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

[Ballings7]

Yeah, I like those two a lot out of the group... especially Dorsey.

[Blame Rasho]

Well who to draft and sign?

[Pistol Pete Vescey]

this splitter business seems to have complicated matters as the now the spurs will be looking much closer at front court players. but i think san antonio needs to fight fire with fire: rip off memphis just like the lakers did. mike miller? navarro? lowry? darko!?!

[what would jack bauer do?]

Good series, I think you guys could quickly reload for another championship caliber season if you signed Mikael Pietrus and Chris Duhon. Both those guys should be available for cheap. Pietrus will probably be the biggest steal of the offseason since he's got starter potential and his current value is below the full mle. If I were you guys I'd look to pick up a big bruiser like Nathan Jawai late in the first. But your scouts are ridiculous so whoever you draft is going to be a player. Good luck in the offseason.

[HarlemHeat37]

I'd actually be satisfied if we added Pietrus and Duhon..I feel like ANYBODY can fit on the Spurs team with Pop and Duncan, so character concerns never concern me(in the case of Pietrus)..

I think we need a big man that can BLOCK SHOTS next to Duncan..doesn't have to score, just rebound and block..of course if he can finish, it would be a +, but you can't have everything you want..Oberto is a solid backup, that doesn't concern me..

I really like the potential of Mahinmi, and I'd even think of developing him earlier and giving him PT as a backup next year..we could use a player like him off the bench IMO..

we have many options here..

I'd also like to see Ime develop, because I don't want Bowen getting more than 25-28 minutes per game during the regular season..he's still one of the top perimeter defenders in the NBA, as long as he can stay fresh and get the proper rest all year..

we NEED these young players though..we need a better regular season next year, that's going to be HUGE..we need depth, we need health..we didn't do ourselves any favors by getting Phoenix and NO in the playoffs, especially with NO going the distance..Ginobili was done from having such a big load to carry with Parker out in the regular season..Finley had no legs left..Duncan and Bowen played well, but you have to think they were dead by the end of this series..

[Butter]

I'd actually be satisfied if we added Pietrus and Duhon..I feel like ANYBODY can fit on the Spurs team with Pop and Duncan, so character concerns never concern me(in the case of Pietrus)..

I think we need a big man that can BLOCK SHOTS next to Duncan..doesn't have to score, just rebound and block..of course if he can finish, it would be a +, but you can't have everything you want..Oberto is a solid backup, that doesn't concern me..

I really like the potential of Mahinmi, and I'd even think of developing him earlier and giving him PT as a backup next year..we could use a player like him off the bench IMO..

we have many options here..

I'd also like to see Ime develop, because I don't want Bowen getting more than 25-28 minutes per game during the regular season..he's still one of the top perimeter defenders in the NBA, as long as he can stay fresh and get the proper rest all year..

we NEED these young players though..we need a better regular season next year, that's going to be HUGE..we need depth, we need health..we didn't do ourselves any favors by getting Phoenix and NO in the playoffs, especially with NO going the distance..Ginobili was done from having such a big load to carry with Parker out in the regular season..Finley had no legs left..Duncan and Bowen played well, but you have to think they were dead by the end of this series..

As a certified Laker Hater, let me first extend my condolences. I was rooting for the Spurs in a big way.

HarlemHeat37 mentioned a big man who can rebound and block shots, young players who can contribute. Are the Spurs at a point where their ready to rebuild a bit?


Would the Spurs be willing to part with a corner stone of their franchise to reload with some young talent? I don't want to sacrilegious, but would the Spurs be willing to part with Tony Parker and filler for some package of:

Travis Outlaw
Joel Pryzbilla
Steve Blake
Jarrett Jack
Future 1st pick

[Blame Rasho]

Butter, I don't think we would be interested in trading Parker.

I am somewhat interested in Rodriquez or Outlaw but I don't see us having any real assets that you would want for him that we would be ok giving up.

[Blame Rasho]

I am more interested in Delfino now after what I saw from Manu. He is just too banged up too often nowadays.

[ss1986v2]

I am more interested in Delfino now after what I saw from Manu. He is just too banged up too often nowadays.

did all of my delfino man-love finally rub off on you? lol

im not going to drop another essay, because my opinion of what to do this offeason still hasnt changed all that much:

horry retires.
finley walks.
try and bring back thomas.
keep both barry and vaughn (as long as its on the cheap).
bring in a swing guy with the MLE.
pray splitter doesnt sign that extension with tau.
done.

the only change ive had is now im slightly more concerned (with the total lack of bench help, and the potential splitter fiasco), and im willing to take on a bigger risk for the chance at a bigger reward. that brings jr smith and pietrus back into the picture (along with my trinity of jones, buike, delfino). i doubt denver lets jr walk, but pietrus is unrestricted, and while hes as bad as elson bbIQ wise, he has the tools, and has shown the ability in flashes. still dont love him, but hes at least back on my radar.

