State Of The Spurs

[TD 21]

Vassell: A 4-5 year, $80-100M extension seems likely. Well on his way to being a long term fixture and solid starter.

Johnson: Slim chance he gets traded now, but unlikely to be a long term fixture either and trends closer to a high end backup.

Jones: Probably extended for 3 years and MLE-ish money, with solid chance to be long term fixture. Same as it ever was: Needs a credible 3 to be a high end backup.

Collins: Will undoubtedly have third year fully guaranteed (stealth extension candidate?). Fringe starter, with rare malleability, versatility.

Sochan: Seems destined to be a long term fixture and is a credible shot away from being on track to solid starter.

Branham: Looks the part of a classic sixth man, though obviously has to improve from 3. Solid chance to be a long term fixture.

McDermott: More likely to be traded by the deadline.

Graham: More likely to be traded by the deadline.

Bassey: Well on his way to being a quality backup.

Bates-Diop: Unlikely to be retained, but has solidified spot in the league.

Langford: Unlikely to be retained, remains on fringe of the league.

Wesley: Needs a quantum leap just to reach replacement player threshold.

Mamukelashvili: Likely to be retained and is probably a more reliable 3 away from solidifying spot in the league.

Champagnie: Likely to be retained/converted. If he can more or less maintain, he'll solidify spot in the league.

Barlow: Likely to be retained. Has to carve out a niche to have a chance to eventually solidify spot in the league.

Dieng: Suspect he retires and joins front office or coaching staff in some capacity.

Birch: If salary isn't utilized as ballast in trade, bought out/waived (medical retirement?).

[Ariel]

I agree with almost everything, with a few caveats:
Vassell is likely to command more than 20M per year on average. If they can put together a front loaded deal in Keldon's mode, that'd be fantastic for future flexibility.
Keldon Johnson: There's no rush to trade him, it's a matter of the right opportunity presenting itself. His value may increase with time, with a better supporting cast where he's not forced to take on a larger role than he's suited for he'll be more efficient, and his decreasing contract will do the rest.
Sochan: he's already on his way to solid starter, even if his shot stays at current level. If he can shoot even 32% from 3 at a decent enough volume to keep things honest, he's a future all star.
The rest I mostly agree on.

[Mr. Body]

I have better feelings about some of these players than you do.

Keldon I think will be traded, though I think it'll be harder to find a team than for Poeltl and DJM. He's done the 'good soldier' bit, but his extension kicks in and he's not a great fit. He doesn't circulate the ball well. Great guy and great at ude. On a team like Denver where he can be a third or fourth option and play off better players, he could be a menace.

Zach Collins to me is very clearly a great starter in this league. He's very good, way better than I thought. Often the best player on the team or even the best player on the court.

Tre Jones is a very good backup in this league even without a comfortable 3, although that's already coming along. When he's healthy he does a lot of stuff you want a backup PG to do. He's also money with his drives and floaters.

Sochan is already a solid starter. He's like this bountiful, unknown wild card. He's already a big problem for teams and he's barely scratching the surface. If he can get that jumper down, hoo boy.

Branham I want to see if his scoring can scale. He's not as efficient as I'd like and drawing fouls will help that. Can he start demanding the ball and score when necessary, or just in the flow? Of course he's just a rook and is way ahead of where we thought he'd be.

[Chinook]

Vassell: No way in he gets a five-year extension, but $85M-$100M/4 does feel like what he'll get.

Johnson: Unless he's asking out, I can't imagine the Spurs would deal him. They'd want to see what he could do with a fully healthy team and a better-spacing center. If the Spurs draft a guard or center, he's in no danger of losing his spot for a while. If they pick Miller, then we could see something happen, though Pop seems to be okay bringing Vassell off the bench anyway. I could see Pop trying Jones/Johnson/Miller/Sochan/Collins or something.

Jones: He'll likely get interest around the MLE, but I also expect the Spurs to offer him a big contract ala Mills. Even if he's getting $60M/4, they just aren't realistically going to need his salary over the course of those years. If he gets supplanted by a guy like Scoot, it's still a decent amount to spend on guards who can play together and will probably take up a quarter of the team's minutes every game.

