Tim Duncan Tony Parker & Manu are good reasons... was Buford the GM who drafted them? I don't think I'm smarter then RC (never met the guy or heard him speak so... ) but I do try to do a little fact checking before posting. Also, Richard Jefferson may be an upgrade over a 38 year old Bruce Bowen & Ime, but I wouldn't trade any of those guys for Batum... do you think Buford might? STOMP
Of course he would trade Batum for a vet. His team is in "win now" mode. He would be a damn fool if he wasted the last couple of years of Duncan's prime by surrounding him with nothing but "projects". (no matter how bright their future)
check out Jefferson's recent seasonal stats. He's on a downward trend probably related to the bit of bounce he's lost. He did shoot 40% from 3's last year and he launched from there more often then ever before, but other then that he mostly posted numbers below his career averages despite enjoying a season where he was healthy enough to play in all 82 games. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jefferi01.html but I can certainly see why a GM for an older team might want to go with the vet over a promising youngin'. I doubt Portland gives up much if any production at the SF spot this year though. My main point, and it seems yours, is that a team's situation including the age of it's roster and cap can play into what the right move for the GM is to make. STOMP
