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Heck, with that kind of money we could sign Nazr Mohammed.
Expiring Assets: Western Conference
Authored by Matthew Gordon - 30th January, 2008 - 5:16 pm
Believe it or not, the vaunted defending champs have a little breathing room. Brent Barry, Robert Horry, and Fabricio Oberto all have expiring contracts, and they combine to be about $13 million. That’s a significant chunk of money that could be used to bring in a really good player or maybe even two of them. Considering the Spurs’ aging roster, that might not be a bad idea.
It’s tough to justify trading Barry if you’re San Antonio. Throughout his four-year contract signed in 2004, his play hasn’t diminished at all; this season, he’s shooting 48% from the field, 43% from three, and is averaging almost a steal per turnover. He is thirty-six years old, though, which underscores the issue that team has. As Tim Duncan’s health fails and many of his support players get old, what’ll be left there besides Tony Parker and a bunch of cap space? Enticing as that proposition could be, the thought of another half-decade or more of deep playoff runs is even more so.
Horry and Oberto are replaceable at different levels. Horry, although he hasn’t been turning the ball over this season, hasn’t been doing anything else either; he’s been good for 18% shooting from the field and all of two rebounds per game. Oberto’s averaged five and five, solid for his twenty minutes of play, and is shooting a scorching 64% from the field. Horry is thirty-seven and clearly on the downside of his career and probably better as a mentor for young players than as a player at this point. Oberto, not quite 33, is productive and spry, having not been subjected to so many years of NBA pounding. Even so, while Horry is clearly expendable at this point, Oberto could be too if the player coming back is a starting-caliber big man.
The main thing stopping the Spurs from making a trade is that the expiring contracts they have are attached to players only contenders would want, and there is no way a Western Conference contender dares making a trade with the Spurs. None of the Mavericks, Suns, Hornets, or Lakers would particularly enjoy trading a player only to get burned by him three months later, I’d imagine. The logical place for the Spurs to look is East, but not that many Eastern teams would be willing to part with young(er) talent for the sole purpose of being the team that gets to be annihilated by the Celtics/Pistons' chainsaw in the second round.
The Verdict: If the Spurs can find a player around the league who’s on a small contract and is young but who doesn’t necessarily fit into his team’s system, trading Horry and maybe a second-rounder or two for the guy is a no-brainer. Barry and Oberto both have something left in the tank and are tougher to part with on that basis, but a starter at the five or maybe even the three would be too tempting. What the Spurs should do this deadline is what they’ve always done and what’s made them so successful: go bargain shopping and if the price isn’t right, be happy with a team that’s already championship-quality anyway.
Heck, with that kind of money we could sign Nazr Mohammed.
You don't trade Robert Horry.
We'll give you Mike James.
Isn't that a STD?
this guy knows nothing. Horry got his Never Trade Me card when he won the championship in 05.
move elson...please!
I didn't know Timmy's health was failing. Does he have crabs?
You do if it makes your team better.
Fixed it.
As Tim Duncan’s health fails...
First I've heard...
I think they'll make a trade.
RealGM articles aren't very good.
Indeed. This guys knows . OMG!
it was interesting that Pop, in saying the Spurs would be interested in deals that might improve the club, specifically said that this year is different from last year and that the Spurs don't absolutely intend to stand pat.
when did he say this?
Oberto reupped so it is Finely that the writer should have mentioned. As for making a trade Pop is always looking for a deal as are all GMs out there. Problem is there usually aren't many good ones to consider. And I guess Pop feels confortable with this team as is or at least for this year.
I heard it on the radio this morning. It must have been a cut from yesterday's practice.
Why not? All of a sudden he is going to light it up in the playoffs? Maybe. Then again, maybe he won't.
Although i was always a Robert horry fan...i really was disapointed that he didnt retire after last season.
He is a black hole on our roster this year, and although i think he deserves all the respect in the world, he needs to hang it up and let someone younger and hungrier come in and fill the shoes...
I would trade Robert Horry if it meant getting someone better and younger.
I love Robert Horry and what he has done for the Spurs, but I don't like the aura about him coasting through the regular season. Given a young, strong player who can score and rebound and defend all year round and most of us would give Robert Horry up in a second.
Wasn't this already posted in another thread.
Or am I having Deja Vu?
Horry usually sucks during the regular season.
Trouble is he has never sucked this badly during the regular season.
Still, it would have to be a pretty awesome trade to make me feel good about letting him go to another team.
Its been posted in a lot of threads.
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