Interview: Buford Concentrating on Trade Possibilities to Improve Team
Well, this is interesting. R.C. seems to believe that his best chance of improving the Spurs team is by exploring trades, instead of using the draft or free agency.
12 months ago
Tim C.
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They already have, but what people fail to realize is that George Hill isn’t a capable point guard yet and installing him as one next year would be a total waste of Duncan’s last contracted year.
The better move is to trade Hill to a team in need of some fire power, but not necessarily a starting point guard.
While complacency costs, perseverance pays
Spurs can likely get better value out of Hill anyway. And it allows Spurs to move multiple players for roster spots.
Hill and/or Blair lumped in with a Dyess contract or RJ contract to make the deal go through.
They say every time Pop smiles, an angel is told to stop being so fu--ing lazy and play some defense. -Hipuks 2/3/11
It should be interesting but being that this ais point guard league, I don’t see Tony going anywhere. Especially since there’s not much chance of getting equal talent to replace him. RJ is the more likely suspect. Along with Dice’s contact and maybe the rights to some players.
"I've got Tim (Duncan) and you don't. That's the difference." -Gregg Popovich
If RJ and/or Dyess is going, you’ll likely see a Blair or Hill go as well.
They say every time Pop smiles, an angel is told to stop being so fu--ing lazy and play some defense. -Hipuks 2/3/11
Will Quinn be eligible to be traded (as a throw-in) around the time of the draft? I’m not sure if his contract has already expired or not. Including him would be mainly for the point of being able to have an extra million in matching contracts. I think Novak, Green and Butler’s contracts are far too small to bother including; particularly since they haven’t had much of a chance to show their value to other teams. I’d think other teams might ask for Neal as he’s demonstrated his value at a bargain price, though he seems less likely to be included in a trade that the players you’ve already mentioned. I would hope to see Anderson and Tiago back to have another year to show what they can do; though would rather Anderson were playing SG.
The reason I see Blair or Hill is for talent purposes, more than the “extra” contracts.
I think Quinn will be eligible though. Honestly, I think they’d want to keep him around since PG is such a weakness for them.
I think Butler is a sure thing to stay unless they don’t think he has game any longer and Green got some more play down the stretch.
I think teams would ask for Neal, but I think Spurs would be more willing to part with Hill from their depth at the 2. Hill stands to be paid soon whereas Neal is cheap and good for off the bench as a 2 (his most effective position).
I think Spurs could live with Manu/Anderson/Green at the 2 and Butler/Anderson at the 3. Lets assume RJ was the one who moved so i did not include him in the “3s”.
They say every time Pop smiles, an angel is told to stop being so fu--ing lazy and play some defense. -Hipuks 2/3/11
I agree totally, I was thinking of Quinn insofar as he would likely be released by the team acquiring him and the Spurs could then re-sign him if need be 30 days later. Package together just Hill & Blair and it would only match about $2.3M in salary. Add in Quinn and you could match an extra million. The other team might only want Hill & Blair but if the Spurs were looking at someone making over $3M the trade works with Quinn as a throw-in. Quinn is then let go and can sign again with the Spurs once the season starts.
worrisome yet at time hopeful news.
we know how the last major trade for the organization turned out (RJ in; bowen, thomas and fab out)
That doesn’t mean the next will turn out bad. Nor do we know if drafting a certain player or signing a certain player will turn out right. For the most part, Spurs do it right. No guarantees to anything, but the one thing a trade can do is move a decent amount of pieces, something you can’t do in free agency when you have only the MLE and the vet min.
They say every time Pop smiles, an angel is told to stop being so fu--ing lazy and play some defense. -Hipuks 2/3/11
An understandable point of view, but I still think that trade was a net positive. Fab and Bruce are retired(as well as the previous starting zombie/SF Finley), and KT probably should be retiring now, too. That would have left the Spurs in a very, very bad place… much worse than where they are with RJ.
Time to build a new dynasty from the ashes of the old one.
Agreed, it was a smart move even if it didn’t pan out the way we all hoped it would.
While complacency costs, perseverance pays
Yep. Every smart GM would have pretty much said yes to the deal.
They say every time Pop smiles, an angel is told to stop being so fu--ing lazy and play some defense. -Hipuks 2/3/11
From what I heard at the time we almost got Vince Carter instead, with refusing to include Tiago being the sticking point for the Spurs. It could have been MUCH worse, in other words.
