Spurs *were* the Front-runners for Maggette

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=A ... &type=lgns

Spurs front-runners in race for Maggette
By Adrian Wojnarowski, Yahoo! Sports

The San Antonio Spurs have targeted Corey Maggette and are the front-runners to sign the Los Angeles Clippers’ free agent forward, multiple league sources said Tuesday night.

While no deal was imminent, Maggette would be expected to sign a multi-year deal for the mid-level exception, a move that would fulfill the Spurs’ desperate need for perimeter athleticism and scoring. Maggette would be leaving the Clippers, just as the team came to an agreement with Golden State free agent Baron Davis on a contract. With so much sudden salary cap space, the Warriors could be a threat to swoop in and take Maggette for themselves. The Boston Celtics have also shown serious interest in Maggette.


Another team with salary cap room, the Philadelphia 76ers, will present Atlanta Hawks restricted free agent Josh Smith an offer sheet on Wednesday when he visits with Sixers general manager Ed Stefanski in Philadelphia, two league sources said.

The Spurs struggled to generate points in the Western Conference finals against the Los Angeles Lakers and believe Maggette could make a dramatic impact as a complement to Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker. Maggette averaged 22.1 points and 5.6 rebounds for the Clippers, who expect now to quickly re-sign free agent Elton Brand.

The Spurs had targeted Maggette as an explosive offensive addition to an offense that struggled to generate points in the Western Conference finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. Maggette averaged 22.1 points and 5.6 rebounds for the Clippers, who expect now to quickly re-sign free agent Elton Brand.


Maggette, 28, opted out of his contract with the Clippers on Monday, along with Brand. He had hopes of returning to the Orlando Magic, but the Spurs, who have an interest in Denver restricted free agent J.R. Smith and Detroit free agent Jarvis Hayes, made an aggressive push in the last 24 hours to sell Maggette on playing an important part in restoring them to a championship team.

“He’s going to take a lot of the offensive load off (Manu) Ginobili, but (Spurs coach Gregg) Popovich will have to hide him defensively on the floor,” a Western Conference scout said Tuesday night.


Maggette can sign on July 9, once the NBA’s moratorium on free agents is lifted.

[lukeridenour]

sweet!

[despurs]

best news today!!

[Ballings7]

Awesome!

He'd be a big addition... with what's gone on with Artest, the other best, top options at the wings are Maggette and Smith. I've always enjoyed Maggette's game as a big wing-man. Especially nice is that he improved his 3PT shot this past season, and should be even better here with more open looks. 38 percent on 78-203 last year, compared to getting above 33 percent just once over his career at 35 percent.

Negative is he's been pretty injury prone over his career - however, has played 70 and 75 games the last two seasons, and his minutes and responsibility will be lessened from the Clippers to the Spurs.

[Blame Rasho]

Oh ****... this is unbelieveable. I thought we had next to no chance to aquire him and now it seem like it is a legit option.

He doesn't shoot the three at a good rate career wise but he is just beastly at getting to the line. He would help out our scoring more than any other MLE player out there.

[Clip34life]

Maggette is a prolific scorer. He plays no defense and isn't a great shooter but for the MLE he is a great pickup. Best of luck to him and to you guys. See you in the playoffs.

[lukeridenour]

for the MLE this would be a complete steal! im hoping we get him!

[Ballings7]

Defensively I'm not expecting too much, but I do think there'll be a change, in increased focus and energy there. Decreased offensive responsibility will play a part, also. I've read about his rotational mistakes at times, from Clipper fans, but will just have to live them, and he'll need to learn from them from the team.

I'm not that concerned about it.

[Blame Rasho]

Well given that he would replace Finley spot... I am sure his D will be adequate.

[trebone]

He is from orlando and has expressed interest thru many sources that he would like to return to the team that drafted him, also I feel the magic are on more of an upswing and we are offering the full MLE as well. I guess we can only wait and see.

[Blame Rasho]

Well the Magic have a hole at shooting guard but I have never considered Maggette a shooting guard. No handles and yeah... he isn't a good shooter. The magic want another 3 man? It never hurts to have too many assets so only time will tell.

[TASTIC]

A collective from the Suns


Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaw crap.

[lukeridenour]

He is from orlando and has expressed interest thru many sources that he would like to return to the team that drafted him, also I feel the magic are on more of an upswing and we are offering the full MLE as well. I guess we can only wait and see.

corey is a 2/3, imo the magics need to fill holes at back up pg and getting a real pf. if they were planning on corey all this time they should have looked into a pf/pg with their 22nd. instead they drafted a sg. still no one could blame them if they went after maggette, i just dont think its the best move right now.

[Cigamodnalro]

No handles and yeah... he isn't a good shooter.

watch more corey maggette

[Cigamodnalro]

He is from orlando and has expressed interest thru many sources that he would like to return to the team that drafted him, also I feel the magic are on more of an upswing and we are offering the full MLE as well. I guess we can only wait and see.

corey is a 2/3, imo the magics need to fill holes at back up pg and getting a real pf. if they were planning on corey all this time they should have looked into a pf/pg with their 22nd. instead they drafted a sg. still no one could blame them if they went after maggette, i just dont think its the best move right now.

magic are likely to lose both keyon dooling and maurice evans this summer. neither seems like a big deal, except that they are our two best options at the position. we're also letting backup PG carlos arroyo walk, creating a huge deficit at guard. as things stand, courtney lee, keith bogans, and jj redick are our shooting guards, which is less than acceptable for a team that hopes to contend.

maggette is more of a slasher than a shooter, but shooting is not a weakness of his. he would fit in well with our current group of guys, and his height may even help offset some of the mismatches jameer nelson always creates for the team with his lack of it.

[SMRattler]

If this is going to happen, it needs to happen fast. He needs to make up his mind and sign quickly before he starts getting way more money in other offers, which he will get I think.

That would be a great addition I think. Way better than JR I think (for our team needs at least) and I didn't even think we'd get JR.

[Blame Rasho]

No handles and yeah... he isn't a good shooter.

watch more corey maggette

Um... Corey Maggette isn't a guy who can handle the ball consistently. He isn't a guy who I would trust as the 2nd best ball handler on any given situation. How can you say differently? He has never been known as a shooter. He is a guy who gets to the line to get his points. One season of shooting good doesn't make you a good shooter. He can't shoot the three at a good rate. It isn't his game.

[wms02a]

If he joins the spurs his 3pt will naturally increase and his Ft % will naturally decrease

[Blame Rasho]

If he joins the spurs his 3pt will naturally increase and his Ft % will naturally decrease

The Spurs curse...lol

[Magz50]

Oh shiizz..we'll be title contenders once more with Maggette. He knows it's an odd year. Spurs ftw! I'll jizz my pants if this goes through.