Should Spurs trade for Rockets' Dalembert?
On Thursday, Hoopsworld.com reported that the Houston Rockets are looking to trade Samuel
Dalembert and the number 16 pick in the NBA Draft. The Rockets’ intentions are to either get a star out of such a deal or move into the top-10 position of the draft. Dalmbert is trade bait for the Rockets because they don’t plan on keeping him as apart of their future due to issues he had with head coach Kevin McHale this past season.
The San Antonio Spurs need an upgrade defensively in their frontcourt, which brings up the questions; should they go after Dalembert? Do they even have enough trade chips to make such a deal happen? Let’s first breakdown Dalembert to see if he’d fit in with the Spurs.
Offensively
- Strengths: Dalembert can finish in the restricted area 63% of the time according to Stats Cube. He can help with extra possessions as he grabbed 2.4 offensive rebounds this season and he helps a teams offense score 103.6 points per 100 possessions. He’s also an 80% free throw shooter should he get fouled. Dalmbert did shoot 51% on the season, though that was a reflection of his points in the paint.
- Weaknesses: He doesn’t have a solid mid-range jumper as he shot 36% (43/119) outside of the paint and even in the paint he shot 43% (33/77). He only got to the free throw line 1.7 times per game and committed 1.3 turnovers per game. He also wasn’t very efficient in scoring as it took him 6.1 field goal attempts to score 7.5 points per game.
Offensively, he wouldn’t fit in too well with the Spurs. He’d be great at grabbing a few extra missed shots and maybe finishing with some dunks in the paint, but since he has trouble hitting the mid-range jumper, which is a shot efficient Spurs big men need, he would be one less weapon on offense. Like Tiago Splitter and DeJuan Blair, if he set a screen for the Spurs’ guards, his only option would be to head toward the paint.
Defensively
- Strengths: Dalembert averaged 1.7 blocks and grabbed 7 rebounds per game this season, 4.6 of those defensive. He’s also got length and height as he stands at 6’11 and is relatively quick for a big man.
- Weakness: Per 100 possessions, with Dalembert defending the rim, the Rockets gave up 101 points per game.
Defensively he’d be just what the Spurs are missing to help Tim Duncan (assuming he re-signs) defend the paint. He’s got the height the Spurs lacked this previous season outside of Duncan, and he’d be able to hold down the paint while Duncan rests, which Splitter and Bonner couldn’t do against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals.
Overall, if the Spurs were to acquire Dalembert, it means they would be willing to give up some offense for some defense. On offense, he wouldn’t be able to be efficient unless he was playing alongside Duncan, Bonner, or Boris Diaw (if they re-sign him), because those three can hit perimeter shots. On defense, he’d be a significant upgrade out on the floor with any of the other Spurs’ frontcourt members.
In my opinion, I think Dalembert would be a great addition for the Spurs, but it’s very unlikely to happen. Dalembert is set to make 6.7 million with the Rockets this season, which is the last year of his contract. The Spurs just don’t have a logical package to trade for him because they won’t be giving up a star (Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, or Duncan) for Dalembert, and they don’t even have a first round draft pick themselves, let alone a top-10 pick.
I found two deals that could get the Spurs Dalembert via ESPN’s Trade Machine, but they definitely wouldn’t be what the Rockets are asking for right now. Here are the two deals.
Deal 1: Tiago Splitter and Matt Bonner for Dalembert – Financially it worked, but the Spurs would be giving up Splitter, who is a big part of their bench offensively, especially in their second unit. Bonner being included wouldn’t be a huge issue because he has had inconsistent playoff performances and if they bring in Slovenian Erazem Lorbek, then he has the offensive skill set of Bonner, plus more. The Rockets might say yes because Splitter and Luis Scola are almost best friends, and on offense Scola can play the role of Duncan in hitting the 17-foot jumper, while Splitter continues to play in the pick-and-roll. The Rockets could either keep Bonner or continue to find a way to shop him.
Deal 2: Matt Bonner, Gary Neal, Cory Joseph, and DeJuan Blair for Dalembert – This is a maybe for the Spurs, if they’re willing to part with Neal and Joseph. Neal is very valuable to their rotation, and they 
must see something in Joseph to have drafted him in the first round last year. The Rockets might say yes if Goran Dragic signs elsewhere and they need a backup point guard for Kyle Lowry. From the Spurs’ side, this is pretty much another two-for-one deal as it seems like Blair and Bonner are both tradable this year anyway, after losing minutes and rotation places in the playoffs.
In closing, Bill Ingram, who wrote the piece for Hoops World said that sources think the Rockets already have a deal ready with another NBA team to trade Dalembert and the #16 pick. Though Dalembert could be a good addition to the Spurs, I’d say it’s 95% unlikely to happen because the Spurs just don’t have the trade pieces the Rockets are asking for right now. Should Houston change its mind on what it’s considering for Dalembert, then maybe there could be a chance of such a deal happening, that’s where the 5% lies.