"I know everthang they is to know about the shrimpin bidness."
That would have been fun. RJ has tried for the most part. VC is half player, half waste of money.
They say every time Pop smiles, an angel is told to stop being so fu--ing lazy and play some defense. -Hipuks 2/3/11
Yes. And we also have to consider that RJ is the 4th option at most. What other 4th options produce much? We treat him like he should be producing like a number 2 guy even though he gets such sparse opportunities.
Tiago Splitter > Matt Bonner
I agree with what your saying, but he gets paid like a #2 is the problem.
No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try.
Just a look at the starting SF’s through the league by salary.
Utah-AK47-17.8 m
Knicks-Melo-17.1 m
Miami-LBJ-14.5 m
Boston-Pierce-13.8 m
Philly-Iguodala-12.3m
Atlanta-Josh Smith- 11.7m
Chicago-Deng-11.3m
Pistons-Prince-11.1m
Pacers-Granger-10.9m
Blazer-Wallace-10.5m
Dallas-Butler-10.5m
Orland-Hedo-10.5m
Bobcats-Jackson-8.4m
Spurs-RJ-8.4m
New Jersey-outlaw-7m
Lakers-artest-6.3m
Hornets-ariza-6.3m
Thunder-Durant-6m
Kings-Garcia-5.5m
Timberwolves-Beasley-4.9m
Denver-Galo-4.1m
Golden State-Dorell wright-3.8m
Bucks-delfino-3.8m
Clippers-Moon-3.1m
Grizzles-Allen-3m
Wizards-Evans-2.5m
Raptors-Johnson-1.7
Rockets-Budinger-780,000
Cavs-Gee-641,000
Bolded means first contract.
So where do we think Rj should be if hes payed to much.
AKA Anthony Teegarden
I think his salary is perfectly fine. 2-3 years from now, however…
Time to build a new dynasty from the ashes of the old one.
Well his last year will probably still be valuable as an expiring. To be honest, it’s probably more valuable based off what the new CBA is likely going to be and the cap probably dropping due to it.
They say every time Pop smiles, an angel is told to stop being so fu--ing lazy and play some defense. -Hipuks 2/3/11
i dont like this
JUST LOOK WHAT HAPPEN WITH THE ORLANDO MAGIC
THEY HAD RASHARD LEWIS AND NOW THEY HAVE GILBERT ARENAS
IMAGINE WE HAVE RJ AND THEN WHAT …. O_O
You cannot seriously compare Otis Smith(The guy who wouldn’t pay Turkoglu the contract he wanted, then took him back at an even higher salary due to a trade kicker while decimating his frontcourt rotation to do so. Also, the guy who traded half his team for Vinc Carte.) to RC Buford. You just can’t. Now, if Buford makes a boneheaded, panicky move that messes up the team this summer, the comparison might be warranted.
Time to build a new dynasty from the ashes of the old one.
RC do not trade Tiago, RR, JA, Neal and maybe Butler and Green. I think if RC trades Tiago or JA he is going to trade the future of the team away. It will be interesting to see what RC does because we really need a C badly if we are going to beat LA and the Griz with thier big front lines.
No one will likely want Butler. Green’s contract is cheap and no one would likely take him. There are enough players on the team that can be moved if they need fillers. There’s no way they can trade Tiago as size is what the lack most. And Anderson, showed well early on, but no other teams saw enough to really take on him. Anderson and Tiago are fairly safe unless a super deal occurs, which won’t.
The guys who fit as the most likely to be traded would be Dyess (since he’s retiring), RJ (although it is more fan dislike than team dislike), Hill (final year of contract and their best talent to dangle) and Blair (cheap and full of talent).
They say every time Pop smiles, an angel is told to stop being so fu--ing lazy and play some defense. -Hipuks 2/3/11
I actually almost want them to trade Hill to free up some minutes for Anderson’s development next season. Almost. Neal can back up either guard position, and Anderson can back up either wing.
Time to build a new dynasty from the ashes of the old one.
Not when he’s at the 3 position. He’s still weak on the pick and roll D.
He’s good, but if he brings in a better net result, then Spurs still benefit. Butler is known for his D and Anderson showed good D pre-injury.
They say every time Pop smiles, an angel is told to stop being so fu--ing lazy and play some defense. -Hipuks 2/3/11
No, he isn’t. He can’t defend the most commonly run offensive play in the league[pick and roll].
