Monday, March 1st, 2010...10:08 am
Stein: Spurs to Release Michael Finley [Updated]
ESPN.com’s Marc Stein tweeted on Monday with news that the Spurs released Michael Finley. Finley was released in time to allow him to find a spot on another playoff roster.
Finley had fallen out of the Spurs rotation and not played well when he was in it. With the flashes Malik Hairston showed in his limited minutes, the Spurs probably felt comfortable releasing Finley. It also allows the Spurs to save a little bit more money against the luxury tax.
The San Antonio Spurs have agreed to release former All-Star guard Michael Finley later Monday to allow Finley to pursue opportunities with other teams, according to sources close to the situation.
Finley was a key member of San Antonio’s 2007 championship team after leaving the Spurs’ longtime rivals in Dallas but has struggled to earn playing time this season from coach Gregg Popovich.
As long as the Spurs waive the 36-year-old before midnight Monday, Finley will be eligible to play in the playoffs for another team.
The move also takes the Spurs roster down to 12 players. They are required to have 13 players on the roster so this could lead to San Antonio signing a current free agent or calling up a player from the D-League.
63 Comments
March 1st, 2010 at 10:14 am
Wow.
Who saw this coming?
March 1st, 2010 at 10:16 am
Wait, so now guys are leaving the spurs to go join contenders? Shows you how much has changed in spurs land. We have to do something to get the rebuilding phase started properly this summer. Trade up for a good draft pick, sign a solid young player, something. We will have to rebuild sometime soon and we don’t wanna go into it with insufficient building blocks
March 1st, 2010 at 10:18 am
Hopefully this is a “win-win” situation for both parties.
March 1st, 2010 at 10:19 am
So long Fin, thanks for all your help!!
March 1st, 2010 at 10:19 am
The only thing that can be said is WOOOOOOOOOOOOW.
March 1st, 2010 at 10:30 am
This is about 2 years too late… just sayin’.
March 1st, 2010 at 10:32 am
I actually think this is a great sign that Pop is ready to tighten up the rotation to prepare for a late push.
March 1st, 2010 at 10:37 am
I’m agreeing with David. Finley wasn’t giving us anything, but he was taking a lot off the table.
To me, this signifies that the front office doesn’t have their heads buried in the sand, and that they’re willing to give the time to people who can make better use of it.
Hopefully Hairston can prove that he’s worthy of the opportunity!
March 1st, 2010 at 10:38 am
I think this is a part reflection of us respecting Finley not wanting to go out by riding the pine… but also a scary reflection of how badly the Spurs must be doing financially. With guys like Manu who you can never be sure are going to be healthy, most of the time I think the Spurs would have kept Finley as injury insurance. But I guess every penny counts twice when you’re pushed up against the tax.
In any case, if the Spurs are going to somehow pull themselves up to contender status, this move will have no effect, as Finley shouldn’t be getting any minutes if we’re healthy. Some combination of Manu/George Hill/Mason/ and I guess Bogans is going to have to get it done.
March 1st, 2010 at 10:40 am
Well at least he got that championship he wanted 5 years ago.
March 1st, 2010 at 10:40 am
Finley’s veteran leadership and high Basketball IQ will most certainly land him a spot on a true contender.. Best of luck Fin dog!
March 1st, 2010 at 10:43 am
as already stated, WOW! hairson is ok and all but damn at least finley can hit free throws. not sure what is going on with the team right now, things are just strange. i mean roger mason “asks” for a trade or more minutes, and pop doesnt do either, bonner played .07 against the suns yesterday, and barely over 7 minutes at houston. i mean is he averaging like 2 minutes in the last 4. is he next to go?
who do you call up? d jones? i mean he is averaging nearly 16 rebounds. alonzo gee seams to be the best shooter on the the toros. or maybe the sign a free agent like ricky davis? or wally szczerbiak who i think would fit the best.
March 1st, 2010 at 10:48 am
Lots of us have called for Fin to ride the pine but no one doubts his professionalism, greatness and contribution to our last chip. Thanks for the memories, Fin, and best of luck.
March 1st, 2010 at 10:51 am
WOW. Crazy, dont affect Spurs what so ever. Fin thanks for helping us get Championship #4. Hopefully I would like to see D Jones, see how he can translate into NBA, maybe a 10day Contract.
March 1st, 2010 at 10:53 am
He’ll sign with the celtics.
