San Antonio Spurs Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Jimmy Butler Expected To Play In Wolves’ Season Opener

October 14th, 2018 at 7:58pm CST by JD Shaw

7:58 pm: Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic has reported that Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor made a rare visit to a team practice and actually met with Butler to discuss the current situation. Krawczynski reveals that Taylor and Butler came to an agreement during the meeting, with Butler agreeing to play in games at his usual competitiveness level while the team continues to work on finding a trade for the disgruntled star.

As noted below, talks between the Heat and Timberwolves over a potential Butler deal are reportedly dead at the moment, making it very likely that Butler will be suiting up for the Timberwolves for the foreseeable future.

1:08 pm: Timberwolves guard Jimmy Butler is expected to play in the team’s season opener against the Spurs on Wednesday, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link). Butler practiced with the team Sunday for the first time since he erupted during a scrimmage last week.

Charania also adds that the trade talks between the Heat and Timberwolves are dead for now, not ruling out the possibility of them restarting in the future. The teams were close to finalizing a deal centered around Butler and others one week ago, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported, but the deal fractured just before completion.

Butler planned to practice with the team again this past Thursday, but Minnesota canceled the session in the morning. He has no desire to forfeit guaranteed money from games, and his immediate future with the team remains unclear.

The Timberwolves’ schedule after Wednesday includes a home game against Cleveland on Friday, followed by a road contest against Dallas on Saturday. Butler knows the possibility of getting booed at home exists amid the trade request that’s spanned over three weeks.

“Sure. Go ahead, boo me,” Butler told The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski (Twitter link). “It ain’t going to change the way I play. That’s going to make me smile more. So please, come on with it.”

Butler’s original trade request came with three preferred teams, according to an ESPN.com report: Brooklyn, New York and the Los Angeles Clippers. The Nets and Knicks have had no traction with Minnesota to this point, and the Clippers believe they can convince Butler to sign with the club in free agency next summer.

Butler reportedly adjusted his list three weeks ago and named the Heat as his new top destination, as The New York Times’ Marc Stein reported. So far, the Heat have been unwilling to throw away each of their future pieces for a talent that can leave the team in nine months as a free agent.

Butler, 29, remains an accomplished two-way forward and consensus top-15 player in the NBA. His competitive spirit, fearless attitude and hard-pressed mindset intrigues teams looking for a star talent on the wing.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Spurs Waive Okaro White, Nick Johnson

October 13th, 2018 at 1:11pm CST by Luke Adams

The Spurs have removed a pair of players from their preseason roster, announcing today in a press release that they’ve waived forward Okaro White and guard Nick Johnson.

White, who missed a good chunk of the 2017/18 campaign with a broken foot, was waived by the Cavaliers in August and joined the Spurs for camp. Formerly a member of the Heat, the Florida State alum has appeared in 41 NBA games over the last two seasons for Miami, averaging 2.9 PPG and 2.3 RPG in 13.4 minutes per contest.

Johnson, meanwhile, hasn’t played in the NBA since a 28-game stretch with the Rockets during the 2014/15 season. However, he has thrived in the G League, earning NBAGL Finals MVP honors last season for the Austin Spurs. Given the injuries to San Antonio point guards Dejounte Murray and Derrick White this fall, Johnson seemed to have an increased chance of making the Spurs’ roster to start the season, but he’ll hit waivers instead.

San Antonio now has 15 players on standard contracts and one on a two-way deal. I believe Manu Ginobili, who announced his retirement this summer, is also technically still under contract with the team, since his release has yet to show up in the NBA’s transactions logs. If so, the Spurs figure to release him by Monday to finalize their regular season roster.

Spurs’ Derrick White To Miss 6-8 Weeks

October 12th, 2018 at 1:05pm CST by Luke Adams

1:05pm: The Spurs have provided an official update on White, announcing that he suffered a left plantar fascia tear. The press release didn’t provide a specific timeline for his return.

