Next Moves

[Thompson]

Yeah, Mahinmi has to much Potentiel to let him go. Let him see some action then judge him.

I remember reading some quote from a scout on Mahinmi on this website, something to the effect of 'he could be a great player for the Spurs' when Mahinmi was playing in the NBDL (remember, also, that Mahinmi was the MVP or whatever of the NBDL; that or the highest rated D-League center, I can't remember which).

There's no way you lose him just because he had a nagging injury they couldn't figure out until it was too late last year. He could be a good player, just give him a decent shot.

[poeticism707]

I remember reading some quote from a scout on Mahinmi on this website, something to the effect of 'he could be a great player for the Spurs' when Mahinmi was playing in the NBDL (remember, also, that Mahinmi was the MVP or whatever of the NBDL; that or the highest rated D-League center, I can't remember which).

There's no way you lose him just because he had a nagging injury they couldn't figure out until it was too late last year. He could be a good player, just give him a decent shot.

I agree: he should get his chance: after that, it's up to him.

[mountainballer]

Charlotte tried to trade Bell to the Warriors for Azubuike and Belinelli right before the draft. It's more likely they'd want Mason over Finley.

Bell for Azubuike plus Belinelli obviously was a try to upgrade in the first place and not to get rid of Bell.
Bell for Finley plus Bonner would be a downgrade for the Bobcats and since it doesn't have any positive effects for their payroll, it doesn't make any sense at all. (same goes for the package of Mason+Bonner). Spurs would need to add a teaser to get this done. if this needs to be a future 1st rounder, or the Splitter rights, I would pass.

btw. what about Deshawn Stevenson?
not that he is on the block, but the Wizards back court was already pretty crowded last year, even without Arenas and now the Wizards brought in two more guards (both much more talented) for 3 bigs.
at least they will be open to listen to offers for Stevenson.
(they might want Mason back, but of course this doesn't help to balance the roster)
Stevenson for Bonner makes sense if they try to save some bucks immediately, (including lux tax this saves them 1.2 million this year) and they would save next years salary of him. and Bonner would pretty much be able to take the role of Songaila.
Stevenson would be (or at least could be) the stopper the Spurs back court could use well.

[poeticism707]

According to McDonald, Haislip will be receiving the minimum. So, the Spurs still have their LLE to spend if they so choose.

[Bruno]

The more I think about it, the more I like the Nocioni idea.
If Holt is fine with taking another quite big contract, Nocioni would be a nice fit with current Spurs roster.

For the perimeter defense, I'm fine with Bowen for the min and Hairston as his disciple.

[Bruno]

http://www.detnews.com/article/20090...s-in-scrimmage

There's a good chance the Pistons are looking to clear another $2 million off their payroll. That would give them close to $4 million to pursue another frontcourt player in the wake of Antonio McDyess going to the San Antonio Spurs. Brandon Bass (Dallas Mavericks) and Glen Davis (Boston Celtics) are two possibilities.

To clear the space, the Pistons most likely will try to move Arron Afflalo and Sharpe.

Spurs can offer Marcus Williams non-guaranteed contract for Afflalo.

[mountainballer]

just read something very interesting:

http://www.detnews.com/article/20090...s-in-scrimmage

There's a good chance the Pistons are looking to clear another $2 million off their payroll. That would give them close to $4 million to pursue another frontcourt player in the wake of Antonio McDyess going to the San Antonio Spurs. Brandon Bass (Dallas Mavericks) and Glen Davis (Boston Celtics) are two possibilities.

To clear the space, the Pistons most likely will try to move Arron Afflalo and Sharpe.

the most interesting point for the Spurs and the Pistons:
Afflalo could be traded straight for Williams and (as far as I know) the contract of Williams isn't guaranteed, so he could be waived and the Pistons clear 1.1 million $ cap space.
(confirmation Bruno? Coyote Geeks?)
this would be a very nice move to get the younger version of Raja Bell.
Afflalo showed some nice improvement last season, shot 40% from outside and played decent in the POs. (except his 3pt shot wasn't falling)
he is as much Spurs material as any player and he has all the tools to become the future perimeter stopper for the Spurs. (could be an ' or 2 taller though).
still young at 23, but meanwhile some experience (2 seasons).
Spurs could add some teasers like future 2nd rounders or DeColo rights if needed.

edit: while I wrote someone did have the same idea.....

