Should the Spurs Make Another Move Before Camp?
Some version of that question keeps rearing its head in our comments section. It’s one those counter-intuitive things. You’d think Spurs fans would be satisfied after an offseason that saw a massive roster overhaul. But when post trade euphoria sets in, the market suddenly expands to all of our favorite players (that we imagine are available on the trade market), and Michael Finley’s expiring contract is treated like the Holy Grail of team assets. This happens every offseason, and after every trade.
I suppose the excitement surrounding the Spurs’ next roster move is different this year–the Spurs have, after all, committed themselves to a proper make over. Couple that commitment with the current market and the possibility of another move isn’t completely unthinkable. But I really think the Spurs will sit tight, and I hope they do. Here’s why:
- No one knows if the team is good - The Spurs added Richard Jefferson, Antonio McDyess, DeJuan Blair, Marcus Haislip, Malik Hairston, Marcus Williams and Theo Ratliff. Ian Mahinmi is functionally a rookie. Manu Ginobili is returning from injury. And George Hill is attempting a transition from scoring quard to a game-managing, pick and roll point. Fans look at that list and see a bunch of answers. Most of last season’s ills–little front court depth, deficient scoring, lack of youth–seem corrected. But I suspect Gregg Popovich looks at that list of players and sees an overwhelming number of question marks. The front office needs answers to basic questions before moving forward. Take one player, Marcus Haislip, as an example. Can he play? And if so, is he a small ball center, shooting power forward or long small forward? I’m not sure. Are you?
- No one knows if the team is healthy – Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili crawled into the offseason. If they’ve regained their health for the upcoming campaign, the Spurs look great on paper. If not, the Spurs aggressive offseason won’t amount to much. The health of Manu Ginobili is a crucial consideration for R.C. Buford and company. If Ginobili is able to demonstrate some semblance of durability, the team’s roster is basically set. Everyone is cheering for a return to form for Ginobili. But if he doesn’t, team management will face a difficult question. Namely, should they treat Manu Ginobili as an expiring contract? An unhealthy Manu Ginobili + Michael Finley + Matt Bonner + trade sweetener(s) = a 16.5 million dollar trade package. The Spurs’ championship window is largely dependent on Manu Ginobili’s health. The Spurs’ front office can’t afford a misstep on this issue.
- Holding onto their expiring contracts provides insurance against unexpected injury – Injuries happen. The Spurs’ current expiring contracts (Finley, Mason Jr., Bonner and, in an extreme circumstance, Ginobili) create some midseason flexibility for the Spurs. If the Spurs move any of those contracts prior to February, they’ll have painted themselves into a dangerous corner.
- Sizing up the competition – Roster adjustments are either an attempt to shore up a roster deficiency or to exploit the perceived weakness of a likely playoff opponent. February knows more about these things than August.
- Someone will stink and reach for the dynamite – The Spurs’ current roster is in a two year window. Some team with playoff aspirations will unexpectedly fall on their face straight out of the gate. The Spurs might get lucky and find a player and contract that fits their current championship push. Or, as in always the case, mediocre teams will meet their season ticket/suite sales goals and begin to publicly embrace their suckiness. That embrace will include jettisoning a contract or two in advance of next summer.
There is not going to be a rebounding problem Javan in my opinion. The Spurs were at the top of the league in defensive rebounding last year and they have added:
Blair
McDyess
Richard Jefferson
Healthy Ginobili
Who are all very good rebounders. I do not see a reason why the Rockets would trade the Spurs Scola and/or Battier. RJ has the ability (or at least that is the thought) to be the defensive stopper. He will never be Bowen, but neither is Battier and RJ is a legit scorer as well.
pessimistic? I don’t think so. In fact it is an honest assessment of where the Spurs right now… yes we made some great offseason acquisitions but until we see how they play on the court we don’t have any idea of what we have… Currently I’d say the Spurs are right up there with the Lakers, we might win it all! but now? it’s too early to tell…
On a side note: fellow Spurs fans if you have some time please feel free visit this blog and leave your comments or suggestions, thanks! Go! spurs Go!
What are you guys thinking??? First one of you has the the Spurs trading Udoka – HELLOOOOOO, Udoka is a FREE AGENT and can’t be traded by the Spurs. Another of you all have Tiago Splitter coming to play with the Spurs for the LLE. HELLOOOOOO, Splitter is signed with Tau in Spain through the 2011 season. His salary NET with them is over $8 million per season – WHY wuld he come to play for us for the LLE???? The Dpurs need to package Bonner and Finley’s expiring contracts along with our 2010 1st round draft choice (the NYK’s don’t have a 1st round pick and I’m not sure they have a pick at all in 2010) for David Lee. Then you can think of what you might want to trade Manu for. Get enough other players who get their double double every night and we won’t have to worry about Manu’s fragile legs and feet.
