Offseason thread... MLE,Draft, and all the other stuff...

[Pistol Pete Vescey]

I'm thinking Juan Carlos Navarro, 3 years at the MLE -- perfect fit off the bench.

[Ballings7]

I know he's famous in Spain and know he can shoot pretty well, but I'm unfamiliar with the rest of his game. I think defense would probably have to be part of his game.

[ss1986v2]

eh, undersized shooting guard, limited passing skills, less than stellar defender. there are probably a few others out there that could possibly be had at around the same price and offer a bit more than navarro; james jones and carlos delfino come to mind.

[Ballings7]

I'd definitely like Jones or Delfino.

eh, undersized shooting guard, limited passing skills, less than stellar defender.

That's like what I've picked up from what I've seen this season. He looks like he'd get banged around too much on defense, also.

[ss1986v2]

That's like what I've picked up from what I've seen this season.

i dont want to look like im dumping on the guy. he has positives too: solid 3pt shooter, willing to take the big shot, has lots of experience, solid ball handler, decent athlete.

i just think his deficiencies happen to be in the major areas of interest when it comes to the spurs FO, and that can be better addressed at a similar price with other players.

[Donald Kaufman]

List of upcoming FA: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=2008FreeAgents

El Calderon's a FA, though a long shot. Diop would be a good pick up. Maybe Pargo as a backup? Matt Barnes will be available as well, I like his game.

[Pistol Pete Vescey]

Delfino is an intriguing talent but ultimately I don't feel he's intelligent and efficient enough to fit in San Antonio.

Navarro isn't going to dazzle you with athleticism or intimidate you physically. But the guy just gets it. The instincts and creativity of Navarro and Ginobili off the bench would be a thing of beauty. Navarro can defend the PG spot pretty well and although he's not a natural distributor, I feel like he can play that position for 12 minutes a game, especially alongside a guy like Manu.

I admire and respect the Spurs organization and I think Navarro fits well here. Remember: He's playing with a bunch of chuckleheads over in Memphis right now. Put him with smart veterans who complement each other and are on the same page, he will excel.

[Ballings7]

I'd love to get Diop, and am actually kind of expecting we pick him up. Aside from his game, we'll need another veteran big man with Horry going and Thomas being questionable. Helps that he's younger, too. Would be for part of the MLE.

Kurt Thomas would ultimately decide it, though.

Despite certain issues off the court, I still really like Chris Duhon. He won't be back with Chicago. I just don't know if because of those incidents, that we would be of interest. But maybe coming into this team's environment, in a different, smaller city, and laying out what's expected, we'd be interested. Aside from his ability.

Game-wise, he's a noticable upgrade on JV, and of course younger.

i dont want to look like im dumping on the guy. he has positives too: solid 3pt shooter, willing to take the big shot, has lots of experience, solid ball handler, decent athlete.

i just think his deficiencies happen to be in the major areas of interest when it comes to the spurs FO, and that can be better addressed at a similar price with other players.

I know what you're saying. I was mainly curious about his defense and play-making situation.

Overall I'm just not sure about him for us. Maybe.

[Pistol Pete Vescey]

I've also liked Duhon, ever since he was at Duke; he just seems like a good kid.

Another guy is Bostjan Nachbar.

It also should be said that most of the guys mentioned so far will likely be attainable with a portion of the MLE, not the full amount.

[Ballings7]

What does everyone think about Kelenna Azubuike? Big athletic swingman who can shoot out to three, play around the basket, rebounds well, above-average defensively, and is tough. Just plays with energy. Good person, too.

It also should be said that most of the guys mentioned so far will likely be attainable with a portion of the MLE, not the full amount.

Yep.

[ss1986v2]

Delfino is an intriguing talent but ultimately I don't feel he's intelligent and efficient enough to fit in San Antonio.

i have the same concerns when debating for delfino. hes becoming a bit of a chucker in toronto, and doesnt have the highest of bbIQs ive seen. but he isnt nearly as bad as some of the other names i hear bounced around at time (pietrus, green, smith to name a few).

and i like navarro, but im not sure his efficiency is that much better than delfino, at least at the moment. navarro is shooting 36.6% from 3 on 314 attempts and 40.8% overall. while delfino is shooting 39.1% from 3 on 253 attempts and 40.2% overall. but navarro is a better free throw shooter (by nearly 10%), and just edges delfino in both eFG% (51.0% vs 49.8%) and TS% (54.4% vs 52.8%). and its not like hes winning in a landslide or anything (1.2% and 1.6% differentials).

but i think with what delfino brings in athleticism/measurables (6'6", 230, great mix of ability on the athletic front), combined with his solid defense and quality rebounding for his position (nearly double the rebound rate of navarro) and you have a player that should really be drawing some interest from the spurs. although id probably say the likelyhood of landing delfino is probably a bit more slim than navarro (i can conceive toronto willing to match an offer starting at around the MLE for delfino, im not so sure the same can be said about memphis and navarro).

as for buike, hes been on my short list since he resigned with gsw for peanuts last summer. id disagree with you about his defense, ballings, (he has the tools, but hasnt really put it all together, and probably wont if he continues with the warriors), but the rest is pretty accurate. ive run hot and cold on him all year though. at one point this year (and it might still be the case), he was dead last by a good margin in team +/- for the warriors. and most warrior fans arent through the roof about him either. but hes restricted, and unless we want to overpay to get him, im not sure the warriors simply let him walk. its possible though, with biedrins, barnes, and ellis all due new deals.

as for other non-wing options, duhon isnt helping his case any, but ive liked him in the past. not sure about him at this point. as far as the front court goes, my only concern is locking KT up for 2 or so more years. with splitter coming over this summer, oberto and bonner still being around, and ian about a year or so from seeing the rotation, i dont think much else would be needed up front. id rather focus the FA efforts at locking up a younger wing.

[Ballings7]

as for buike, hes been on my short list since he resigned with gsw for peanuts last summer. id disagree with you about his defense, ballings, (he has the tools, but hasnt really put it all together, and probably wont if he continues with the warriors), but the rest is pretty accurate. ive run hot and cold on him all year though. at one point this year (and it might still be the case), he was dead last by a good margin in team +/- for the warriors. and most warrior fans arent through the roof about him either. but hes restricted, and unless we want to overpay to get him, im not sure the warriors simply let him walk. its possible though, with biedrins, barnes, and ellis all due new deals.

Yeah I wasn't exactly sure about his defense. But yes he does have the capability to be a significant defender. I think he'd be a pretty nice fit on the team.

[Magz50]

I think most importantly for us is getting a young athletic guy, either a SG or SF who can slash and score and defend well.

[HotSpurs21]

James Jones

He'll be a perfect fit with the Spurs

[HotSpurs21]

What does everyone think about Kelenna Azubuike? Big athletic swingman who can shoot out to three, play around the basket, rebounds well, above-average defensively, and is tough. Just plays with energy. Good person, too.

-= original quote snipped =-



Yep.

Buki is definitely a good option too

[Blame Rasho]

I am thinking about Josh Childress.

[Magz50]

Childress would be nice, his game is still raw but i think in our system Pop can groom him nicely.

[Ballings7]

I like Childress, as well. Have come to like his game.

[pro2020]

Matt Barnes
Mickael Pietrus

a couple of warriors, extreme talent.

[Pistol Pete Vescey]

I am thinking about Josh Childress.

This also crossed my mind. But do you think Atlanta will match a full MLE offer for Childress?