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

Bell for Azubuike plus Belinelli obviously was a try to upgrade in the first place and not to get rid of Bell.
Bell for Finley plus Bonner would be a downgrade for the Bobcats and since it doesn't have any positive effects for their payroll, it doesn't make any sense at all. (same goes for the package of Mason+Bonner). Spurs would need to add a teaser to get this done. if this needs to be a future 1st rounder, or the Splitter rights, I would pass.

btw. what about Deshawn Stevenson?
not that he is on the block, but the Wizards back court was already pretty crowded last year, even without Arenas and now the Wizards brought in two more guards (both much more talented) for 3 bigs.
at least they will be open to listen to offers for Stevenson.
(they might want Mason back, but of course this doesn't help to balance the roster)
Stevenson for Bonner makes sense if they try to save some bucks immediately, (including lux tax this saves them 1.2 million this year) and they would save next years salary of him. and Bonner would pretty much be able to take the role of Songaila.
Stevenson would be (or at least could be) the stopper the Spurs back court could use well.

Agree about Bell but I don't think trading Bonner for Stevenson makes much sense for the Spurs. It'd leave our frontcourt very thin and I'm not sure we'd be able to find a good veteran for the min or LLE ( maybe Rasho? ). Haislip, Blair and Mahinmi are too inexperienced and while some of them might be able to become a significant part of the rotation there are too many question marks and risks, so a decent 4th/5th swingman like Stevenson is not worth it IMO.

Bonner, while not great , is a solid big who knows our system and would ease the rookies' transition into the rotation, giving them time and room for mistakes. It's also worth noting that bringing too many new faces at the same time might take a while until they all fit in and this is another risk.

Stevenson would also limit Hill's chance to play off the ball and Pop has stressed a few times already that this is a role Hill might find himself in quite a lot. Bowen, of course , is still an option as a defensive wing ( I hope ).

[spurspokesman]

Nice take. I hadn't thought about Bell too much but he makes a pretty good amount of sense. The Bobcats have been shopping him and may be interested in opening up playing time for younger prospects. With RC saying that the Spurs want to add a defensive piece to the perimeter, Bell would be one of the best fits in the league.

And yeah, a trade wouldn't be too surprising. The Haislip signing was somewhat odd if there wasn't more planned. Add in Gist saying he'll make the team and there very well could be something in the works.

+1000 Tim. Somebody is going packing.

[spurspokesman]

second best after Bowen

agree partially. Battier runs a close first with bell.

[Mark in Austin]

I'm not sure what it'd take. The Bobcats have been trying to use his expiring contract to get players other teams may want to salary dump. It'd be tricky because both teams would be offering expiring contracts

Maybe send a pick? The best hope is probably Bell telling the Bobcats that he wants a legit chance at a championship and LB liking Bonner and Finley for some whatever reason. Sometimes LB likes to trade just to trade so there's a chance . . .

yeah... looking at it last night there wasn't a two team trade that made sense for the Bobcats. Looks like they're already at or slightly over the cap, so unless the Spurs send a chunk of cash the Bonner + Finley trade would mean the Bobcats would be taking in more salary than they send out. Unless they really feel like the owe Bell, I just don't see them going for it.

Maybe the Van Horn loophole is still open and Horry hasn't officially retired yet? The Spurs sign him to a 1year, 4.1 million dollar contract & send him to Charlotte with a pick. Not sure if its possible but if they only did a partially guaranteed 1-yr deal it might make it more attractive for Bob Johnson. But that adds another 10+million in salary and lux tax to a payroll already in luxury tax territory, and I think that's more than even the new big spending Spurs can absorb.

[urunobili]

The more I think about it, the more I like the Nocioni idea.
If Holt is fine with taking another quite big contract, Nocioni would be a nice fit with current Spurs roster.

For the perimeter defense, I'm fine with Bowen for the min and Hairston as his disciple.

[Marcus Bryant]

The more I think about it, the more I like the Nocioni idea.
If Holt is fine with taking another quite big contract, Nocioni would be a nice fit with current Spurs roster.

Well, that's the question. Are the Spurs planning on simply letting Finley and Bonner's contracts expire to keep the growth in payroll down a little from the 2009-10 season to 2010-11? They'll have Ginobili to re-sign next summer and I suppose Splitter will be brought in as well. I don't believe Manu's salary will change that much (perhaps a couple million less than this season).

Nocioni would fit very well indeed.

For the perimeter defense, I'm fine with Bowen for the min and Hairston as his disciple.

That might be the plan.

[tp2021]

If the Spurs are still talking to Oberto, wouldn't the FO need another 2-1 or 3-1 trade to have enough space for Oberto AND Bowen on the roster?

[hater]

I don't think it's a good idea to bring Gooden. We already have tons of big guys fighting for minutes, Gooden would just disrupt it all.

IMO, we need a veteran backup PG. Bobby Jackson someone mentioned, would be perfect. We need some PG insurance.

