Sunday, July 5th, 2009...12:49 pm
Spurs Sign Marcus Haislip
According to La Opinion de Malaga (via Bruno), the Spurs have made an offer to Marcus Haislip, a 6’10″ power forward whose most recent employer was the European club Unicaja. The contract’s details are unknown.
(For those of you who view the foreign press with skepticism, the Express-News has confirmed the story.)
It is possible they have merely offered him a two year, unguaranteed contract and will further assess him during summer league play. But given the level of talent he possesses, it’s more likely his contract is guaranteed. We may not know the details until July 8th, the earliest date the Spurs are technically allowed to sign him.
Haislip was drafted by the Bucks in 2002, and spent 3 underwhelming seasons in the NBA (two for Milwaukee, one for Indiana) before moving to the Euroleague. Haislip is very athletic but while in the NBA, he struggled to develop a polished game on the offensive end. But according to Draft Express, “[Haislip] has slowly but surely developed the perimeter shooting stroke, ball-handling ability, and scoring instincts that he desperately needed to make a productive NBA career.”
This probably means either Ian Mahinmi or James Gist will not be on next season’s roster. If I had to guess, I’d probably say the Spurs were slightly underwhelmed by Gist’s development and he’ll see at least one more season in Italy. But that is purely speculative.
Either way, the back half of the frontcourt is rounding out nicely. Between Blair, Mahinmi, Gist and now Haislip, the Spurs should field a physical, highly athletic second unit, something we lacked last season. I don’t think this changes our situation regarding the MLE: None of those players are capable starters, or at least not assuredly so.
The most recent Draft Express profile of Haislip (whom DX ranks as the 3rd best overseas free agent) is from January and paints a solid portrait of what kind of player the Spurs just acquired. Read his profile, check out the video below, and let me know what you guys think.
26 Comments
July 5th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
The Express News has confirmed it. This is not what I expected, but that is some disgusting athleticism right there. He also seems to be able to shoot the 3-ball fairly well.
July 5th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Haislip is an intriguing prospect and it is more than likely that this is just a minor move in what looks to be a sure-fire free agent acquisition of a starting power forward that should come within the next few days, or weeks.
I’m guessing it will be Rasheed Wallace since there were reports from Pounding the Rock that he was seen in San Antonio during draft weekend. It seems, to me, that Rasheed’s interest in San Antone has been well-known this past season, as he was seemingly close to being traded to the Spurs, but the Spurs didn’t possess any valuable assets to make the deal.
In my opinion, there is a reason Mahinmi hasn’t been playing, as well as M. Williams, Hairston, and Gist: they aren’t NBA material. This move assures us of that and I believe that we already have enough assets (along with the big name free agent to come) to make a championship run.
July 5th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Well I’m not exactly jumping for joy or anything, but it’s an okay pick up.
His defensive struggles are what I’m worrying about. He doesn’t really seem to care about defense. His rebounds and blocked shots percentages show that. I’m a little optomistic about him becoming an avid defender though. If there’s anybody in the league that can teach this guy to play defense, it’s the Spurs.
I’m hoping his groin injury won’t disrupt his offensive abilities for much longer. He can shoot the ball, but he seems to have had trouble getting his offensive flow going again.
I don’t know. I’m ambivalent. Then again, the Spurs usually know what they’re doing, so I won’t question this.
July 5th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
It’s a remarkably good, low-risk move that addresses an area of need for Spurs.
Haislip is an athletic, new-school 4, and may finally have allowed his skills to catch up to his athleticism.
I hope that this means Wallace is coming, but signing Haislip to a guaranteed deal makes since even if the FO is unsure about Wallace.
I’m excited about this signing, perhaps more than I should be, but I’m glad to add another player who can dunk…
July 5th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
I like this. A solid move yet again, finding a forgotten role player that seems to have fallen through the cracks a little. I’m intrigued by the athleticism, mainly because it seems so foreign. I think a great Spurs-fans-only story will be the development of our second string front court. It will never make SportsCenter, but I feel like I already know the guys personally and I’m looking forward to getting to know them on the court.