He also doesn’t understand the “and roll” part on offense, but I digress.
Time to build a new dynasty from the ashes of the old one.
No one is saying he’s dog crap. However, lets not overrate him as well. His biggest fault is he didn’t really improve much over last year. His shooting was a lot more sporadic and he didn’t seem to embrace more responsibility. He had the green light to shoot and had to be reminded that.
They say every time Pop smiles, an angel is told to stop being so fu--ing lazy and play some defense. -Hipuks 2/3/11
I agree with you Tim. Hill is bad at the pick and roll on both ends, but it would be hard to find a solid replacement who isn’t. Hill defends well and provides a solid offensive threat. If he gets traded it has to be for the right piece.
"I've got Tim (Duncan) and you don't. That's the difference." -Gregg Popovich
Well, Spurs would not trade him for peanuts. They’d move him to improve their team. If it’s just a lateral trade that replaces him for someone similar, then of course they would not do it.
But the biggest problem is Neal is a 2 guard who can handle the ball somewhat. Then you also have Anderson with potentially Green and Butler right around the corner. All can play D. Both Green and Butler are known for D and Anderson pre-injury showed a pretty good ability.
They say every time Pop smiles, an angel is told to stop being so fu--ing lazy and play some defense. -Hipuks 2/3/11
I think, defensively all these guys are capable. The problem is finding a backup who can adequately run the pick and roll and defend it. This is why I think Manu will be better coming off the bench.
"I've got Tim (Duncan) and you don't. That's the difference." -Gregg Popovich
I’d prefer Manu coming off the bench because he’s the balancing force, but I doubt it’ll happen.
I just don’t think that Hill should stay around at all costs. If the right deal comes along you do it.
They say every time Pop smiles, an angel is told to stop being so fu--ing lazy and play some defense. -Hipuks 2/3/11
I would have to say that Georgie is an overrated defender. He has flashes of brilliance, but hes so damn inconsistent on both ends of the floor. Its strange. I think he has some sort of inferiority complex that materializes when Parker is taking the most shots.
A man gets the eye of a Tiger, but a Tiger gets the eye of a Manu.
He struggles to play well when he has to play the pg position. The other problem is he’s played the 3 position defending guys. part of that is lack of enough guys at the 3 and another is to get him on the floor.
Neal/Hill at the 2/3 can’t happen any longer. That unit just got smoked by the Grizz.
They say every time Pop smiles, an angel is told to stop being so fu--ing lazy and play some defense. -Hipuks 2/3/11
As I see it...
While complacency costs, perseverance pays
by B.diddy on Jun 8, 2011 6:16 PM CDT reply actions 6 recs
I like it, but there probably needs to be averages calculated on guys. like if Hill and/or Blair is gone, it’s likely because RJ is gone for instance.
They say every time Pop smiles, an angel is told to stop being so fu--ing lazy and play some defense. -Hipuks 2/3/11
We must go deeper!
A level within a level within another level.
They say every time Pop smiles, an angel is told to stop being so fu--ing lazy and play some defense. -Hipuks 2/3/11
I love this. Would you be interesed in expanding on this a little bit in a fanpost, with a brief explanation of why you put the each player where they are?
Time to build a new dynasty from the ashes of the old one.
I’m a bit confused since “untouchable” and “untradeable” mean the same thing to me. Since no one is in the lower left, it would seem no one is “untouchable/untradeable”? Blair, Bonner and Jefferson in the same lower right corner meaning they are “touchable”, but “untradeable”? The top left corner is in the “untouchable” category, but are tradeable?
If they are untouchable it’s because I think the Spurs would not trade them, if they are untradeable it’s because I don’t think their market value is very high for whatever reason.
Someone like Dwade would be considered highly tradeable because just about every team would throw the bank at the Heat to obtain him, but he’d also be highly untouchable because no way in hell does Riley trade him.
While complacency costs, perseverance pays
This makes me wonder… what players are both untradeable and untouchable?
If you're watching a blowout, you can pass the time by counting the double teapots.
Samurai Champloo > Macross
by doubleteapot on Jun 9, 2011 12:01 AM CDT up reply actions
I’ve seen a lot of great thoughts posted here and this is in reply to them all rather than one specific post. Here’s the kind of trade I’d like to see the Spurs pursue:
JEFFERSON and BLAIR_OR_DICE for a frontcourt player with two things, defense and pick-n-roll offense.
