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Is it automatically assumed if Elson goes elsewhere, the Spurs will look for another big man?
Butler to join Spurs' frontline
Web Posted: 07/19/2006 10:39 PM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...r.149b37d.html
With the NBA's summer-long reality series "Big Man Search 2006: Does Anyone Want to Stand Next to Tim Duncan?" possibly nearing a wrap, the Spurs have found one contestant who won't end up on the cutting-room floor.
New York decided Wednesday against matching the Spurs' three-year, $7 million offer to Jackie Butler, a Knicks official said. While the decision assures the Spurs at least one center to call their own next season, they also will learn today whether they need to resume shopping for another.
Denver officials have yet to decide — or at least say publicly — whether to keep Francisco Elson. The Nuggets have until the end of today to match the Spurs' two-year, $6 million offer.
League rules, however, don't specify whether "end of today" means the end of the business day or 11:59 p.m. — or even a specific time zone. As a result, Spurs officials might have to wait late into the night before learning whether they get Elson.
Denver officials likely want to take as much time as possible in case a trade materializes to trim their frontcourt. Their decision also could hinge on how optimistic they feel about re-signing forward Reggie Evans.
Nuggets coach George Karl spoke about Elson in the past tense last week, but that was before the team saved money by arranging a trade with Chicago to acquire a potential starting shooting guard in J.R. Smith.
The Knicks didn't need the full week to make their decision on Butler. New York president and coach Isiah Thomas told Butler's agent, Keith Glass, around 2 p.m. Wednesday the team wasn't matching the Spurs' offer.
Spurs officials declined to comment about Butler until the league finalizes the paperwork for his signing.
The Knicks have 14 guaranteed contracts, one shy of the league maximum, with close to $70 million invested in centers Eddy Curry and Jerome James. Butler's $7 million contract also would essentially cost New York double because the team likely will incur the league's dollar-for-dollar luxury tax.
The Spurs also consider Butler, 21, somewhat of a project but one that could yield results next season. At 6-foot-10, 260 pounds, Butler has a soft touch, good footwork, great hands and passes well. Scouts consider him a gifted offensive player but a questionable defender.
How well Butler would fit into the Spurs' system remains to be seen. Elson figures to be the more likely candidate to start next to Duncan because of his experience, provided the Nuggets don't keep him.
Butler averaged 5.3 points and 3.3 rebounds in 13.5 minutes during 55 games last season. His per-minute production exceeded that of Rasho Nesterovic and compared favorably with Nazr Mohammed's — one reason why Spurs officials like his potential. In three appearances against the Spurs last season, one of which was an exhibition game, Butler totaled 34 points, 18 rebounds and five blocks in 52 minutes.
Former Knicks coach Larry Brown called Butler "our best center by far" less than two months into the season and continued to sometimes play him in fourth quarters ahead of Curry and James.
"He's a 21-year-old, 6-10 guy who's not just a body," Glass said. "He's a guy who can play basketball."
Butler grew up in Mississippi before finishing high school in Virginia. He skipped college to declare for the 2004 NBA draft but wasn't selected. Cut by Minnesota in training camp, he played in the CBA until the Knicks signed him midway through the 2004-05 season.
"Jackie's very thankful for everything Isiah and the Knicks did for him," Glass said. "But playing for the Spurs is obviously very exciting — the tradition of the team, the fact they win and do things in a very professional manner. The chance to play with Tim is not exactly a negative, either."
Glass hopes the Spurs' veteran leadership and stability furthers Butler's development — another reason he said Butler turned down more lucrative offers elsewhere. Butler, who made $641,748 last season, will draw a first-year salary of slightly more than $2 million with his new contract.
The Spurs have been searching for a center since Nesterovic was traded to Toronto and Mohammed signed with Detroit. Joel Przybilla re-signed with Portland, and Alonzo Mourning turned down an offer from the Spurs to return to Miami.