Did anyone actually watch this vid of Haislip? This guy’s punch makes Carmello’s slap look like a baby swatting at those toys you hang in a crib. the guy has some boxing skills!
July 5th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
I see this move as having no correlation to Wallace/any other starting big man the Spurs may sign, or trade for. Clearly, this is more about Mahinmi and/or Gist. Gist may yet spend another year in Europe, or it could mean the Spurs aren’t as enamored with Mahinmi as much of the fan base is. Haislip fits the Mahinmi profile/role more than he does Gist. Haislip and Mahinmi are both 6’10 rangy, athletic power forwards. While Gist is also in this mold, he’s a 6’8 combo forward.
Mahinmi is no longer eligible for the D-League, and having him inactive and buried behind five bigs at this point would be a waste. It’s time to find out what the Spurs have with him, so that going forward they know whether to pick up his option(s). Is Haislip merely training camp fodder, brought in by design to push Mahinmi? I doubt it.
In the final analysis, the big man rotation will probably end up looking like this.
Starters: PF or C - Duncan, PF or C - to be determined (hopefully Wallace)
Bench/rotation: PF- Bonner, PF- Blair
Bench/not in rotation/inactive: PF- Haislip, PF- Mahinmi
RC mentioned during the Jefferson press conference about not being “negligent in that pursuit”, meaning they’d be looking for a wing defender to replace Bowen. The team is running out of money and roster space though. Is Udoka being brought back? Is a lower tier player like Diawara being acquired? Is Hairston sufficient in this role?
July 5th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Fits the bill, an inexpensive young athletic player to fill out the roster. Should see a lot of garbage time.
July 5th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
If its a vet min style contract and doesn’t effect our midlevel the move is a solid addition.
Does anyone know whats going on? We have people who may well dunk the basketball on the team. Theres pigs flying through a frozen over hell.
July 5th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Only question is if this in a guaranteed deal or not. If not, then I expect we are looking at a Gist-Haslip battle for a roster spot. If Ian is disappointing, and the other two shine, he might get cut despite his $750K guarantee.
July 5th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
if we will get Marcus Haislip for the veteran minimum, i’m ok with it…. from what i’ve read he improved alot playing overseas… freakishly athletic, good mid-range jumper, decent percentage from the perimeter which could help us in the front court…
i’m just a little worried about his defense and lack of rebounding… but hopefully he can fit in to our system and be a solid rotation big…
July 5th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
Just searched him on youtube. one of his 1st videos is a fist fight from spain. He does have a great punch!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sX2mpOsqeg
July 5th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
They needed two bigs all along to replace the bigs they traded away. This fills one of those and if he doesn’t work out then you’re wasting very little money on him. I like his athleticism and ability to shoot a jumper and dunk (I like that the Spurs have picked up a couple guys this off-season that like to dunk). Am I the only one not in any way sold on Matt Bonner? At least Haislip is athletic to make up for the fact that he doesn’t seem to play D (although the way they play zone defense in Europe, your rebounding and block numbers aren’t going to be as impressive). Bonner gets out muscled by guys bigger then him and can’t stay in front of anyone. Sure he spreads the court, but when did he ever hit a big shot? Maybe it’s Bonner and not Mahimni that gets buried on the Spurs bench or hopefully traded for a late 1st or 2nd round draft pick.
Love the low risk, high reward this pick up could be. Hopefully Wallace or Bass sign this week and the Spurs will have 4 bigs that play D and Matt Bonner. Either way, this shows the Spurs brass knows they need to get more athletic and so far that’s exactly what they’ve done.
July 5th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
Uh oh, some bad news. Apparently, Rasheed has decided to accept Boston’s contract. http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/courtside/2009/07/wallace-is-off.html
Why wouldn’t he at least meet with us & Orlando as planned. Jeez. Oh well, McDyess, anyone?