Collins: I don't think they'll be anything "stealth" about this extension offer. I haven't heard what the MLE will be at, but it should be pretty close to the 40-percent bump anyway, so I could totally see them wanting to lock him down for that amount. Unless they trade him during the draft, getting him on a longer deal is just good practice. His stats are better than his performance in my mind.

Sochan: Hopefully he's not actually hurt and Pop has been popping off with the rest. The Spurs can't have gimpy young guys as they try to build chemistry with who's hopefully going to be their new best player from the draft.

Branham: I like him, but I could see a scenario where he falls out of the rotation this season. I wonder if there's anyone who might give decent value for him. From a purely selfish perspective, they don't have to move him. But we'll see.

McD: I could see McDermott traded, but I don't think the team actually has anyone who could fill his role yet. He has value to the club, and if other teams aren't willing to pay that value, they won't get him.

Graham: He's one of the reasons why Branham might not be on the team. He shouldn't be higher up in the rankings than Mal, but with him, Champ, Wesley and the potential to draft another guard at the top of the draft, the team has options.

Bassey: I don't think he's in the rotation next year. He'll be on the team given how cheap he is, but he's going to have fight for a spot. He would've been "the future" 10 years ago. Now he's an afterthought.

Bates-Diop: I think he has a solid chance to come back unless he just doesn't want to. He has that "cultural centerpiece" vibe about him, and he's been serviceable in wearing different hats. The right sequence of events could push him out of the rotation, but he still seems to have a role in the likelier draft scenarios.
Langford: Low-key negative value that made the White trade meh. Shouldn't even get the QO. Just take the loss and move on.

Wesley: Will dominate the summer league this year along with Barlow and Mamu. He needs to put it together, but you can argue he's "carrying the fire" on the team right now.

Mamu: He's overrated on this board, but he's only guy who might be able to replace McDermott on the roster. They're difference players, but literally he'll take Doug's spot in the rotation if he sticks. I don't think he acquitted himself well enough as a center to give me a ton of hope for his future, but maybe he'll show more in the summer.

Champ: The Spurs have RFA rights on Champ, so I think he's almost assured to be back. I think he'll be part of a strong SL contingent come July. He might even sit most of the games if he keeps this up.

Barlow: Like Champ but with a harder path to the roster, let alone the rotation. Bassey is taking up the "flier" spot in the front court. I like Barlow a ton, and I think the Spurs will bring him into camp on a regular deal. But I don't think he's making it out of camp unless he shows a long of growth. Good prospect, but this Spurs team needs great prospects.

Dieng: I could see him stick on if they have a 15th spot again, but I agree he seems to be transitioning.

Birch : If he can be waived in a way that gives SA their cap back, do it. Otherwise, bring him into camp if he's trying to come back. He was good enough to earn that awful contract at one point. The team needs a credible backup center unless they draft Wemby.

[Mr. Body]

Branham: I like him, but I could see a scenario where he falls out of the rotation this season. I wonder if there's anyone who might give decent value for him. From a purely selfish perspective, they don't have to move him. But we'll see.

Hunh?

[CGD]

Vassell’s next contract will average closer to 25M a year than 20. That’s what RJ Barret and Hunter got and Vassell is better than both those guys.

[Ariel]

Yeah, completely disagree on Branham there. In fact Brian Wright specifically said after the draft that they were following Malaki and that they explored trading up to get him when he fell into their lap. They've had inside scoop on him because an assistant coach at Ohio State was a former teammate of Wright's, so they knew pretty damn well where his weaknesses laid, it's not that all of a sudden they realized he's a bad defender or his range doesn't extend to the NBA 3 pt line yet. He's been pretty much everything expected, only better. So I would be shocked if they traded him (barring some crazy opportunity) now that he's proven to be the guy they were targeting and then some.