10:23am: The Spurs‘ injury luck has gone from bad to worse this preseason, as a third San Antonio player – and second point guard – is expected to miss an extended period of time. Derrick White has suffered a heel injury and will be sidelined for six to eight weeks, according to head coach Gregg Popovich (Twitter link via Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express-News).

It’s a bad break for White, who had been poised to take on a larger role for the Spurs with starting point guard Dejounte Murray expected to miss the entire season with a torn ACL. Initial reports in the wake of Murray’s injury suggested that San Antonio would replace him from within, but with White also on the shelf now, it’s possible those plans could change.

Patty Mills and non-guaranteed camp invitee Nick Johnson are now the only healthy point guards on the roster, though DeMar DeRozan figures to assume some of the ball-handling duties. The Spurs could keep an eye on the waiver wire in the next few days — if any reliable veteran point guards become available, they could be of interest to San Antonio.

White, the Spurs’ first-round pick in 2017, played limited minutes in his rookie season, averaging 3.2 PPG and 1.5 RPG in 17 games (8.2 MPG). With Tony Parker no longer on the roster, San Antonio was set to lean more heavily on White in 2018/19, even before Murray went down. That likely won’t happen until December now.

Meanwhile, this year’s first-round pick – Lonnie Walker – is also expected to be out until at least mid- to late-November after undergoing knee surgery.

Spurs Waive Josh Huestis

October 11th, 2018 at 12:32pm CST by Luke Adams

Two days after signing him, the Spurs have waived forward Josh Huestis, the team announced today in a press release.

While Huestis’ stint with San Antonio was brief, today’s move doesn’t come as a surprise. As Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express-News wrote on Wednesday, Huestis continues to recover from a Jones fracture in his right foot, which he suffered in a September 12 workout. The Spurs hope to have the former first-round pick play for their G League affiliate in Austin once he’s healthy.

Huestis, 26, spent his rookie season in the G League before joining the Thunder in 2015/16. After appearing in just seven games for Oklahoma City over his first two NBA seasons, the 6’7″ forward earned a rotation role last season. However, he didn’t make much of an impact, averaging 2.3 PPG and 2.3 RPG with a .330/.287/.300 shooting line in 69 games (14.2 MPG). He was an unrestricted free agent this summer.

With Huestis no longer on the roster, the Spurs have an opening on their 20-man preseason squad for now.

Spurs Sign Josh Huestis To Exhibit 10 Deal

October 9th, 2018 at 2:12pm CST by Luke Adams

2:12pm: The Spurs have made it official, announcing in a press release that they’ve signed Huestis.

1:05pm: The Spurs appear set to fill the open spot on their 20-man preseason roster by signing Josh Huestis, according to Michael Scotto of The Athletic, who reports (via Twitter) that Huestis and the Spurs have agreed to an Exhibit 10 deal. Word of the agreement comes more than a month after reports indicated that Huestis had received a camp invite from San Antonio.

A first-round pick in 2014, Huestis played a season in the G League before joining the Thunder in 2015/16. After appearing in just seven games for Oklahoma City over his first two NBA seasons, the 6’7″ forward earned a rotation role last season. However, he didn’t make much of an impact, averaging 2.3 PPG and 2.3 RPG with a .330/.287/.300 shooting line in 69 games (14.2 MPG).

Because the Thunder had turned down their fourth-year option on Huestis’ rookie scale contract, he became an unrestricted free agent this summer. The 26-year-old remained on the market for over three months before agreeing to sign with the Spurs.

While the Spurs have a potential opening on their 15-man regular season squad, Huestis will be an underdog to claim that spot. Veteran swingman Quincy Pondexter, who has a partial guarantee worth $150K, looks like a better bet to become San Antonio’s 15th man, assuming the team even carries a full roster into the season. Exhibit 10 contracts can be converted into two-way deals though, so that could be an option for Huestis. The Spurs have about a week to make their roster decisions for opening night.