[Ballings7]

Spurs definitely wouldn't do that Trailblazer trade for Tony...

Back-up PG

I'd like to see an upgrade here, who I expect us to target:

Chris Duhon
Keyon Doolins
Jannero Pargo

Now Dooling and Pargo aren't true-style PGs in running the team, looking to pass-first, but they do have play-making ability to an extent, and would fit in on this team there. All three are quick, solid or better defenders... Duhon and Dooling especially. Both of whom can guard bigger wing-players, too. All three are quite a bit better than Vaughn shooting and scoring.

I wouldn't really mind if it's still Vaughn, I like him, love his defense and toughness, looking to get others shots, but is more of a situational guy for the playoffs, so that effects things.

SG/SF

Obviously need to make certain changes here...

- Finley I don't see being brought back
- Barry if he wants to is going to stay, but probably deeper on the bench.
- Udoka I'm not sure what his fate will be... I definitely really like him, but will he be let go in way for a younger player? Or will he stay, but as a deep bench player?
- Doubt Manu will be traded

I think we should and will get somebody who is younger than anybody we have, and has some form of diversification in their offensive game, compared to who we have excluding Manu... who I think we should go after:

- Kirk Snyder
- Kelenna Azubuike
- Ryan Gomes
- Carlos Delfino
- Ricky Davis
- Fred Jones
- Roger Mason
- Rodney Carney
- Demetris Nichols

I like Kirk Snyder the most, who I went on about earlier in the thread. Capability-wise, he's the best of them all on both ends of the court, diversely skilled player, and a top-level athlete. Plays with energy and toughness. Just needs a consistent oppurtunity. Not sure how much Minnesota wants to keep him, at least an average interest, I guess.

Gomes I think would be a great player off the bench. I immediately got to like him in his rookie year. He's a big SF and a tweener, but being used right will limit the quickness problems against SFs. And obviously at PF, it'll be when we go smaller. He can do a lot of things offensively (including shoot as a threat out to three), is a good rebounder, a mature younger player, an active body, and comes off as a smart player. I think he isn't a real priority for Minnesota because of other fowards and wings they have, value more, and who need to get time.

Ricky Davis I think would fit in, he's a proven, versatile offensive player, and has matured from his earlier years. From what I've gathered is a capable defender.

Azubuike and Delfino have already been covered a lot here. Neither are limited to just shooting, and both are athletic.

Fred Jones has also already been covered. I've always liked him a lot, though.

With Carney and Nichols, it'd depend if we drafted a SG/SF or not, because both of those guys are still early in their development and careers.

Now, if Ron Artest opts out of his final year, I think we should absolutely target him with the MLE. Money isn't an issue because only a few teams can offer more than the MLE (none are upper-type teams), and he ultimately wants to win. Out of all the playoff teams, we have the most fitting and ready situation for him, and outside of the Lakers, the best situation. Duncan/Ginobili/Parker/Artest would be one serious offensive core. Defensively, it would make us a lot better and versatile.

Childress I'm not sure if we can get, and it doesn't seem like his offensive game is expanded enough. Maybe he just hasn't had the oppurtunities in Atlanta. But the most significant thing is he's not a reliable shooter. If we get him, we definitely need to get another shooter somewhere in the rotation.

Pietrus is realistic to get, but I'm just not familiar with him enough yet. Is he reliable enough offensively outside of shooting threes, getting dunks, and hustle points? How consistent is he as a defender? I know he gets blocks and steals, but have never seen him as a consistent positional defender. Just from not seeing him enough and paying enough attention to him, and from things I've heard. I know he can be a good defender because of his physical attributes. How are his smarts? Is what I've heard overblown, or has he improved there? I've seen him make iffy plays some times, also. But, I would think the combination of working on his game, getting a regular oppurtunity to play, and being coached better would make him a better player. The first of those needs to be there first, though.

Dorrell Wright, I think he's going to stay with Miami, but if not I definitely like him as a very athletic player who will get better. Improved defensively. Just not sure how much he is offensively outside of dunks, mid-range jumpshots, and put-backs. Maybe he'll improve this summer.