As grego’s been pointing out above, the most obvious options right now are either RJ + sweetener (in the form of a young, cheap player or Dice’s expiring) for a big contract, Tony Parker plus for multiple contracts, or trading George Hill. I’m not too keen on trading Tony or Hill – I think the guards are what makes the team work and we’d never be able to improve as much as we’d be set back by changing that.
I think we have to return to the days of having a placeholder at the small forward spot. The only thing that Bowen has in common with Bogans is value – the Spurs were trying to do the best they could with limited resources when acquiring both players and went for the type of player that’s a good value for their price. We need to go shopping again.
If we can do it on the cheap, we trade RJ plus for a lockdown defender and front-court soul-mate for Timmy. Dirk has Tyson Chandler to get the blocks, rebounds and put-backs that aren’t part of Nowitski’s game – we need a Joakim Noah type who can guard the frontcourt players Timmy can’t, play the pick and roll so that Tim can go back down to the block and above all else put the team defense back together.
Go Spurs Go
I’d expect that signing a restricted free agent may be tougher to do than having them signed and traded. In other words, trying to get Luc Mbah a Moute or a Wilson Chandler by signing them as restricted free agents likely wouldn’t work, while their teams would be less likely to be matching offers if they’re receiving some compensation. It seems you could possibly get one or the other for someone like Blair and perhaps a draft choice, then making available RJ, McDyess and Hill/Blair (whichever weren’t already traded) for another trade for a PF/C and backup PG.
If the new CBA has an amnesty clause, how might that affect the forums thoughts on that subject?
There are only two reasonable amnesty clause candidates in my mind SAM and Bonner.
While complacency costs, perseverance pays
The amnesty clause would require the Spurs to play the remainder of the contract while not counting against the cap and allowing that player to go play elsewhere? I don’t think they would have anyone that they would want to be on the hook to pay them while they play elsewhere. If the player were allowed to return to the team, which I don’t believe they could, then perhaps paying off Tim’s contract while removing it from the cap, but only if he could still return to the team.
There’s no way you use it on McDyess. He’s a trade asset. Spurs really don’t have one guy that would qualify. The only one who would would have been Jackie Butler a few years ago.
They say every time Pop smiles, an angel is told to stop being so fu--ing lazy and play some defense. -Hipuks 2/3/11
I didn’t pay attention to contracts and such back when we had Butler. How much did we pay him?
"He's the ultimate zone buster." – Bill Land on Gary Neal
"I like the fact that he’s a man." – Hubie Brown on DeJuan Blair
by Manu ex Machina on Jun 8, 2011 10:11 PM CDT up reply actions
I think it was 7-8M for 3 years, for doing nothing. In relative terms, it’s not that bad, but Spurs were a little more cap sensitive back then as well.
They say every time Pop smiles, an angel is told to stop being so fu--ing lazy and play some defense. -Hipuks 2/3/11
Ouch. That is quite a bit for a bench warmer.
"He's the ultimate zone buster." – Bill Land on Gary Neal
"I like the fact that he’s a man." – Hubie Brown on DeJuan Blair
by Manu ex Machina on Jun 9, 2011 11:06 AM CDT up reply actions
Amnesty is the best way for the Spurs to improve on the cheap. There will probably be a dozen good players available via amnesty. Players like Rashard Lewis, Elton Brand, Jose Calderon, maybe Brandon Roy would be players the Spurs should think about targeting. Adding Finley helped get a championship.
But, I doubt the Spurs would use amnesty themselves.
The problem is the Spurs would still have a tough time signing them just like they would in pure free agency. Finley was a nice pick up, but he was at the end of his career. That’s the big problem with a team that has a lot of established players (that isn’t the Lakers).
They say every time Pop smiles, an angel is told to stop being so fu--ing lazy and play some defense. -Hipuks 2/3/11
All the Spurs need to do is..
Get a big body to replace Dice
Develop Splitter.
Have Blair enroll in Jenny Craig and come back with both a jumper and a mean streak wrought by the way he finished the season.
Have Parker work on his game and vow to stop being so tentative in the first few games of a series.
Hold Manu out of the last 3 games of the regular season.
That’s all the Spurs need to do.
All this other stuff is imaginary drivel.
A man gets the eye of a Tiger, but a Tiger gets the eye of a Manu.
Actually, I think the Spurs need a burly, defensive shooting guard or small forward in addition to these things. Still doable.
A man gets the eye of a Tiger, but a Tiger gets the eye of a Manu.
