Free agents that might fit with Spurs (Part 2)
A lot has changed in the past 24-hours for the San Antonio Spurs. Monday began with guard Patty 
Mills telling an Australian site he’s likely to test the free agent market, and we got word that Erazem Lorbek is coming to San Antonio.
Should Lorbek officially be signed by the Spurs, the team would have 10-players under contract. On Monday I wrote part one of my free agent list I thought the Spurs had a slim chance of signing. In part one, I focused on attacking style guards or backup point guards the Spurs could go after if they couldn’t match Danny Green’s contract offer from another team, or if Cory Joseph wasn’t ready and Mills signed elsewhere. Nando De Colo has San Antonio on his mind before he signs anywhere else, but are the Spurs ready to bring him over?
Assuming the team does choose to bring De Colo over, then they’d have 11 players under roster. Their number one priority will be to re-sign Tim Duncan, which would put their roster at 12 members, so what happens to the rest of the Spurs’ free agents?
In the backcourt, the Spurs would have Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Gary Neal (could be released), De Colo, and Joseph. The expectation is that the team will match any teams offers thrown at Green as long as they make financial sense.
The Spurs are set at the wing position with the young Kawhi Leonard and veteran Stephen Jackson. Their frontcourt now becomes interesting with Boris Diaw a free agent. The Spurs would have a frontcourt of Duncan, Tiago Splitter, DeJuan Blair, Matt Bonner, and Lorbek.
The Spurs will do what they can to try to re-sign Diaw as he made their offense even more dynamic and even showed a few good defensive performances. I’m here to see if there are any available free agents the Spurs could target to add to their frontcourt. Blair’s contract could easily be let go as it’s a team option whether or not they’ll keep him. If they do keep him, then he and Bonner are most likely trade bait either in the draft, free agency, or during the season.
As I went through the free agency list, I was looking for athletic defensive minded power forwards or centers that were taller than 6’8. It was really hard to narrow a list down realistically because we still don’t know how the financial situation will be in this offseason. So I’ve done my best to make a semi-realistic list of big men the Spurs could target in free agency, but again the chances of them signing any of these players is very slim.
Restricted
- Darrell Arthur: Arthur missed all of last season with a severe injury. He should be ready by next season, but it’ll be very hard to make a strong enough offer at him with limited assets for the Spurs. The expectation is that the Grizzlies will match any offers he receives as long as they lie in their fiscal boundaries. In the 2010-11 season, he averaged 9.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 0.8 blocks, shot 50% from the field, and got to the free throw line 1.7 times per game.
- Robin Lopez: The Phoenix Suns might be willing to part with Lopez if he receives an offer they can’t match. They already have Marcin Gortat as their starting center, so Lopez could probably have a much bigger impact on another team. I don’t know that he’d be a great fit for the Spurs, but his height and size alone could be enough to help Duncan and Splitter in the paint defensively. The problem with the Spurs signing him is that they probably wouldn’t have a big enough offer that the Suns couldn’t match. Lopez averaged 5.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 0.9 blocks, shot 46% from the field, and got to the free throw line 2.2 times in just 14 minutes per game.
Unrestricted Free Agents
- Antawn Jamison: Right now, the Charlotte Bobcats are the only team said to be making a strong push toward Jamison because he lived in North Carolina in his high school and collegiate years. If he’s looking for a contender, the Spurs could definitely use his services even though he’s 6’9 and 36 years old, he averaged 17.2 points per game in a LOCKOUT season, played 33 minute a night, shot 40% from the field, grabbed 6.3 rebounds, 2 assists, 0.7 blocks, and got to the free throw line 4.1 times per game. I think if Diaw signs somewhere else, the Spurs need to make a strong push to sign Jamison. Yes he’s undersized, but he’s a guy who can get to the free throw line and score in a variety of ways.
- Chris Kaman: He doesn’t fit with the Spurs’ run-and-gun system, but he could probably give the Spurs their retro post system of Duncan
and David Robinson because they’d be able to pair both he and Kaman in the post and pound the ball inside. Though the Spurs wouldn’t use the two together all the time, in times where the guards are having an off night shooting or penetrating, a dose of Kaman and Duncan in the inside could be another weapon for their already dynamic offense. Kaman is said to be gaining interest from contenders, which means the Spurs could have a shot at signing him. In 47 games last season, he averaged 13.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, shot 45% from the field, and got to the free throw line 2.3 times per game.