2018/19 Over/Unders: Southwest Division

October 9th, 2018 at 12:19pm CST by Luke Adams

The 2018/19 NBA regular season will get underway in just seven days, which means it’s time to start getting serious about predictions for the upcoming campaign. With the help of the lines from Bovada and the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook, we’re running through the predicted win totals for each of the NBA’s 30 teams, by division, to have you weigh in on whether you think those forecasts are too optimistic or too pessimistic.

Having kicked things off with the Atlantic on Monday, we’re moving onto the Southwest today…

Houston Rockets

2017/18 record: 65-17
Over/under for 2018/19: 56.5 wins
Major offseason moves:
- Added: Carmelo Anthony, James Ennis, Michael Carter-Williams, Brandon Knight, Marquese Chriss, Isaiah Hartenstein
- Lost: Trevor Ariza, Ryan Anderson, Luc Mbah a Moute, Tarik Black, Joe Johnson, Chinanu Onuaku

(Trade Rumors app users, click here for Rockets poll)

New Orleans Pelicans

2017/18 record: 48-34
Over/under for 2018/19: 45.5 wins
Major offseason moves:
- Added: Julius Randle, Elfrid Payton, Jahlil Okafor, Jarrett Jack
- Lost: DeMarcus Cousins, Rajon Rondo, DeAndre Liggins, Emeka Okafor

(Trade Rumors app users, click here for Pelicans poll)

San Antonio Spurs

2017/18 record: 47-35
Over/under for 2018/19: 44.5 wins
Major offseason moves:
- Added: DeMar DeRozan, Marco Belinelli, Jakob Poeltl, Dante Cunningham, Lonnie Walker, Chimezie Metu
- Lost: Kawhi Leonard, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, Kyle Anderson, Danny Green, Brandon Paul, Joffrey Lauvergne

(Trade Rumors app users, click here for Spurs poll)

Dallas Mavericks

2017/18 record: 24-58
Over/under for 2018/19: 34.5 wins
Major offseason moves:
- Added: DeAndre Jordan, Luka Doncic, Devin Harris, Jalen Brunson, Ryan Broekhoff
- Lost: Yogi Ferrell, Doug McDermott, Nerlens Noel, Seth Curry, Kyle Collinsworth

(Trade Rumors app users, click here for Mavericks poll)

Memphis Grizzlies

2017/18 record: 22-60
Over/under for 2018/19: 34.5 wins
Major offseason moves:
- Added: Kyle Anderson, Jaren Jackson Jr., Garrett Temple, Omri Casspi, Shelvin Mack, Jevon Carter
- Lost: Tyreke Evans, Mario Chalmers, Deyonta Davis, Jarell Martin, Ben McLemore, Kobi Simmons

(Trade Rumors app users, click here for Grizzlies poll)

Previous voting results:

Atlantic:

Boston Celtics (59.5 wins): Over (53.63%)
Toronto Raptors (55.5 wins): Over (56.95%)
Philadelphia 76ers (54.5 wins): Under (51.19%)
Brooklyn Nets (31.5 wins): Under (56.04%)
New York Knicks (28.5 wins): Under (54.13%)

Spurs Plan To Replace Murray From Within

October 8th, 2018 at 9:31pm CST by Dana Gauruder

There’s no sign the Spurs will acquire a point guard via trade or free agency in the aftermath of Dejounte Murray‘s season-ending knee injury, Jabari Young of The Athletic reports.

Murray was diagnosed with a torn right ACL after suffering the knee injury against the Rockets on Sunday. San Antonio is prepared to go into the season with Derrick White, its first-round pick out of Colorado last year, as the starter. White appeared in 17 games in his rookie campaign but the Spurs would prefer to leave veteran Patty Mills on the second unit, Young continues.

Discussions with veteran free agent guard Jamal Crawford did not gain traction, Young adds.