I would just love it if we added either Snyder or Artest. Especially Artest because of how skilled he is on both ends, and is a top 3 favorite player of mine.

PF/C

Going to need to get a guy who is younger, but also has NBA experience... Diop, Kwame, and Dwayne Jones are the FA options.

Dwayne Jones has made an impression on me over the last couple years with his defense, athleticism, and rebounding. Has good size. Doesn't have a lot of experience, but played the most he ever has this past season.

I'd really love to see us get Diop, he's got good sizea and good mobility for a center.

Kurt Thomas, I'm not sure if he'll be back. I can see it, but also he may decide to retire, or go to another big-time team. Maybe replacing PJ Brown in Boston, or Theo Ratliff in Detroit. Now if he is back, I think his role would alternate between starting, backing up, and not being played at all at times. Oberto I think would become more of a bench guy.

Would be nice to get a guy who is an above-average offensive player, and is also decent or better defensively... but all those guys are either on other teams, or would have to come from the draft/Mahinmi. No one like that in free agency.

Mahinmi should get his oppurtunities during the season, not so sure about the playoffs. I'm intrigued to see him from what bits and pieces we saw in the regular season.

Walter Hermann, while not an interior presence defensively or a true big man, I wouldn't mind at all if we signed because of his shooting ability out to three and can also slash to the basket.

Eduardo Najera I wouldn't mind getting... not big, not young, but he's a good role-player. Taking Horry's spot as another helper big man or even Bonner.. maybe S/T Bonner to Denver who could use his shooting range, and we get Najera.

Would be cool if Antawn Jamison settled for the MLE and became a 6th man again.

Draft

1st round it's going to be either a SG/SF or a big man. Who I dig:

Brandon Rush
Omri Cassipi
Chris-Douglas Roberts
Kyle Weaver
Courtney Lee
Alexis Ajinca
Jason Thompson
Joey Dorsey
DJ White
Devon Hardin
Richard Hendrix

2nd round there are several interesting players

[UDRIH14]

i trade ginoboli, and bring back **** jax

[ss1986v2]

i just dont see what you like in snyder, ballings7. even if we take him at his best (his first season in NO, and the 27 games he played in minnesota), hes buike minus the 3pt shot. i cant see anything that snyder does that buike doesnt do just as well, if not clearly better. maybe you know more about him then i do, but if im going off what i remember of him before he was drafted, and looking at what hes accomplished so far, i dont see much to like.

[HarlemHeat37]

as long as we get an athletic SG/SF that can shoot, I'm a lot happier..

[johnnyjohnnyjohnny]

There's no way in hell I'd want to get rid of Gino for Jackson, Udrih. That's crazy talk.

[UDRIH14]

There's no way in hell I'd want to get rid of Gino for Jackson, Udrih. That's crazy talk.

JACKSON wont take a dump 3 out 5 games in a series

[omegatronic3]

unfortunatelyage and lack of depth were the difference against LA. Duncan, Parker and Ginobli played too many minutes and ran out of gas.

One of your biggest needs is a backup pg. When Fisher sat they brought in Farmar and Shasha whatever his name is. Parker never got a rest. There are a number of guys who I think fit your system...Duhon comes to mind..or Heinrich..or Steve Blake. After that I'd say you need another big that can score. LA is the team youll have to beat now and theyre loaded...and Bynums not even playing...unfortunately they are young and very deep.

A young athletic 2. Your whole problem this series was that when you fell into a scoring sreeze there was nobody to be the spark...since Ginobli was hurt.

[lukeridenour]

before this series and the splitter incident, i agreeed with everyone one picking up small pieces here and there. Now? i think we needd to make a big splash. i was never for artest like ballings7, i am now. childress would fit here too.

also, we need to draft the best player available at our draft position, doesnt matter what position, we need the help.

[UDRIH14]

bring in hinrich? we going to pay 8m to a guy to play backup for parker and ginoboli?

[Blame Rasho]

before this series and the splitter incident, i agreeed with everyone one picking up small pieces here and there. Now? i think we needd to make a big splash. i was never for artest like ballings7, i am now. childress would fit here too.

also, we need to draft the best player available at our draft position, doesnt matter what position, we need the help.

Yeah I agree with what you last said... I was thinking we needed a swing player but we just need an injection of youth and no matter what we need to get the best player even if he isn't an ideal fit.

[Blame Rasho]

bring in hinrich? we going to pay 8m to a guy to play backup for parker and ginoboli?

It isn't too often that I agree with you but you are spot on.