- Spencer Hawes: He’s tall (7'1) and kind of quick for a big man. He’s getting interest from a few teams already, and he’d be a decent fit for the Spurs as he’s only 24 years old and averaged 9.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, and shot 49% from the field this past season.
Again, this is just an early look at some possible free agents the Spurs could target this offseason. I think the only way they make any serious moves in free agency is if they can’t re-sign Green or Diaw, Diaw especially. Assuming they re-signed Diaw, Green, and Mills, it would put their roster at 15-members. Joseph would probably be sent back to Austin if they needed to sign a free agent, and they’d still have the option of releasing Blair. Should De Colo and Lorbek join the squad this season, I think the Spurs would be interested in seeing what a full training camp and full season could do for the team that finished with the best record in the NBA, and two games shy of the NBA Finals.
lewis shld be on the spurs radar to sign and trade blair bonner splitter get ride dem all as a package deal n go get a big who can help Tim go out on top like a B.lopez or D.Cousin wld be nice or try to try blair for D.Pittman not real sexy bu Pittman is 6'10 who can rebound n wld be a nice fit for the spurs being a bench player who can grab at least 10 rebounds or so bu try n get a big.. n lewis wld be a nice fit for the spurs but leave lorbek alone bu de colo shld try to be sign
1 Like
If Duncan wants a fifh ring, he must sign for 10M or less per year, so the Spurs can go get two more bigs to replace Bonner and Blair. Tim put up solid numbers in the playoffs 17 ppg, 9 rpg, and 2 bpg, but "Father Time" says those numbers will decline the next two years. l want Tim to go out on top, like David Robinson did, so in order for Tim to go out on top and the Spurs to be successful for the next two years and beyond, Tim must make a scarifice financally, and Tim knows this as well as the Spurs front office.
But from the aforementioned stats clearly you can see why we need at least one more big but really two bigs to replace Bonner and Blair.
here's a question noone is asking! Do we really need a significant change? No.
I don't buy the notion we weren't good enough to beat OKC, we just had bunch of games stop making shots and make stupid decisions ALL at the same time. it happens! Get over it. Our Core is solid and we can absolutely compete for a championship with the same roster.
Athletic big men who can block shots are about the most expensive thing you can buy in the market nowadays. We can't afford it! We have to find another way to address that need. None of these big men you guys mention are better than Duncan/Splitter/Diaw at protecting the basket, why on earth would we add Randolph? cause he has the supposed size?
1 Like
finally someone who gets it-
as I have repeatedly said
Hibbert wants BIG MONEY and Randolph at 22 has already played with 3 teams- obviously either he has no talent or is difficult to coach
U R correct Randolph must have a character flaw. So, Spurs should go after Kaman and JJ Hickson at $5M each.
1 Like
If we were only talking about the regular season, I would agree with you, but what we are really talking about is what our Bigs did in the Western Conf Finals (WCF).
For Splitter, the last four games of the WCF, he had 6 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, no blocks, no steals, 3 turnovers and 2 for 6 from the line which is like 2 more turnovers. Alhough Splitter is still very raw, I like him and we can use him after all his 6'11.
Now, Diaw was a little bit better and we should keep him if we can afford him, but he did not make a basket in Game 6. So here are Diaw's stats for the last 4 games of the WCF 18 points, 18 rebounds, 4 steals, 9 assists, 5 turnovers, no block shots and 7 for 19 from the field. Although Diaw started as a Big in the WCF,, he is not a true Big, but he is versitile and can play spot minutes at mulitple positions, which is great.
But from the aforementioned stats clearly you can see why we need at least one more big but really two bigs to replace Bonner and Blair.
To get to the NBA Finals you must win the WCF. The current Spurs Bigs cannot compete with OKC or Memphis Bigs. If the Spurs can get A Randdolf for $4M or $5M, its worth a shot, because we know we will not get anything from Bonner ($3.6M) or Blair ($1m) in the playoffs.
I do not like Hibbert ...he is too slow. But we only need to trade Bonner and Blair. Twolves have Love, Beasley, Toliver, Williams, Randolph and via the draft Robbie Hummel, who is also a foward. So someone will not be with the TWolves next season.
