Next Moves

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

as good as the Spurs front court looks, it still lacks some size. either to compete with the Lakers, as well as the Celtics or Cavs in the possible finals.
we also shouldn't totally ignore the Mavs, adding Gortat, Marion and (in an under the rader move) Ross will make them a deep and versatile team.
so Foster would help a lot. he is the guy you can put on Gasol, Dirk, KG, Sheed as well as on Shaq. I agree that a player like Collison no longer makes much sense with McDyess on the roster.

I mention a possible move, that many of you will call pathetic, but I carelessly still mention it:

Matt Bonner for Kwame Brown.

that's just two guys with few or no future with their current teams swap places, with the small chance that they fill more needs in their new place.
pistons might like it, because that way they increase their cap space for about 750K.
I don't know exactly how much room they have left (we discussed in a lot because of the potential McDyess offers), it should be somewhere between 2 and 3 million $.
it does make a huge difference for them, if they could for example offer a target like Brandon Bass a contract starting at 3.2 instead of 2.5 million. (that's additional 2.5 million over 3 years) and that way finally get him.
the upside for the Spurs would be, that we get a guy with the size, athleticism and mobility we will need. Kwame did have some moments in the past, when he looked as if he could develop into a helpful defender. if there is potential in this department, Pop will discover it.

Read my post above yours, brother!

Foster now, or later?

Okay, I am making an assumtion here, but Blair has been pegged as the kind of guy who can come in and contribute immediately, and as a guy with shades of Malik Rose. Remember that, although way undersized, Rose used his bulk very effectively to frustrate big centres in short bursts. I'm thinking maybe Blair can do the same, although his being a rookie will count against him due to stupid officiating (I don't care who the player is, the game should be called exactly the same way for everyone! The propensity for rookies to earn more fouls simply because they are rookies, whether they actually committed them or not, annoys the out of me).

Ross was a good under the radar signing, but I reckon Bass will go to the Magic who currently have a huge hole in their front court (due to Battie and Gortat leaving).

[mudyez]

I wonder if Buford has staff reading this site for ideas...

no they are not...but there might be a very good chance of some hoopsworld writers making this a fact on their site

[Rover82]

Marc Gasol?

Seems the Grizz are loaded with Bigs right now.

[VivaPopovich]

excellent well written post, keep it up

[Spursmania]

Carter was hurt last time. The question is if the Spurs are still mad at him for signing with a gimpy knee.


Hmmm. Probably. I still don't think Morey would do it unless he could get Splitter over this year.

(and the Spurs could hypothetically give them a 2010 first round pick)

I think Carter is out of the question and on Pop's list because he played them and wasn't forthright about his knee. I just can't see him in a Spurs uniform again.

[MaNu4Tres]

Among players presented by MB, Foster and Nocioni are the most interesting and realistic.

I also liked Collison but with the McDyess signing and with Collison's lack of shooting, he is clearly behind a player like Foster.

Between getting a C like Foster and a SF/PF like Nocioni, I'm not sure what is the best because it depends on what some of the players (Haislip, Hairston, Mahinmi..) will do next year. Spurs' FO has a better idea about that than us and if they are quite sure about their evaluations, they won't have to wait SL or the training camp to do a move.

Interesting points Bruno,

It is reasonable they don't have to wait til SL or training camp to make a move. But don't you think it would make more sense to wait out and hold on to trade bait ( Bonner/ Finley draft pick) to see how the young big situation plays out?

If the young bigs turn out to be like Jackie Butler, don't you think if the Clippers are out of contention by late January, Camby could be available for as little as expirings and a 1st?

Or if the young bigs do turn out to be solid contributors to the rotation, don't you think if the Bobcats are out of contention, Bell could be available for as little as expirings and a 1st?

These scenarios I'm proposing only happen close to the trading deadline in February, once Bobcats and Clippers are out of contention.

IMO Spurs should stand pat til they know for sure what they have in their young bigs ( Mahimni/ Blair/ Haislip) and then make a move. Perhaps waiting this out and holding onto trade fodder close to the trade deadline, would give the Spurs better options ( especially with players on teams out of contention with expiring contracts) ( Camby vs. Foster) or a better contract and a better shooter/ defender at the wing ( Bell over Nocioni).

