2021 SPURS OFF-SEASON ROSTER NEWS - CHANGES, RUMOURS, TRADES, SIGNINGS

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Oh and KBD:

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Wow what a super cheap deal! Great opportunity for Jock. He's just about guaranteed to outplay his contract given his heart and hustle and ability to spread the floor:

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Only details of Bryn's contract are left:

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New Details Emerge on Ben Simmons Trade Talks

That leaves San Antonio as perhaps the most interesting potential trade partner. And there is a faction of the Spurs front office rumored to strongly covet Simmons. There's a well-documented history of Gregg Popovich incorporating Australian talent such as Patty Mills, Aron Baynes and others, along with New Zealander Sean Marks, not to mention the connection with former Spurs assistant and Simmons' first head coach, Brett Brown.

Personnel who spent time with Team USA during the Tokyo Olympics also suggested to B/R that longtime Spurs shooting czar Chip Engelland would relish the opportunity to rework Simmons' mechanics...

San Antonio was open to discussing Dejounte Murray and Lonnie Walker IV before the draft, sources said, and the Spurs added more enticing future draft capital in their sign-and-trade that delivered DeMar DeRozan to Chicago. Could the starting points of that package be enough to truly intrigue Philly? Portland's eventual interest, as always, would factor heavily into any further discussions, too.

https://syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/2947348-new-details-emerge-on-ben-simmons-trade-talks.amp.html?__twitter_impression=true

I do find it interesting that we've worked to get Jock on the team as well as the Austin Spurs HC working with the Boomers. Some good connections in place should we acquire Ben.

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Friday night rumour mill:

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So it looks like Lauri was to originally come over in the DD S&T:

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The Bulls pivoted away and we got Thad Young.

We were also one of many teams interested in Nance before he went to Portland in a three-team deal that sent Lauri to the Cavs.

Given that both Lauri and Nance garnered prospects and first round picks, I reckon that we weren't comfortable with the price. We're in asset acquisition phase and actually made out very well in the DD S&T with Thad, Aminu, a 1st round pick and two 2nd round picks.

And about Thad:

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So just in terms of salary matching purposes, Saric and Jalen Smith work. Saric is in the second month of recovery from a torn ACL and unlike Thad whose contract ends after this season, Saric becomes UFA in 2023. So we'd not only be taking on more salary, we'd be taking on a player who would not be playing this season. I do think that when healthy he'd be serviceable at a position of need for us. But given we're taking that on, say we get a sweetener with a 1st round pick.

Is Saric, Smith and a 1st the return we'd be ok with given it takes up our cap space next season and we're giving up even more scoring presently?

We've gone from Lauri/Nance (4s who spread the floor) to Thad (a 4 who has the ability to spread the floor) to Saric who we can't use this season but is a 4 who spreads the floor and Smith who is a young raw energetic prospect who did take some 3s in college (so he has the range) and averaged a double double in his final college year.

There's a clear positional focus as well as trying to get spacers at the position even if each guy brings a slightly different element(s). There's also a clear limit to what we're willing to give up to get said asset (and of course the other team has to like our offer best).

But we lost a LOT of reliable points with the three (four, really, with LMA) vets leaving in UFA. We made up for some with quality 3s shooters so our O should have far less ISO and more made 3s. But for the first time since I don't recall when we don't yet have a cog around whom the team moves. Perhaps that guy emerges, perhaps we're comfortable adjusting the O to a more egalitarian style that doesn't cater to just one guy.

But we clearly are also accumulating assets and have too many players so * something * has to give...

[Ballings7]

Other than Portland, SA is really the best place for Simmons overall. Minnesota and Sacramento don't have a solid culture and investment in the game, and would just be temporary stops to get to California.

Would be pretty great if he is traded to SA.

[G R E Y]

Other than Portland, SA is really the best place for Simmons overall. Minnesota and Sacramento don't have a solid culture and investment in the game, and would just be temporary stops to get to California.

