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game over.
Spurs offer deals to two centers
Web Posted: 07/13/2006 12:00 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer Allowed, finally, to put pen to paper, the Spurs signed 6-foot-1 veteran Jacque Vaughn on Wednesday, presumably to play point guard, not center, though the latter shouldn't be discounted for another week, at least.
With the NBA ending its free-agent moratorium, the Spurs also tried to address their biggest priority by extending offer sheets to two centers: Denver's Francisco Elson and New York's Jackie Butler. Because Elson and Butler are restricted free agents, their respective teams can keep them by matching the offers within seven days.
The Spurs divided their $5.2 million midlevel exception between the two centers. Butler signed a three-year, $7 million offer sheet, while Elson received a two-year deal for close to $6 million.
Knicks officials have intimated to some they intend to match the Spurs' offer. Publicly, they said they haven't decided.
New York has 14 players under contract — one below the league maximum — including centers Eddy Curry, Jerome James and Channing Frye. Curry has five years and $48.6million left on his contract, while James is owed $24 million over the next four seasons. Because the Knicks' payroll exceeds the league's luxury tax, Butler's $7million contract could cost them twice as much.
Butler's agent, Keith Glass, is the son of Joe Glass, the agent for former Knicks coach Larry Brown, who is involved in a dispute with the franchise over the $40 million left on his contract.
Speaking to reporters in Denver on Wednesday, Nuggets coach George Karl said it would "probably be a danger for us to match" the offer for Elson.
"He hated to be called an insurance policy," Karl said, "but he was."
Elson, whose nickname among the Nuggets was "Geico," said he doesn't know whether the Nuggets will keep him.
"My concern right now is that hopefully it's with the Spurs," Elson said. "They're a great organization and championship-caliber type team. Shoot, anyone would like to play for the Spurs."
Not everyone. Joel Przybilla and Nazr Mohammed decided to sign with Portland and Detroit, respectively, because the Spurs offered less money. Miami's Alonzo Mourning also turned down an offer from the Spurs.
Signing Butler and Elson to offer sheets could come at the expense of Robertas Javtokas, the Spurs' 2001 second-round draft pick. The Spurs had projected the 6-11 Javtokas to be their backup center before negotiations broke down this week.
Javtokas signed with Greek powerhouse Panathinaikos, said Herb Rudoy, Javtokas' agent.
"Robertas was very disappointed," Rudoy said. "He expected to have serious negotiations, and they didn't want to make him a serious offer.
"It's a shame because we thought this was the summer (for him to come to the NBA)."
Spurs officials declined comment except to say they haven't given up hope of restarting negotiations with Javtokas if they don't get either Butler or Elson. Rudoy, however, said Panathinaikos has given Javtokas a Friday deadline to sign with the Spurs, after which he would have to wait until next summer.
As evidenced by their negotiations with Argentine forward Luis Scola, the Spurs don't want to spend heavily on an international player until they are sure his skills translate to the NBA. Manu Ginobili signed a two-year, $2.9 million contract when he joined the Spurs four years ago, but his success has prompted the next crop of international players to seek more lucrative deals.
Indiana's Sarunas Jasikevicius, the Spurs' Fabricio Oberto and New Orleans' Arvydas Macijauskas all contributed only modestly to their teams after signing last summer.
If Elson and Butler are retained by their respective teams and Javtokas heads to Greece, the Spurs could be left with their pens in their hands. Utah's Jarron Collins and Memphis' Lorenzen Wright are the top unrestricted free-agent centers, but there's no guarantee they would be on the market by the end of the week.
The Spurs are willing to gamble because they don't consider any of the free-agent big men as definite impact players, and that includes Elson and Butler.
Butler, 21, went undrafted after high school. He signed with New York after Dell Demps, the Spurs' director of pro player personnel then working for the Knicks, saw him in the CBA. He averaged 5.3 points and 3.3 rebounds in 13.5 minutes during 55 games last season.
Butler, 6-10, isn't much of a defender but can be an effective low-post scorer. Elson stands 7feet, runs the floor well and is a capable shot blocker. He doesn't have good hands and can be slow to react, also problems with Mohammed.
"I've got great speed, and that is something they seem to need," Elson said. "They have fast guards and need some bigs to run up and down the court with them."
