Express News: Spurs explore their options

[Kori Ellis]

Spurs explore their options
Web Posted: 08/17/2005 12:00 AM CDT

Mike Finger
Express-News Staff Writer

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b....127e241d.html

As the Michael Finley free-agent tour headed into full swing Tuesday — with recruiters trying to lure him onto the beach, into the desert and possibly even to a championship-friendly tourist destination somewhere in between — the Devin Brown traveling show remained noticeably more low-key.

The market for Brown, the Spurs' restricted free-agent guard, still seemed unclear as NBA teams continued to sort through the 18 new players made available as a result of the league's amnesty provision.

But Brown isn't counting on his summer lull to last long. While sticking to his assertion that there's "more than a 50-50 chance" his client will end up with the Spurs, Brown's agent said Tuesday it is looking more and more like Brown will sign an offer sheet with another team.

"There's a strong possibility that's exactly what's going to happen," agent Darrick Powell said. "At that point, we'll just have to wait and see."

The Spurs can afford to be patient. Because they have seven days to match whatever offer Brown receives, they can explore their alternatives.

And although it's a relative long shot, Finley still tops that list. The veteran swingman, who was waived Monday by Dallas as a luxury tax-saving move under the new amnesty rule, is coveted by most of the league's top teams even though he isn't as productive at 32 as he once was. The Mavericks will continue to pay him the remainder of his $51.8 million contract, and many championship contenders would love to have a seasoned sharpshooter at a reduced rate.

Although his overall numbers have slipped, Finley shot a career-best 40.7 percent from 3-point range last season. That would seem to make him a good fit for teams like the Miami Heat and the Spurs, both of whom have dominant big men.

But the Spurs can't offer Finley as much money as the Heat, who have about $2.5 million more per season available. They also can't match Phoenix's connections (as in former Finley running mate Steve Nash) or the familiarity of Chicago, Finley's hometown.

So as usual, the Spurs have backup plans in place.

"We're going to approach building the roster as we always do — evaluating the market and trying to find the right fit," Spurs general manager R.C. Buford said.

Whether that fit is Finley, Brown, Sacramento's Maurice Evans or someone else, Brown apparently doesn't mind that the Spurs are being careful shoppers.

"Devin's not bothered by stuff like that," Powell said. "He's a patient guy who knows he can play."

[TheTruth]

The Express News sucks

[Dex]

Granted, this article doesn't say anything that hasn't already been debated 27 times in 150 differents posts here on the boards. Just keep in mind that somebody has to deliver this information to the masses.

And...yeah. In San Antonio, it's not like you get many options for news.

Just be glad it wasn't another "OMG Argentina loves Manu!" story.