In an artical related to Gasol of the Lakers in a rumored trade to TWolves/, it was said the TWolves will not extend offer and/or match offer for Bealsy and Randolf.
I would trade Bonner for Randolfh and that's it.
Some team will make an offer for Green and/or Neal and, I'll be suprise if the Spurs will keep bothw.
You bring up a great point with respect to small markets vs large markets whether the Spurs make ESPN highlights. This is another reason why Spurs need a young athletic Big so they can become more marketable for the NBA and make the highligths on ESPN. the NBA is a business and how many fans watch the finals is critical to the success of the NBA. At this time, the Spurs are not very marketable throughout the US, but the must improve their marketability.
it is far easier to gripe about the Spurs lack of bigs then it is to offer viable (reasonable options that the Spurs front office is willing to entertain)
Everyone seems to be looking for a big athletic player to fill their needs. So the question becomes who is willing to sign with SA and play for a team that contends yearly?
Most of the suggstions presented are players looking for BIG MONEY contracts and who want to play under BIg Lights, Big City. Can SA provide nightly ESPN and YOUTUBE highlights to persuade these available bigs?
The front office certainly didn't address this issue in last night's draft. Perhaps there was no suitable big collegian who could fulfill the Spurs needs as suggested by you.
OKC is supposed to be the new face of the West and they lost to the East. So much so for the run they put on against Mavs, Lakers and Spurs. The prize is to be champions not WCF.
Let me ask are you willing to trade Bonner, BLair, Neal and Green to get a Hibbert or whomever? I have never liked 4 for 1 or any combo of that. Because getting one guy fills one need and creates others. Yes I a m aware folks here are suggesting Tim take a severe pay cut to get a Hibbert or a Randolph but as I said these two fellows want BIGTIME money.
At the end of the day, lets see how FA plays out, how others are developed further along and how the Euro players mesh. (Last time Spurs traded to be traded, they got Jefferson who they couldn't wait to be rid of)
Since the Spurs were not picked to do anything this year by the experts, it is remarkable they came within 2 wins of the championship round!
Ryan Richards...Anthony Randolph....Earl Clark...Nando De Colo....
Spurs need an atheletic Big, who can average 10 rebounds, 10 points and block some shots. JJ Hickson, Kayman, Okafur and even Javille Magee comes to mind.
The best of all this is to go to final and we Championship CY 2013...So..need Tim an back up Big guys young and veterans....thanks
1 Like
Durrell aurther is young and physical so he is good option for spurs , but if spurs mgt try sign ex player they must go for k garnett or antwane jamieson
1 Like
In the playoffs, the Spurs were out rebounded, had more shots blocked, had less steals, and more turnovers. The aformentioned stats are where the Spurs got hurt against OKC and need young athletic Bigs to help in those areas. I know Coach Pop preferrs high IQ over athletic bigs, but he is smart enough to know that if does not get more athletic via his Bigs, the Spurs will sink further in the west. The Spurs have reached their limit with high IQ bigs that under/don't perfom in playoff pressure situations. OKC, Lakers, Memphis, and Dallas will all be better teams next year, so spreading the floor is a great concept, but if your 3 point shooters, with high IQ loose their jump shot in the playoffs, what good is spreading the floor. Bonner has lost his shot for years in the playoffs. Blair is just not big enough and does not have a jumper and Green his J against OKC. .
If Duncan wants a fifh ring, he must sign for 10M or less per year, so the Spurs can go get two more bigs to replace Bonner and Blair. Tim put up solid numbers in the playoffs 17 ppg, 9 rpg, and 2 bpg, but "Father Time" says those numbers will decline the next two years. l want Tim to go out on top, like David Robinson did, so in order for Tim to go out on top and the Spurs to be successful for the next two years and beyond, Tim must make a scarifice financally, and Tim knows this as well as the Spurs front office.
Hibbert is much too slow, could not dominate the Heat as he was the biggest guy on the floor and will want too much money for the Spurs. The NBA game has changed to a much faster, athletic, mobile game, but you still need rebounders and shot blockers to play defense, so thats why a Anthony Randolfh or Earl Clark (Orlando) along with Kayman is what the Spurs need. Randolfh or Clark the new school NBA and an old school NBA in Kayman.
