Top 2008 Free Agents

[Holt's Cat]

Spurs need to draft for next year, not 3 years from now. That means whoever they take with picks #26 and 45 should be guys available to play next year. As far as what positions they draft for, obviously the perimeter takes precedence. A scorer and a long athlete would be who I'd like to see them draft. Then use your MLE to go after a backup point like Pargo. They also need to bring Sanikidze in for the summerleagues and if he looks like he has any promise, sign him and let him at least spend a season in Austin.

If they aren't able to sign Splitter, then bring in Javtokas. Not the greatest solution, but I think he's a NBA player and could turn into a useful reserve. More of a stop gap fill than anything.

If they take an international talent, they better know that he's coming over.

[Thompson]

Short of some huge name opting out and joining the Spurs (Elton Brand), my ideal offseason for the Spurs would include convincing Splitter to come over, along with Spanoulis (if he's anywhere near as good as some claim), adding Azubuike in free agency and getting a good draft pick (Brandon Rush or someone).

Along with the assumption that Mahinmi turns out to be good enough to join the team next year, that's 5 new players and a lot of young blood.

That said I'm dreading the draft, waiting to see who we pick "to develop in Europe for a few years."

[Buddy Holly]

Possible, but it's really grasping at straws....

First, most of the players on that list aren't outright free agents. That means they would have to make a conscious decision to test the market, presumably to get more money. Guys like Jermaine O'Neal and Elton Brand simply aren't likely to give up millions of dollars while they're still in their relative primes....that's only been done once in recent history and he (Karl Malone) was at the tail end of his career.

Second, there are enough suitors that have more than the MLE to throw at the guys like Antawn Jamison that are legit unrestricted free agents.

Bottom Line: While it would be great to get one of these guys for dirt cheap, I'd give it less than 1% chance of actually happening.

I don't think it's grasping for straws. I think I was just presenting a situation that is quite possible.

Although, I wasn't thinking about O'Neal or Elton. Those guys will get their value.

I'm speaking more about players like Luol Deng or Shawn Marion maybe even Artest.

[Holt's Cat]

I think Pargo and JR Smith should be at the top of the Spurs' free agent list. If not those two, I would think the Spurs could land Matt Barnes, who I'd be happy with. A guy like Herrmann would be worth taking a shot on with the LLE.

Between the draft and free agency the Spurs should address the backup 1, find a scoring 2/3 and some kind of long 3 man.

As far as potential 2nd round gems go, I think Ot o Hunter could be one. If the Spurs were able to land JR Smith and Mahinmi made it into the rotation, their athleticism, scoring, and length just improved. Moreso if they are able to finesse Splitter into signing too.

[Holt's Cat]

DerMarr Johnson fits the profile of what I think the Spurs should be looking for in the summer. He should get one year for the minimum or at least a training camp invite.

[Biggems]

Good-bye
F/C Kurt Thomas
F Robert Horry
G Michael Finley
PG Jacques Vaughn
PG Damon Stoudamire

o
C DeSagana Diop
G/F James Jones
PG Chris Duhon or Roger Mason

[AFBlue]

I don't think it's grasping for straws. I think I was just presenting a situation that is quite possible.

Although, I wasn't thinking about O'Neal or Elton. Those guys will get their value.

I'm speaking more about players like Luol Deng or Shawn Marion maybe even Artest.

Deng, Marion, and Artest are also in the prime of their careers. The only one I see opting out is Artest and that's to get more money, not less.

I would say it's nowhere near "quite possible", but I guess you and I will just have to disagree on that point.

[Buddy Holly]

I'd be fine with JR Smith and Pargo but what about someone like Juan Carlos Navarro instead of Pargo?

[Buddy Holly]

Good-bye
F/C Kurt Thomas
F Robert Horry
G Michael Finley
PG Jacques Vaughn
PG Damon Stoudamire

o
C DeSagana Diop
G/F James Jones
PG Chris Duhon or Roger Mason

James Jones? Duhon?