What do you say Spurs fans, should the Spurs try to make a move for Dalembert? Can you think of some better logical trades that would entice the Rockets? Do you think the Rockets would be willing to negotiate a different deal outside of what they’re asking for Dalembert?
The Spurs shld not trade for Dalembert we need someone else like B.Lopez or Hibbert they wld be good the sprus need a big who can score and play D
If he comes over it won't matter. Still no significant improvement. This is how insane Pop is getting he's brought skinny Bertans to workout for him really? That young skinny dude is no way near an NBA level basketball player.
I can see Lorbek, Bertans, and Richards in the rotation next season. RIIIGHT. JEEZ Pop stop wasting your time and get rid of the ones that aren't serving you for poop and get real pieces and oh I forgot we can't because we don't have the money to do so because we have give Timmy another 3 year ridiculous contract. 2 years into that contract and we'll be scratching our heads. Well at least Pop will. By then Manu will be in Argentina running his hotel.
Pauk Garcia and all the Tiago haters:
What the hell do you want Lorbek for if you already have Splitter. And Splitter is younger and knows the Spurs system and he's trying to work his way to 10 minute games. What do you think Lorbek's minutes are going to average? Please let's be sensible. Give the minutes where they are needed. Splitter gets 25 minutes next season and he'll get you 14/7 nightly. He might even get some double doubles. What Pop should do is give Splitter Bonner's and Blair's minutes then you'll see an improvement in the front court. Pop tied Tiago's hands and then blamed it on him. How ghetto. Pop just needed a scapegoat and used Tiago. How the hell can he chew him out in the playoffs when he didn't even play that much. Pop melted down and got out coached by Brooks plain and simple. How sad. Send him to heat I'm sure he love to play over there.
maybe if tiago could hit a free throw and doesn't play soft in the western confernece finals he'll play a little more. Pop and duncan have guided the spurs to 4 chips and you're ripping them, why don't we let everyone go, and bulid the team around tiago, maybe that would make you happy.
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The rumor clearly states that they are looking to move him AND the number 16 pick for a viable starter who is a big contributor or a top 10 pick. We? We have neither.
Both proposed trade scenarios are absurd. Tiago and Bonner for Dalembert and mid-1st round pick? Perhaps the writer of this article doesn't realize it, but that's basically ridiculous. Maybe Stern will also hand us the trophy next year. File this one under: #PieInTheSky #WishfulThinking.
6'11, & 280lbs, he plays wherever he wants. If you see pictures of him, you can see why I will let you be the one to tell him to get out of the way.
Before we start just giving away a team that was just a couple of 3pt shots, a favorable whistle, or a couple of extra shots courtesy of some boxing out and rebounding. I would like to see a complete list of our stash of players overseas and the probability of getting them along with what strengths/weaknesses they offer. A good example is nobody is talking about the Lithuanian rim breaker that looks like a stand in for a Rocky Movie, " Roberta's Javotkas". Apparently , he keeps winning dunk contests, but does anyone know if he can play and what are the chances of us seeing him in S.A. If it doesn't workout let wrestle Shawn Michaels a few times to get back some of the money.
Nobody is talking about him because he has bad knees and isn't that athlete he used to be, he just inury prone.
What position does Mr. Javotkas play? I have been hearing a lot of him but I haven't seen any video about him.
Why Dalembert? He might be too old. The Spurs are looking for a younger player. Besides, if they are willing to part with Splitter plus Bonner or any other player, why not as high as 2th to 15th draft pick? Dalembert was a problem in Houston, there is no guarantee he will not be in the Spurs. Of course there are other options for the Spurs. First, Jackson. If he is unwilling to have his contract restructured, trade him. There must teams who are willing to get a veteran leader who can shot, guard, rebound and assist. I think it is a misconception that ONLY the Spurs can stand his antics. And just to sweeten the pot, add Bonner, Anderson or somebody else. Say a trade with Hawks for Marvin Williams and ist round draft pick like Fab Melo.Am sure the Spurs will realize some savings. If the draft pick is paid $2m, that's a savings of $8m enough to enter the free agency market and sign Kaman, Humphries or Anthony. These players are definitely younger than Dalembert. 2nd, if TD is willing to re-sign for $12m that's another $9m savings.3rd, why give Green to the Rockets when the Celtics seem to be interested in him. Trade him for the #21-22 draft picks.4th,why give Joseph to the Rockets? Trade him for Daniel Orton of the Magic.5th, Blair? He could be traded for an early 2nd round pick like Henry Sims or Kyle O'Quinn. Such strategy could have entered the minds of the coaching staff, coach Pop, GM Buford and Mr. Holt. There are other ways to make the Spurs contend next season.The above-mentioned players of the Spurs certainly have some value.
I really hope Bonner is dealt, along with Green bring over the overseas talent like Adam Hanga and Ryan Richards instead of setting franchise back any longer.
it really wont happen. Spurs dont have anything the spurs want. maybe a bonner & splitter for him MIGHT work, but i highly doubt that. bonner wont have much us on any other team in the NBA.
