San Antonio Spurs Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Front Office Notes: Magic, Pistons, Thunder, Spurs

June 25th, 2012 at 3:46pm CST by Luke Adams

As we noted earlier today, Magic general manager Rob Hennigan made his first hire, bringing aboard Pistons executive Scott Perry to replace Dave Twardzik as the team's assistant GM. Hennigan also parted ways with Adonal Foyle, which ESPN.com's John Hollinger suggests (via Twitter) is the clearest indication that Hennigan has total control in Orlando. The Magic were rumored to be grooming Foyle for the GM job down the road, but Hennigan appears to be clearing house and bringing his own people aboard. In Detroit, Oklahoma City, and San Antonio, changes are also afoot, so let's check out the details….

Expired Trade Exceptions: Bobcats, Blazers, Spurs

June 25th, 2012 at 12:22pm CST by Luke Adams

In an entry last week for Hoops Rumors' glossary, I broke down how the traded player exception works, noting that a certain kind of trade exception allow a team one year to spend it. If the team doesn't use the exception to acquire a player within a year, the exception simply expires.

Last June, a handful of teams acquired traded player exceptions in draft deals. Having not used them over the course of the year, the following clubs lost their trade exceptions over the weekend:

Tony Parker May Miss Olympics

June 24th, 2012 at 3:31pm CST by Michael Pina

After recently injuring his eye in a New York City nightclub, the Spurs may force Tony Parker to sit out this summer's Olympic games, according to the San Antonio Express-News' Mike Monroe.

Southwest Rumors: Landry, Rockets, Cabezas

June 21st, 2012 at 10:50pm CST by Chuck Myron

Tony Parker is seeking $20MM in a lawsuit against the New York nightclub where he sustained an eye injury during a fight involving singer Chris Brown and members of hip-hop star Drake's entourage, the Associated Press reports (via the New York Daily News). Parker isn't expected to miss any time for the Spurs because of the incident. There's plenty of other off-the-court news happening with Southwest Division teams that figures to have a greater on-court impact, as we detail here.

Odds & Ends: Mills, Magic, Garnett, Shumpert

June 18th, 2012 at 3:19pm CST by Luke Adams

When Patrick Mills returned from China this season, he signed a two-year deal with the Spurs that included a player option for the second year. Mills will have to make a decision soon, and tells Chris Dutton of The Age that he wants to finalize his NBA future before heading to the Olympics.

"I feel like I need to do my due diligence and really go and see what there is, to make sure I explore every option," Mills said. ''But in saying that, I really enjoy being in San Antonio and being part of that program."

Mills' decision could have an effect on whether or not the Spurs need to pursue a point guard in free agency, as I discussed in my preview of the team's offseason earlier this afternoon. Here are a few more odds and ends from around the NBA:

Offseason Outlook: San Antonio Spurs

June 18th, 2012 at 2:05pm CST by Luke Adams

Guaranteed Contracts

Manu Ginobili ($14,107,491)
Tony Parker ($12,500,000)
Stephen Jackson ($10,059,750)
Tiago Splitter ($3,944,000)
Matt Bonner ($3,630,000)
Kawhi Leonard ($1,809,840)
Cory Joseph ($1,074,720)

Options

Patrick Mills ($885,120, Player)

Non-Guaranteed Contracts

DeJuan Blair ($1,054,000)
Gary Neal ($854,389)
Derrick Byars ($762,195)

Free Agents (Cap Holds)

Tim Duncan ($22,222,850)
Danny Green ($2,695,391 – QO)
James Anderson ($1,565,640)
Boris Diaw ($854,389)
(Robert Horry – $6,897,000)
(Chris Quinn – $854,389)
(Glenn Robinson – $854,389)
(Damon Stoudamire – $854,389)
(Nick Van Exel – $854,389)
(Jacque Vaughn – $854,389)

Draft Picks

2nd Round (59th overall)

Cap Outlook

Guaranteed Salary: $47,125,801
Non-Guaranteed Salary (including options), Cap Holds: $42,062,919
Total (not including draft picks): $89,188,720

While the Spurs' situation heading into the 2012 offseason is a little reminiscent of the Celtics', there are a few key differences between the two teams that will likely dictate San Antonio's plan of attack this summer. Whereas the Celtics have the opportunity to clear a ton of cap space if they don't re-sign the players that helped them win their title (Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen), the Spurs don't have quite the same flexibility. Plus, they only have one major contributor to their championship teams facing free agency — Tim Duncan.

