San Antonio Spurs 2006 Offseason

(Post originally written October 14, 2006)

The Spurs signed Francisco Elson (Nuggets) and Jackie Butler (Knicks) as free agents this offseason, hoping they could replace the departed Rasho Nesterovic (traded to Raptors) and Nazr Mohammed (signed with Pistons). Along with the two new additions, European import, Francisco Oberto will compete for major minutes next to Tim Duncan in San Antonio.

Here is a look at the four centers moving in and out the door in San Antonio this summer:

NAME, Total Contract, $’s Per Year
Elson: 2/6, 3 (In)
Butler: 3/7, 2.5 (In)
Rasho: 2/15, 7.5 (Out)
Nazr: 1/5, 5 (Out)

The trade with the Raptors also allowed the Spurs to bring in Eric Williams, Matt Bonner, and a 2009 second round pick from Toronto.

In the end, the offseason looked like this:

Total Out:
Rasho Nestorovic (7.5 per yr)
Nazr Mohammed (12.5 per yr)

Total In:
Francisco Elson (3 per yr)
Jackie Butler (2.5 per yr)
Eric Williams (4 per yr)
Matt Bonner (2 per yr)
TOTAL IN = (11.5 per yr + 2nd Rd. Pick)

Synopsis:
The Spurs were able to bring in some younger and cheaper talent by trading Rasho Nestorovic and his large contract to the Raptors. In return, they got two defensive-minded wing players, whose contracts expire at the end of the season. To replace Nestorovic and Mohammed, they brought in Elson and Butler. Arguably, Elson is a better overall player then both Nestorovic and Mohammed alone. The Spurs let Nazr go and sign with the Pistons and responded by splitting its mid-level exception on two younger, more athletic bigs for the same money. Both players have not gotten a great deal of playing time in their career. However, Elson is a good shot blocker who runs the floor well.

Per the terms of Butler’s contract, this was a no-lose situation. He showed some promise in limited time last year with the Knicks. Per 48 minutes, Butler averaged nineteen points, twelve rebounds, and two blocks. Butler is only 21 years old and will not have a great deal of pressure on him. He will be playing behind Duncan, Horry, Elson, and Oberto.

It was obvious by the end of last season that Coach Popovich could not trust Mohammed. In the 2006 Playoffs, Mohammed only played 94 minutes in 13 games. For the season, he only averaged 17.4 minutes per game, the least amount of time he played per game since the 2002-03 season with the Atlanta Hawks. Similarly, Nestorovic had fallen out of favor with Coach Popovich, playing the least amount of minutes he had played per game since the 2000-01 season with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Nestorovic struggled to compile rebound numbers and struggled offensively. He was not earning the $7,500,000 he was making a season, and it was time for him to move on.

In the end, the Spurs turned two players who were not making significant impacts into four defensive-minded players with reasonable salaries and a future second round pick. Although none of these moves will have a major impact on the team, they may be just enough to push them past the Suns, Mavericks, Jazz and the rest of the West.