinmi (Scola is never going to play for the Spurs) so any additional draftee/free agent is dependent on Barry/Beno/Finley moving on.

I would really like the Spurs to try to get anoher early/mid 2nd round pick if they manage to move Beno/Barry as I think that spot could be a contributor next year if a backcourt player is chosen.

I really cannot see the Spurs taking a player at 28 that plays next year unless they like that player a LOT!

[Bruno]

Glen Davis, Jermareo Davidson and Stephane Lasme have worked out with SA :
http://spurstalk.com/forums/showpost...3&postcount=14

[mathbzh]

When I read about Glen Davis it makes me think about a 20 yo french player:
Ibrahima KOMA CHEIKH.
I never saw hime play and I don't know if he has an nba future but from what I read he seems very intriguing.

He is a 6'9 280 lbs PF. He had some conditioning issues (he was 310 lbs) but has worked a lot to go down to his current weight. He is supposed to have nice athletism. The intriguing part is that he is supposed to have amazing hands and almost perfect shooting mechanics (I don't know his % put he is supposed to be a very good 3pt shooter).

He spent the last season in a league for young players here in France ("Espoir Pro A") and was probably the most dominant player (Once again I don't know his stats, I just read somewhere he had a 31pt/15rbds game and lot of very good games). He is also a member of France U20 team.

He should see some pro A minutes with Dijon next season. I read that Dijon coach have some faith in his young inside players (Koma and Olivier KOLB a 6'9 rebounding machine). So we should know more about him soon.

Bruno (or any other French poster), did you ever saw him play? Did you hear about him?

[Bruno]

^I've never heard of him.

[A.H 21-50]

for mathbzh

from a friend who have seen the guy playing two times , he seems to be a little bit overrated
he's more a player who score near the basket than a shooter , a good player but not that far
Dijon have a lot of players injured inside this season and he didn't play so maybe he's not ready yet
I don't know him and i don't see him so we will see next year what he can do


About Glen Davis who thinks this guy can make an NBA Team ?? a lot of people came impress with his footwork and his shoot from what i heard
Also Lasme can be an option at no.58 pick , davis had some nice quotes about him in his blog.....

[mathbzh]

for mathbzh

from a friend who have seen the guy playing two times , he seems to be a little bit overrated
he's more a player who score near the basket than a shooter , a good player but not that far
Dijon have a lot of players injured inside this season and he didn't play so maybe he's not ready yet
I don't know him and i don't see him so we will see next year what he can do


About Glen Davis who thinks this guy can make an NBA Team ?? a lot of people came impress with his footwork and his shoot from what i heard
Also Lasme can be an option at no.58 pick , davis had some nice quotes about him in his blog.....

Thanks

[pad300]

More reading material, positional rankings by Frank Burlison (Fox Sports)

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/wcStory...&storyNumber=4

You navigate to all the segments from there...

Another perspective, but I'm not to impressed with his evaluations.

[pad300]

NBADraft.net's Power Forward ratings -

http://www.nbadraft.net/2007powerforwards001.asp

Interesting comment about Fazekas -

On paper Fazekas is a first rounder, and if you watched clips of him playing without the transition game he would appear to be a lottery pick. His biggest issue is running the floor as he moves like he has a physical deformity. As ugly as he is in the open floor, he makes the game look so easy in the half court, rebounding with his abnormally long arms and shooting with tremendous touch.

We're Spurs fans. We know that championships are won playing half-court. He might just fit in...

and the Realgm.com draft preview for San Antonio

http://spurs.realgm.com/articles/62/20070626/30_teams_30_days_san_antonio_draft_preview_(28th)/

[K-State Spur]

NBADraft.net's Power Forward ratings -

http://www.nbadraft.net/2007powerforwards001.asp

Interesting comment about Fazekas -


We're Spurs fans. We know that championships are won playing half-court. He might just fit in...

and the Realgm.com draft preview for San Antonio

http://spurs.realgm.com/articles/62/20070626/30_teams_30_days_san_antonio_draft_preview_(28th)/

Well, part of that is because the Spurs defend the full court so well. If his man is constantly beating him back (thus creating opportunities for a secondary break), that would not be a good thing.

[timvp]

Compared to a week ago, I think the chances are better that Fernandez, Koponen or Belinelli fall to the Spurs. With players like Big Baby, Fazekas and Pruitt seemingly moving up, that could open the door for a coveted Euro to drop to the Spurs. I even think Splitter could fall to the Spurs.

However, that is assuming that the Spurs covet a Euro this year. I think a trade or a Euro makes sense in the first round. I like Fernandez the best of that bunch, probably followed by Koponen. Belinelli is a gunner who does little else but shoot ... and he didn't even have that great of a shooting year last season. I'd take him but I think his upside is less than that of Barry currently.

Splitter only makes sense if the Spurs really think that Oberto is gone and Scola is a lost cause. Splitter reminds me of a better version of Rafael Araujo ... not exactly someone who could make a huge amount of difference.

Of the domestics at 28, I'm starting to warm up to the idea of Dudley. Byars would be my first wish but Dudley seems like he'd be a pretty nice addition. Fazekas or McRoberts would enter the picture if the Spurs are on the market for a Bonner replacement.

I'd be excited if the Spurs picked McGuire or Chandler, since that means that the Spurs believe that their character issues are overblown. Both of those guys seem to have the skillset that the Spurs need.

At 33, a lot of other players become a lot more enticing due to the non-guaranteed contract including Pruitt, Dowdell, Almond, Terry and Nichols. I still hesitate to add players like Afflalo and Tucker to the list.

At 58, that pick is either traded or Euro. Luckily, there seems to be some deep Euro talent in this draft. For example, the Spurs might be able to get a guy like Marko Tomas, who not too long ago was considered a borderline lottery pick.

[spurscenter]

Who will the Spurs pick in the draft?

The Spurs have the No. 28 pick in Thursday's NBA draft, assuming they don't trade it. They also have two later picks.

Various media reports have the Spurs interested in (in no particular order), UCLA guard Aron Afflalo, Italy guard Marco Belinelli, Marist point guard Jared Jordan, USC point guard Gabe Pruitt, Boston College forward Jared Dudley, Nevada power forward Nick Fazekas, Brazil power forward Tiago Splitter and Finland point guard Petteri Kopenen.

What player or what position do you think the Spurs will or should focus on with their first draft pick?

[AFBlue]

NBADraft.net's Power Forward ratings -

http://www.nbadraft.net/2007powerforwards001.asp

Interesting comment about Fazekas -

On paper Fazekas is a first rounder, and if you watched clips of him playing without the transition game he would appear to be a lottery pick. His biggest issue is running the floor as he moves like he has a physical deformity. As ugly as he is in the open floor, he makes the game look so easy in the half court, rebounding with his abnormally long arms and shooting with tremendous touch.

We're Spurs fans. We know that championships are won playing half-court. He might just fit in...

and the Realgm.com draft preview for San Antonio

http://spurs.realgm.com/articles/62/20070626/30_teams_30_days_san_antonio_draft_preview_(28th)/

I think all of the talk about how he runs the court is both funny....and rediculous. The Spurs have another player that doesn't look elegant running the court, but it doesn't make him a bad basketball player. I'm talking about Matt Bonner with his T-Rex arms, trotting down the court.

If Fazekas is as skilled an inside-out player as he's been talked about, I could care less how he runs in the open court. I think he goes #27 to Houston, but if he's available at #33, I think he'd be a legitimate option...