Would be pretty great if he is traded to SA.

I'm so conflicted about this. On the one hand, when you can trade for the best player in the deal you do so if you're comfortable with the parts leaving. On the other, Ben comes with a load of issues, and that's on top of the O woes he has: not getting better on O since his rookie season; not following any of the 76ers off-season plans for him; isolating from the team in favour of his brother shooting coach and listening to his father to switch away from his dominant hand.

He said he needs to be pushed externally, but then again when the 76ers look to have tried it has only resulted in his being inculcated by his family all the more.

There appears to be some weird dynamic with his family some blend of career and personal aspects that he either has a hard time separating from/benefits from/they benefit from. At some point though, given that Ben hasn't improved on O (some may argue he's regressed) you'd think his family would care enough about him and do what's best which is to let a team work with him -- and he has to be committed to that, too.

I agree that we've got a great culture and program to work through things with him to improve, but I shudder at the familiar family dynamics at play here. Brett Brown was ultra frustrated at how impenetrable the situation had become. I'm sure we've done our due diligence and think we would still like to trade for him but my sense is that we have a limit that we're willing to part with and are waiting to see if that can be bridged in time or with a third team. We're not the team to do like seven picks and three of our best prospects to get it done at any cost. Doesn't seem like any other team is either right now.

[G R E Y]

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So that leaves one more roster spot to trim wither through waving or trading.

[Risk Addict]

Why waive a player on 4 million contract? Why not at least see him in training camp? Personality issue? Position issue? As a Bulls fan I am curious what the thought process was. He had a weird leave of absense from our team before he was traded

[Ballings7]

Other than Portland, SA is really the best place for Simmons overall. Minnesota and Sacramento don't have a solid culture and investment in the game, and would just be temporary stops to get to California.

Would be pretty great if he is traded to SA.

I'm so conflicted about this. On the one hand, when you can trade for the best player in the deal you do so if you're comfortable with the parts leaving. On the other, Ben comes with a load of issues, and that's on top of the O woes he has: not getting better on O since his rookie season; not following any of the 76ers off-season plans for him; isolating from the team in favour of his brother shooting coach and listening to his father to switch away from his dominant hand.

He said he needs to be pushed externally, but then again when the 76ers look to have tried it has only resulted in his being inculcated by his family all the more.

There appears to be some weird dynamic with his family some blend of career and personal aspects that he either has a hard time separating from/benefits from/they benefit from. At some point though, given that Ben hasn't improved on O (some may argue he's regressed) you'd think his family would care enough about him and do what's best which is to let a team work with him -- and he has to be committed to that, too.

I agree that we've got a great culture and program to work through things with him to improve, but I shudder at the familiar family dynamics at play here. Brett Brown was ultra frustrated at how impenetrable the situation had become. I'm sure we've done our due diligence and think we would still like to trade for him but my sense is that we have a limit that we're willing to part with and are waiting to see if that can be bridged in time or with a third team. We're not the team to do like seven picks and three of our best prospects to get it done at any cost. Doesn't seem like any other team is either right now.

Well, it would either be really good or really bad and he'd show how immature he truly is and isn't just worn out in Philly and their staff. He'd be another prima-donna who just wants to be a beach star and flash star for status-groupies - I don't think he's quite that yet despite being into younger status'ed west coast females, its just means he's young, famous and has money. I think coming to SA would balance all that out, and would still be fairly close to California in the off-season when not working on his game.

I believe he'd definitely get better as a whole here, and his strengths would be enhanced.. Demar truly did, Kawhi was a project and turned out great.. Parker and Manu development, etc. Personality is key and a question mark, but if he loves the game and wants to be great, then he should work out in SA - if he doesn't then he doesn't really care about the game and getting better as a player.

I think Ben's work ethic and passion for the game he does truly have individually, combined with his physical tools and vision offensively, is a big value and would give the organization a big boost of intrigue and drive. He is immature to a degree or two for sure, but that has a good chance to be changed here with the Spurs approach to the game and team values.