[tp2021]

Bruce>>>>>>>>>>>>Battier or Bell

[Darkwaters]

Bruce>>>>>>>>>>>>Battier or Bell

At 39 years old I'm not so sure.

[urunobili]

In order of preference of what could be done with Finley + Bonner plus William's rights:

1)

Nocioni in a Spurs uniform would be my dream.

2)

Bonner/Finley for Bell would be a good move.

3)

My only concern now is if TP goes down, there is no true backup at the point, offensively.

4)

James Jones?

5) Foster or Collison

Random appreciations...

I still honestly believe Pop thinks Mason can play the point. He can be a stubborn guy.

Looking at it, I'd take Bell over Battier.

[TDMVPDPOY]

i think we still need a thug on this team

[Darkwaters]

i think we still need a thug on this team

Visions or Horry are dancing through Suns fans heads now.

[MaNu4Tres]

Among players presented by MB, Foster and Nocioni are the most interesting and realistic.

I also liked Collison but with the McDyess signing and with Collison's lack of shooting, he is clearly behind a player like Foster.

Between getting a C like Foster and a SF/PF like Nocioni, I'm not sure what is the best because it depends on what some of the players (Haislip, Hairston, Mahinmi..) will do next year. Spurs' FO has a better idea about that than us and if they are quite sure about their evaluations, they won't have to wait SL or the training camp to do a move.

Interesting points Bruno,

It is reasonable they don't have to wait til SL or training camp to make a move. But don't you think it would make more sense to wait out and hold on to trade bait ( Bonner/ Finley draft pick) to see how the young big situation plays out?

If the young bigs turn out to be like Jackie Butler, don't you think if the Clippers are out of contention by late January, Camby could be available for as little as expirings and a 1st?

Or if the young bigs do turn out to be solid contributors to the rotation, don't you think if the Bobcats are out of contention, Bell could be available for as little as expirings and a 1st?

These scenarios I'm proposing only happen close to the trading deadline in February, once Bobcats and Clippers are out of contention.

IMO Spurs should stand pat til they know for sure what they have in their young bigs ( Mahimni/ Blair/ Haislip) and then make a move. Perhaps waiting this out and holding onto trade fodder close to the trade deadline, would give the Spurs better options ( especially with players on teams out of contention with expiring contracts) ( Camby vs. Foster) or a better contract and a better shooter/ defender at the wing ( Bell over Nocioni).

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Interesting points Bruno,

It is reasonable they don't have to wait til SL or training camp to make a move. But don't you think it would make more sense to wait out and hold on to trade bait ( Bonner/ Finley draft pick) to see how the young big situation plays out?

If the young bigs turn out to be like Jackie Butler, don't you think if the Clippers are out of contention by late January, Camby could be available for as little as expirings and a 1st?

Or if the young bigs do turn out to be solid contributors to the rotation, don't you think if the Bobcats are out of contention, Bell could be available for as little as expirings and a 1st?

These scenarios I'm proposing only happen close to the trading deadline in February, once Bobcats and Clippers are out of contention.

IMO Spurs should stand pat til they know for sure what they have in their young bigs ( Mahimni/ Blair/ Haislip) and then make a move. Perhaps waiting this out and holding onto trade fodder close to the trade deadline, would give the Spurs better options ( especially with players on teams out of contention with expiring contracts) ( Camby vs. Foster) or a better contract and a better shooter/ defender at the wing ( Bell over Nocioni).

I'm not sure it makes a whole lot of sense to bring in a stopper mid-season. I doubt there's enough time for the guy to learn the system (where his help is coming from and such). I think if we want a stopper other than Bruce we probably need to bring him in before training camp. OTOH, I think a big can adjust to what we need him to do more quickly.

Pity Jones went for 11mil over 4 years to Indiana - , we could happily have found a way to pay him that, surely?

i think we still need a thug on this team

You're not really familiar with DeJuan Blair yet, are you?