March 1st, 2010 at 10:59 am
i really think he either signs with LA or with cle.
those 2 are the most clear favs out there and LA has a terrible bench outside of odom and brown so there is room for him to get some minutes.
March 1st, 2010 at 11:05 am
I liked the Finley of 2 years ago. The Finley of 2010 was not hitting shots or defending. He was never a great defender, so not hitting his shots announced the end. I don’t see him contributing significantly to another contending club. Just like Bowen, the Spurs squeezed every ounce of talent out of him.
March 1st, 2010 at 11:09 am
Fin will be missed. He was a class act and seemed to be a good man.
Now the Spurs have an opportunity to bring in a player. Not a veteran, a young big. It could be a guy from the D League, doesnt matter. But, it must be a big. Not just any big…A big with attitude and grit. A brawler.
If the Spurs can bring in this brawler and add Mahinmi to the mix, they would have some inside presence, some defense.
We dont have to be basketball geniouses to realize that this team is not strong in the paint. Cant win in the playoffs this way.
If Pop really wants to make a push, playing two bigs is the answer..Even if Ian and the new guy only give you 10 minutes, they can clog the middle and give hard fouls.
Put these young guys in and just let them bang. It cant hurt.
We dont need a scorer aor and offensive
March 1st, 2010 at 11:21 am
@John, agreed.
This is a big sign of the F.O. looking to save as much money as possible.
First the Theo Ratliff trade, who is now starting for the Bobcats and has had multiple 4 block games and Finley, who hasn’t played great is still a clutch shooter who knows are system in and out. Even a Finley playing spot minutes used in a role like Steve Kerr in his final years would be useful.
March 1st, 2010 at 11:38 am
If they need 13 players, they should call up Dwayne Jones from the Toros. I know it’s D-league, but the guy has size and is a double-double machine!
March 1st, 2010 at 11:39 am
@Blofeld
I wouldn’t be surprised if that happens. They could give Jones a 10-day contract until they figure out what to do with the roster spot. I haven’t heard anything, but it’s a possibility.
March 1st, 2010 at 11:44 am
Even last year Finley was alright for a short period of time. But now, especially after spraining his ankle, he is pretty much completely unproductive. I love the guy, and wish him the best. Here’s to you, FinPerro!
March 1st, 2010 at 11:53 am
This is scary for Spurs fans.
First, I would have kept Finley for the rest of the season. I would have released Bogans. Even at 36, Finley was a better player than Bogans.
Also-I pray that Pop doesnt decide to go back to Bonner. We wont win with Bonner. He cant guard any 4 in the west, doesnt rebound, doesnt block shots. He is a 6’10 guy that plays like a 6 footer.
Solution is simple…Play Mahinmi and bring in another big…and play him!
Finally, this 2 guard line up with Parker and Hill wont work. Both too small. Need Hairston at 6’6 at the 2. Limit Parkers minutes until he is well.
Jones from the Toros would work. He is not afraid to bang and will hit the boards. He even has a lil swagger offensively.
Playing him and Mahinmi between 6-10 minutes a game would make us a more difficult out.
Hope Pop takes advantage of it.
Bonner is just not the answer.
March 1st, 2010 at 12:03 pm
Get Tony Battie!!!
March 1st, 2010 at 12:17 pm
I hope the FO tried hard to trade Fin for a future Memphis 2nd rounder at the trade deadline.
Fin will be missed, anyway, great player, but no longer effective.
March 1st, 2010 at 12:49 pm
i saw this coming. hell, i blogged that we needed to release/waive/ deactivate him to garner malik hariston some playing time and allow a roster spot for mahinmi. looks like we are starting to wake up.
going to miss you fin. a real pro, he was
March 1st, 2010 at 12:56 pm
P.S. anyone we call up is going to sit in a suit behind the bench, just so y’all know
March 1st, 2010 at 12:58 pm
I’m not sure how accurate it would be to distill the FO’s decision to waive Finley down to a single motivation. I think all of the following are true:
1. It saves us money
2. It gives Fin a chance to not just play for, but actually contribute to, a contender
3. It frees up more minutes for Hill and Hairston so that . . .
a. it speeds their development with an eye toward rebuilding
b. we maximize our chance to compete this year by focusing on internal growth, since the role-playing vets we’ve given PT to haven’t been able to capitalize.