Because Duncan is unlikely to retire or play anywhere besides San Antonio, I think we can safely assume that the two-time MVP will re-sign with the Spurs. Even if he takes a big paycut on his next deal, retaining Duncan will likely ensure that the Spurs remain an over-the-cap team. Re-signing players like Danny Green and Boris Diaw shouldn't be a problem, but San Antonio won't have more than the mid-level to throw at other free agents in July.

Unfortunately, where a team like Boston has cap room and a pair of first-round picks to make solid improvements around its core, San Antonio doesn't have the same luxury. The team's only draft pick is at the end of the second round, and its options with the mid-level will be limited. A recent report suggested that the Spurs might kick the tires on the Celtics' Garnett, but it's hard to imagine how they could afford a player of that caliber with only the MLE at their disposal.

Still, $5MM is enough to land a solid player, and it's more than luxury-tax clubs like the Heat, Lakers, and Bulls will be able to offer free agents. Depending on which of their own free agents are re-signed, the Spurs should have some options — if Green, Diaw, and Patrick Mills all return, there aren't any obvious holes in the team's rotation. Perhaps San Antonio's top target could be another big man, particularly if the team has any concerns about Tiago Splitter's development. On the other hand, if Mills were to opt out of his contract and sign elsewhere, a free agent point guard to complement Tony Parker could be the team's preference.

Outside of retaining their own free agents and perhaps signing one or two outside players, the Spurs shouldn't be too active this summer. They still have the amnesty clause available, but it can't be used on Stephen Jackson, who was acquired via trade. Matt Bonner, making $3.63MM, is an amnesty candidate, but cutting the Red Rocket wouldn't increase the team's financial flexibility much.

GM R.C. Buford proved a year ago that he isn't shy about making unexpected deals, when he sent George Hill to the Pacers in a trade that landed the Spurs Kawhi Leonard. You never know if Buford has another move like that up his sleeve, but I wouldn't expect San Antonio to make any major trades. Players like Parker and Manu Ginobili aren't going anywhere yet, and the Spurs don't really have any other players that would be as valuable elsewhere as they are in San Antonio.

A couple weeks ago, in the midst of a 20-game winning streak, it looked like the Spurs were on their way to another title. They may be a year older in 2012/13, but there's no reason to believe that the same group with a couple tweaks, shouldn't be a strong contender again. The prime of the Duncan/Ginobili/Parker era may be behind us, but I'd be surprised if the Spurs don't bring back Duncan and try to make at least one more run at the Finals.

Storytellers Contracts and Sham Sports were used in the creation of this post.

—–

Odds & Ends: Iguodala, Sixers, Jennings, Spurs

June 17th, 2012 at 8:07pm CST by Alex Lee

All indications from Philadelphia are that they want to shake things up this offseason. We already know Rod Thorn is more or less out and that Lou Williams has opted out. In his chat today, ESPN's Chad Ford said that he is again hearing Andre Iguodala is being shopped. Ford mentions the Wizards or Bobcats as possible destinations with the Sixers, in return, moving up from pick fifteen. Ford mentions Bradley Beal, Thomas Robinson or Andre Drummond as Sixers' targets. Here are others odds and ends from around the league on Sunday night:

Southwest Notes: Diaw, Hornets, Grizzlies, Mavs

June 12th, 2012 at 10:54am CST by Luke Adams

It may not be Sherlock-caliber detective work, but Tony Parker tells Mike Monroe of the San Antonio Express-News he noticed a hint that Boris Diaw could be leaning toward re-signing with the Spurs. Diaw, who had been living in Parker's guest house, left all his belongings there when he departed San Antonio for the summer, which Parker views as a good sign. Here are a few more Tuesday morning items from out of the Southwest Division:

Southwest Notes: Gay, Rockets, Mavs, West, Green

June 11th, 2012 at 3:34pm CST by Luke Adams

The day's biggest news so far came out of the Southwest Division, when ESPN.com's Marc Stein reported that Michael Heisley had found a buyer for the Grizzlies. While we wait to hear whether an agreement between current ownership and prospective buyer Robert Pera will be finalized, let's check in on a few more Southwest updates, including the latest Rudy Gay trade rumors….

Kevin Garnett An Option For Spurs?

June 10th, 2012 at 9:32pm CST by Sean Highkin

Buck Harvey of the San Antonio Express-News relays word from a member of the San Antonio Spurs organization that Kevin Garnett may be on the team's radar when they consider free-agent options this summer.