July 5th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
Hopefully he can bring the shot blocking i saw in the video to the Spurs. We need another big to help Duncan block shots. We haven’t had one since the Admiral and to some extent Rasho. I’m guessing the Spurs aren’t going after Camby anymore since the Clips managed to rid of Zach. ESPN reports Wallace to Boston! Nooo!
July 5th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
Just read that Sheed is Boston bound…who’s next in our wish list?
July 5th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
…’Sheed going to Boston.
It feels like this offseason was a waste of time.
July 5th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
Surely the Spurs will not go after Mcdyess if they have truly lost Sheed. Even though Wallace is 35 and well over the hill, at least he provided length at 6-11, defensive presence, and the ability to stretch the floor. Mcdyess offers a decent defensive presence, but can’t stretch the floor nor play the center position like Sheed. On top of this he will be 35 before the season starts.
I must say that I am a bit dissappointed that the Spurs weren’t more aggresive about getting Wallace. I have a hunch that they weren’t truly sold on him due to his constant attitude and the fact that he guarantees you 15+ techs/year.
Here’s what the front office needs to do: Go after Brandon Bass (a 25 yr old McDyess) with the MLE and target Channing Fry with the LLE. Trade a combination of Matt Bonner and Roger Mason or Matt Bonner and Michael Finley (Finley has Bird rights and no way he wants to leave) to get a good small forward (Travis Outlaw)
Here’s why they should make these moves: The Spurs need both a stout power forward (Bass), someone with length (Frye) to play against the Gasols of the NBA, and a backup to Jefferson (Outlaw). Surely Pop and the gang can man up Channing Frye to play the 5! Plus Frye is a very good and young athlete. Here would be the most likely power forward and center positions:
PF : Duncan/Blair
C: Frye/Bass
With this lineup you would have length (Duncan, Frye) backed up by power (Blair, Bass)
July 5th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
Now that Sheed is officially off the market, i think the spurs should focus on getting
McDyess (for 2ys maybe? and hopefully not the full MLE) and either Bass or Gooden for the LLE if possible… i’m not too high on Frye yet.
getting travis outlaw for a sign-in trade using Bonner would be a coup for the Spurs….
July 5th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
I’m good with Bass. No to Frye. I like Pachulia, but he hasn’t come up yet in rumors. McDyess is good but old.
July 5th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
Ian, Gist and Haislip all have something to prove. Ideally , the best 2 of 3 get a roster, but Gist could be the odd man out. I hope Gist is retained even if just for the Toros. I wonder if we can expect him not to pursue other options if we’re doing the same.
July 6th, 2009 at 4:21 am
I was very skeptical about this move because I knew nothing about who Marcus Haislip. Now that I’ve read his profile and seen the video, it looks like he could be a good fit at a backup 4 spot, spreading the floor and using his athletic ability.
July 6th, 2009 at 9:21 am
Dunks, blocks, and 3′s? For a minimum contract?
I’m for it.
Sounds like he could be Bonner’s back-up… or replacement if traded, which it would seem he’s more expendable now with another guy to stretch the court… interesting move Spurs front office, keep em coming
July 6th, 2009 at 10:18 am
[...] and friend to this site, has done a nice job breaking down the Marcus Haislip signing. Between him and Graydon, there is little else to say until we actually see Haislip on the court. But still, I’ve [...]
July 6th, 2009 at 11:27 am
I haven’t heard anything about Mcdyess, what is going on with him?
July 6th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
I would say to go after McDyess for now on a small contract so they can sign Thiago Splitter next summer. Sheed should have chosen San Antonio.
July 6th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
To be quite honest, I’m surprised that those who had concerns about Rasheed fitting in with the Spurs’ culture are not making any hay over the fact that the video link above clearly shows Haislip throwing a punch. Is it that fighting once in a while is OK but constantly picking up technical fouls for barking at the refs is not OK??
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