[Mr. Body]

Yeah, completely disagree on Branham there. In fact Brian Wright specifically said after the draft that they were following Malaki and that they explored trading up to get him when he fell into their lap. They've had inside scoop on him because an assistant coach at Ohio State was a former teammate of Wright's, so they knew pretty damn well where his weaknesses laid, it's not that all of a sudden they realized he's a bad defender or his range doesn't extend to the NBA 3 pt line yet. He's been pretty much everything expected, only better. So I would be shocked if they traded him (barring some crazy opportunity) now that he's proven to be the guy they were targeting and then some.

I disagree with a lot of the take, but good Lord. Branham already has a special skill that could become lethal. And then claiming they could get maybe something decent for him, like he's a used tissue box cats might play in? Any team in the NBA would snap him up. They're absolutely not trading him. He's literally the sort of player teams dream of getting in the draft and right now he has like top 8 potential of the class. We don't even know. I'm serious. He has a scoring ability that can be a terror in this league.

[duncan2150]

Agreed about pretty everything( TD21 post) except Bates Diop. Imo he's a lock to come back as an end of the bench player.

I was not high on him the first months of the season but he provided some good value, he progresses really well at the 3 pt line : 2 3 attempted per game with a good 39%.

Except if he has a good offer i see him as a lock for next year roster. End of the roster btw.

[DPG21920]

Keldon is a clear starter - nothing like a high end back up

[Dejounte]

Mamu has played the C position maybe 5% of his entire time here. This sounds like the whole “Zach is a PF” nonsense again. Regardless of how we feel about what positions these players should play, the coaching staff clearly shows us what position they want them to play by who is on the floor with them and who they’re defending.

Anyway,

Typing on my phone so this is a pain.

Sochan - Clearly the team has big things in mind for him. Sure starter next season, important summer for him to improve on several things.

Keldon - Either he or Vassell could be pushed out of the starting line-up, or maybe neither if Sochan remains a PF. I feel like with the right fast-impact top prospect we draft (Wemba or Scoot), Keldon will actually thrive (as a high end role player who can give you 20 when your stars don’t have it that night).

Vassell - With his skillset, he’s suited best as a starter. He’s a scorer but I think he works too hard for his points for him to become a star caliber player. Contrast that with Sochan who had 10+ in the first quarter alone in multiple games and making it look easy.

Mamu - One of the most talented players on the team. Take that for what you will. He’s a keeper and has value because you can play him with anybody.

Tre - Needs to be relegated to a bench role. Team needs a starting PG badly. Replacing Tre in the starting line up will increase the team’s floor in the win column, IMO.

Zach - Same comment from Tre. Zach has improved a lot on the offensive end, but he is a traffic cone on defense. Opposing teams have their way with us because Zach provides zero interior presence (blocks are different than presence). He bites on too many fakes. The good thing here is that he is a stat stuffer, so I hope he gets traded soon.

Barlow - more patience needed but glimpses of a decent player

Wesley - more patience needed. Not looking good, almost looks like Lonnie out there IQ wise. The good thing is I don’t think he’s as soft as Lonnie so I think he’ll go into summer with a chip on his shoulder.

KBD - he gone

Bassey - backup big or third string C

[Allan Rowe vs Wade]

kbd could be gone tomorrow or retire as a spurs in 15 seasons as a career 13th man

[Chinook]

Yeah, completely disagree on Branham there. In fact Brian Wright specifically said after the draft that they were following Malaki and that they explored trading up to get him when he fell into their lap. They've had inside scoop on him because an assistant coach at Ohio State was a former teammate of Wright's, so they knew pretty damn well where his weaknesses laid, it's not that all of a sudden they realized he's a bad defender or his range doesn't extend to the NBA 3 pt line yet. He's been pretty much everything expected, only better. So I would be shocked if they traded him (barring some crazy opportunity) now that he's proven to be the guy they were targeting and then some.

