.png&w=244&h=193&zc=1 "By the numbers: A quick look at the Grizzlies")
Should Spurs target Aaron Gray?
New Orleans Hornets big man Aaron Gray has informed his team that he will be opting out of his contract and testing the waters of free agency:
The New Orleans Hornets lost another player to unrestricted free agency Monday afternoon when backup center Aaron Gray informed the team he was opting out of the last year of his contract.
Gray stood to earn $1.06 million next season if he had picked up his option, Earlier in the day, the Hornets lost veteran power forward David West, who decided to walk away from the last year of his contract.
"I think he really enjoyed being with New Orleans, the opportunity to come free made it a good time to explore the market for him," said Jason Zanik, one of Gray's representatives, who added that Gray isn't concerned about the uncertainty of the NBA's labor situation.
Though the Spurs have started the offseason by making some aggressive moves in the draft, the team remains woefully undersized compared to its Western Conference competitors. At 7'0" and 270 pounds, Aaron Gray would make a great target for a team trying to increase its big man bona fides. In twelve minutes of play per game for the Hornets, Gray averaged a little over four rebounds and three points per game; however, with a contract option of a little over $1 million he would be a remarkably cheap addition to a very top heavy Spurs' payroll.
With the potential of a lock-out looming and several expensive contracts on the books, the Spurs will have to take some chances on some "lesser knowns" if they want to build a roster to compete immediately for a championship in what in all liklihood will be Tim Duncan's final season. The opportunity to study under Duncan, and the chance to play for a championship-ready team have to be attractive to a guy like Gray who, at 27, is in the mid to later stages of his career.
Could this be an opportunity worth pursuing for the Spurs front office?
(photo: daylife.com)
Gray would be a great addition to the team. But, he'll be commanding more than the Spurs could afford, unless the MLE is a part of the new collective bargaining agreement. He'll be able to get a Bonner/Splitter type contract easily after his playoff performance.
I'll take him,at 7feet he can at least clog the paint and get some boards you have to think any decent big playing next to Duncan will look better then they are.Remember all those centers after David Robinson, they played well next to Tim,after they left the Spurs they haven't done so well so any decent big will look good with the big 3.
the guy not play, too slow and at the age 27, improvement is highly unlikely. If the spurs would focus on the free agents market, i suggest they loof at k. fesenko who is much younger at 23 so the possibility of improving his game better. Or sign and invest in r.richards now. Also, take a look at c. landry, e. clark. Also, undrafted players like mike tisdale, dunigan, g. mcghee. g. shemadini.
I would have to wait for the CBA and the trades that are said going to be made. Tim is keeping his 21 mil. so it looks like the cap is going to hit the spurs unless they can make a trade to reduce cap space. Now after all that I have to say we can compete with getting Nene or anybody, but before we add Gray lets look at whats is going to happen first. Besides we don't know if gray would even come to the spurs cheap.
I think he is pretty decent playing 12-15 minutes a game, should be capable. Also I wish Fab can be back, too. Heard that his heart condition's been better.
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ok so while i like the idea of getting a 7' guy on the cheap, and grey did have a good couple of games against the lakers i do not want the spurs to get what i like to call "arizaed". trevor ariza had a single good playoff series a couple of years ago, helping the lakers win a ring in a big way. ariza opted out, looked for a payday and got it he has since done a whole lot of what? oh yeah NOTHING! i like what grey did, the biggest question, was that single series/couple of games enough to make up for the whole lot of nothing he has done up to that point before?
im not so sure.
I was impressed with his play against the Lakers.. He was more mobile tha I thought and held his own with Bynm. Show Bynm is most just big. Gray can score in the paint. Do it !
I wouldn't mind this signing. I thought Gray looked good against the Lakers. He'll probably come cheap. Then again if he ends up playing more than 15 or 20 minutes a game I'd be pissed if I was a fan of the team he signs with.
Gray is a better player then his numbers indicate and comes at a great price. The Spurs might haul in a big man in a still to be possibly be made trade. But value for the money, you aren't doing much better then Aaron Gray. I'd give it a big thumbs up.
