Spurs waiting on Rasho

[Chicago JK]

Rasho Nesterovic mulling offer as S.A.'s latest object of desire
By Johnny Ludden

San Antonio Express-News
Web Posted : 07/14/2003 12:00 AM



Rasho Nesterovic will likely decide whether to sign with the Spurs on Tuesday or Wednesday, his agent said Sunday.

Bill Duffy, who represents Nesterovic, said he continues to talk with Spurs officials about Minnesota's free-agent center.

"Nothing is imminent," Duffy said. "Rasho is open to San Antonio, but he wants to take some time before making a decision."

Minnesota officials were fairly confident about their efforts to re-sign Nesterovic until the Spurs intensified their own negotiations with him after Jason Kidd announced he was staying in New Jersey.

Nesterovic, 27, enjoyed the best season of his five-year NBA career last year, averaging 11.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 30.4 minutes and ranking fifth in the league in field-goal percentage (.525). He is said to like Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who visited him in his native Slovenia on July 1, and he is a friendly acquaintance of Tony Parker.

Signing Nesterovic would give the Spurs a somewhat raw, but serviceable, replacement for David Robinson, who retired at the end of the season. The Spurs won the championship last season with Robinson averaging 8.5 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 26.2 minutes.

Though the 7.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and .67 blocks the 7-foot, 248-pound Nesterovic averaged against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs are comparable to Robinson's averages (5.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and .67 blocks) against the Lakers in the second round, Robinson did a better job of staying between Shaquille O'Neal and the rim.

The Spurs do not have any meetings planned with Michael Olowokandi, said Duffy, who also represents the Los Angeles Clippers' free-agent center. Indiana free-agent center Brad Miller remains available, but he probably does not fit the Spurs' defensive needs as well as Nesterovic. Miller, who grew up in Indiana and played at Purdue, also has previously said he would like to stay with the Pacers.

Duffy confirmed the Spurs' belief that another client, backup point guard Speedy Claxton, probably will leave the team.

"He's inclined to look elsewhere," Duffy said. "There are four or five teams we're talking to right now, so we'll just have to see what happens."

Claxton visited Washington last week and took an earlier trip to Orlando. Should Claxton leave, Duffy and Spurs officials have discussed trying to work out a sign-and-trade deal that could give the team a player in return.

With Denver planning to sign free-agent point guard Andre Miller to an offer sheet, Utah and the Spurs are the only remaining teams with more than $15 million in salary-cap room available. Teams may begin signing free agents on Wednesday.

Because of their large amount of cap room, the Spurs are investigating their trade opportunities. A handful of teams, like Portland, have openly talked of reducing their player payroll to limit their luxury-tax penalty. Spurs officials began fielding more calls about potential trades Friday after Kidd announced he was staying.

Notebook: The Spurs will begin play in the Reebok Pro Summer League in Boston on Tuesday. Mengke Bateer and Devin Brown, both of whom played for the Spurs last season, will be on the team. Center Olumide Oyedeji, who played sparingly for Seattle and Orlando the past three seasons, and former UNLV forward Kaspers Kambala also will play for the Spurs.

LeBron James, the NBA's No. 1 draft pick, is expected to play a few games in the league, but the Spurs will not face Cleveland

[Dooby]

Personally, I hope the Spurs sign Rasho to very long and expensive contract.

[MFFL]

Originally posted by: Dooby
Personally, I hope the Spurs sign Rasho to very long and expensive contract.

Me too.