Report: Spurs looking for center before negotiating with Lorbek
From what we last heard of Erazem Lorbek's situation regarding a possible future between him and
the San Antonio Spurs, Lorbek's agent said Lorbek couldn't speak with the Spurs until July 1. Well, five days into free agency, Lorbek has already received an offer from CSKA Moscow, and even an offer from his former team, FCB Regal to re-sign, but his future with the Spurs is still uncertain.
According to ESport3.cat, Lorbek said the Spurs' first priority is to target a physical center before continuing negotiations with the Slovenian.
According Lorbek, the Spurs' first choice right now is a more physical center that plays 5.
This makes a lot of sense since names like Marcus Camby and Chris Kaman have surfaced five days into free agency on the Spurs' list. The team is still working on re-signing Tim Duncan, but outside of that, there's been little mention of whether or not they've begun renegotiating with Boris Diaw.
For now, as much as we know of the Spurs' moves from reports is that they are negotiating a new deal with Duncan, have extended qualifying offers to both Danny Green and Patty Mills, and had French guard Nando De Colo in San Antonio for a physical as part of his contract negotiations.
Lorbek isn't the ideal physical center, he's got an arsenal in the post and can shoot from outside, but his defense will be suspect in the NBA, as well as his lack of athleticism and speed. As Lorbek waits patiently abroad to negotiate with the Spurs, it'll be their in-country moves that will give hints if they're going to bring over the Slovenian or not.
TD is almost certain to re-sign. What are they waiting for, till kingdom come? Illyasova, Kaman, Lewis, Millsap, Lorbek, Randolph, and many other big men are in the wings waiting to be signed. By the way, Camby is available. Too old? Will they make the plunge? Knowing how much the Spurs love their pennies, it is doubtful. They will wait the very last minute to decide when only the crumbs remain.
Ajd i agree completely. I was hoping, but knowing Pop has never gone with my picks. I wanted Sims totally at 59 too. Denmon is solid and does have true upside, but again he produced four years being the main cog in a highly explosive Mizzou offense and successful team throughout his four years. Pop just prefers veterans with basic, disciplined, fundamental skill sets. That is how he runs his ship or aircraft (Pop is an old Airforce guy). Sims was under achieving for most if not all of his college career. I too have been too quick to want to make changes in preference to younger athletic types, but those tend to take away from the let's win now strategy or mode we have generally been in trying to win titles for most of Duncan's career. Hopeful for good changes moving forward....taller and stronger at least if not younger please POP???
The Spurs need to draft someone a lot younger. Yes Lorbek is a very skilled player, but being 28 years old doesn't cut it, especially for me. It takes on average a foreign player 1-2 years to fully be acclimated with NBA style of play and playing against NBA players, of course there are exceptions. By the time that happens, Lorbek would already be 30 and at the end of his prime. What's with the spurs fron office showing interest in guys who are way past or approaching the end of their primes??? The spurs should look into Henry Sims. He went undrafted and at 22, he is someone we could mold. I know his first 3 years of college weren't great at all, but he said himself that he was a late bloomer and that he knew he wasn't really mature for the first couple of years. But when he finally did mature and he knew he was ready, his stats increased by a significant amount and his defense was much improved. He is a decent shot blocker but shows great passing skills. He is very young at 22 with raw talent. The spurs should look into him. I mean isn't that what all spurs fans want, a big guy who can play defense (which lorbek isn't known for), can block shots and is YOUNG!!?!!? We aren't looking for the next TIm Duncan to be realistic, but there are a few big men out there that went undrafted and Henry Sims is one of them. He has great POTENTIAL and I think the spurs could use him.
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Kaman would be a more semi long term move and a great one at that !! I think Camby would be great as well for a 1 year deal. Then a Lorbek in the 4th man role in the rotation like in Bonner/Blair's former spot. Anthony Randolph would be a developmental easy priced lengthy defensive 4th or 5th man. I've had my say Duncan (2 yr 15 mill) Kaman, Splitter, Lorbek, Randolph, Jackson, Leonard, Green, Anderson (don't give up on him just yet), Ginobli, Neal, Joseph, Parker, DeColo, and Ryan Richards (an AustinToro). I think I may be over budget....Hahaha Mr. Jackson can we restructure your deal ????
Adding this guy means we would have to push even harder to dump Bonner, not that it is necessarily a bad thing, but like Blair I doubt anyone actually would want to pick up Bonner's deal for what they would be getting.
I think it behooves the spurs to look at players that are NBA tested and we know how their strengths (and weaknesses) work in the league. I'm not saying lorbek is a bad pickup, but he is an unsure one. I'm glad to hear he's not an automatic lock for a contract and that the spurs are doing their best to do what's best for the team.