Coach Gregg Popovich wouldn’t commit to White as the starter but that appears to be the path he’ll choose.

“We know what his skills are,” Popovich told Young and other media members. “But we have to wait to see who works with who the best and what seems to fit spacing-wise and how many basketballs we might need at a specific time in a game. But wherever we put Derrick, he’s going to be in the mix someplace.”

White posted solid numbers in the G League last season after recovering from a wrist fracture and continued to fill the stat sheet in summer league play, Spencer Davies of Basketball Insiders notes.

Murray’s strength is defense while White is considered a better shooter. White possesses a better mid-range shot than Murray and has drawn comparisons to former Spurs guard George Hill.

Leaving Mills on the second unit with Marco Belinelli, Davis Bertans, Bryn Forbes, and either Pau Gasol or Jakob Poeltl would be a better fit since he can look to score more often with that group, according to Young.

Spurs Waive Jaron Blossomgame

October 8th, 2018 at 1:50pm CST by Luke Adams

The Spurs have waived former second-round pick Jaron Blossomgame, according to Jabari Young of The Athletic (Twitter link). The move opens up a spot on San Antonio’s 20-man preseason roster.

Blossomgame, who played his college ball at Clemson, was drafted by the Spurs with the 59th overall pick in 2017. He signed a G League contract for his rookie season, becoming a starting forward for an Austin Spurs squad that won the NBAGL championship this past spring.

In 50 games (48 starts) last season, Blossomgame averaged 16.5 PPG and 8.1 RPG. He also played for San Antonio’s Summer League team this July, posting 13.0 PPG and 7.6 RPG in five contests in Las Vegas.

Those performances earned Blossomgame a camp invite, but now that he has been waived by the Spurs, San Antonio will no longer hold his NBA rights. The 25-year-old could still end up playing for Austin in the G League, but he’ll be free to sign with any other NBA team if he clears waivers later this week.

Spurs’ Dejounte Murray Suffers Torn ACL

October 8th, 2018 at 12:00pm CST by Luke Adams

The Spurs received some very bad news on Monday, as an MRI on Dejounte Murray‘s injured right knee revealed a torn ACL, the team announced in a press release. According to the club, a timeline for Murray’s return will be determined at a later date. However, he seems likely to miss the 2018/19 season, as head coach Gregg Popovich acknowledged today (Twitter link via Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News).

The injury, which occurred during Sunday’s preseason game against the Rockets, is a massive blow for the Spurs. The 22-year-old took over point guard starting duties from Tony Parker last season, and was named to the NBA’s All-Defensive Second Team. With Parker, Manu Ginobili, and Kawhi Leonard no longer members of the Spurs, Murray was being counted on to play a key role at both ends of the court for San Antonio in 2018/19.

With Murray sidelined, the Spurs figure to lean more heavily on Patty Mills and Derrick White at the point. DeMar DeRozan also figures to assume some ball-handling duties on offense, but none of those players will provide the sort of elite perimeter defense that Murray did.

It has been a rough month so far for the Spurs, who announced over the weekend that first-round pick Lonnie Walker sustained a right medial meniscus tear. Walker, who was scheduled to undergo surgery to repair that injury today, is expected to miss approximately six to eight weeks.

With upwards of a dozen Western Conference teams set to compete for playoff spots in 2018/19, the Spurs have little margin for error as they look to extend their 21-year postseason streak. Murray’s absence will make it even more challenging to secure a top-eight spot in the West.

Walker Has Torn His Meniscus Before

October 7th, 2018 at 1:00pm CST by Arthur Hill

The torn meniscus that is expected to keep Spurs rookie Lonnie Walker out for six to eight weeks is the second one of his career, notes Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express News. He suffered the same injury last July before his freshman season at Miami and was ready for the opening game in November. Walker will have knee surgery Monday and a more exact timetable will be set for his return.