San Antonio Spurs Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Spurs Sign James Anderson

November 21st, 2012 at 9:34am CST by Luke Adams

The Spurs have officially signed James Anderson, the club announced today in a press release. ESPN.com's Marc Stein reported yesterday that Anderson was expected to rejoin the Spurs, in the wake of injuries to Kawhi Leonard and Stephen Jackson.

Although San Antonio is calling Anderson up from the D-League, the 23-year-old had joined the Rio Grande Valley Vipers as a free agent rather than as a Spurs asignee. As such, Anderson will fill the Spurs' 15th and final roster spot.

Anderson was a member of the Spurs last season, but the club didn't pick up its 2012/13 option on the Oklahoma State product, making him an unrestricted free agent at season's end. He joined the Hawks for training camp and the preseason, but failed to earn a spot on Atlanta's roster.

According to Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News, Anderson's deal is believed to be non-guaranteed. That would give the Spurs the opportunity to cut him without taking much of a cap hit when Leonard and/or Jackson return.

Spurs Rumors: Anderson, Joseph, Pietrus

November 20th, 2012 at 12:44pm CST by Luke Adams

On the heels of Stephen Jackson's right hand injury, which will keep him out for at least a month, the Spurs are exploring ways of adding depth to a roster that's also without Kawhi Leonard. Here are the latest rumors on how the team intends to move forward:

San Antonio is in the process of calling up former Spur James Anderson from the D-League's Rio Grande Valley Vipers, reports ESPN.com's Marc Stein (via Twitter). Anderson is no longer under contract with the Spurs, so the team would have to ink him to a new deal and use its open roster spot to call him up.
Head coach Gregg Popovich indicated the Spurs will likely recall Cory Joseph from the team's D-League affiliate as well, according to Mike Monroe of the San Antonio Express-News. Joseph was assigned to the Austin Toros last week.
The Spurs also have interest in Mickael Pietrus, who would be a natural fit with three Frenchmen already on the roster, according to Stein (Twitter link). However, the former Celtic is still seeking more than a minimum salary. For San Antonio, which is close to the tax threshold and has spent most of its mid-level and bi-annual exceptions, the pro-rated veteran's minimum is the only option.

Stephen Jackson Out Four To Six Weeks

November 19th, 2012 at 9:04pm CST by Chuck Myron

We normally don't cover injuries here at Hoops Rumors, but when a star player goes down or there's an absence that could prompt a roster move, we're on it. After news earlier today that Brandon Roy, Kyrie Irving and Tyrus Thomas will miss significant time, Stephen Jackson has become the latest injury victim, as he'll miss four to six weeks with a fractured pinky finger, tweets Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld. Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman notes that it's a non-displaced fracture to his right pinky (Twitter link).

The timing is unfortunate for the Spurs, who are already without Kawhi Leonard for several more days. Jackson had been filling in for Leonard at small forward. The Spurs have limited options at the three with both out, though they could use Danny Green and Manu Ginobili, both 6'6", at the position. They have 14 players on the roster, so there's an open spot if they want to sign someone. It probably has to be a minimum-salary deal, since they're over the salary cap and have only $500K left on their mid-level exception. The Spurs are also about $1MM below the tax line.

Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News suggests Derrick Brown, one of the team's training camp invitees, could get a look (Twitter link). Wesley Witherspoon, who was also with the team in camp, is on the roster of the Spurs' D-League affiliate and may also receive consideration, though I'm only speculating. The biggest name on the Hoops Rumors list of remaining free agent small forwards is probably Mickael Pietrus, but he may not want to sign for the minimum. As I explained when news of Irving's injury broke, the trade market isn't a likely path, since most teams aren't looking to deal at this point in the season, and the Spurs might not want to tinker too much with their roster just to solve a short-term problem.

Kyler On Hawks, Jazz, Calderon, Rockets, Varejao

November 19th, 2012 at 11:43am CST by Luke Adams

With this season's deadline still three months away, the trade market likely won't be too active for at least a few more weeks. However, as Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld writes, things could start to pick up on December 15th, when most players who signed over the summer are eligible to be dealt. Kyler looks at a few specific trade candidates in his latest piece, so let's round up the highlights….