The Spurs apparently went all CIA with Chimezie Metu to avoid tipping their hand. Yes, they loved him, and I don't think they have any reason to believe they were wrong. It's misreading my point to assume I mean that he's been a bust or anything. But they might well be in a position where they draft another SG with their first pick and can acquire a second pick with Branham and another assets. Like is Branham going to start in a healthy rotation next year? So let's say the Spurs draft a Thompson:

Jones, Vassell, Johnson, Sochan, Collins
Wesley, (Branham), Thompson, McDermmot, Mamu
Graham, Champ, Bates-Diop, Barlow, Bassey

Sure, some of those guys may not be on the roster, but the Spurs might also have decent guys they took as ballast on the roster as well ala Graham. I look at that that roster and think the spots that are going to get the most compe ion are backup SG and backup C. Unless the Spurs are going to be sabotagingly tanking again, I don't think they're going to not let the guys who are playing the best get minutes. That means Branham's going to have to show he's overall better, and Champ, KBD, Barlow, Bassey and Graham would have something to say about who gets the nod. The team's top-two scorers were injured most of the year as is. There aren't necessarily going to be the same opportunities available in the first place, which might make playing defense more important.

I disagree with a lot of the take, but good Lord. Branham already has a special skill that could become lethal. And then claiming they could get maybe something decent for him, like he's a used tissue box cats might play in? Any team in the NBA would snap him up. They're absolutely not trading him. He's literally the sort of player teams dream of getting in the draft and right now he has like top 8 potential of the class. We don't even know. I'm serious. He has a scoring ability that can be a terror in this league.

Yes, in the sense that if they had an option to sign him to a team-friendly deal, most teams would want him. But get out of your time machine. This isn't 2010 anymore. Most NBA players, even the fringe ones, have "special talent". That's not to say Branham can't be a good scorer, but it is to say the team is going to be letting good players go as they churn though talent. That's what having a bunch of picks means. How many true keepers are on this team? For a club that was so horrible this year, it can't be more than two or three. No, I expect most players back, and I even think the Spurs have 15 guys who'll be on NBA rosters next year. But the team is looking for high-end talent, and no, they aren't likely to have gotten that at the 20th pick or as a waiver pickup or whatever. Yes, good players come from all over the draft, but the Spurs have already had far better players who were non-keepers that they've moved. But to act like a guy who's not even in the top-three most important players on an awful team is "untouchable" is out of touch.

And no, "something decent" doesn't mean a second-rounder or something. This is the age where the Spurs have a bunch of minor assets for the rest of the decade. We're talking about a situation where there are numerous teams at the bottom of the lottery who are trying to win now and who might well be talked out of their pick as part of a deal to get them the pieces they desire. Hopefully the Spurs have their favorites from this draft as well, and whether they'd prefer those favorites to the ones they had last year is anyone's guess. That's why it's a possibility and not a prediction.

[Chinook]

Mamu has played the C position maybe 5% of his entire time here. This sounds like the whole “Zach is a PF” nonsense again. Regardless of how we feel about what positions these players should play, the coaching staff clearly shows us what position they want them to play by who is on the floor with them and who they’re defending.

Mamu has played center 77 percent of his time with the Spurs, according to BBall Ref. I don't think it's been that much. I'd say probably around 35-45 percent. But he's definitely played there. It wouldn't be a surprise to hear the Spurs don't want him there outside of certain situations. That's why the backup center position is the one that I expect to receive the most compe ion outside of a scenario where the Spurs draft Wemby. I do think barring a major change (and I do expect major changes), he'll go into camp as the backup center, and if he can shore up some things there, his talents would work best.

[Ariel]

The Spurs apparently went all CIA with Chimezie Metu to avoid tipping their hand. Yes, they loved him, and I don't think they have any reason to believe they were wrong. It's misreading my point to assume I mean that he's been a bust or anything. But they might well be in a position where they draft another SG with their first pick and can acquire a second pick with Branham and another assets. Like is Branham going to start in a healthy rotation next year? So let's say the Spurs draft a Thompson:

Jones, Vassell, Johnson, Sochan, Collins
Wesley, (Branham), Thompson, McDermmot, Mamu
Graham, Champ, Bates-Diop, Barlow, Bassey

Sure, some of those guys may not be on the roster, but the Spurs might also have decent guys they took as ballast on the roster as well ala Graham. I look at that that roster and think the spots that are going to get the most compe ion are backup SG and backup C. Unless the Spurs are going to be sabotagingly tanking again, I don't think they're going to not let the guys who are playing the best get minutes. That means Branham's going to have to show he's overall better, and Champ, KBD, Barlow, Bassey and Graham would have something to say about who gets the nod. The team's top-two scorers were injured most of the year as is. There aren't necessarily going to be the same opportunities available in the first place, which might make playing defense more important.