Come on now...

Also, with Ian and potentially Tiago, there's no need to sign a big man like Diop.

[Buddy Holly]

Deng, Marion, and Artest are also in the prime of their careers. The only one I see opting out is Artest and that's to get more money, not less.

I would say it's nowhere near "quite possible", but I guess you and I will just have to disagree on that point.

It all depends on how much they want to win and their general at udes to it.

Signing a one year deal for 5 million with the agreement for a larger deal after doesn't sound like it's the most awful idea ever. Again, it all depends on the player.

[Penya]

I'd be fine with JR Smith and Pargo but what about someone like Juan Carlos Navarro instead of Pargo?

Navarro is a nice scorer, but his defense... Defense?

[Holt's Cat]

I'm not sure I'd want the centerpiece of the Spurs' offseason to be him. Pargo or Smith would be very solid.

[AFBlue]

Good-bye
F/C Kurt Thomas
F Robert Horry
G Michael Finley
PG Jacques Vaughn
PG Damon Stoudamire

o
C DeSagana Diop
G/F James Jones
PG Chris Duhon or Roger Mason

Good sentiment, but there's not enough money to get all three.

Jones is coming off a career year and I think he's primed to get someone's full MLE...but that's just a gut feel (think Jason Kapono).

I think one of the other two could be had and I like the idea of Diop. You know exactly what you're getting with him (defense and rebounding), and after he went to NJ he pretty much fell off the map. He could be a good, low-dollar pickup for the Spurs. This assumes that Splitter has decided to stay in Europe.

[AFBlue]

Again, it all depends on the player.

In that case...two of the three players you mentioned (Artest & Marion)are "me first" type players that have each been bounced from a team because they were chemistry concerns and wanted to be a featured player.

The other (Deng), has been on a rookie scale to this point and will be looking for a BIG pay raise. He and Josh Smith should be getting somewhere in the neighborhood of $8-10M per year from their respective teams this summer.

[Biggems]

James Jones? Duhon?

Come on now...

Also, with Ian and potentially Tiago, there's no need to sign a big man like Diop.

Apparently you dont pay attention. Tiago just signed a two year contract with Tau....he wont be coming over.

Yes I want James Jones. He has nice size. He can shoot from anywhere on the court. He also played for Nate McMillan, which means he had to play some defense. He is a much better option than Pietras (too inconsistent), Matt Barnes (too much of a hot head), JR Smith (too immature), and Childress (range is too limited). We need offense and Jones would give us that.

We need an energy Big, unfortunately the only option is Najera, but I hate that guy. Diop gives us size and the ability to frustrate on defense. He is not an offensive threat by any means.....but we will have Duncan, Mahimni, and Bonner for that.

Duhon would make a very nice backup to Tony. Skiles preached defense, and Duhon played it for a few years. Duhon also has nice range. He is a streaky shooter, but just give him some time with Chip and he should be fine.

I am not sure we have the money to get all three.....but if we did, that would a very nice offseason IMO. Personally, I would just be happy with Jones and Diop....cause we have Brent Barry as our backup PG.


As for the Draft.....I want Brandon Rush the most at 26, but he wont be there. In fact, he may not even make it past PHX at 15. I want Joe Alexander also, but he wont make it past GS at 14. I also see Jason Thompson not making it to 26. So with that being said, I would like to trade out of the 1st and get two 2nds to go along with the two 2nds we already have.

2 - Dorsey/Hardin
2 - Ibaka
2 - Gordon
2 - Leunen

C - Mahimni, Diop, Bonner
PF - Duncan, Oberto, Dorsey/Hardin
SF - Bowen, Udoka, Ibaka
SG - Manu, Jones, Leunen
PG - Parker, Barry, Gordon

[Biggems]

Good sentiment, but there's not enough money to get all three.

Jones is coming off a career year and I think he's primed to get someone's full MLE...but that's just a gut feel (think Jason Kapono).

