Spurs Acquire Matt Bonner And Eric Williams From Toronto For Rasho

[Old School Chic]

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Spurs announced today that they have acquired Matt Bonner, Eric Williams and a 2009 second round draft pick from the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Rasho Nesterovic.


“We are excited about the additions of Matt and Eric,” Spurs General Manager R.C. Buford said. “Matt is a big guy who has the unique ability of knocking down the outside shot which will help us spread the floor. Eric gives us a steady veteran presence and some added depth at the forward position.”



Bonner, a 6-10 forward, has spent the past two seasons with the Raptors. Last year he appeared in 78 games, averaging 7.5 points and 3.6 rebounds in 21.9 minutes a game while shooting .448 (209-467) from the field, .420 (102-243) from three-point range which tied for 12th in the NBA, and .829 (63-76) from the free throw line. During his rookie season in 2004-05 he shot .533 (247-463) from the field and .424 (39-92) from beyond the arc while scoring 7.3 points a game. For his career the former Florida Gator has appeared in 160 games, averaging 7.3 points and 3.6 rebounds in 20.4 minutes per game.



Williams, an 11-year NBA veteran, played in 28 games for the Raptors last season, averaging 3.3 points and 1.8 rebounds in 12.6 minutes a game. Prior to being traded to Toronto midway through the 2004-05 season, he started in 21 games for the New Jersey Nets, averaging 12.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 35.2 minutes per game. For his career, the 6-8 forward has played in 637 games for five teams (Toronto – 2005-06; New Jersey – 2004-05; Cleveland – 2003-04 and Boston – 1995-97, 1999-2004), averaging 8.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 24.5 minutes a game.



Nesterovic joined the Spurs as a free agent in the summer of 2003 after spending five seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves. During his three seasons with Silver and Black the 7-0 center averaged 6.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.59 blocks while starting in 203 of 232 games. In 2004-05 he helped guide the Spurs to their third NBA Championship. For his career, Nesterovic has appeared in 548 games, averaging 7.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.30 blocks and 1.0 assists in 24.1 minutes per game.



“It’s difficult to part with such a class act as Rasho, but in order to get quality you have to give up quality,” added Buford “We want to thank Rasho for his valuable contributions to the organization and the community over the last three years and wish him the best of luck in Toronto.”



The Spurs are currently preparing for the 2006 NBA Draft which will be held June 28. The Silver and Black have the 59th overall pick. For more information of the NBA Draft and the latest spurs news visit www.spurs.com.

[CharlieMac]

Rasho says.........."Ughhhhhhhhh." in response.

[Streakyshooter08]

Wow...

[Leetonidas]

WTF.

[Old School Chic]

I'm sorry Angeluv

[MoSpur]

YES!!!! They did the unbelievable.

[Budkin]

Sorry Angel and RashoFan.

I feel for you guys but I have to say I'm personally relieved.

[CharlieMac]

I kind of feel like I just peeked at my Christmas present. The suprise element is gone.

[TxJudsonRocketTx]

Wow...wasnt expecting this at all. Does this mean that Nazr stays?

[Spurologist]

Breathe Rasho Breathe



You had a great run.

[Dunc]

Decent trade for both teams. Bonner's got good range and another decent shooter coming off the bench, and the Raps need a center.

[picnroll]

Williams has one year left on his contract at $4,296,000, player option.

[Leetonidas]

Be alert everyone, we are now on angel_luv suicide watch.

[FreshPrince22]

wow

[CharlieMac]

Could trading Villanueva be far off?

[picnroll]

Rasho is probable happy. He'll get minutes now.

Wonder if this is clearing space for Scola. That only leaves Javtokas and Duncan to man the big boys in the post providing Nazr is gone.

[Old School Chic]

Be alert everyone, we are now on angel_luv suicide watch.

[Streakyshooter08]

Does that help salary wise?

[v2freak]

From a buisness standpoint, this trade makes sense and will help the Spurs greatly. But as a class act like RC said, I'll miss Rasho.

[ChumpDumper]

My thinking is a good suitor for Rasho would be Toronto, depending on their draft. Colangelo is all about versatile lineups and Araujo doesn't look like he's ever going to be the traditional center they will need to compete in the Eastern Conference, and Rasho's deal will end just around the time the young guys will need to be paid.

Taking ballast like Araujo and Eric Williams off the Raptors hands may give us an advantage over some other teams like Milwaukee who will want something closer to equal value, and we might just be able to use Williams as a stopgap long 3 until someone else is found. Otherwisehe and Araujo could be waived or traded again since they are in the last year of their deals.

http://spurstalk.com/forums/showpost...8&postcount=20

So I was one player off.

In your face, GiG.

[MoSpur]

Williams has a player option this year, which I think he will exercise. Bonner is free next season. Big time cap relief. I wonder what is next for the Spurs

[Holt's Cat]

Pwaise Jesus.

[Spurologist]

For now this is the lineup

Starters
TP
Manu
Bruce
TD
Nazr

Bench
Barry
FIN
Horry
Oberto
Williams
Bonner
Beno
Marks

I expect more moves.

[SenorSpur]

Thank you Lawd!

[Bob Lanier]

Good trade for both teams. I like EWill more than Bonner, but the Spurs get rid of Rasho's contract, and the Raps get a serviceable true center.