@PopKat according to Jim Buss, you know he's in charge of the Lakers, has said the Lakers ARE NOT making any big splashes this off season. So to say The Lakers are going to be better is a matter of interpretation. OKC 's Sam Presti has already intimated they will be unable to keep this core together and look for a few Thunder players to be either traded or released.
So if OKC is going to be better as you stipulate, its not going to be with this group down 3-1 to LeBron and co.
What the executives say and do in the off season before a draft are two different things. Historicly speaking, executives like to play possum. OKC's core players are signed through the 2012-2013 season. So they will be better now that they have a taste of the finals even though they lost. Bottom line, Spurs must get better and make moves to acquire some bigger and athletic Bigs.
Hibbert has a tremendous long term upside, especially when you consider the prospect of a premiere hall of fame tutor (Duncan) & occassinonally drop in advisor (Robinson), along with Lorbek to draw opposing big men to spread floor and play in/out game. Adding DeColo and Hanga is not gutting the team, just recognizing that you can have outside shooters that fans fall in love with because they are great during the regular season, but then comes playoff time when teams study film for tendencies and they pack close out on shooters and run and put a hand in your face. It seems that's when our fan favorites dissappear. Rumor has it they got a job as a tour guide on Padre Island but quickly lost it because they couldn't find the water. Well not really, but you get the idea. Hey, I love those guys too because they had a lot of heart, spirit, and community. There were just times when Neal drove me crazy because I would cheer him on for hitting an awesome 3 at on end and then he woud be looking at the back of his man running down the court with the ball. At some point you have to find someone that can play defense and shoot the ball.
@RaymondDeLeon Hibber is a premier big man in this league. There's no way on Earth the Spurs could afford him. he's definitely top 5 center in this league which makes him even more valuable. i wouldn't be surprised if he gets a max contracts.
1 Like
I still say getting Hibbert will not be cheap and from what I have heard about Hibbert, friendships aside, he is looking for a big payday. Is the FO willing to sign Tim on the cheap in an effort to lure Hibbert to SA with a $17-21 m/year contract ? Does that make sense? Can DeColo and Hanga space the floor? the team will be gutted based on the proposed lineup- that implies Green, Bonner, Blair, Mills, Diaw and Neal are playing elsewhere while acquiring only DeColo, Hanga and Lorbek.
Why is Joseph who has very little NBA experience being kept?
based on this lineup while the Spurs would be very young with 4 guys (counting Joseph) can they be viable contributors? Contributors that will not have any problems during the playoffs!
Sometimes when I look back on our missing the title run 2 victories short I wonder if POP hadn't been so stubborn in not playing Blair against OKC, if Danny hadn't had the worst shooting slump of his young career, if Diaw could have stepped up, if a few more calls would have gone our way, if Bonner could have hit a couple of three's, if Patty would have seen a fewminutes against OKC, how different these article would have been.
1 Like
@feingarten @RaymondDeLeon Agree with you guys. I think Hibbert has tons of potential, I even expect he will be a better NBA center than Howard, especially on offense. The problem is he is a restricted FA, the Pacers will spend MAX deal to make him stay. It seems Hibbert and George are their future building block, not Granger.
2 Like
Anthony Randolph is the best option for the Spurs to pursue due his abilities. He's a 6'11" forward that can block shots, make FT's, and run the floor. He'd be like signing a 1st rd draft pick, but with 4 yrs NBA experience. Spurs could do a sign and trade by unloading Matt Bonner to the Twolves.
1 Like
@lvmainman Physically A.Randolph is the guy. He has scary athleticism, run the floor well. The problem is that Pop never like this type of player. Pop likes players with shooting ability and high basketball IQ more than how high a player can jump. In addition, though with 4 years experiences, Randolph rarely plays regular minutes. He is still raw and more like a project than a player knows where to be offensively and defensively. Last, why the Wolves will want Bonner? Just because their president is David Kahn?
1 Like
@lvmainman If Anthony Randolph is a unrstricted free agent you're right Spurs should go for him. Money wise. it should just about work out. I have never see the guy play, but like his stats and size.
@PopKat @lvmainman oh pluzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzeeeeeeeeeeeee
this chat re: Randolph is silly. He is a RESTRICTED FREE AGENT with a qualifying offer
of $4 million. At 22, he has already played with 3 teams! My brother who has seen him play says he's just a bigger Bonner who has a tough time seeing the floor.