Here is what I think the Spurs logic was about Bowen. His defense saved you 12 points a night. His offense got you 3. Thats a total equivalent of 15 points. Jefferson who is young can get you 2-3 points saved on defense yet his offense nets you 15-20 a night. Thats an equivalent of 20-22 +/-. With his 40% shooting from 3-pt he helps spread the floor – Bowen they just pretty much forget about until he goes to the corner and camps out. Hands down the Spurs will do much better with Jefferson.
Getting David Lee would just duplicate what Dejuan Blair is going to give us. Not a good trade.
And no way is Lee worth both of them plus a first rounder.
Rebounding will not be an issue this year, period.
I DEFINATELY think David Lee is worth Bonner,Finley and a first round pick. And I like both Finley and Bonner. You don’t find young players that are still improving that can ave. 16-12-2 growing on trees!!!!
It would not be a good trade, it would be a GREAT TRADE . David Lee is going to be good for a long time baring injury. with Lee and Blair we would be in good shape for a long time
GREG53,
David Lee is a good player, that happens to play for an up tempo team (that makes his average higher than usual)… He still improving and is a double double machine. But…
If we get him for Bonner and Finley he will be redundant at our current lineup (we still have young bigs in Blair and Mahinmi)… Losing Finley at this point will take away our depth at the 3 spot (leaving RJ and maybe Hairston in the rotation)
and Bonner for all his faults can stretch the floor for us, David Lee does not…
Hey, Big Tee are you the Big Tee from the Brazoria County area? Let me know, I think we know each other from the Spurs Brotherhood…..
So, we’re allowed to dream of Kevin Martin, right?
David Lee for Finley and Bonner ?
Guys, I think the fantasy Basketball trading league is down the hall….
David Lee would be a great addition for us.
Unfortunatly, we have a full frontcourt, and we don’t have a need for him. Plus he’s going to want a pretty large offer, an offer that we can’t and won’t give him.
I think Stephen Jackson would be a great plus he already knows the system. He pretty much kept the Spurs in the playoffs down the stretch. Plus him and Manu in the second unit will really open up the court.
Plus the trade has a -79% chance of actually being consumated.
Stephen Jackson has requested a trade from the Warriors. He was crucial for us in the 2003 championship run. Would he be a good fit now? If we were to deal for him what kind of package can we put together?
lets get steve jackson and then trade udoka and bonner for another player.
with steve around we have a well rounded front court
hey, he has offered himself to be taken
i really am sure he wants to go back to the spurs, obviously.
he must know realize he cant dictate his prize anymore. remember the first time he was for contract extension with the spurs?
so its either money or a ring. that is a simple choice
of all the the texas teams he is referring to it is only the spurs who have been winning championships.
also pops mentioned he loved to have steve on his team
the only difference between jackson and jefferson is that steve has more drama than richard
Great names bandied about, although like SPURSfanSTEVE mentioned, posters should at least feel obligated to see if a player is a free agent or not before they start talking trades.
But to add to the general opinions above…
Kirk Hinrich is a great defender, I think he’d make the roster better.
David Lee is an upgrade from Bonner if Bonner is going to shoot like that when we need him most.
Battier is probably not available, but wow.
Adding Captain Jack for a reasonable trade is an absolute no brainer–the guy would simply “will” us to #5.
Raja Bell may be too over the hill.
Michael Finley is definately too over the hill.
Pops MB unfortunately doesnt seem to fit with what Popvich has planned.
Finally, I should probably say this every post from now on, I fully expected the Front Office to shy away from spending this summer–even with huge needs at center and small forward. And here we are today, with solid players. Thank you Spurs Front Office.
I’ll take a one leg Duncan and a hobbled Ginobili over Superman and the Fathead Mamba anyday. Let the season begin…
The reason I keep mentioning David Lee is that it seems the NYK’s can’t figure out what to do with him. To date they haven’t signed him and will probably end up having him sign a 1 year contract leaving him as a Unrestricted Free agent next year and then they have gotten NADA for him. They also have no draft picks (at least a first round for sure) next year. A late first round pick like we will have doesn’t do us much good, but would give the NYK’s another minimum salary player, thus saving more money to take a shot at LeBron or Wade or ????? David Lee is a Spurs type ball player – yes he would likely have lower numbers, but he is young, strong and will only get better. I’d bet he would jump at a sign and trade to the Spurs. Better yet we would be rid of Finley and Bonner.
Please bring SJAX he is the perfect fit for the SPURS!!
they got rid of Bowen he did bring the dirty part of the game to the Spurs We need someone to throw chairs and get nasty with opponents intimidation is the greatest element to a true champion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not a big fan of Jefferson at this point at that price. If he doesn’t fit well I’d be open to moving him next summer… or maybe earlier.