San Antonio Spurs - Did they forget about FA?!?!?
Aug 4, 2016 0:20:17 GMT
Post by saspurs on Aug 4, 2016 0:20:17 GMT
With 10m in soft cap space, and only one protected player to negotiate with, the Spurs entered one of the most talent-rich Free Agency years in GAH history, dove into the FA pool and grabbed: NOBODY
Spurs decided to sign all three 2nd round picks, and then offered Vernon Maxwell a nominal contract to return as SG backup, and then offered and got Mitch Richmond to return, although he was less then pleased in his market value.
So, 15 players on the roster, only TWO making over $3m a year, and truly no real promise of a better year.
Returning Players
Ralph Sampson: Most likely back at Center full time. Power forward now handed over to youngsters.
Mitch Richmond: Returns to be primary scorer. Might not get as many minutes as last year, as Maxwell proved he could score just as much
Vern Fleming: Allowed to be #1 point again. Might not be smart, but big Point that I think can do well
Randy Brown: Want to have him get on court and play defense. Minutes will rise if team struggles
Johnny Moore: Solid veteran point, who is reaching end of career. Can still play though
Ken Norman: Not sure if he starts this year now or not. Probably out of the gate, with Marcus Liberty pushing for minutes
Kurt Nimphius: Probably will ride pine most of year while young players develop. Not a bad reserve though when called upon
Terry Mills: Another player Spurs waiting to see break out and show ability. Will get minutes at PF to prove himself.
LeRon Ellis: Played sparingly and showed some promise. Not sure where his minutes will come with Gatling here now.
Vernon Maxwell: MadMax signed late last year, and averaged 28ppg in the last week when team prepping for playoffs. Richmond's twin.
Drafted Rookies that make roster:
P.J. Brown: Defense and rebounding. His specialty, and should start from day one on this squad
Chris Gatling: Appears in camp to have a lot of ability, scoring, rebounding, and defense. Only downside is he doesn't block much
Marcus Liberty: With plenty of places to upgrade in FA, surprised to bank on Liberty as a solid player. Good defense, can score a little.
Sam Mack: Can do nothing much except shoot the 3-ball. Will be a liability on the defensive side
Elmore Spencer: Project Center with upside...but they already have that in LeRon Ellis. Surprised he was kept.
Veteran players coming over in trade:
NONE
Players signed in FA:
Besides returning Richmond and Maxwell ----> NONE
Players not returning:
Chris Dudley: Selected in the expansion draft. Wasn't going to play anymore with young prospects now
Pooh Richardson: Did well for us, but we wanted to go different direction
Otis Birdsong: Was not going to see any court time, so did him a favor and let him go elsewhere
Terry Tyler: Solid veteran who, like Birdsong, wasn't going to see time with youngsters coming on
Tom Hammonds: Love Tom as a reserve, but no place for him. Always will be a FA pickup if we find a need.
Given all the changes this offseason.....might still be a playoff team at ~.500 ball.
ljw
SAS
Spurs decided to sign all three 2nd round picks, and then offered Vernon Maxwell a nominal contract to return as SG backup, and then offered and got Mitch Richmond to return, although he was less then pleased in his market value.
So, 15 players on the roster, only TWO making over $3m a year, and truly no real promise of a better year.
Returning Players
Ralph Sampson: Most likely back at Center full time. Power forward now handed over to youngsters.
Mitch Richmond: Returns to be primary scorer. Might not get as many minutes as last year, as Maxwell proved he could score just as much
Vern Fleming: Allowed to be #1 point again. Might not be smart, but big Point that I think can do well
Randy Brown: Want to have him get on court and play defense. Minutes will rise if team struggles
Johnny Moore: Solid veteran point, who is reaching end of career. Can still play though
Ken Norman: Not sure if he starts this year now or not. Probably out of the gate, with Marcus Liberty pushing for minutes
Kurt Nimphius: Probably will ride pine most of year while young players develop. Not a bad reserve though when called upon
Terry Mills: Another player Spurs waiting to see break out and show ability. Will get minutes at PF to prove himself.
LeRon Ellis: Played sparingly and showed some promise. Not sure where his minutes will come with Gatling here now.
Vernon Maxwell: MadMax signed late last year, and averaged 28ppg in the last week when team prepping for playoffs. Richmond's twin.
Drafted Rookies that make roster:
P.J. Brown: Defense and rebounding. His specialty, and should start from day one on this squad
Chris Gatling: Appears in camp to have a lot of ability, scoring, rebounding, and defense. Only downside is he doesn't block much
Marcus Liberty: With plenty of places to upgrade in FA, surprised to bank on Liberty as a solid player. Good defense, can score a little.
Sam Mack: Can do nothing much except shoot the 3-ball. Will be a liability on the defensive side
Elmore Spencer: Project Center with upside...but they already have that in LeRon Ellis. Surprised he was kept.
Veteran players coming over in trade:
NONE
Players signed in FA:
Besides returning Richmond and Maxwell ----> NONE
Players not returning:
Chris Dudley: Selected in the expansion draft. Wasn't going to play anymore with young prospects now
Pooh Richardson: Did well for us, but we wanted to go different direction
Otis Birdsong: Was not going to see any court time, so did him a favor and let him go elsewhere
Terry Tyler: Solid veteran who, like Birdsong, wasn't going to see time with youngsters coming on
Tom Hammonds: Love Tom as a reserve, but no place for him. Always will be a FA pickup if we find a need.
Given all the changes this offseason.....might still be a playoff team at ~.500 ball.
ljw
SAS