Spurs trade Butler, Scola for Spanoulis - Dallas-Mavs.com Forums

MavsFanFinley · 07-12-2007, 07:48 PM

What a shitty trade for the Spurs. Talk about some pissed off fans over there. There is also talk that if James White doesn't improve in the summer league they'll waive him before August 1st otherwise his contract becomes guaranteed. It makes you wonder why they're clearing roster spots though.

Spurs trade Butler, Scola for Spanoulis

Greek guard acquired, but likely to stay in Europe

Web Posted: 07/12/2007 07:04 PM CDT

Johnny Ludden
Express-News staff writer

The Spurs have agreed to trade center Jackie Butler and Argentine forward Luis Scola to the Houston Rockets for guard Vassilis Spanoulis, a future second-round pick and cash considerations, an NBA source said Thursday evening.

Spanoulis, who played sparingly for the Rockets last season, is expected to remain in Europe.

The Spurs don’t figure to spend much time on introductions when they open training camp in a little more than two months.

Hoping to keep intact the roster that won them last season’s championship, the Spurs re-signed guard Jacque Vaughn and forward Matt Bonner on Thursday. After center Fabricio Oberto also re-signs in the coming days, all 12 members of the team’s playoff roster will be under contract.

Bonner received a three-year contract worth about $9 million while Vaughn received a two-year deal totaling around $2.5 million.

Bonner, 27, averaged 4.9 points and 2.8 rebounds in 56 games after joining the Spurs a year ago in a trade that sent center Rasho Nesterovic to Toronto. His role could increase this season if the Spurs decide to continue cutting back Robert Horry’s minutes.

Bonner, who stands 6-foot-10, is the type of big forward with 3-point range team executives now crave during the league’s small-ball era. He quickly won over coaches and teammates – not to mention the Spurs’ fans – with his hustle and every-man personality, and appeared to carve out a spot for himself in the rotation before injuring his left knee midway through the season.

Vaughn, 32, replaced Beno Udrih as the team’s primary backup point guard because coach Gregg Popovich valued his hustle and toughness. He averaged 3.0 points and 2.0 assists in 64 games.

The Spurs also had interest in signing Detroit forward Amir Johnson, but he re-signed with the Pistons on Thursday.

NYCdog · 07-12-2007, 08:48 PM

Wow, Scola could be had at that price. And Butler in the deal too.....most Spur fans I knew at SR.com thought highly of Butler, and he was apparently getting better....

What matters most is if Scola comes over. Thought was that he didnt come over when he was with the Spurs becuase he didnt think he was going to see playing time behind Duncan. Now he joins a Rocket squad with no power forwards, and Yao next to him. Scola has not only yet to sign long term with Tau Cermica, he has yet to tell Tau Ceramica if we will even return next season, basically leaving him free to come statside (for maybe a 3-4 mil buyout to Tau).....and with this deal, he might now be coming stateside instead.

If Houston is able to lure Scola to the NBA, this could be a huge steal for the Rockets.....

But even more scary of a thought....why is RC making a deal like this? This deal makes no sense. Last I heard, Spanoulis is going back to Europe and has vowed to never play for any team in the NBA again. Apparently he had cultural issues with living the NBA lifestyle or something to that rhetoric. It just makes no sense.....SA must have something in the works.....

DOMINATOR · 07-12-2007, 09:14 PM

haha at the spurs organization! rockets get scola and butler for nothing. hell even butler for Vspan is good.
maybe lindsey is really an undercover assassin for the rockets.

chumdawg · 07-12-2007, 09:25 PM

RC generally makes moves like this with the cap/tax in mind. This looks par for that course.

alby · 07-12-2007, 09:35 PM

We can laugh at the Spurs all we want. the truth of the matter is -- they will be right there in the Finals or the WCF again next year.

dirno2000 · 07-12-2007, 10:34 PM

What a strange trade. Jackie Butler's a young cheap big man who, just a year ago, was thought to have a lot of upside. For the Spurs to trade him to a division rival they must be convinced that he and Scola have nothing.

The same is true with Houston and Spanoulis.

chumdawg · 07-12-2007, 10:44 PM

Looks to me like Spanoulis isn't going to play in the NBA and Butler isn't going to play for the Spurs. The Rockets get a little something in return, while the Spurs save money.

MavsFanFinley · 07-12-2007, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chumdawg

RC generally makes moves like this with the cap/tax in mind. This looks par for that course.