So before Randolph is continually advanced as a possible solution, keep in mind, Minnie can match any offer for him but will Kahn let him walk? Will SA throw tons of money at him?
that seems most unlikely. last time Spurs let their emotions so to speak chose, the Richard Jefferson experiment was launched and who know how that turned out!
1 Like
Obvisouly, our perspectives are subjective, but my point is simply this. Spurs need a young athltetic Big and it does not have to be A Randolph. but .we need defense, blocked shots and rebounds. Bonner will make $3.6M next year and we know he has been consistenly invisible in the playoffs. What diff is $400k going to make, when we know what Bonner is going to do. The Spurs have had the best record in the West for two years in a row and no championship.
For one thing, he's playing behind Kevin Love, Beasly, and Derick Williams. He is 22 and young. This guy has upside
@PopKat @lvmainman that's why i said all this Randolph talk is silly as he's a RESTRICTED FREE AGENT with a qualifying offer already from Minnie for $4 mil.
If Randolph is all those things, then why has he played for 3 teams at only 22 years of age?
Plz see my comment 5 hours ago. I stipulated if A Randolph was an unrestricted free agent. If the Spurs go for a young NBA Big who is an atheltic, not Euro, they will have to pay him 3M to 5M, that's why its imperative that Duncan signs for 10M or less. This is about Spurs winning another Championship with Duncan and not mortgaging the future simultaneously. If Duncan signs for 10M or less they can sign two Bigs, new school and old school.
@lvmainman and how much is he asking? does he have playoff experience? what's his FT %age? would he be willing to come to SA?
I wish when articles like this are written, proper research would be done particularly to see whether such a person would fit into Spurs philosophy, and if such and such would fit monetarily.
1 Like
U. can go to NBA.com and see the guys stats. Go to ESPN.com to see how much he made last year. When u look at the Spurs playoff stats, Blair and Bonner provided very little, although they were productive in the regular season. If Athony Randolph is an unrestricted FA, Spurs should seriously look at him.
First, sign Duncan for around 7M-8M a year.
Secondly, trade Blair and Bonner to one of the weaker teams in the league or a team hoping to make the playoffs. Blair and Bonner have proven they can play in the regular season only, and that is where you find a market for them. I don't won't to see Neal or Green go, but one or both may have to be included in the trade with Bonner and/or Blair.
Neal is a cold-blooded clutch shooter, and shot well in the playoffs. He is a cross between Steve Kerr and a Vinnie Johnson. With that being said, he is a shooter/scorer off the bench and he is not a starter, nor a point guard but truly a valuable asset. I'd hate to see Neal leave. Since Neal had an appendectomy at the first of the year, it was a set back, so I see Neal being a much improved (ball handling) player next year.
Although Green lost his J against OKC, he earned a grade of C+ for the entire playoffs. He plays defense and he needs to work on ball handling in the off season to become much more versatile.
The Spurs have a very tough decison with Neal and Green, since we've seen them in the playoffs
Spurs need an atheletic Big, who can average 10 rebounds, 10 points and block some shots. JJ Hickson, Kayman, Okafur and even Javille Magee comes to mind. At the right price, Kayman could be the right player to sub in for Duncan and allow the Spurs to run the same offennse when Duncan is resting on bench. Kayman is good and is a very under rated player.
If Al Jefferson is unrerstricted, he should be in the converation.
I never seen Lober play in the NBA, so he means nothing and proably just another Tiago Splitter, who will get lost in the Western Confernce finals. Splitter showed improvement from last year, but he does not have an offensive game and should be should be considered in a trade.
The Grizzs are going to keep Arthur, don't think the Spurs can and will offer more than MLE for him. Kaman and Hawes are hot targets in this year's FA they will want a long and satisfying deal, again, it WON'T be MLE. On this list, only Jamison and Lopez are possible comer; Jamison is at the stage that he wants rings more than money, so join a contender like the Spurs will be somewhat attractive to him and he might accept the MLE or little less. The problem is, Jamison isn't known as a defender through his career, with limited role, I see he and Diaw plays similar role, similar minutes, and similar outcome. Without interior defense, I think whatever it's Jamison or Lorbek cannot protect the paint, neither does Diaw. Lopez is intriguing, he was high rewarded as a tough defender when he got drafted and played some good games for the Suns. Then he suddenly look lost and never find a rhythm with the team. He could come cheap, if his stock stick with his performance but he seems doesn't have good basketball IQ just like Blair and I doubt that Pop will give him good minutes for experiment.