What's really intriuging is Ben is still very young and not in his true prime yet, and hasn't really been hurt that much, and has shown capability to be special many times. His defense is already world-class and his ability to get to the rim and rebound is elite, which we know.

He'd be a semi-project but I think one worth taking on and trading higher-end assets on the team for.

[G R E Y]

Other than Portland, SA is really the best place for Simmons overall. Minnesota and Sacramento don't have a solid culture and investment in the game, and would just be temporary stops to get to California.

Would be pretty great if he is traded to SA.

I'm so conflicted about this. On the one hand, when you can trade for the best player in the deal you do so if you're comfortable with the parts leaving. On the other, Ben comes with a load of issues, and that's on top of the O woes he has: not getting better on O since his rookie season; not following any of the 76ers off-season plans for him; isolating from the team in favour of his brother shooting coach and listening to his father to switch away from his dominant hand.

He said he needs to be pushed externally, but then again when the 76ers look to have tried it has only resulted in his being inculcated by his family all the more.

There appears to be some weird dynamic with his family some blend of career and personal aspects that he either has a hard time separating from/benefits from/they benefit from. At some point though, given that Ben hasn't improved on O (some may argue he's regressed) you'd think his family would care enough about him and do what's best which is to let a team work with him -- and he has to be committed to that, too.

I agree that we've got a great culture and program to work through things with him to improve, but I shudder at the familiar family dynamics at play here. Brett Brown was ultra frustrated at how impenetrable the situation had become. I'm sure we've done our due diligence and think we would still like to trade for him but my sense is that we have a limit that we're willing to part with and are waiting to see if that can be bridged in time or with a third team. We're not the team to do like seven picks and three of our best prospects to get it done at any cost. Doesn't seem like any other team is either right now.

Well, it would either be really good or really bad and he'd show how immature he truly is and isn't just worn out in Philly and their staff. He'd be another prima-donna who just wants to be a beach star and flash star for status-groupies - I don't think he's quite that yet despite being into younger status'ed west coast females, its just means he's young, famous and has money. I think coming to SA would balance all that out, and would still be fairly close to California in the off-season when not working on his game.

I believe he'd definitely get better as a whole here, and his strengths would be enhanced.. Demar truly did, Kawhi was a project and turned out great.. Parker and Manu development, etc. Personality is key and a question mark, but if he loves the game and wants to be great, then he should work out in SA - if he doesn't then he doesn't really care about the game and getting better as a player.

I think Ben's work ethic and passion for the game he does truly have individually, combined with his physical tools and vision offensively, is a big value and would give the organization a big boost of intrigue and drive. He is immature to a degree or two for sure, but that has a good chance to be changed here with the Spurs approach to the game and team values.

What's really intriuging is Ben is still very young and not in his true prime yet, and hasn't really been hurt that much, and has shown capability to be special many times. His defense is already world-class and his ability to get to the rim and rebound is elite, which we know.

He'd be a semi-project but I think one worth taking on and trading higher-end assets on the team for.

Yeah I mean if he didn't have these issues he wouldn't be available. The character we hope is malleable enough and will be improved with maturity. But there's a longish history of him being... the way he is. But perhaps over time and the severity of where the situation with 76ers is changes his POV.

I think there's a lot to a player seeing that a team really wants him and is excited to incorporate the best of his game. It tends to make players more amenable to incremental changes until both sides are happy with what they've got. That's countered with his reported desire to go to Minny because his friends are there. You can't blame him, but from a competitive standpoint... yikes lol

If we acquire him it'll be a test of our culture and team's ability to maximize his full game. Chip is reportedly very excited at the prospect of working with Ben. And he fits our timeline as he's only about two months older than DJ!

I think with Ben surrounded by a supportive and hard working and amiable group - lots of our guys spend time off season together - it may work. I mean it pretty much has to, right? If by the end of his contract he wants to depart for more oceanic pastures we can deal with it then and get a great package for an improved player. Or he may want to stay! But we have to get him here first.