According to timvp who helps run spurstalk.com says that the Spurs are still over the LT so unless they're dumping salary somewhere else what good is this trade.

I don't understand why the Spurs helped a rival. According to the Hoston paper the Rockets FO asked permission to speak with Scola a few days ago and he's thrilled to come play with Yao and McGrady. He's definitely coming over. They needed backup at center and Butler can fill that role.

The Spurs seriously got screwed in this deal.

dirno2000 · 07-12-2007, 10:52 PM

I guess that's kind of a unique situation so they couldn't do it with just any team but to trade a PF to a division rival in desperate need of one seems like a big risk to save $2.2MM.

Either the Spurs don't see the Rockets as a threat or they think Scola sucks.

MavsFanFinley · 07-12-2007, 11:22 PM

So it looks like two trades fell through with Butler and the Spurs were left with having to throw in Scola to get that salary dump. After failing to sign Amir Johnson to an offer sheet they'll now focus on Udoka.

Spurs find spot for Scola, Butler — Houston

Web Posted: 07/12/2007 10:51 PM CDT

Johnny Ludden
San Antonio Express-News

Ending a five-year relationship with Luis Scola, during which his agent once famously declared the Argentine forward was being held prisoner in the "country of liberty," the Spurs finally found a home for him, about 200 miles from their own.

The Spurs traded Scola's draft rights and center Jackie Butler to the Houston Rockets on Thursday evening for guard Vassilis Spanoulis, a 2009 second-round pick and cash.

A 2002 second-round draft pick of the Spurs, Scola has been playing for Spanish team Tau Ceramica, where he is generally regarded as one of the best players in Europe. The Spurs had hoped to sign him two years ago, but his buyout was too large, so they instead opted to bring over his friend and countryman, center Fabricio Oberto.

The Spurs had since fielded offers for Scola, but didn't find anything to their liking until this week. A year ago, Scola's agent accused the Spurs of preventing his client from reaching the NBA, saying "in the country of liberty, he is being held prisoner."

"As an organization, we felt responsible to allow Luis to pursue his dream of the NBA," Spurs general manager R.C. Buford said, "and this was the best opportunity to realize his value."

While the trade potentially landed Houston a starting power forward, it did little for the Spurs other than reduce their payroll and open up a roster spot. The trade removed the $2.4 million Butler was due to make this season, and the Spurs also might not have to pay Spanoulis the $1.9 million he is slated to earn.

After playing sparingly last season, Spanoulis had already told the Rockets he wanted to return to Greece. The trade isn't expected to make him change his mind: Two weeks ago, his agent, Miodrag Raznatovic, said, "They could trade him to San Antonio and he could be the starting point guard, and he would say, 'No, I cannot.'"

If the Spurs have to pay all or part of Spanoulis' salary, it will be offset by the cash the Rockets included in the deal.

The Spurs didn't think they would have room for Scola even after next season because they plan on signing one of his teammates on Tau Ceramica, forward Tiago Splitter, their first-round draft pick in June. They also are re-signing Oberto.

Butler signed with the Spurs a year ago, but rarely played after reporting out of shape. Though he has shown improvement and is just 22 years old, team officials questioned whether he would ever be successful playing in their defensive system, which requires their big men to make reads and communicate with teammates.

"With our roster intact, it would appear unlikely that neither (Butler nor Scola) would impact our rotation," Buford said.

The Spurs had hoped to trade Scola outside their division and were close to sending him to Cleveland, but a three-team deal that would have sent Butler to Sacramento fell apart. A potential trade to send Butler to New Jersey also didn't materialize, so the Spurs decided to package Scola with him.

The Spurs re-signed two of their own free agents Thursday, solidifying deals with forward Matt Bonner (three years, $9 million) and Jacque Vaughn (two years, $2.5 million). They had hoped to also sign Detroit forward Amir Johnson to an offer sheet, but he agreed to take less money (three years, $11 million) to stay with the Pistons.

Buford wouldn't comment on whether trading Butler increased the odds the Spurs will sign Ian Mahinmi, their 2005 first-round pick, except to say, the trade "gives us roster options."

With Johnson off the market, the Spurs could turn their attention to Portland free-agent swingman Ime Udoka. Udoka, who turns 30 in August, averaged 8.4 points and 3.7 rebounds while starting 75 games for Trail Blazers.