Josh Smith, Paul Millsap, and Al Jefferson are a few players in the final year of their contracts whose respective teams aren't planning to deal. However, the Hawks and Jazz could reconsider their stances as the deadline approaches, if there's an increasing concern that those players will leave in free agency.
While there's no urgency in Toronto to move Jose Calderon, the Raptors are expected to explore deals. Kyler suggests that small forwards like Omri Casspi and Wilson Chandler are worth keeping an eye on as potential Raptors targets, adding that Chandler isn't in the Nuggets' long-term plan.
The Rockets likely aren't done dealing, with players like Daequan Cook, Toney Douglas, and Marcus Morris among the team's possible trade candidates.
DeJuan Blair continues to be available, but the Spurs are still seeking a first-round pick, and it's unclear if any team would pay that price for a player that could sign elsewhere at season's end.
Anderson Varejao isn't likely to be moved, but if the Cavaliers were to consider a deal, it would have to include Luke Walton and his $6.09MM salary.
Similarly, if the Kings explored a Tyreke Evans trade, Sacramento would want to include either John Salmons or Francisco Garcia.
The Timberwolves would be open to moving Derrick Williams if they could land a good veteran player for him.
Kyler also names Hedo Turkoglu, Tayshaun Prince, Tyrus Thomas, and Wesley Johnson as trade candidates, though all those players could be tough to move due to their salaries.

Southwest Notes: Howard, Jackson, Sampson

November 17th, 2012 at 7:59pm CST by Michael Pina

Over the summer, the Rockets were aggressive in trying to facilitate a trade for then Magic center Dwight Howard. Multiple reports at the time said Howard was reluctant to play in Houston, and that if a trade were to occur he wouldn't be happy. Earlier today, Howard told the Houston Chronicle's Jonathan Feigen that he "didn't have a problem" with the Rockets heavy pursuit, but his two most desired teams were still the Lakers and Nets.

With Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard out 10-14 days with tendinitis in his left quadriceps, veteran swingman Stephen Jackson has been selected as his replacement in the starting lineup, writes San Antonio Express-News reporter Dan McCarney.
With Kevin McHale on indefinite leave from the Rockets as he tends to a family emergency, Kelvin Sampson has been thrust into the role of head coach, writes Feigen.

Kawhi Leonard Out 10-14 Days

November 16th, 2012 at 9:38pm CST by Sean Highkin

Kawhi Leonard is expected to be out 10 to 14 days with left knee tendinitis, the Spurs announced in a press release Friday. San Antonio's starting small forward underwent an MRI and the diagnosis was confirmed.

The Spurs will begin a six-game road trip Wednesday, and the second-year forward will not travel with the team. It is expected that Stephen Jackson will start in Leonard's place.

Spurs Assign Cory Joseph To D-League

November 15th, 2012 at 11:29am CST by Luke Adams

With the D-League season approaching, Cory Joseph is the latest NBA player to be assigned to a D-League affiliate. The Spurs announced today in a press release that Joseph will join the Austin Toros.

Joseph, 21, appeared in 29 games for the Spurs last season, averaging 2.0 PPG on 31.4% shooting in 9.2 minutes per contest. He played briefly in just one game for San Antonio this season. For Joseph, it won't be the first time he's played for the Toros. The Canadian guard had multiple stints in the D-League last season, recording 13.8 PPG, 5.1 APG, and 5.1 RPG in 14 games with Austin.

Joseph becomes the eighth player assigned to a D-League affiliate this year, a list that includes his second cousin, Kris Joseph of the Celtics.

Odds & Ends: Kapono, Kidd, Muhammad, Pacers

November 15th, 2012 at 10:57am CST by Luke Adams

The owners of the D-League's Sioux Falls Skyforce received an offer from an unnamed NBA team this offseason to sell the franchise, according to Terry Vandrovec of the Argus Leader (hat tip to Gino Pilato of Ridiculous Upside). However, the proposal, which would have made the Skyforce a one-on-one affiliate for the unknown team, would have required the team to relocate, which didn't appeal to owners Mike and Greg Heinman.