Well aside from the size, Butler, Green, Anderson can fill some of the 2/3 needs. Obviously, through free agency, I would be hoping for Battier.
Both Green and Anderson showed positives last year. Butler, if he is fully healthy can probably be that same player.
They say every time Pop smiles, an angel is told to stop being so fu--ing lazy and play some defense. -Hipuks 2/3/11
Actually, historically, Parker has had solid first games in a series and had struggles in the later games. Usually that is a result of the teams adjusting and packing the paint in the past.
That series against the Lakers in 04 is a good example of that. He was dominating everyone and then Lakers packed the paint and no one could hit a shot outside of Manu/Devin Brown and Duncan.
They say every time Pop smiles, an angel is told to stop being so fu--ing lazy and play some defense. -Hipuks 2/3/11
This is my dream trade
Hill
Blair
RJ
Dice’s contract
for
Stephen Jackson
Tyrus Thomas
"He was just a young skinny guy who looked like a winner. We didn’t know he was going to be as good as he is."
—Popovich on Manu Ginobili
I’m sorry, but that’s giving away a lot to get very little back.
They say every time Pop smiles, an angel is told to stop being so fu--ing lazy and play some defense. -Hipuks 2/3/11
whoops, now looks better
Blair or Hill
RJ
Dice’s contract
for
Stephen Jackson
Tyrus Thomas
"He was just a young skinny guy who looked like a winner. We didn’t know he was going to be as good as he is."
—Popovich on Manu Ginobili
I love this trade. But, why would the Bobcats do it? We’d get their top scorer and shot blocker for garbage.
2 years ago, I was begging that Buford would trade for Stephen Jackson from the Warriors, but he was too gunshy after trading for Jefferson and signing McDyess. I have no doubt that offering a combo of Mason, Finley, Bonner, Mahinmi(all free agents to be) would have sealed the deal over the Radmanovic and injured for the season free agent to be Raja Bell.
I like it a lot. But sadly Pop would never trade for a guy like Tyrus Thomas. He has a lot of talent, but to grow he needs a special coach, someone who is really good at developing headcases. Popovich is not that guy. He would put Tyrus in the doghouse right away and forever
"Kevin Garnett once described defending Tim Duncan as "trying to guard a tree"
No comments on Pop’s “I don’t care what Tony Parker says” interview yet?
A casual diehard Spurs fan.
This is the Spurs’ version of a media war. Pretty hilarious. The thing about Pop, he is always such a smart-ass, but when he makes sarcastic comments while chuckling, your response has to be, “Ha, ha. Wait, maybe he really meant that. Hmm…” Pop leaves everyone guessing on these kinds of statements, which I think has its own brilliance.
All these GIFs are breaking my browser.
What could we offer Philly to get Thaddy Young?
can't forget Matty, if you did you'd feel gyped
like your sandwich ain't a sandwich without Miracle Whip
I think Dyess (expiring) and Hill would get that done in terms of value.
They say every time Pop smiles, an angel is told to stop being so fu--ing lazy and play some defense. -Hipuks 2/3/11
In terms of salary that would actually be overdoing it where it would put Philly to far over the cap. I’m not quite sure of the rules on compensation for restricted free agents. If the Spurs were to sign Young as a restricted free agent, can they offer any form of compensation such as a draft choice or cash to keep the offer from being matched? Or in order to provide compensation for a restricted free agent, would he have to be signed first by Philly and then a deal is done with the Spurs that would require matching up salaries?
Unfortunately, in this case, under the current CBA, they could only send young at that particular price and Spurs would have to match up through the sign and trade. Spurs would likely have to send a big contract + talent + filler depending on how much Young would require. Now if young went the sign directly to SA and Philly matched, he’d be stuck in Philly.
I actually didn’t look up the numbers for that deal, but it probably would be something like that, although I guess it depends on how much we think Young is actually worth.
They say every time Pop smiles, an angel is told to stop being so fu--ing lazy and play some defense. -Hipuks 2/3/11
At his current salary, a trade for Hill & McDyess would require Philly to add someone with a contract of about $1.8M, or what they pay Jrue Holiday. Quite possible someone might offer him that much of a raise, in which case if Philly matched it the trade with the Spurs would work. Then the question is whether the Spurs are better off with Thaddeus Young at nearly $5M (and is that just to backup RJ?) or giving Butler the minutes for a minimal salary.
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