It may be a bit cynical to assume that we’re completely throwing in the towel and dumping salary. If that were true, we would have bought out Mason, too, to save even more money. As others have suggested above, young guys have much more potential to improve over the course of a season than vets do, so, by proxy, the whole team may have it’s best chance to salvage this season (not that I’m expecting a miracle, but what do we have to lose at this point?).
What if rather than trying to fit the young guys into our typical complicated sets, we simply put most of them out on the floor (i.e. Mahinmi, Blair, Hill, & Hairston) together with RJ as a second unit that just pushes the pace every chance it gets and does a lot of trapping and zone on D for 15 minutes a game?
March 1st, 2010 at 1:13 pm
@ Joe
i am salivating at the thought of hill, hairston, mahinmi, blair and RJ.
spurs of the future…
March 1st, 2010 at 1:28 pm
I am very glad to hear this.
Respect to Fin, tho.
March 1st, 2010 at 1:37 pm
Respected his game in Dallas and appreciate all his time here. A true pro and a guy who I’m certain helped younger players like Hill, Blair and Mason prepare themselves for practice, games and the long season. I hope he doesn’t sign with Dallas or LA.
As for the cost savings, I think any team that isn’t hyper aware of their bottom line now will regret it later. If it saves a few dollars to cut a guy that wouldn’t receive any playoff minutes, it makes long-term sense. That it could help the development of Hairston is an extra plus.
March 1st, 2010 at 1:40 pm
Finley is a total class act but it was time to move on. Happy trails.
March 1st, 2010 at 1:48 pm
This was a good move. Findogg came to the Spurs at the end of a great career and finally got him some bling. Spurs have no chance of getting him anything this year so I could root for the Cavs if he goes in that direction. I am glad that the Front Office has realized that we need to go in a different direction. We have some young talent that needs to be given a legitimate chance and Fin is finished at this point in his career. His lateral quickness is GREATLY diminished and he can’t hit his shot. This is really yet another backdoor way of admitting (think Ratliff deal) that the championship window is closed at LEAST for this year if not for good.
Perhaps Mahinmi can be given a chance to produce, but I think Hairston really has the potential to do something. I’ve heard his name forever, but he just turned 23 yrs old (same age as Hill) so he has a ton of room to grow. We really need to see what Malik can bring to the table when given some real time on the floor and this opens the way for him. Lets hope Pop has enough sense to get out of the way and give the youngsters a chance.
March 1st, 2010 at 1:52 pm
Now you see why they started Finley. They tried to see if he had anything left (get back in rhythm) before letting him go.
March 1st, 2010 at 1:57 pm
Wow, didn’t see that coming. I hope this isn’t a sign from around the league that the spurs are no longer one of the elite teams. We are one of the deapest teams in the league and when we push the ball at an up tempo we kill everyone. I hope we add someone with size and some athletic ability.
March 1st, 2010 at 1:58 pm
Best of luck Finley. Thanks for helping the team win #4.
March 1st, 2010 at 2:00 pm
Michael Finley! Great memories with the Spurs, you will be missed! Thank you for all you have done for this team! The classiest man I’ve ever met! Good Luck!
March 1st, 2010 at 2:25 pm
WOW indeed.
I really think if he hadn’t been hurt he would’ve still been productive. But he did and wasn’t the same.
I was actually waiting for him to come back. I never thought he would lose his shot like that.
POP gave him a chance though.
Still, I would’ve hoped that they kept him. Maybe he could’ve found his shot later on, you never know.( Especially since as others stated, whoever they bring up will just be on there because they need 13 players and that’s it) But oh well.
MUCH LOVE FINN DOG. I’m glad you got your ring.
I hope POP gives Hairston some more minutes. OR put RMJ and BONNER out there.
HUBIE BROWN said it himself, they need to bring up there 3 point shooting. And RMJ and BONN are our best shooters.
I know BONNERS D aint the best but hey he can burn em on the other end. 3 for 2.
March 1st, 2010 at 2:26 pm
I’ll echo the thanks to Finley for his contributions over the years, but I think he’s done. The only thing he was contributing last year, really, was shooting, and now that his shot seems to have gone, we just couldn’t justify keeping him.
And for those asking why him over Bogans, it’s because Finley was making something like $2.5 million and Bogans is making the minimum (something like $860K). If we release Bogans and replace him with another vet at the same price, we don’t save any money.