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Having thought about it, my guess about what will happen is this - Bruce will be brought back for the minimum, Bonner and Finley will be kept as trading insurance. I just really hope that Pop doesn't give into the temptation to play them much. I can see 10-15 minutes for Bonner against the right matchups, but Finley... well, save him for plugging injury holes!

I also think Blair is going to be better than most people expect, and Mahinmi will also outperform expectations (paticularly as an on-ball and weakside shot-blocker)... not hard when half the people around here seem to want to send him back to France. As for Haislip, I don't have a clue.

[MaNu4Tres]

I'm not sure it makes a whole lot of sense to bring in a stopper mid-season. I doubt there's enough time for the guy to learn the system (where his help is coming from and such). I think if we want a stopper other than Bruce we probably need to bring him in before training camp. OTOH, I think a big can adjust to what we need him to do more quickly.

I agree if that player was reallly relied on and one the Spurs have to lean on. But that wouldn't be the case due to the depth on the Spurs (RJ/ Manu at the wing already taking up 65-70 minutes come playoff time) . That wing would see anywhere from 15-22 minutes a game, more than plausible.

[ElNono]

Having thought about it, my guess about what will happen is this - Bruce will be brought back for the minimum, Bonner and Finley will be kept as trading insurance. I just really hope that Pop doesn't give into the temptation to play them much. I can see 10-15 minutes for Bonner against the right matchups, but Finley... well, save him for plugging injury holes!

I also think Blair is going to be better than most people expect, and Mahinmi will also outperform expectations (paticularly as an on-ball and weakside shot-blocker)... not hard when half the people around here seem to want to send him back to France. As for Haislip, I don't have a clue.

TBH, after his display in the Summer League last season (which is the last time we had a good look at him) I've downgraded my expectations a whole lot about Ian. Hope he proves me wrong this season.

[Bukefal]

I would want to see Diaw with the spurs.

[urunobili]

If Ian doesn't look well the Spurs will go out aggressively to get a 7 footer... Collison or Foster

[tp2021]

We could put together two packages that send out more players than we get back, and address both positions. We shall see, but it's hard to look at this roster and not think another deal is on the way (or two).

What packages were you thinking?

[Russ]

TBH, after his display in the Summer League last season (which is the last time we had a good look at him) I've downgraded my expectations a whole lot about Ian. Hope he proves me wrong this season.

I would imagine Mahinmi will be released after the first months of the season (unless he surprises on a number of levels).

If he had actually turned out to be what the Spurs thought he was when they drafted him, an athletic, long, defender, he could have been just what the Spurs need now. But I'm afraid the FO struck out on this gamble. Time to cut their losses and move on.

[tp2021]

Bruce>>>>>>>>>>>>Battier or Bell

At 39 years old I'm not so sure.

I meant defensively to be more specific. I just really want Bruce back, honestly.

[45 bank shot]

I meant defensively to be more specific. I just really want Bruce back, honestly.

let it go

[picnroll]

How about Spurs solving the backup PG problem once and for all.

Whatever it takes including Splitter's rights, 2010 pick, even George Hill for

Ramon Sessions. He's long enough to play SG a little even.

[Marcus Bryant]

I would imagine Mahinmi will be released after the first months of the season (unless he surprises on a number of levels).

If he had actually turned out to be what the Spurs thought he was when they drafted him, an athletic, long, defender, he could have been just what the Spurs need now. But I'm afraid the FO struck out on this gamble. Time to cut their losses and move on.

"Losses"? He hasn't had a chance to show what he can do on a NBA court. But I guess he's a 'bust' (if the 28th pick can be) at the ripe old age of 22.

[coyotes_geek]

How about Spurs solving the backup PG problem once and for all.

Whatever it takes including Splitter's rights, 2010 pick, even George Hill for

Ramon Sessions. He's long enough to play SG a little even.

Sessions would be great, but after giving away Jefferson and letting Villanueva walk I'd think the Bucks intend on keeping Sessions.

Then again, maybe the Bucks are going into Clippers mode and just don't want to pay anyone.