The Skyforce are one of five D-League teams without a single affiliation, as Sioux Falls is currently the affiliate for the Heat, Magic, Timberwolves, and 76ers. With a new arena set to open next season, the Heinmans are hoping to land a hybrid single affiliation with the neighboring T-Wolves.

Here are a few more Thursday morning odds and ends from around the NBA:

After a pair of disappointing seasons with the Sixers and Lakers, Jason Kapono didn't land an NBA contract this summer. However, according to reports out of Greece, the sharpshooter could be headed overseas to join Panathinaikos. Emiliano Carchia of Sportando has the details.
Jason Kidd tells Marc Berman of the New York Post (Sulia link) that he was "very, very close" to signing with the Spurs in 2003 before he decided to return to the Nets.
Many members of the Knicks, including Kidd, Tyson Chandler, and GM Glen Grunwald, were happy to see Mike D'Antoni land the Lakers' coaching job, as Berman writes in a piece for the Post.
An overheard conversation has raised questions about whether the NCAA has prejudged the case on Shabazz Muhammad's eligibility, reports Baxter Holmes of the Los Angeles Times. Muhammad's representatives believe the revelation is enough for the NCAA to declare the UCLA freshman eligible immediately.
Discussing how to "fix" the Pacers, Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star essentially rules out the possibility of a trade, since David West's expiring contract is one of Indiana's only real assets.

Western Rumors: Spurs, Wolves, Pekovic

November 14th, 2012 at 5:59pm CST by Chuck Myron

While it's not uncommon for several members of a team to butter up an opponent before a game, Knicks coach Mike Woodson delivered a theory on the success of the Spurs in advance of their matchup on Friday, as Dan McCarney of the San Antonio Express News documents. "So when young guys or any new player comes on their team, they have to buy in because those banners are up there for a reason," Woodson said. "So I think the transition for a lot of the players that come here is easier." The praise of San Antonio seems warranted as they sit on top of the Western Conference at 7-1. Here's the latest on a few of the teams trying to knock them off that pedestal.

An agent who is trying to get his player on the Wolves believes the team is trying to make some kind of trade, Darren Wolfson reveals via Twitter. Minnesota is looking for help on the perimeter, and Hoops Rumors readers have so far identified them as the team most in need of a new wing player.
HoopsWorld's Bill Ingram calls Nikola Pekovic "the best young traditional center in the NBA," and details his growth as a player as he takes on double-teams with so many of his Wolves teammates out with injury.
Phil Jackson's desire for significant organizational power was the stumbling block that kept him from becoming coach of the Lakers, just as it prevented the Knicks from pursuing him last spring, writes Frank Isola of the New York Daily News.
The Lakers put Mike D'Antoni in a no-win situation by reaching out to Jackson, thus forcing D'Antoni to deal with being seen as Plan B in addition to the heightened expectations that already surround the team, opines Sean Deveney of The Sporting News.
Deveney, in his wide-ranging piece, also questions the bargaining power of Royce White while noting the success of several other 2012 draftees.
Matt Moore of CBSSports.com has been supportive of White in the past, since they suffer from the same anxiety problems, but now Moore takes the rookie to task for his playing-time demands and Twitter outbursts.

Odds & Ends: Odom, Duncan, Johnson, Blazers

November 11th, 2012 at 10:20pm CST by Sean Highkin

The latest news and notes from around the NBA on Sunday evening:

Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times writes that the Clippers still aren't sure what contributions they can expect from Lamar Odom this season.
Tim Duncan is playing like an MVP candidate this season, says Dan McCarney of the San Antonio Express-News.
David D'Alessandro of the Newark Star-Ledges examines Nets guard Joe Johnson's slow start to the season.
The Trail Blazers have the least productive bench in the league so far, but Chris Haynes of CSNNW.comthinks the team should give their young reserves more playing time so they can develop and improve.
Marc Berman of the New York Post writes that the Knicks' J.R. Smith is an early candidate for Sixth Man of the Year.
Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com has a new mailbag covering various Celtics topics.
Barry Tramel of the Oklahoman is impressed with new Thunder guard Kevin Martin.