12/21/24
June 23, 2009
The San Antonio Spurs send three players to Milwaukee, get Richard Jefferson in return.: The Bucks receive Bruce Bowen, Fabricio Oberto, and Kurt Thomas, all of whom are entering the final year of their contracts.
posted by Ufez Jones to basketball at 03:43 PM - 11 comments
Wonder how much the Spurs are losing by sending Bowen away. I always hated seeing that guy come in against the Mavs.
posted by rcade at 06:48 PM on June 23, 2009
There's talk of Milwaukee buying out Bowen's contract (only 50% is guaranteed) and Bruce landing back on the Spurs before pre-season even begins. That may just be speculation, but I wouldn't be shocked.
posted by Ufez Jones at 08:45 PM on June 23, 2009
Great move by the Spurs, b/c this makes them younger (i think), which they had to become. Also, i agree with some pundits that 2 years (when Jefferson comes off the books) is how much time Duncan & Ginobli have left at best (particularly Duncan).
posted by brainofdtrain at 11:05 PM on June 23, 2009
I love this trade as a Bucks fan. It was looking like they wouldn't be able to hang on to either Sessions or Villanueva and be stuck with RJ and his millions. They lost the talent war in this trade for sure but it allows them to keep guys with more potential and with salaries that don't cripple the team. CV may still be gone, though I was sure he was gone last year and it never happenned, I hope he stays somehow. I really have no idea what the demand will be for a guy like CV as a restricted free agent.
The Bucks also immediately shipped Oberto to Detroit for Amir Johnson. There's just so many more possibilities now then there was 24 hours ago.
Some good Bucks analysis can be found at Brewhoop with pretty charts. And yes, that's not a typo, Dan Gadzuric will make 7 mil in 10/11.
posted by tron7 at 02:19 AM on June 24, 2009
The Spurs, in trading Oberto, are lacking in size up front. Realistically, I think they would've done better trading Oberto straight up for Amir Johnson and bringing in a wing in the draft. That said, they'll still be a contender in the West.
posted by dfleming at 08:40 AM on June 24, 2009
Contenders? Maybe. There's still a lot of FA action to come down before the season starts (in the West alone, there's Boozer, Ariza, Odom, Artest, and whatever Phoenix decides to do with Shaq). San Antonio is still a good team, and Jefferson is an obvious upgrade over Fin, but their bench is still pretty suspect. Mason's a good player, and he had a breakout year, but he's not a PG. Timmy and Manu's health are legit concerns, but I think losing Parker for an extended period would be devastating for them. I may be biased since TP burns my Mavs so consistently, though.
Regardless, I doubt the Spurs are done tweaking their lineup. They've only got two or three seasons left in the Duncan as superstar era, if he stays healthy.
posted by Ufez Jones at 09:49 AM on June 24, 2009
San Antonio is still a good team, and Jefferson is an obvious upgrade over Fin, but their bench is still pretty suspect.
Agreed. I think Boston proved how bench depth is a killer if a star gets injured. If this team can stay reasonably healthy, they put 4 legitimate all-star potentials on the floor and an improving Mason. It's a big if, though.
I also think if Boozer stays in the West, San Antonio's going to need someone other than Bonner up front to help TD. They'll likely get Bowen back after he's bought out, but signing a veteran PF when they're already over the luxury tax is going to be hard.
posted by dfleming at 10:31 AM on June 24, 2009
Richard Jefferson is not legitimate all star potential. He's a nice, solid player who plays solid defense and can hit the corner 3 but his numbers have been in slow decline for a few years and I don't think he's anywhere near all star potential.
posted by tron7 at 12:08 PM on June 24, 2009
He's a nice, solid player who plays solid defense and can hit the corner 3 but his numbers have been in slow decline for a few years and I don't think he's anywhere near all star potential.
Two years ago was his highest scoring season and he put up 20 a game last year (3rd highest of his career). He's also 29 and no longer on a team of misfitting parts. His skills aren't declining, he's just not been playing for teams worth mentioning.
That said, he's (surprise to me) never made an all-star team.
posted by dfleming at 02:27 PM on June 24, 2009
And yes, that's not a typo, Dan Gadzuric will make 7 mil in 10/11.
What the... He's STEALING MONEY!
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 08:35 PM on June 24, 2009
Some good analysis on the salary and roster implications for San Antonio can be found at Pounding The Rock.