Spurs officials acknowledge Elson and Butler might not provide the same level of production as Mohammed and Rasho Nesterovic but are willing to take that risk because they would cost about half as much.
In the meantime, the Spurs filled another need by signing Vaughn, a nine-year veteran who averaged 3.4 points and 1.5 assists in 80 games with New Jersey last season. He gives the Spurs a point guard to help back up Tony Parker if Beno Udrih isn't up to the task.
Provided, of course, none of them must jump center.
game over.
That article makes me want to puke. The ing Spurs ARE being cheap.
Spurs officials declined comment except to say they haven't given up hope of restarting negotiations with Javtokas if they don't get either Butler or Elson. Rudoy, however, said Panathinaikos has given Javtokas a Friday deadline to sign with the Spurs, after which he would have to wait until next summer.
Yeah, that makes me all warm inside Buddy. Whatever.
why stop at half?Spurs officials acknowledge Elson and Butler might not provide the same level of production as Mohammed and Rasho Nesterovic but are willing to take that risk because they would cost about half as much.
Does that mean he is still an option?
Last edited by #1elliottfan; 07-13-2006 at 01:20 AM.
Elson is RASHO except stronger and more badass.
What the is everyone slitting their wrists about?
I didn't intend for it to nor do I give a if it does.
It just means Jav is still an option.
"Robertas was very disappointed," Rudoy said. "He expected to have serious negotiations, and they didn't want to make him a serious offer.
"It's a shame because we thought this was the summer (for him to come to the NBA)."
Spurs officials declined comment except to say they haven't given up hope of restarting negotiations with Javtokas if they don't get either Butler or Elson. Rudoy, however, said Panathinaikos has given Javtokas a Friday deadline to sign with the Spurs, after which he would have to wait until next summer.
elson makes the radoslav trade look horrible
What's driving me insane is that the Spurs still haven't fixed the SF issues...the biggest problem....and they're blowing over half the ing MLE on Francisco Elson... , I rather Sean Marks.
This is all just spinning wheels...in reverse. We're just trading out scrubs for scrubs, but the new scrubs aren't as good as the old scrubs...only cheaper...which does exactly squat as far as increasing our chances to win.
I wonder if Pop or RC are trying to get fired or something...or trying to make a point...because this is really a offseason.
the spurs think so highly of javtokas that they took a flier on butler. it must be the lle they have offered him for 2 years.
The Spurs divided their $5.2 million midlevel exception between the two centers. Butler signed a three-year, $7 million offer sheet, while Elson received a two-year deal for close to $6 million.
elson did not get 3 years!
right but payroll is down man. and they gave up picks. and they've let guys walk.
ultimately they are doing what ownership wants.I wonder if Pop or RC are trying to get fired or something...or trying to make a point...because this is really a offseason.
God damn why don't they just sign Javtokas.
How so?
Rasho: 4.5 points, 3.9 rebounds in 19 minutes.
Elson: 4 points, 4.7 rebounds in 22 minutes.
, Elson has a better shooting percentage than Rasho even at the line.
Now let him play along side Tim and lets see what he can do.
it's probably a team option for the 3rd year. if, by some chance, he turns out to be worthwhile you want that 3rd year on the cheap plus his bird rights.
Elson is NOT a better option than Rasho and the Spurs ing admit it in the article but they don't give a because he costs less. that.
Read mother er,
Marcus, bust open the hard stuff, I'm drinking with you tonight.Spurs officials acknowledge Elson and Butler might not provide the same level of production as Mohammed and Rasho Nesterovic but are willing to take that risk because they would cost about half as much.
whatever the spurs do is right. IMO.
So you like to be selective with what you choice to believe or not believe hwne it comes to the Spurs.
It's CIA one moment or just them lying like always or them being 100% truthful.
You guys need to make up your mind.
i think i have some captain morgan's in the cabinet.
Not a big fan of Butler. I would not mind im not coming.
I would mind though, if him not coming here and us signing him to a sheet had anything to do with Javtokas not coming.
And they ing think Booner is a good player (so much so they introduced him to the media). Do you believe that too?
Why don't you let one or both of these guy produce before you slice your wrists.
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