Lets see:
Chimezie Metu was taken with a 49th pick (if you're super interested in a guy, you find a way not to let teams 48 chances to snatch your target), whereas with Branham (no. 20) the Spurs admitted to exploring options of trading into the late lottery to grab him because they feared he wouldn't be available. That speaks of a very different level of interest in each.
On top of that, Chimezie Metu played about 5 MPG as a Spurs, scoring less than 2 points his first season at 21 years old. Meanwhile, Branham is one of the fastest rising rookies, scoring over 10 PPG on good efficiency (44% FG, 83% FT). That speaks of how much each measured up relative to their expectations.
All in all, I don't think the interest level and subsequent performance of each merits using Chimezie as a reference for anything regarding Branham. Furthermore, it'd seem nonsensical to me to put his future with the franchise in question because he's competing for minutes with a guy who's about certainly on his way out of the franchise by the trade deadline at most like Graham. If Branham doesn't meet the required standards at 19, then you keep working with him until he does. Spurs don't give up on first rounders like that unless they're basically bums too lazy to run at 20 (Samanic), or start a penis flash parade in each city they go to (Primo).
In the proposed scenario where we draft a Thompson (I'd be shocked, but can't rule it out), actually I don't see Branham losing the nod at all, because he'd be a good complement of him. I could see it if, for instance, we took Keyonte George, Hawkins, or someone in that mold, whose skill sets are redundant. If you take someone like that and they clearly overtake Branham, then yes I could see one of them being moved, in the same way that I could see the Spurs taking any talent they deem better than who they currently have at whatever position, as it should be when rebuilding. So I wouldn't key in on Malaki in that regard, since he's as susceptible as any other youngster to being moved in the right cir stances (but not dumped).
In short, provided there's some coherence and stability in the thought process of the FO (no reason to doubt it), you don't trade (for the first decent offer) a guy you were recently willing to pay a high price for and exceeded expectations.

[Mr. Body]

Mamu has played center 77 percent of his time with the Spurs, according to BBall Ref. I don't think it's been that much. I'd say probably around 35-45 percent. But he's definitely played there. It wouldn't be a surprise to hear the Spurs don't want him there outside of certain situations. That's why the backup center position is the one that I expect to receive the most compe ion outside of a scenario where the Spurs draft Wemby. I do think barring a major change (and I do expect major changes), he'll go into camp as the backup center, and if he can shore up some things there, his talents would work best.

Mamu played center because he had to. The other option was almost literally just Giorgiu Dieng.

[Mr. Body]

Yes, in the sense that if they had an option to sign him to a team-friendly deal, most teams would want him. But get out of your time machine. This isn't 2010 anymore. Most NBA players, even the fringe ones, have "special talent". That's not to say Branham can't be a good scorer, but it is to say the team is going to be letting good players go as they churn though talent. That's what having a bunch of picks means. How many true keepers are on this team? For a club that was so horrible this year, it can't be more than two or three. No, I expect most players back, and I even think the Spurs have 15 guys who'll be on NBA rosters next year. But the team is looking for high-end talent, and no, they aren't likely to have gotten that at the 20th pick or as a waiver pickup or whatever. Yes, good players come from all over the draft, but the Spurs have already had far better players who were non-keepers that they've moved. But to act like a guy who's not even in the top-three most important players on an awful team is "untouchable" is out of touch.

And no, "something decent" doesn't mean a second-rounder or something. This is the age where the Spurs have a bunch of minor assets for the rest of the decade. We're talking about a situation where there are numerous teams at the bottom of the lottery who are trying to win now and who might well be talked out of their pick as part of a deal to get them the pieces they desire. Hopefully the Spurs have their favorites from this draft as well, and whether they'd prefer those favorites to the ones they had last year is anyone's guess. That's why it's a possibility and not a prediction.