1 Like
This is just my opinion, hopefully it comes true first thing is to address the lack of size maybe they go after Javale Mcgee 7 feet tall can run the floor and great defensively and can rebound. Second bring over De Colo,Hanga,Richards let them develop in the D-league with Joseph they could be the future of this organization. Third maybe seriously look at Blair,Bonner as trade options love the hustle and shooting they bring to the team but spurs need some athleticism hopefully Duncan doesn't sign for that much and some of these things can happen. Could you imagine the future starting 5 of Joseph (would love to have G.Hill back as well) Green, Leonard , Richards, Mcgee, De Colo , Splitter, Hanga off the bench. The spurs know what their doing they seem to always make the right moves.....(Dwight Howard 2013? just throwing it out there.)
1 Like
@ZILLA I think the spurs should go after Mcgee because he is a star in the making next to TD....
1 Like
KAMAN?!?! NO FREAKIN WAY! don't EVEN go in that direction Spurs! it's like getting another Splitter sm. Honestly I don't think DeColo or Lorbek would be an improving fit. I don't see the Spurs getting past the semis with any of those guys. Sessions is going to be a free agent, u get him, that puts Neal back at the 2 where he's more comfortable in that role. They should try to make a run for him.
Arthur or Speight and Kaman are good materials or Khris Humphries. For purposes of discussion, some assumptions could draw some conclusions. 1st, the Heat needs a floor spacer and Bonner is available. Why not swap him for Joel Anthony? When Bosh returned, he started riding the bench. The Heat prefers Haslem over him. The Spurs need height to play along TD. 2nd, trade Splitter to the Raptors for Linas Kleiza or their 8th round pick. The Raptors are uncomfortable without a center. The Spurs get an upgrade in Kleiza or draft a long, big, young and aggressive like Dummond if available or anyone of the big rookies not yet drated. 3rd, trade Jackson for Marvin Wiliams of the Hawks. The Hawks get a veteran leader, who can guard, pass, rebound and shoot the ball. The Spurs gets young 23 yrs old player who plays sf or draft Fab Melo and get a future big, long, young and aggressive franchise player. 4th, trade Joseph for Daniel Orton of the Magic. Orton is seldom used and at 6'10" he can play alongside TD. Joseph has been a regular of the d-league.
1 Like
I don't have a problem with Lorbek, Hanga or DeColo coming into the system in some capacity. Blair, Bonner, and Joseph leaving wouldn't bother me either. I believe we can use Green and Neal. Mills (if he stays) remains a question mark for me!
Signing DeColo or Lorbek is not improving the team. The Griz can only keep either Arthur or Speights, both would be an upgrade over Blair, Bonner, Splitter or Lorbek. Both might go sub $5mil. What about T William, S. Williams, I Mahimmi, J Hill, Leo Lyons. All more athletic than Lorbek, Bonner, De Colo. Green is cheaper than bringing over DeColo and no way we release Neal for nothing. we have him for another year, no matter.
Paul, are you in love with DeColo ? You bring his name into most every article 2-3 times. I like his passing skills but he is no Steve Nash and unfortunately is a weak a defender. Mills, Dentman, Farmar, way better near term choices in my opinion.
Come on man, let the Celtics have Green for their draft picks #21-22. It will be good for both
spurs and Celtics.
@jojo707 From what I saw from reports, the Grizzlies have every intention of matching offers to keep Arthur, Speights, and possibly Mayo. It's why they're trying to shop Rudy Gay right now.
Terence Williams, Sean Williams, and Jordan Hill would actually be possibilities.
The Mavericks and Ian Mahinimi are already preparing to structure a new deal and they asked him not to play in the Olympics to prevent injury, so he's definitely a lock in Dallas.
The Spurs could have brought Leo Lyons in two years ago as he had been playing with the Toros before being signed by the Hornets last year. I saw him in person and he plays more like a SF than a big man. I don't think they'd go after him, after they could have used him in the past.