Udoka is a rugged defender and a dependable 3-point shooter, skills he shares in common with Bruce Bowen, the player he would most likely back up.

chumdawg · 07-12-2007, 11:53 PM

I like the idea of Udoka here. The Spurs already have their Bruce Bowen. Another one would just not be fair!

alby · 07-13-2007, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chumdawg

I like the idea of Udoka here. The Spurs already have their Bruce Bowen. Another one would just not be fair!

agreed.

kingmalaki · 07-13-2007, 12:21 AM

Yes, I am stoked about this trade. We got two big-men for nothing (V-Span already told us he would never come back). Luis is supposed to be the best available player in Europe and he seems to have the skillsets to thrive in an Adelman system. I just wonder how we are gonna get rid of our logjam on the perimiter now (James, Alston, Lucas, Sura, Brooks, Head, T-Mac, Battier, Wells, Snyder).

chumdawg · 07-13-2007, 12:33 AM

You call that a logjam?

kingmalaki · 07-13-2007, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chumdawg

You call that a logjam?

Mainly at the PG spot. We have 6 (I am counting Head as one...just going by his dimunitive size).

chumdawg · 07-13-2007, 12:41 AM

If you sign me as a PG, does that make it seven?

I'm just kidding with you. I like your team. But do you have a logjam of quality players at the one? Just because you have bodies doesn't mean you have a logjam.

kingmalaki · 07-13-2007, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chumdawg

If you sign me as a PG, does that make it seven?

I'm just kidding with you. I like your team. But do you have a logjam of quality players at the one? Just because you have bodies doesn't mean you have a logjam.

Oh you are definately correct. I said we had a logjam...I didn't say a good logjam. It's even worse to have 6 guards when 4 of them are garbage....

That's why I'm so happy the Spurs gave us a gift for one of them.

chumdawg · 07-13-2007, 12:58 AM

Just pretend two or three or four of them don't exist. Voila! No more logjam!

kingmalaki · 07-13-2007, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chumdawg

Just pretend two or three or four of them don't exist. Voila! No more logjam!

But they still occupy roster spots and capspace, which could be used to fill other needs....

chumdawg · 07-13-2007, 01:10 AM

Bummer. In that case, better deal them for something useful.

Hey, could you guys use Jason Terry?

alby · 07-13-2007, 01:20 AM

I don't think Jason Terry is the right fit for the Mavericks, but if he were to team up with Tmac/Yao--now that would be a very scary team to play.

especially, if we traded him away

And1 · 07-13-2007, 01:27 AM

spurs talk members are writing their suicide letters.....ha ha.

I hope this works out for us.....roxs

Dortmund · 07-13-2007, 02:10 AM

when these scrubs came to the spurs it wasnt newsworthy.. and still isnt. wont make a difference for either team.

udoka is 30??? ugh!

me770706 · 07-13-2007, 02:53 AM

scola could be a solid pf..houston could definitly use him. brooks looked real good against us last night but they need a pf bad, carl landry aint doin shit

Dortmund · 07-13-2007, 03:00 AM

will scola ever come to the nba?

alby · 07-13-2007, 03:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dortmund

when these scrubs came to the spurs it wasnt newsworthy.. and still isnt. wont make a difference for either team.

udoka is 30??? ugh!

Bruce Bowen is 36 fyi.

Rhylan · 07-13-2007, 07:41 AM

Scola was the 55th pick in 2002, for goodness sake.

If he's any good, he'd be here by now. I have Spurs fan friends who've been saying, "...and we've still got Scola getting ready to come over" for five years.

My gut has been telling me to say, "give it up!" I think this is just proof.

V2M · 07-13-2007, 07:56 AM

If the Spurs needed a mil or two to survive... they could have just asked Cuban!!

DelNegro · 07-13-2007, 08:05 AM

The Spurs have always thought Scola was a talent, but not neccessarily a good fit next to Duncan. There were also buyout issues and negotiations that turned nasty so that probably played a role in all this as well. Basically he was never going to play in San Antonio, so they finally decided to cut bait and move on. It's not like they need him.

I thought they could have gotten a little more for a combination of him and Butler, but if the intent was to get Butler off the team without having to add someone back to the roster (I doubt Spanoulis ever plays) then there aren't that many teams who can help fill that bill.

