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Then I'm guessing Javtokas is a lock.If Mohammed receives an offer the Spurs don't want to meet, team officials also aren't opposed to beginning the season with Tim Duncan, Fabricio Oberto and Lithuanian Robertas Javtokas sharing time at center.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...r.1bd118e.html
Web Posted: 07/04/2006 12:00 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
With Ben Wallace leaving for Chicago and Joel Przybilla mulling an offer to take his place in Detroit, the Spurs' search for a starting center could end in the same place it began.
After Wallace decided to accept a four-year offer worth close to $60 million from the Bulls on Monday evening — trading the team he captained to the 2004 NBA championship for its Central Division rivals — the Pistons moved quickly to replace him by contacting Przybilla. Przybilla, who also had drawn interest from the Spurs and already was weighing an offer to re-sign with Portland, was leaning toward joining the Pistons, his agent said late Monday.
Detroit, like the Spurs, was limited to giving Przybilla its $5million midlevel exception. The Spurs, however, have been hesitant to extend any offer to the maximum five years.
"San Antonio's right up there, but I think Detroit is probably a better fit for Joel," said Bill Duffy, Przybilla's agent. "It will be a good challenge for him. But, again, it's going to be Joel's decision."
Duffy said he expected Przybilla to make his final decision by this morning.
The Spurs also have negotiated with Nazr Mohammed but are waiting for him to establish his market value. Mohammed tabled talks with the Spurs on a four-year extension worth about $5.5 million annually in October, hoping to seek a five-year deal in free agency.
Cleveland is among the teams to express interest in Mohammed. The Spurs, who are allowed to re-sign Mohammed for any amount up to the league's maximum salary, also will explore sign-and-trade scenarios with him, if necessary.
The pool of free-agent centers isn't deep after Mohammed: Jarron Collins, Lorenzen Wright, Scot Pollard, Michael Olowokandi, Jake Voskuhl, Kelvin Cato and Melvin Ely and Jackie Butler, both of whom are restricted.
Milwaukee is trying to move Jamaal Magloire and Philadelphia is listening to offers for Samuel Dalembert, though it's unlikely the Spurs have interest in taking on the $55.7 million left on Dalembert's contract.
If Mohammed receives an offer the Spurs don't want to meet, team officials also aren't opposed to beginning the season with Tim Duncan, Fabricio Oberto and Lithuanian Robertas Javtokas sharing time at center.
While the Spurs continue to look at their free-agent options, they are close to solidifying their summer-league roster.
The team, which will play in the Rocky Mountain Revue July 14-21 in Salt Lake City, is heavy on players with previous professional experience.
Guard Melvin Sanders will join forward Ian Mahinmi, last year's first-round draft pick, in Utah after recovering from the right knee injury he suffered in practice during the playoffs. Sanders played in 16 games for the Spurs last season.
Former Atlanta guard Donta Smith will be on the team. The Hawks designated Smith to the NBA's Developmental League for part of last season.
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Then I'm guessing Javtokas is a lock.If Mohammed receives an offer the Spurs don't want to meet, team officials also aren't opposed to beginning the season with Tim Duncan, Fabricio Oberto and Lithuanian Robertas Javtokas sharing time at center.
The Spurs aren't offering Przybilla the max they can offer?
That's pretty weird. Why even waste time on him then?
Looks like the Spurs could end up with Nazr for a reduced rate. Who woulda thunk it?
So it seems that we're pretty much set for next season barring a trade involving Nazr. But what about options for a 3rd PG?
So we end up with one of Atlanta's small forwards after all
So we end up with one of Atlanta's small forwards after all
Donta Smith is decent from what I saw of him two years ago in summer league. He's a little stiff legged but still a pretty good athlete.
"San Antonio's right up there, but I think Detroit is probably a better fit for Joel," said Bill Duffy, Przybilla's agent. "It will be a good challenge for him. But, again, it's going to be Joel's decision.
joel is NOT COMING
DAMM IT
of FA center K cato and nazr are the only ones I would like. once again spurs lose out on FA because we wouldn't pay. pistons offered more years
I know Donta Smith is 6'7" but he's listed as a G.
also looks like Ian Mahinmi is CONFIRMED for summer leauge
I really don't want Nazr back.
I'd take Lorenzen for cheap I guess.
It's kind of funny that the Spurs didn't offer Przy five years. I wonder if they offered their standard 3 year deal.
I can't believe the Spurs are being cheap at this point. They unloaded Rasho's contract, Nazr is about to walk but they can't give the best center on the market a max MLE contract. Would a 5-year, $30M contract really break the bank?
Hopefully this is a RC/Pop move and not Holt pulling the purse strings.
He looked like he had some potential when he played the Toros, but still quite raw.
Donta Smith is decent from what I saw of him two years ago in summer league. He's a little stiff legged but still a pretty good athlete.
Spurs You Have To Make A Trade For A Center!
I'm guessing since the Spurs didn't offer a five-year deal that they really are planning on bringing Ian over next year and giving him big minutes.
I agree it's pretty stupid not to pull out all the MLE stops for Joel in this market.
I just got the creepy Nazr for Z feeling again.
Remember last year guys...
Remember Finley with the Miami hype...
What...the... ...If Mohammed receives an offer the Spurs don't want to meet, team officials also aren't opposed to beginning the season with Tim Duncan, Fabricio Oberto and Lithuanian Robertas Javtokas sharing time at center.
Are you kidding me? God please at least bring Nazr back.
14 points, 4 rebouns, 3 assists and 2 steals per game in DLeague last year. Not bad but not exactly the long SF the Spurs need.
I would rather have rasho at this point
I don't know about big minutes next year. But yeah, I guess they are planning on him arriving in the next couple years.
If nothing else, bring in Cato...please.
I wonder if spurs were afraid of joel's health record....
Spurs are being pretty damn dumb this offseason. They barely had a chance to get Przybilla by offering the whole MLE. But they are sitting there offering only part of it? Is RC high?
Last year free agency dragged on because teams were waiting for the amnesty players to be released. This year, everyone is getting snatched up fast.
But the Spurs are sitting there offering peanuts to the best center on the market while hoping that nobody goes after Nazr.
Pryz is off the market.
Bet the Spurs and Nazr get a deal done
4 years prob 18 20 million.
Then they are screwed after Mahinmi comes over.
Looks like Javtokas is a done deal being here
Who out there is worth getting the MLE spent on?
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