As for De Colo, I do mention him in almost every article because from all of the information we've gathered, I'd say its definitely an 85% chance he's coming to San Antonio this season. If he and Lorbek are signed, the Spurs all of a sudden become stacked at the guard and forward spot. I know De Colo is no Nash and he may even struggle in his rookie year, but after watching him last year in every Eurobasket game team France played in, I think he's NBA ready and the Spurs run a system close to the international kind, plus Parker is teaching him basic Spurs plays as they prepare to play together and run them in the Olympics.
From what I read on Farmar, he's not looking to be a backup, he's looking for a place where he can get big minutes. He might even re-sign with Jersey if Williams bolts. I liked Dentman in his short stint, but Mills is much more productive. I think the Spurs have a great chance at re-signing Mills, but again, he brought up his value in the open market with his great play late in the regular season.
Thanks for your opinion.
1 Like
@jojo707 The big guys you mentioned suck, nothing against you. Arthur or Speights would be good, welcome additions. Green will get dollars thrown at him by Boston, who are likely to lose Allen and Garnett (30MM+ there) and need players who fit their culture.
Neal is worth to keep, too cheap and decent production. De Colo is worth checking out, just to figure out what to do with him. As long as he is cheap, no problem. Same with Lorbek. No mention of Richards, lets see what the kid can do, even in the Toros.
Would like to see Iliasova in that list (keep dreaming) Beasly, JJ Hickson, Gerald Green, R Lopez, Anthony Randolph, Jared Jeffries, Donte Green, Sam Young, Erden, Fesenko...
I dont know what Joseph is worth since his playing time has been limted with the Spurs, but that is 1.2MM wasted so far. Same thing with Bonner and Blair. If we could package them for a decent pick, FO should do that in a heartbeat...
2 Like
What about RFA Roy Hibbert? I know it's a long-shot, but if the Spurs let go of certain players (Mills, Neal, Green, Blair, Splitter, Diaw or Bonner (amnesty)) and Duncan re-signs for an extremely low amount ($5mill?) then we can afford Hibbert. Hibbert has always counted on TD as his friend and mentor, so I would say its even fairly possible to assume that they wouldn't mind playing together, and TD could make it happen with his generosity. If he truly wants to win a title then he should take a severe pay cut. Couple Hibbert with our coup of Euro picks and we have a retooled and formidable lineup:
G - Parker, De Colo, Joseph
SG - Ginobili, Hanga
SF - Leonard, Jackson
PF - Duncan, Lorbek
C - Hibbert, Splitter
so let me understand this, you want to gut the Spurs team for Hibbert who has said he wants a big contract?
and DeColo would need a few years to become acclimated in the same way Manu and Tiago had to do. Can you wait that long for the Spurs to be competitors again?
so you want to sign Duncan to $5 mill to secure Hibbert? Why can't Hibbert equally cut his asking price? if he is so invaluable, then why didn't Indy fare far better than they did?
Do you really believe that lineup you have posted would translate into a title?
@zvill22 I originally had Hibbert on my list, but after finding out he himself said he wasn't leaving Indiana and their head coach Frank Vogel saying there was no way any team could offer more than what the Pacers wouldn't match, I scratched him off my list. I spoke with Hibbert during the season and he said he will continue to work with Duncan, but he and George Hill are trying to build a successful ball club in Indiana. I didn't get the indication he wanted to work alongside Duncan and play for the Spurs. Thanks for the opinion though.
@24writer @zvill22 Never say never! If the right offer comes your way, even someone like Hibbert can look around and see all star supporting cast, excellent backup role players, hall of fame tutor and mentor taking an active role in his personal development, hall of fame coaching staff, 5 star trainers, doctors and facilities, management and owners. An awesome city for work and play. Compare and contrast what an opposing team will have to offer. Sometimes it's not just the money. After all how many boats can you buy when your goal is really an NBA Championship.
@zvill22 The problem is the spurs for the past 2 years (in their new offence) are built around floor spacing with 4 shooters. The lineup you're suggesting has no shooting big man that can space the floor which in turn limits the effectiveness of parker and ginobili. So the key is finding a big man that can shoot and block shots (GARNETT)
@zvill22 would be awesome, but i dont think there is an offer made that the pacers do not match. same with batum and the blazers.