I think one of the other two could be had and I like the idea of Diop. You know exactly what you're getting with him (defense and rebounding), and after he went to NJ he pretty much fell off the map. He could be a good, low-dollar pickup for the Spurs. This assumes that Splitter has decided to stay in Europe.

Yeah I like Diop. Offensively, he is a waste of space....but defensively, he would give us a rock next to Duncan that we haven't had since Robinson....

I agree, we won't have the money to get all 3 players. However, I am hoping with the MLE, we can get Jones...and with the LLE, we can get Diop.

That would give us these 11 players.....not counting the draft:

Duncan
Oberto
Bonner
Diop
Mahimni
Bowen
Udoka
Manu
Jones
Parker
Barry

We still keep our core group, but at the same time with Jones, Diop, and Mahimni.....we get younger and more athletic.....Jones and Diop have NBA experience, even playoff experience. Mahimni has very little NBA experience, but he does a year in the NBDL learning the Spurs system. That helps out a lot.

[SenorSpur]

DerMarr Johnson fits the profile of what I think the Spurs should be looking for in the summer. He should get one year for the minimum or at least a training camp invite.

Amen brother!

[AFBlue]

Yeah I like Diop. Offensively, he is a waste of space....but defensively, he would give us a rock next to Duncan that we haven't had since Robinson....

I agree, we won't have the money to get all 3 players. However, I am hoping with the MLE, we can get Jones...and with the LLE, we can get Diop.

That would give us these 11 players.....not counting the draft:

Duncan
Oberto
Bonner
Diop
Mahimni
Bowen
Udoka
Manu
Jones
Parker
Barry

We still keep our core group, but at the same time with Jones, Diop, and Mahimni.....we get younger and more athletic.....Jones and Diop have NBA experience, even playoff experience. Mahimni has very little NBA experience, but he does a year in the NBDL learning the Spurs system. That helps out a lot.

Not a bad plan, but FWIW...Jacque Vaughn is signed through next year. So that'd be the set team of 12, without counting draftees.

Although, the Spurs could still conceivably go international with their draft pick(s).

[Biggems]

damn we are stuck with Vaughn.....

[ChumpDumper]

DerMarr Johnson fits the profile of what I think the Spurs should be looking for in the summer. He should get one year for the minimum or at least a training camp invite.

True. I'm a little surprised no one mentioned him. Maybe offering him a spot in summer league would give them a good chance to see how committed he is.

[AFBlue]

damn we are stuck with Vaughn.....

Just for one more year, which gives the Spurs enough time to sign and develop a suitable replacement. And if Pop wants to go with Barry behind Tony, I've got no problem with that....make Jacque the defensive energy guy.

[K-State Spur]

damn we are stuck with Vaughn.....

i'm not a big Vaughn fan - but a) he wouldn't be difficult to move if we really wanted to and b) there are worse safety nets to have as a third PG if we choose to go with youth at the back-up.

pop gave beno every chance to win the back-up job this year and he went with manu as the back-up PG for long stretches this year, so I don't think there is need to worry that he automatically hands the second string to Vaughn by nature of his being on the roster.

[Joe Schmoogins]

This is what I'd love to see happen....

Somehow manage to snag Tiago from Europe... hoping that he hasn't signed already.
bring in V-Span as our back up point... if he can't be had I'd like to see Duhon as a spur.
Sign either Azubuike... or Barnes if available in that order.
Draft a long 3.

[Mr. Body]

This is what I'd love to see happen....

Somehow manage to snag Tiago from Europe... hoping that he hasn't signed already.
bring in V-Span as our back up point... if he can't be had I'd like to see Duhon as a spur.
Sign either Azubuike... or Barnes if available in that order.
Draft a long 3.

I'd be surprised if a single one of those things happens.

[AFBlue]

I'd be surprised if a single one of those things happens.

Body in a bad, albeit funny, mood tonight. What's up man?

FWIW, I'd seriously doubt if any one of those things happened either.