Spurs’ Popovich discusses trade deadline
SAN ANTONIO, TX - Today is March 8, 2012. If you’re a basketball fan, then that means there are only seven days remaining before the NBA trade deadline.
As some teams like the Orlando Magic or Los Angeles Lakers look into the possibility of potentially moving one of their stars before March, 15, some teams are not so quick into looking into the trade market if their team has been playing well and are on course so far this season.
One such team could be the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs continued their winning ways even after star guard Manu Ginobili was injured for the majority of the first half of the season. The team is ranked second in the Western Conference at 26-12, and are on the right track as they’re on course to make the playoffs in April.
On Wednesday before his team defeated the New York Knicks, head coach Gregg Popovich spoke about how active his team will be as the trade deadline draws closer.
“We rarely do anything” said Popovich, “we just kind of fall asleep during the trade deadline.”
“We just get our pillows out,” continued Popovich, “we go to sleep.”
As we (the media) laughed along with Popovich, he did make one final comment regarding the trade deadline, Popovich did mention that a trade still isn’t out of the question.
“The trade will get made if it makes sense.”
Popovich continued, “Whatever that change is, if it’ll help your team be better for the playoffs and for the future, you go ahead and do it.”
The Spurs are still relatively thin in the frontline, but don’t have the necessary pieces available to trade for a solid big man. Almost everyone outside of James Anderson is being productive when taking the court so it would be a major gamble to make a trade as the team is in rhythm. But as Popovich said, “The trade will get made if it makes sense.”
I think they'll wait out till the Hornets release Kaman and will go after him (14 million $ in his contract though) I don't know that rules or how they can handle the money situation, I do know the Heat really want Kaman and if it comes to his choice, he'd probably wanna go there :(
Issue is what pieces would other teams want from SA. RJ and his bloated contract? An underachiveing Anderson? Blair is in a contract year and could be used as an expiring contract but his contract isn't much. There are the rights to Lorbek to dangle but will he ever come to the NBA?
Yeah, a week from today is the deadline for trading players. So far the spurs has been very quiet about possible change in lineup. There are nights when Jefferson and Bonner do not score. Will they be traded not not? The spurs is full of small forwards and shooting guards. I think is it easier to do way with Jefferson and Anderson than a Jefferson and Bonner. But will there be takers? If the spurs want for the championship, now is the right time to trade for a big man.
What about Pop's choice of words? He didn't say "A trade will get made if it makes sense"... he said "THE trade will get made..."
Is there already a trade possibility just pending execution? Or maybe a trade in the negotiation stages?
The name Shavlick Randolph is being showing up on sites. He ex NBA role player 6'10", 240 lbs, good defender( tough guy) with 15ft range. Last played with either Phila or Miami. Proabably very cheap coming back from China, I think.
Randolph is injury proned in college. He played sparingly when he was drafted by the 76ers and heat. Why is the spurs always considering the expense? No doubt Mr. Randolph will come cheap. But will his signing with the spurs worth it? It may come as if they never signed a big man at all! Come on Mr. Buford go for Kris Kaman. Am sure the expense will be worth it.
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I'm with Pop. If there is a trade out there that makes sense for our Spurs, you do it. If not, wait until some players get waived and see if we can get a decent big without changing our roster.