George Gervin · 07-13-2007, 09:02 AM

roster spot opened and 2.4 mill not to be paid to butler. spanoullis will never play for the spurs. the money the rockets provided in the trade will either pay the contract or will be used as part of a buyout..

alby · 07-13-2007, 11:23 AM

yup, it was a good move by the Spurs.

alby · 07-13-2007, 11:38 AM

When you combine payroll savings, Vassilis Spanoulis' virtually certain return to Europe and Houston's cash contributions, San Antonio saved an estimated $7 million by trading the draft rights to Argentine power forward Luis Scola and little-used Jackie Butler to Houston on Thursday.

The Spurs were hoping to send Scola out of their conference -- as part of a three-way trade with the Kings and Cavs that would have landed Scola and Bibby in Cleveland before collapsing Thursday -- but decided that the financial benefits were too significant to keep Scola away from the neighboring Rockets.

-Mark Stein

Dtownsfinest · 07-13-2007, 02:04 PM

I would think Jackie Butler's upside would atleast warrant more than a throw-in as a salary dump but I suppose the Spurs felt he was a bust.

Big Shot Rob · 07-13-2007, 02:40 PM

San Antonio fans right now are slitting their wrists over this deal. I have not read such depressing posts since the Mavs beat us in game seven in 2006.

We just have to admit--our owners do not have large pockets. We're a small market, one team city. We don't have billionaires who can write checks at the speed of light to upgrade the team.

I hope this does not bite us in the rear. The image I fear the most is losing to the Rockets in the playoffs next year with Scola driving to the basket for the game winning basket and one...

Flacolaco · 07-13-2007, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Shot Rob

San Antonio fans right now are slitting their wrists over this deal. I have not read such depressing posts since the Mavs beat us in game seven in 2006.

We just have to admit--our owners do not have large pockets. We're a small market, one team city. We don't have billionaires who can write checks at the speed of light to upgrade the team.

I hope this does not bite us in the rear. The image I fear the most is losing to the Rockets in the playoffs next year with Scola driving to the basket for the game winning basket and one...

Yeah you should tie your 4 Larry Obrien trophies to your ankles and jump in the river.

You're champions.

Pretty please, no complaining.

Dortmund · 07-13-2007, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alby

Bruce Bowen is 36 fyi.

yeah but Bruce Bowen is a proven player. this guy still has many things to improve on and it doesnt help being 30 when you are far from a finished product.

DelNegro · 07-13-2007, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Shot Rob

San Antonio fans right now are slitting their wrists over this deal. I have not read such depressing posts since the Mavs beat us in game seven in 2006.

We just have to admit--our owners do not have large pockets. We're a small market, one team city. We don't have billionaires who can write checks at the speed of light to upgrade the team.

I hope this does not bite us in the rear. The image I fear the most is losing to the Rockets in the playoffs next year with Scola driving to the basket for the game winning basket and one...

Billionares cut costs too. That's how we got Finley. The Pistons let Ben Wallace go. The Suns essentially put their 1st round draft picks on E-Bay. Everyone cuts costs.

Yeah it sucks that we couldn't have gotten more for Scola and Butler, but that's how it goes sometimes. The Rockets just happened to be the one team who met all the Spurs needs, that being a desire for Scola, a willingness to take Butler, an easily disposable contract and a fat check.

kingmalaki · 07-13-2007, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chumdawg

Bummer. In that case, better deal them for something useful.

Hey, could you guys use Jason Terry?

Terry...I wish. He is the one killing us every year.

Basic Deal reached with Scola, taking Physical in Argentina now according to agent.

3 yr - $10 million

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/4967005.html

alby · 07-13-2007, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dortmund

yeah but Bruce Bowen is a proven player. this guy still has many things to improve on and it doesnt help being 30 when you are far from a finished product.

Bruce Bowen didn't become a fulltime starter until he was 30, the 00/01 season for the Heat. Just fyi.

And1 · 07-14-2007, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Shot Rob

San Antonio fans right now are slitting their wrists over this deal. I have not read such depressing posts since the Mavs beat us in game seven in 2006.

We just have to admit--our owners do not have large pockets. We're a small market, one team city. We don't have billionaires who can write checks at the speed of light to upgrade the team.

I hope this does not bite us in the rear. The image I fear the most is losing to the Rockets in the playoffs next year with Scola driving to the basket for the game winning basket and one...

You called?

that would be great, but if it happens Scola won't be taking the last shot