Then I'd sign Bowen and call it an offseason.

Midseason would try to move Bonner, and 1 or 2 other guys for a big name. If necessary

[GSH]

The problem with some of these trade ideas is how much they would cost, since the team is already in the lux tax. Any of these deals where the incoming salary is more than that of the player(s) sent out would be damned expensive.

Use the trade of Bonner+Finley for Battier, for example. (Never mind whether Houston would do it.) The salaries are within 125%, so the trade would work. But if we got Battier's $6.8M salary, and then filled the roster spot with Marcus Williams, the out-of-pocket cost to Holt would be about $3.9 Million. That's right... Holt could have Bonner and Finley on the roster, or Battier and Williams + 3.9 Milllion bucks in the bank.

I think that any trade that increases the overall size of the payroll would have to give a clear-cut, immediate improvement to the team's chances of winning it all next year. Considering the number of minutes each would play, would Battier+Williams really be a $3.9M improvement over Bonner+Finley?

If the Spurs are still talking to Oberto, wouldn't the FO need another 2-1 or 3-1 trade to have enough space for Oberto AND Bowen on the roster?

Bowen could be signed for a 1-year, league minimum contract now. Minimum contracts can be offered even if the team is over the cap. And, since he's been in the league 10+ years, that would be $1.3M. BUT... the league would pick up all but $825K of his salary. And only the $825K would apply to the team salary for lux tax purposes. The way I see it, he would be a bargain right now.

[mfanatic]

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMa...tradeId=kvjpyy

GSW Get a younger SG that expires, and a "big man" that expires that can stretch the floor.

Tony/Hill/Mcclinton
Manu/Jackson/
Jefferson/Haistron
Duncan/Blair/Gist
Big Mike/Ian/Hailsip

[Darkwaters]

Who is Big Mike?

[ajballer4]

Big Mike is mcdyess

[Darkwaters]

Big Mike is mcdyess

Well I figured it out. But I've never heard him called that.

[Knoxxx]

I don't believe Manu's salary will change that much (perhaps a couple million less than this season).

Everyone loves Manu so we need to find a way to keep him, assuming of course he returns to form.

My hope there is that he takes a bit less pay for extra years on the deal, and/or a declining $ contract. In any event, I think he shapes up (again, if healthy) to be a much better deal than say RJ at $15 million per. Of course, the economics of the league have changed considerably, so RJ perhaps we can resign at $10 million/year, Manu $8 million.

The biggest question is does TP command the max salary, and if so will we be willing and able to pay it? Important sidenote, does Duncan stay on after 2012, and if so for how much? Things could remain interesting if the new "core four" stick around, remain productive, but are willing to play for reasonable salaries. Duncan at the Veteran's min anyone?

[tp2021]

Bowen could be signed for a 1-year, league minimum contract now. Minimum contracts can be offered even if the team is over the cap. And, since he's been in the league 10+ years, that would be $1.3M. BUT... the league would pick up all but $825K of his salary. And only the $825K would apply to the team salary for lux tax purposes. The way I see it, he would be a bargain right now.

I wasn't talking about financial reasons keeping Bruce out. I meant that the Spurs can only take 15 guys into the season.

Tim
Manu
Tony
DeJuan Blair
Matt Bonner
Michael Finley
Malik Hairston
Marcus Haislip
George Hill
Richard Jefferson
Ian Mahinmi
Roger Mason
Jack McClinton
Antonio McDyess
Marcus Williams
James Gist

If Gist stays in Italy for 1 more year, and the Spurs waive Williams, that leaves 1 roster spot open. So if Oberto is offered a contract, Finley+Bonner for one player would be needed for Bruce to have a spot. Everyone else seems set, except mainly Hairston and perhaps Haislip. EDIT: McClinton is also a player most likely to be cut.

[tp2021]

Duncan at the Veteran's min anyone?

If Timmy's game ever declined to the point where that was an acceptable salary, he would have retired long before that.

[Darkwaters]

I think Hairston and McClinton might be fighting over the same roster spot. I just don't see how all the roster spots will work.

[Knoxxx]

If Timmy's game ever declined to the point where that was an acceptable salary, he would have retired long before that.

I was talking more about a Karl Malone-type situation, where he really is worth more but just doesn't need the dough. Assume he's still having fun logging 20-25 mins a night, maybe giving 12 and 8 or so. Wants another ring or two, that type of deal.

I just notice on Hoopshype he is down for $21.3 million salary in 2011/12. Sure he deserves it for career achievement and taking less than he could have, but still YUCK!!!!!!! No way we can have two guys on the roster making $20 million+ (TP) at the same time, can we?