There's no doubt he's an intriguing and unique talent:

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And there's no doubt we're assuming some risk. We're well positioned to absorb it. Now it's 'only' a matter of the cost...

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Why waive a player on 4 million contract? Why not at least see him in training camp? Personality issue? Position issue? As a Bulls fan I am curious what the thought process was. He had a weird leave of absense from our team before he was traded

Yeah it's a fair question. On the outside, it looks like we basically paid $4M for a second round pick. I don't think that was Plan A, but the bottom case scenario.

We're talking about a guy who played 25 games last season - and fewer games in each of his three seasons - for only 95 in total. So health is an issue. Also, that weird tiktok video he posted trolling the Bulls after getting traded to the Wizards in which he laughed about helping his new team make the playoffs was a baaaaaaad baaaaaaad look for a player on the fringe of a career that's still on the rookie contract.

My sense is that we tried that to do something and when no deal materialized just accepted the cost for the pick. It doesn't affect our cap next season, a primary concern. It was just a flyer at a low cost for an asset.

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Interesting. I'm happy for KBD. He was who we reportedly wanted to draft but was selected just before our pick. He's been a good big body on D and has the athletic size we don't have a lot of. Good slasher and finisher, too. So that brings us up to 17 players again. I think Drew's contract is still not guaranteed for this season. I hope it does get guaranteed, but unless we're cutting two players, there has to be a trade, right?

EDIT to add:

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[imagump1313]

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Interesting. I'm happy for KBD. He was who we reportedly wanted to draft but was selected just before our pick. He's been a good big body on D and has the athletic size we don't have a lot of. Good slasher and finisher, too. So that brings us up to 17 players again. I think Drew's contract is still not guaranteed for this season. I hope it does get guaranteed, but unless we're cutting two players, there has to be a trade, right?

Maybe behind the scenes the league is going to expand the rosters for Covid?

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Interesting. I'm happy for KBD. He was who we reportedly wanted to draft but was selected just before our pick. He's been a good big body on D and has the athletic size we don't have a lot of. Good slasher and finisher, too. So that brings us up to 17 players again. I think Drew's contract is still not guaranteed for this season. I hope it does get guaranteed, but unless we're cutting two players, there has to be a trade, right?

Maybe behind the scenes the league is going to expand the rosters for Covid?

So far all info leads to the standard 15 contracts plus two two-ways. BUT it would be interesting if the NBA once again allowed the two-way players to play in the playoffs like they did last season as a Covid adjustment.

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And to that end:

Congratulations and good luck to Nate! From what I recall, he was Swiss Army knife impactful. The big body helps, too:

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Potential two-way signing, which if he sticks, makes the two we'll go ahead with as our second round pick Joe is already on a two-way deal.

EDIT to add:

Teams can convert Exhibit 10 contracts into two-way deals before the start of the season, but the Spurs signed Renfro for the purpose of having his rights for Austin. He won’t join the Spurs in camp.

https://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/Spurs-rookie-Josh-Primo-ready-for-G-League-16503022.php?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_medium=referral

[G R E Y]

As for some rumours, there are more of the what we haven't / won't do variety right now:

* Zach Lowe reported that we turned down protected first round picks for some of our young guys. I should bloody well hope so. We're not in the business of giving developing assets away for the mystery behind door number 1,2, or 3. We're in a youth movement, not a lose-now movement. Right when we're on the cusp of handing the responsibilities to the young guys we're supposed to give them away for protected picks? Why? For better overall assets, ok, but this doesn't make sense for us.

* Bobby Marks reports that Keldon Johnson is a no-go in any potential Ben Simmons trade. It's encouraging that Keldon is staying, and that we're still in the hunt for Ben. I think. It's a hot mess, getting hotter. And yet if he'd be open to us and a willing player, he'd be great for and with us.