What? No.

Your take on Branham is completely baffling and I have very very little doubt that you'll see how wrong you are by the end of next year if not sooner. There's a reason commentators for opposing teams always always talk about Branham and how much they like him. He has innate scoring skills that a load of the NBA would love to have. He's already showing something really special and you seem to not only ignore it, you seem to think he's a finished product.

And if the Spurs draft a Thompson, he won't be anywhere as good as Branham is for a while. I don't mean on offense - they probably never will be, because they're trash shooters - but just being coachable and understanding what to do.

[Mr. Body]

I'll finish those thoughts.

Malaki Branham is younger than the Thompson twins. (He's also younger than Jordan Hawkins, btw.)

Charles Bassey will get plenty of run as backup C, which he would be playing at the end of the season had he not gotten hurt. The team clearly values him.

[Chinook]

Lets see:
Chimezie Metu was taken with a 49th pick (if you're super interested in a guy, you find a way not to let teams 48 chances to snatch your target), whereas with Branham (no. 20) the Spurs admitted to exploring options of trading into the late lottery to grab him because they feared he wouldn't be available. That speaks of a very different level of interest in each.
On top of that, Chimezie Metu played about 5 MPG as a Spurs, scoring less than 2 points his first season at 21 years old. Meanwhile, Branham is one of the fastest rising rookies, scoring over 10 PPG on good efficiency (44% FG, 83% FT). That speaks of how much each measured up relative to their expectations.
All in all, I don't think the interest level and subsequent performance of each merits using Chimezie as a reference for anything regarding Branham. Furthermore, it'd seem nonsensical to me to put his future with the franchise in question because he's competing for minutes with a guy who's about certainly on his way out of the franchise by the trade deadline at most like Graham. If Branham doesn't meet the required standards at 19, then you keep working with him until he does. Spurs don't give up on first rounders like that unless they're basically bums too lazy to run at 20 (Samanic), or start a penis flash parade in each city they go to (Primo).
In the proposed scenario where we draft a Thompson (I'd be shocked, but can't rule it out), actually I don't see Branham losing the nod at all, because he'd be a good complement of him. I could see it if, for instance, we took Keyonte George, Hawkins, or someone in that mold, whose skill sets are redundant. If you take someone like that and they clearly overtake Branham, then yes I could see one of them being moved, in the same way that I could see the Spurs taking any talent they deem better than who they currently have at whatever position, as it should be when rebuilding. So I wouldn't key in on Malaki in that regard, since he's as susceptible as any other youngster to being moved in the right cir stances (but not dumped).
In short, provided there's some coherence and stability in the thought process of the FO (no reason to doubt it), you don't trade (for the first decent offer) a guy you were recently willing to pay a high price for and exceeded expectations.

We have no idea how badly the Spurs wanted to move up from 48. We know they didn't do so just as we know they didn't move up from 20. As to their interest, we know the Spurs had four picks in the draft and few posters believed they'd make all of the first-rounders. But as often happens when a team has a bunch of selections, the Spurs likely weren't able to move them in a deal that made sense. Them having interest is not a mark against Branham or Wesley, but it is the likelier explanation for their trade interest in my mind.

I was probably the biggest Chim-hater on this board. You don't have to tell me he wasn't good. I do think talking about performance while ignoring the different opportunities their situations afforded them is disingenuous, as is your framing of their impact to some extent.

This is a new year. The Spurs may have loved Branham but are absolutely creaming themselves over like Keyonte George or whomever is there at 10-15, or they might be in love with the SGs in the 3-7 range they're slated to draft way more than Branham. Are they? I honestly don't know. I'd actually suggest they were so aggressive acquiring picks last year because they specifically did love the talent there. Me saying there's a scenario where Braham is slated to be the fifth guard because of their first pick and might fetch an asset worth moving him is not me saying I want him gone. I said twice in that same line that I liked him and that I think the Spurs could be selfish (although I think greedy is more the word I meant) and keep Braham even if they draft another two-guard and just try to figure it out. But I'd put Branham's likelihood of being moved as way higher when compared with Sochan or Wesley. None of them are high, but Branham's is clearly the highest.

