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Yes, but not right now. It's Barry's time to earn another ring.
As many of us know by now, the Spurs missed out on the proposed trade that would have brought backup SG J.R. Smith (and another player whose name escapes me at the moment) from New Orleans/Ok City to the Spurs in exchange for Brent Barry.
As many of us thought, it looks as though Smith will indeed be available this offseason after all. I wonder if the Spurs would still be interested?
http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_ar...ade_automatic/
Guard Smith awaits inevitable trade
Second-year player says he's just eager to get back on court
Sunday, April 23, 2006
By John Reid - Staff writer
OKLAHOMA CITY -- After going through the final team-related event of the season Thursday afternoon, Hornets guard J.R. Smith said he's all but certain his two-year stint with the team is over because of his strained relationship with Coach Byron Scott.
"I don't think I'll have to ask for a trade; it's going to be automatic," Smith said. "I would like to go anywhere; it doesn't matter if it's a losing team. I just want to be out there to help on the court."
In February, Smith and Scott publicly disclosed that a rift had developed, and they were not on speaking terms for nearly two months. At the time, Smith thought Scott had taken it personally for not playing him regularly. Scott said Smith's demotion was a result of his immaturity, poor work habits and lack of improvement since his rookie season in 2004-05.
During the final two months of the season, they appeared to co-exist without having much contact besides game-related matters. However, Scott spoke bluntly Thursday about Smith's deficiencies during the season.
"All the things we talked about (that he needed to improve on), he never really did those things," Scott said. "He might grow up one day, but from a coaching standpoint, I live in the present. I need guys who can help right now. When he grows up and starts playing, I might be in the stands somewhere with somebody else coaching the team."
Scott said he won't begin evaluating the season with General Manager Jeff Bower until Monday, so they cannot say what players they might consider trading later this summer.
In February, the Hornets had a trade deal worked out that would have sent Smith to the San Antonio Spurs for veteran guard Brent Barry. But the deal wasn't completed until five minutes after the trade deadline, and the league didn't approve it.
"I wasn't disappointed, because I wanted to finish out the season with my teammates," said Smith, who played in 55 games and averaged 7.7 points this season.
"But it's been a tough season. At one point, you're at the highest of highs and everybody's looking upon you to be the leader, and then the coach pretty much disowns you. It's hard to play like that."
At his season-ending meetings, Scott said he told Smith, Arvydas Macijauskas and Kirk Snyder that there are three shooting guards on the team, and two of them will not be back next season.
Yes, but not right now. It's Barry's time to earn another ring.
Hopefully Barry helps the Spurs win another ring and then helps the Spurs by being traded in the offseason for JR Smith.
Yes, still interested. Barry's expendable. You make the trade if it's still available. Next season, you go with the same 2 starting swingmen and Finley as the 1st one off the bench. That gives you a season to introduce Smith to Spurs Basketball. Hopefully the Spurs can pick up an extra experienced swing to be the 5th, maybe an Eric Piatkowski or better yet, a Devin Brown (Utah has to cooperate on that one). I'd be inclined to see an experienced player as the 5th, though maybe they can pick up the proverbial young long 3 to groom.
JR smith would be great
Of course not right now, there's nothing we can do right now, but as much as I like Brent I think it's time to make a move or two to make this team younger...
I was reading that NOK is "looking for two shooters". We can supply one of them. Allegedly, they have some caproom, so maybe that $50K won't be a hinderance.
Buy low, sell high. Brent Barry's stock will NEVER be higher than it is right now. JR Smith's may never be lower.
Sanikidze is also out there. I think he's going to at least see action in the summerleagues.
I think I'llif Byron Scott's arrogance gives the Spurs another young talented swingman.
That's why I put this article two hours ago in NBA news central forum :
http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39119
..... I'm assuming you mean a al Stephen Jackson.I think I'll
Gotta love Jack. Speaking of which, I hear rumors he may be dealt in the Pacers management decide to "blow up" their team this offseason.
How much do the Spurs have in cap room (assuming Nazr leaves, which I think we can easily afford-- o Oberto!)?
I'd like to get JR Smith, maybe in a sign-and-trade, for Barry. NVE and Nazr, in all probability, will be gone, so we have two spots to fill. One will be taken on a veteran PG or a vet who can play the 1 and 2, but that second is up for grabs.
I think Marks has proven himself enough to be part of the rotation, so we don't really need another big.
I believe Smith will still be under contract, as will Barry. Therefore a S&T won't be necessary to acquire Smith.
NVE is scheduled to retire. Who know what'll happen with Nazr.
No cap room. The Spurs have about $61M committed for next year without NVE, Nazr or Marks.
Both Smith and Barry are under contract, so no problem.
He makes too much. He was somewhat "controllable" on his minimum, non-guaranteed, but he's been under the influence of Artest. I just can't see Pop bringing back such a knucklehead when we have our clutch shooter for at least one more year, and two at his (Horry) option.
Steven Jackson is like Horry, but on a game by game basis, instead of a seasonal basis. He's ing useless in quarters one thru three the way Horry is from November thru March. The difference is that Horry accepts his role, but Jack would never want to come off the bench again. He'd be useful in a Ben Gordon sort of role, but I doubt it would be one he could accept.
Ok, let me put it this way, is there actually any realistic hope of retaining Nazr?
First priority is always to retain YOUR players. Second is to sign others.
Jack would be too expensive to acquire. You might as well grow another...
It was just a comment. I didn't want to turn this into a "bring back Jack" thread.
Well the Spurs can sign Nazr for any price but I'm sure they have an amount in their head that they are willing to pay him. If another team wants to overpay him, then he won't be here.
When you have Rasho and Oberto contracted for two more years, and Ian and Javtokas in the pipe, you don't need 6'10" Malik clones.
Oh cool, I didn't know Nazr had bird rights. Fortunately, however, the Spurs are starting to hit the tip of their European iceberg, with Javatokas being the first, I hope, to make the trip. Javatokas, Ian, and maybe even Scola.
Although we could always trade Scola's rights....
I'd like to keep Nazr, but only at a reasonable price, and like Kori suggested, the Spurs won't make the mistake by overpaying.
I'm not sure if Javtokas will ever be a Spur, but if he is coming this should be the year. He's 26 (I think) and he isn't under contract next season.
I think we'll be able to tell in summer league if the Spurs are going to have Sanikidze on the roster next season. I still think Mahinmi is a year away from coming... we'll see.
Pivots who can walk and chew gum usually start at $6-7M per year and go up from there.I'd like to keep Nazr, but only at a reasonable price, and like Kori suggested, the Spurs won't make the mistake by overpaying.
I disagree about Oberto. I love his energy and hustle. Maybe it's me, but it strikes that he's exactly what Malik was. He a bit undersized just like Malik was (not as much). He's not big enough to play most centers and power forwards, yet he's not quick enough to guard small forwards.
Again maybe it's just me, but as a 30 year-old rookie, I just don't see how he fits into the Spurs plans long term.
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