Did Blair want a buyout from Spurs?
Everyone knew the San Antonio Spurs were trying to trade DeJuan Blair this season, but no one would part with anything with Blair being a free agent this summer.
The Spurs weren't going to give Blair away either as he's still a serviceable big man, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that Blair requested a buy out before Friday's waiver deadline. The team's reaction wasn't surprising either.
When San Antonio, after months of trying, couldn't find a workable DeJuan Blair deal before last week's trade deadline, sources close to the situation say that Blair had interest in negotiating a buyout before Friday's deadline for playoff eligibility, since it's clear that neither Blair nor the Spurs have any interest in continuing the relationship beyond next season. (Daily Dime, ESPN.com)
While the Spurs were trying to work with Blair on shipping him elsewhere, the team needed to get something back for him. The worst case scenario with the team is Blair signing with a contender and meeting the Spurs in the playoffs. Blair would've likely looked to contenders who needed big man help, most notably the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat.
Even though this is a great business and basketball move by the Spurs, don't think the relationship has gotten better between the two sides. Blair is more than likely not going to be back in a San Antonio Spurs uniform at any price and the Spurs have sent indirect signals that they don't or want his services anymore.
It seems Blair and the Spurs rocky relationship continues.
I laugh how everyone come here and talk bout how bad Blair is and blah blah and other bullshit. And he shown he improved a lot over the summer. Jumper, Defense and all. Blair is a good player and he's still putting up good numbers when he play consistent minutes.
Those rumors about teams interested in Blair probably was made by the Spurs at the first place, they wanted to raise his market value but failed again because no one is not that stupid anymore even the Kings' FO.
Ryan Richards update: he is playing in Austria, as mentioned here before and is averaging 25 min per game for 3 games and 21.5 pts 8 boards, shooting 52pct and 50% from 3pt range.
At least he gets on the floor and is showing both skill and efficiency.
San Antonio should hurry up and let this guy go, so we can possibly sign some big man in the free agency. Tired of hearing about this guy, let him go already!
this guy is an absolute liability on defense. I do not understand why we even talk about our 5th best big man. Just let him walk and be a bad player for some other team.
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I remember hearing about the Heat interested in Blair, but I'm pretty sure the Lakers weren't one of those teams who were interested.