[Chinook]

Mamu played center because he had to. The other option was almost literally just Giorgiu Dieng.

That's not the point of what I was saying. Why Mamu played the five is irrelevant. I don't care if the Spurs want him to play there or not. My point was tying back to the previous comments I made about his ceiling (in my opinion) being tied to his ability to play center. I think his limitations at PF are going to be way more obvious and his pluses less noticeable if he has to play there in compe ive minutes. I'm hoping he shows an improved ability at one of the positions in the summer league. You can be a stark net-negative on the floor on a tanking team and get by on intrigue, but at some point he's going to have to be a positive stat-wise. He has a lot of improving to do.

What? No.

Your take on Branham is completely baffling and I have very very little doubt that you'll see how wrong you are by the end of next year if not sooner. There's a reason commentators for opposing teams always always talk about Branham and how much they like him. He has innate scoring skills that a load of the NBA would love to have. He's already showing something really special and you seem to not only ignore it, you seem to think he's a finished product.

And if the Spurs draft a Thompson, he won't be anywhere as good as Branham is for a while. I don't mean on offense - they probably never will be, because they're trash shooters - but just being coachable and understanding what to do.

Who knows? I'm not particularly interested in nitpicking the specific prospect right now. I am saying the Spurs are guaranteed to have their highest pick since Duncan, and that player might either play Branham's position or push other guys into Branham's position. Mal might well win that compe ion and keep getting minutes. But he might also lose it. The NBA is has plenty of role-players who beat out younger and more highly regarded prospects on rebuilding teams. I'm not sure Branham would get the backup spot over Champ right now. He might, or Wesley might lose a compe ion for his spot with Mal moving over. We don't know. There's a lot up in the air rigt now.

I'll finish those thoughts.

Malaki Branham is younger than the Thompson twins. (He's also younger than Jordan Hawkins, btw.)

Charles Bassey will get plenty of run as backup C, which he would be playing at the end of the season had he not gotten hurt. The team clearly values him.

Eh, I think Bassey will get run for sure, but I don't think the team is married to him at all. The point of a Hinkie special is you get commitment from the player without having the same required investment from the team. I'm sure they like him fine, but if they could only protect five players in an expansion draft, he's not on the list. He'll I don't know that he'd be in the list of 10.

[scott]

Everyone is sleeping on Bassey (everyone meaning, the entire league, not just this board). Give my man a full off-season to learn and develop, and he'll be a solid role player in this league, IMO, assuming he is healthy.

[Mr. Body]

Everyone is sleeping on Bassey (everyone meaning, the entire league, not just this board). Give my man a full off-season to learn and develop, and he'll be a solid role player in this league, IMO, assuming he is healthy.

Yeah, this board is nuts. It always has to find its pet players to despise. Tre Jones is horrible. Charles Bassey doesn't have a chance.

Neither is true.

[Dejounte]

For the record, I never said Tre is a bad player. I just don’t think he’s good enough to be a starter.

A team with a starting line-up of role players (at least in this stage of their career) can still be an average team winning around .500 at its best.

the starting line up did not do great and whether that’s because of injuries, players still learning, I don’t know.

if I was to pick one player out of the current starting five for the team to be replaced in order for the team to improve— it would have to be Tre.

[rjv]

branham ain'g going anywhere (anytime soon, that is) as long as this current coaching staff and FO is around. and i think that's a good thing.

[JPB]

- Also disagree with Collins as a "fringe starter". He's a certified starter now that he's proved he can be what people hope he could before his issues...

- Not sure spurs would trade Keldon. He's culture now and a solid young player who can give you 20 a night if needed and as others mentioned, a cool dude. Don't know if many guys could bring you that for a frendlier salary. And he's stiill room to improve.

- Yeah, Branham is a keeper with a lot of upside. When given the chance this year, he's proved he can deliver. He had stints where he was really confident and fluid for a rook.

Add Wemby to the current core and it could be fun.