It’ll cost the same to bench him, and give minutes to someone like Hairston or Mason, but we’ll at least have someone at the end of the bench who has been through training camp and some of the bumps & bruises of the season.
March 1st, 2010 at 3:18 pm
See my comment on Rocket game post; you’ll see that I proposed to use Finley the least of all the players on the roster:
Jim Henderson
February 27th, 2010 at 9:00 pm
Thus, without further delay, I propose the following line-up/rotation options in light of our current predicament.
Preferred Starting Line-Up:
Parker – PG (if healthy; if not, HILL)
Hill – SG (if Parker healthy; if not HAIRSTON)
Hairston – SF (if Parker healthy; if not JEFFERSON)
Blair – PF (with short leash for foul trouble)
Duncan – C (sorry TD, I know you like PF!)
Preferred Bench Rotation, in order of minutes:
Ginobli
Jefferson (if Parker not starting – injured)
McDyess (less if he continues to tank)
Bonner or Mahinmi (depends on variety of factors, but Mahinmi should continue to get more of a look)
Mason
Bogans
Finley (sorry Mike, thanks for some memories)
As you can see, Finley is at the end of my bench. The decision to waive him is no surprise. I have great memories of Mike’s contribution to our 4th title. He’s a great team player, and used to have a hell of game.
But the fact is, Finley’s lost his game. I believe his career is essentially over, and he’ll end up retiring. And let’s be realistic, if he couldn’t help our under-achieving team in a system he’s used to, how likely is it that he’s going to be pursued by a top-tier contender? I’d be surprised if that happens. Anyway, good luck Fin in your future endeavors.
Also, since Fin hasn’t played much in quite awhile (he has hardly played at all since he injured his ankle 30 games ago), I’m not convinced it means much about playing any of our current players much more. More likely is that it suggests the team may look to acquire someone that they think could help from waivers, and also facilitates the idea of shortening their primary rotation.
March 1st, 2010 at 3:30 pm
Can a player overseas sign with us now. Isn’t the guy from Brazil done with his season in Europe? If he opts out and then wants to play in the Nationals this summer, he would not have the insurance of a contract. He may want to sign now if it is possible
March 1st, 2010 at 3:47 pm
Just found out from espn.com that Finley was 4th all time for the Spurs in 3PA and 3PM.
I liked him. Cant wish him luck for a 2nd championship as I refuse to give on this team.
On a side note, if not the Spurs, who should win the trophy? Personally, i wouldnt want Kobe or Shaq to win that 5th ring before Duncan (or rather at all). I am hoping that Denver or Orlando wins this yr. That way, both Melo and Wade would have won rings before James.
March 1st, 2010 at 4:01 pm
Wow.
Will someone explain why Ratliff, Finley, and Haislip or (Mason, Bonner, Bogans) weren’t used as trade chips for some temporary help this year from the front office? There were no trades to be had for a John Salmons, Flip Murray, Brendan Haywood, or Tyrus Thomas?
Talk about the front office throwing in the towel and quitting on this season.
March 1st, 2010 at 4:20 pm
Hey I loved Finn Dogg as much as the next guy, but why does everyone think the Spurs releasing him is their way of officially throwing in the towel?
March 1st, 2010 at 4:36 pm
@junierizzle, Because at the same time we are complaining about a lack of corporate knowledge we are releasing a guy that at worst could help guide and mentor a player like Malik Hairston.
March 1st, 2010 at 5:03 pm
oh well, loved having Finley with the Spurs. especially the memories he gave us against the Mavs. it stinks that both he and Mason want(ed) to abandon ship.
however, i still am hopeful the Spurs can make some noise THIS season. loved to see RJ get posterized by Amare. why? because even though Amare got his points, RJ showed grit and gumption against a guy bigger than he. that’s what we need. even if we reach the playoffs as a #6 or 7 seed i think we could give Nuggets or Mavs a run. it is also exciting to see George Hill play the back up PG and SG positions so well. he’s slightly smaller, but reminds me of Antonio Daniels. loved his game.
for the offeason we do need to find a sweet shooting SG/SF for reserve role (NOTE: Ginobili and Splitter are first priorities). say a JJ Reddick, Mike Miller, Kyle Korver, Eddie House, Jarvis Hayes, or Jason Kapono type player. wants a ring, yet understands his role and comes cheaply. like Mason did last year, until he forgot he wasn’t coming to here for starter’s minutes.
