Jianlian considered Spurs before signing with Mavericks
According to a report from Marc Stein of ESPN, new Dallas Mavericks forward/center Yi Jianlian considered signing with the San Antonio Spurs before
fully agreeing to sign with the Mavericks.
Sources said Yi also considered signing with the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs before settling on Dallas.
Though Jianlian has never made a major impact in the NBA, this is important to note because it reveals that the Spurs could still be looking to add another big man to the thin frontcourt roster of Tim Duncan, DeJuan Blair, Tiago Splitter, and Matt Bonner.
Jianlian is a seven footer and as the compressed season continues, any extra help in the frontcourt will help the legs of veteran's like Duncan and Bonner, while also preventing Blair and Splitter from burning out before the playoffs.
This week the Spurs will play five games in seven nights that include two sets of back-to-backs. This isn't a major problem now but it could be in March and April. At the moment, the Spurs can't rest Duncan because the front court would only be three big men deep. If you've watched in the Spurs' double-digit victories, head coach Gregg Popovich is already experimenting with different "small ball" lineups where rookie Kawhi Leonard could play power forward or center, and even guard James Anderson has been put at the power forward position.
If another big man isn't signed or traded for, the small ball lineup may be the only way to limit wear-and-tear on the Spurs' frontcourt.
This is also interesting because the mavs were in talks with fesenko. Maybe now that they signed jianlian, fesenko could be available.
Trade Blair? No way! He is making good. Maybe Jefferson, Bonner and one of the small forwards or shooting guards for Cousins. Even trading Bonner is squestionable. Give one for another. Besides, Cousions has issues. Well, he is young and will learn under coach Pop. If at all possible, the spurs complete the lineup without trading anybody. Buyout the contracts of Erzam Lorbek and Ryan Richards.
@rtesoro440 if we want something, we gotta give something of equal value back. don't tell me you're like most of the laker fans who want dwight howard in exchange for steve blake and like walton. i'd rather keep richard over matty. richard can at least do lay ups, and shoot 2's and 3's. matty only shoots 3's and has no defense.
@Joey@rtesoro440 I don't think THIS FO will ever trade a talent but troublesome player like Cousins when you look history of this team. EX. Rodman, Maxwell, Van Exel.... Don't expect them EVER consider bring Cousins even if they have chances chasing him, it's not gonna happen in reality unless we have a whole new FO. Plus, how come the Kings will be willing to give Cousins for Blair and Bonner, please? I know their FO has been doing some terrible trade/signing, but even that this one ain't gonna happen!
@zap I think its the biggest opportunity for the Spurs that start rebuilding while contending.
i would trade TP for Cousins and an unprotected 2012 1st round pick.
This is a very fair trade to both sides.
Kings finally getting a floor General, also they dont need another prospect! They need someone who can take leadership. no doubt that with Parker and along with Thornton and Evans they will have a fantastic backcourt. and they still have Salmons and Jimmer as rotation.
For the Spurs, think July.
While this team will still be competitive this season as Manu, Neal and Ford can still execute, and pairing Cousins with Splitter or Duncan will be AMAZING.
BUT, in July 1st, Duncan comes off the books, Spurs amnesty RJ and we have *possibly* a lottery pick in a fantastic draft AND 30M$ of cap space!!!
I believe that this is a move to be done. I like Tony alot but he is a player that is mostly based on athletic ability which WILL decrease in the next 2 years, next to a decrease from Manu and Tim over the next 2 years, this team is done. lottery team for 2-3 at the very least.
This is a wonderful chance to rebuild on-the-fly.
About Cousins attitude you got to remmember that he is playing with a bunch of punks that hoard balls and with NO point guard to distribute. Also, they have so many locker room issues like with Jason Thompson who just HATES his team. Even Casspi was relieved leaving this place.
I feel the Spurs have probably the best locker room in the buisness. They have Duncan for Cousins to learn and look up to, they have Pop for discipline and their system will guarantee him involvement in the game.
Last thing, Have you guys seen him play? he had a few games with more then 5 assists. he is intelligent and has a very high BBIQ.
Now it's time for me to touch back on reality. I wish I was RC for just one day. :)
1 Like
Trading TP now? Who runs the play for the spurs? Rebuilding doesn't mean giving up assets like TP. Will Joseph takes his place? TJFord? It will be good to have Cousins but not for TP. Maybe Jefferson, Bonner and one of the shooting guards/small forwards. Or buyout the contract of Erzam Lorbek and some other pf/c not yet signed,
@ironm8 I like your thinking but the Kings isn't gonna trade Cousins for TP since they're already very crowd at the backcourt. They have Tyreke Evans who is a big point guard and now Jimmer Fredette, their 1st round pick, is a point guard. They've also got Al Thorton who needs ball in his hand as well. So I highly doubt the Kings would do that. However, trade TP WHILE WE STILL CAN to get a elite Big is a good thinking!
@Joey@zap Well, we still have Manu. We have Neal who proved decent and Ford have an entire regular season to get it.
Are we really that kind of a contender? I wish. I can see the Spurs getting another ring for Duncan this year, but it is a long-shot.
So why not decreasing a little bit this year and gain so much for the future?
Cousins, a potential star for the draft and another 10M$ off the books will allow the Spurs to be contenders for YEARS to come, not just this year.
Can we get Cousins for Bonner? No.
Can we get Cousins for Blair? Probably not.
In a way, this is a HUGE salary dump, that by the way, will get the Spurs under the tax limit and will free the MLE!
Parker is still a very good player but he is 29 years old. his game is pure athleticism. it will start decreasing soon. I say use your chips while you still can.
[I dont forget what he did to Brent]
@zap i second that. he's like a taller dejuan blair. dejuan blair is playing great so far, so he has good value. if we offer a deal composed of dejuan blair, matt bonner, and possibly a second round pick for demarcus cousins, i wouldn't mind. i love dejuan blair, but cousins has the size and can do what blair already does and more.
