Based on the rumored free agency targets we've heard about so far and the trades and draft picks that were made last week, is there a method to the madness or has the team lost its collective mind? The Wing position(s): - Martell's 5+ million dollars a year deal exchanged for a 1.5 million $ rookie in Babbitt. - Supposedly in talks with Roger Mason (I would assume a veteran's minimum type contract) - Interested in Wes Matthews and Anthony Morrow, two restricted free agents. Point guard: - Drafted a taller, longer Bayless clone in Williams with a reputation as a solid defender (Shades of Russell Westbrook?). Tough to say how he'll fit in as rookie. - Reportedly persuing Jordan Farmar (with either the BAE or part of their MLE I assume?) - Drafted Armon Johnson, a Ramon Sessions clone (at least according to Kevin Pelton's player comp tool) cheap at 450K a year. Conclusion: Batum is the clear cut starter and should be able to get 35 minutes a night (barring any trades or injuries). I think these moves and reported intentinos, send a pretty clear message that the team is planning to move on with or without Rudy. Also I think Bayless' days as a Blazer could be numbered, or at least the team is trying to develop contingencies if he can't hack it at as the team's backup "point" this year. And lastly, obviously Miller isn't getting any younger and if they can't swing him in a trade for a clear upgrade at the point, it looks like they're willing to settle for low cost replacements, likely hoping that Farmar can provide, cheap, adequate backup production in the short term and crossing their fingers that one of Johnson or Williams can develop in time into either a starter or competent backup. I still think trades are out there to be made (and will eventually be pursued), but as much as we'd all love to see a CP3 to Portland deal, the odds are probably against it happening. If not much movement is made this off-season it looks like they are willing to reset the bench and round out the roster with guys with maybe less potential, but possibly fewer question marks about their willingness and suitability to play a bench role, while still adding some youth into the talent pipeline with time to develop. If anything I see two strategies at play here. Firstly, this is pure Spurs moneyball -- rounding out the bottom half of your roster with low cost players with defensive potential or the ability to space the floor. Secondly, it tells me that there is an effort underway to not only add low cost bench guys, but they are trying balance the roster's distribution of ages. Or maybe this is a rudderless ship with no plan at all ...
Seems rather confusing to me. At least all of the leaked names we have heard have been guards, either 1s or 2s. Haven't heard any big men mentioned. Would seem, with our roster currently at Miller/Bayless/Johnson Roy/Rudy/Williams Batum/Babbitt/Cunningham Aldridge/Pendergraph Oden/Camby/Przybilla That they would have a trade lined up if they're looking at adding in MORE guards. What I don't understand, if they have a deal they like, wouldn't it be easier to entice those fre agents to come here if some of the log jam was cleared? Say we moved Miller, Bayless and Rudy for Tony Parker. Wouldn't a guy like Matthews, Mason, Farmar, etc. be more inclined to come, when they can see where they would actually get minutes, as opposed to listening to a sell of, we're hoping to make a trade, then there'll be time for you. Matthews started for Utah, I can't imagine looking currently at our depth chart, he'd be too excited about coming here. Same for Farmar, knowing he'd be behind Miller and also Bayless. Of course, they could just be reaching out to 5 or 6 guys, figuring hey, we like all of them roughly the same, so we're showing our interest off the bat, and then will swoop in after we can pull off a deal.
Rudy is gone. It's painfully obvious. Probably Bayless too. I didn't hear about Desmond Mason. You mean Roger Mason?