March 1st, 2010 at 5:40 pm
Thanks Finley. Remember how you didn’t let go of the game ball for 2 days? That’s love for the game.
Good luck.
March 1st, 2010 at 5:42 pm
I’ll start off nice: Thanks Fin, you were a real pro.
Now the good stuff: doesn’t it feel like there’s a monkey off the teams back?
Now Pop has no choice but to tighten up the rotation.
Not to put a guy down, but does Finley actually think he’ll get burn with a contending team?
Overall, I think it’s addition by subtraction.
March 1st, 2010 at 5:42 pm
Can someone tell me why Blair has only one rebound tonight in the whole first quarter?
March 1st, 2010 at 5:57 pm
Wow, I didn’t see that one coming! Maybe that’s because Pop started him against Houston, something like a last shot!?
Anyway, thanks Fin for everything, you’ve been a true Spur to me!! Hope you’ll find a place…which isn’t LA, Dallas, Denver or so……
What free agent could we possibly sign??? Or who should we recall from the D League?
March 1st, 2010 at 6:15 pm
Blair now just two rebounds in his 16 first half minutes. Why? His averages would suggest he have at least five by now. We NEED his rebounding. Anybody, what do you suspect the reason for this is? Hornets have an under-sized frontline. Is he just not working hard under the boards?…………………?
March 1st, 2010 at 6:35 pm
Can we sign Fin at the vet’s minimum to save some more luxury tax $$?
March 1st, 2010 at 6:51 pm
nadeem, wade already has a ring. i think you meant howard.
i loved finley, even when he was with the mavs. the guy just oozed professionalism, and you just knew he was going to click in when he came to the spurs. sad to see his game as a shell of its former self, and this move was honestly not that big a surprise for me. good luck to him and latching on with boston, though i think they’ll find between nate robinson and finley, they’ll be giving up a few more points per game.
it strikes me that everyone keeps harping that we need another interior presence. after watching and reading this past week, i’m more of the mind that our greatest need is that shooter who can get up in kobe’s grill and defend. i’m hoping hairston steps up and fills this role more ably than we’ve had to date. i really feel that once this is settled, we’ll have a chance at the title.
March 1st, 2010 at 7:34 pm
Good Luck to Fin wherever he ends up…
Class guy and 2007 was a great time…
On to the roster..
In a perfect world you would think the Spurs would let Fin go and have a signing like a Raja Bell or Big Z coming up…
But we all know that’s not the case…
I think they go very very cheap and bring up a D leaguer …..
Spurs have been in a cost cutting mode since the trade deadline with Theo Ratliff and now Finley..
To me they will stay cheap and go with a guy that won’t cost alot…
March 1st, 2010 at 7:46 pm
Decent game.
Hill played well. Manu played well.
Why is Bonner playing?
Where is Malik/Ian?
March 1st, 2010 at 8:07 pm
Thanks Finley. Every spurs fan Remember you. you are a pro and great shooter. we really miss you good luck and hope don’t be a spurs contender
Good luck.
March 1st, 2010 at 8:22 pm
@mawu
players never left the spurs to join other teams. If your gonna read it again, fin was ‘released’. It was the spurs’ decision to cut fin. And theres no sane nba team that will deal w/ the spurs so the team can trade up on draft.
March 1st, 2010 at 8:24 pm
According to the report from ESPN,
“…..Finley’s request to be waived so he could try to find a more prominent role on another team. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said he was surprised Finley asked to leave”
March 1st, 2010 at 8:39 pm
Mahinmi…. Dwayne jones….
People here always talk about signing then since they look promising. This is crap. Did you guys ever consider basketball I.Q as a criteria for signing players?
March 1st, 2010 at 8:45 pm
Thanks for the memories #4 but theres no team out there that can sign him. There’s a whole lot of shooters still available in the free agency not to mention that it’s recession
March 2nd, 2010 at 6:00 am
Where Marcus Williams? He knows the Spurs system and is young and athletic and can play the point if needed. Time to bring this Austin project back for some playoff experience.
March 2nd, 2010 at 11:02 am
Ballhog- I’m with you. Fire Pop, trade Manu.
March 2nd, 2010 at 1:36 pm
Pop is doing a great job.
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