Negotiations with Lithuanian Robertas Javtokas, one of the team's former draft picks, broke down last week. Sean Marks, who spent three seasons with the Spurs, has been in contract discussions with Phoenix.
If the Nuggets keep Elson, the Spurs would have about $3 million left to pursue another big man. Memphis' Lorenzen Wright, Indiana's Scot Pollard, Charlotte's Melvin Ely and Jake Voskuhl, Toronto's Loren Woods and Boston's Michael Olowokandi are among the remaining free-agent centers.
Is it automatically assumed if Elson goes elsewhere, the Spurs will look for another big man?
Hopefully not. Oberto can give you whatever Elson would.
The Spurs need a lot of help in other areas ... namely a long three who can rebound. Ariza, Woods and Jones are out there and would help the Spurs more than yet another bigman would.
Ian Mahinmi is always a possibility, but I seriously doubt it. If Elson is matched, the Spurs will probably go after a center.
I think the Spurs have already hinted than Ian is going to stay overseas for another year before coming over here.
damn, i hope Denver matches.....
I know, which is why I said I doubt it. A Spurs official was quoted somewhere saying there's a small possibility of him being here next year. I'm assuming that'll happen if the Spurs can't find another big man behind Butler.
I think if the elson is matched
it forces the spurs to go after murphy
he is on the block and can be had
gs is getting up there with the tax scola and jav would be cheap replacements for murphy
We need a karma thingy, like +1 -1.
Murphy is a pipe dream.
Okay, if Ludden's announcing, it must be a done deal.
Fantastic! I think this guy has real potential to contribute right away, and with our team he can only get better.
Excellent.
Now, grab Kelvin Cato for the minimum as a backup and throw 3mil at an SF, and we're ready to go to war!
No one is shocked that someone wants Marks?Sean Marks, who spent three seasons with the Spurs, has been in contract discussions with Phoenix.
That actually wouldn't be a bad idea if Elson is matched.Okay, if Ludden's announcing, it must be a done deal.
Fantastic! I think this guy has real potential to contribute right away, and with our team he can only get better.
Excellent.
Now, grab Kelvin Cato for the minimum as a backup and throw 3mil at an SF, and we're ready to go to war!
I'm gonna miss the Kiwi.
murphy could be a pipe dream but why would gs pay the tax 2 years in a row?
seems me if teams were offering alot for murphy he would have been traded by now
No Murphy (can't defend), no Magloire (can defend, rebound or block shots well for his size) please. Both on terrible contracts, although Magloire's runs out this year (?).
Cato and Jones and we're primed for a good run at the trophy.
Question - why aren't people snapping up a guy like Jones? He can score, shoot a bit, rebounds well, is only 27. I'm syrprised someone hasn't thrown 20mil/5yrs at him.
He shoots the ball well, and plays little or no defense. Phoneix is a perfect fit for him.
Seeing Marks in Phx would be weird...
just wait.seems me if teams were offering alot for murphy he would have been traded by now
my bet? definitely not the Spurs.
, I thought Marks should've gotten a bit more burn. He looked fantastic in garbage time!
true, I guess that would be a good fit for himHe shoots the ball well, and plays little or no defense. Phoneix is a perfect fit for him.
Oberto does not have Elson's speed down the floor. I don't think he has the perimeter range as Elson. They both seem aggressive down low....not that their aggression equates to success.....Hopefully not. Oberto can give you whatever Elson would.
The Spurs need a lot of help in other areas ... namely a long three who can rebound. Ariza, Woods and Jones are out there and would help the Spurs more than yet another bigman would.
Anyways, I agree with you, that they should look for that long wing....however, if Ludden reports that they will probably search for a big man, then thats probably what they would do with the rest of the MLE if Elson is matched.
If thats the case, I think the SF search ends with Melzer. Spurs seem to be high on him and they like his game.
melzer is the long three this year
saving that 3 million is going to help the spurs be able to take on murphy's contract
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