Post by RManske2 on Jan 29, 2011 23:55:51 GMT -5
Spurs Head Into Free Agency[/b]
After drafting guard Marcus Williams in the lottery and picking up a D-League experiment in Renaldo Balkman in the second round, the San Antonio Spurs headed into free agency looking to bolster their roster. With approximately $12-13 million in available cap space, the team was hoping to be a key player in a free agency class with some potential.
Prior to the first signing day, the Spurs front office had a variety of deals on the table as the team had a multipart plan. On the one hand, the team was looking to land that one big name to help boost them in the standings. This was evident by the fact San Antonio offered a 6-year maximum deals to possibly the biggest three names on the market in Shaquille O'Neal, Jerry Stackhouse, and Antoine Walker. However, the team's plans quickly fell apart as these three stars all resigned with their respective teams. With the big names off the board, San Antonio resorted to the next part of their plan which was to try to land quality players with smaller contracts and continue to build around their young core of players.
With names on the market such as Alonzo Mourning, Carlos Boozer, Predrag Stojakovic among others, the Spurs faithful were likely very disappointed following the first round of signings as the only player they were able to sign was Ime Udoka, the 29-year old veteran that played for the Portland State Vikings during his college days. Averaging just 22 minutes and 6 points per game over his career, Udoka signed a 3 year deal with the Spurs starting at $2 million per season to provide the team some depth at the small foward/shooting guard positions. The team was impressed with Udoka's ability to hit the outside shot and to play tough perimeter defense and gave the veteran the opportunity to start during the preseason to see what he could do. As it is only preseason, it could be compared to practice (insert Allen Iverson reference here www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHJDRgVwcP8), Udoka showed the team that he has some skill as he averaged 16 points in 34 minutes per game. The team is looking for Udoka to play a key role coming off the bench this season.
The Spurs are hoping that Grant Hill can provide the team with some leadership along with some much needed offense.
After striking out on some of the big names during days 1 and 2, San Antonio went back to the drawing board and reevaluated their offers and made another run at some of the players they were interested in. However, much like days 1 and 2, days 3 and 4 of free agency were a disappointment for the team as some of the players they were hoping to land decided against the Alamo City. However, San Antonio was able to acquire veteran Grant Hill on a 2-year deal worth a total of $12.6 million. Although at the age of 34, some might think Hill is on the decline but San Antonio was happy to acquire the one time Duke Blue Devil for a variety of reasons. Following the Tracy McGrady deal last season, the team did not have an answer at the small forward position and the Spurs are hoping that Hill is a temporary answer with his offensive game. Perhaps more important than his offense is Hill's ability to play tough defense as the Spurs are looking to build a more defensive-minded team since they realize they will have difficulty outscoring teams on a nightly basis. Due to his past success (and age), the Spurs decided to sit Hill during the preseason so nobody is quite sure what he will do when he finally puts on the Spurs uniform and is in the starting lineup opening night.
The final day of free agency saw the Spurs put bids in on a variety of players for a one-year deal worth $5.4 million to use their available cap space and pick up a player that could be used as salary filler. While there were some players still available that could help a team, San Antonio signed one time lottery pick Flip Murray. A quick look at his stats would show that Murray could be considered a bust in the league. Many within the front office believe Murray will see very limited minutes as he is listed as the third shooting guard on the depth chart and could figure in a trade down the road if the Spurs decide to make a move.
With free agency over, the Spurs were unable to land the blockbuster player they were hoping for but were able to find themselves a starting small forward and a bit of depth to put on the bench for a reasonable price. As the roster begins to take shape, the team headed into training camp with the goal of getting better and making it back to the playoffs (Playoffs? www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oSFYxDGKy8P) this season.
After drafting guard Marcus Williams in the lottery and picking up a D-League experiment in Renaldo Balkman in the second round, the San Antonio Spurs headed into free agency looking to bolster their roster. With approximately $12-13 million in available cap space, the team was hoping to be a key player in a free agency class with some potential.
Prior to the first signing day, the Spurs front office had a variety of deals on the table as the team had a multipart plan. On the one hand, the team was looking to land that one big name to help boost them in the standings. This was evident by the fact San Antonio offered a 6-year maximum deals to possibly the biggest three names on the market in Shaquille O'Neal, Jerry Stackhouse, and Antoine Walker. However, the team's plans quickly fell apart as these three stars all resigned with their respective teams. With the big names off the board, San Antonio resorted to the next part of their plan which was to try to land quality players with smaller contracts and continue to build around their young core of players.
With names on the market such as Alonzo Mourning, Carlos Boozer, Predrag Stojakovic among others, the Spurs faithful were likely very disappointed following the first round of signings as the only player they were able to sign was Ime Udoka, the 29-year old veteran that played for the Portland State Vikings during his college days. Averaging just 22 minutes and 6 points per game over his career, Udoka signed a 3 year deal with the Spurs starting at $2 million per season to provide the team some depth at the small foward/shooting guard positions. The team was impressed with Udoka's ability to hit the outside shot and to play tough perimeter defense and gave the veteran the opportunity to start during the preseason to see what he could do. As it is only preseason, it could be compared to practice (insert Allen Iverson reference here www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHJDRgVwcP8), Udoka showed the team that he has some skill as he averaged 16 points in 34 minutes per game. The team is looking for Udoka to play a key role coming off the bench this season.
The Spurs are hoping that Grant Hill can provide the team with some leadership along with some much needed offense.
After striking out on some of the big names during days 1 and 2, San Antonio went back to the drawing board and reevaluated their offers and made another run at some of the players they were interested in. However, much like days 1 and 2, days 3 and 4 of free agency were a disappointment for the team as some of the players they were hoping to land decided against the Alamo City. However, San Antonio was able to acquire veteran Grant Hill on a 2-year deal worth a total of $12.6 million. Although at the age of 34, some might think Hill is on the decline but San Antonio was happy to acquire the one time Duke Blue Devil for a variety of reasons. Following the Tracy McGrady deal last season, the team did not have an answer at the small forward position and the Spurs are hoping that Hill is a temporary answer with his offensive game. Perhaps more important than his offense is Hill's ability to play tough defense as the Spurs are looking to build a more defensive-minded team since they realize they will have difficulty outscoring teams on a nightly basis. Due to his past success (and age), the Spurs decided to sit Hill during the preseason so nobody is quite sure what he will do when he finally puts on the Spurs uniform and is in the starting lineup opening night.
The final day of free agency saw the Spurs put bids in on a variety of players for a one-year deal worth $5.4 million to use their available cap space and pick up a player that could be used as salary filler. While there were some players still available that could help a team, San Antonio signed one time lottery pick Flip Murray. A quick look at his stats would show that Murray could be considered a bust in the league. Many within the front office believe Murray will see very limited minutes as he is listed as the third shooting guard on the depth chart and could figure in a trade down the road if the Spurs decide to make a move.
With free agency over, the Spurs were unable to land the blockbuster player they were hoping for but were able to find themselves a starting small forward and a bit of depth to put on the bench for a reasonable price. As the roster begins to take shape, the team headed into training camp with the goal of getting better and making it back to the playoffs (Playoffs? www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oSFYxDGKy8P) this season.
