Wesley, Branham, Champagnie, Cissoko, Barlow starting. Brahnam with the first 5 points + a Champagnie 3 for a 8-0 start.
Seems like a good trade. I firmly expect most any pick swap in 2030 will be a net positive for the Spurs. I expect Luka to ask out of Dallas at some point, so I'm very happy with that one. Bullock has one year left on his contract. He's a good shooter. Seems like a good teammate. Only downside is hearing Bill Land bring back his "Tarheel Triple" call.
Right now, the Spurs have six players on the last year of their contracts totaling $47.6M:
-Zach Collins ($7.7M)
-Doug McDermott ($13.8M)
-Khem Birch ($7M)
-Cedi Osman ($6.7M)
-Lamar Stevens ($1.9M)
-Reggie Bullock ($10.5M)
Right now the roster is at 17 players.
GM Brian Wright has said a few times the plan is to play the young guys and see what they have. The moves they've made since confirm that. I don't think they're planning a slow tank but they could transition to one if injuries derail the season or the roster doesn't work. They're positioned to go all in with this roster with three options leading up to the trade deadline.I honestly don’t know if this possible or advisable with the excitement of Wemby, but could the Spurs slow play this rebuild one more year? Not full tank, but try to get into lottery tank? Manage Wemby’s minutes/development, trade McDermott and anyone else with value, play all the young guys and see what you have?
I really like the depth. I'd like to see them get a veteran backup PG who is better than Graham, but that may just be me underselling Graham. The best available FAs are in the Ish territory. They could trade for the tier PG I'm talking about for a few 2nd rounders, Birch, and Stevens, but not sure who takes that for the salary relief. I could see Branham running point in some lineups too. I think Wesley will go back and forth to Austin.Depth is past 15 guys, but looking better:
Tre J -- Devonte Graham -- Wesley
Vassell -- Branham -- Champagnie
Keldon -- McDermott? -- Bullock
Sochan - Cedi Osman -- Cissoko -- Barlow
Vic -- Collins -- Mamu -- Bassey
Osman needs to be ready to ball as there's an opportunity there. If he's not, seems like LOTS of guys can fill that backup 4-man role. Same with Bullock, needs to be ready.
I am not sure why they need Graham, since Wesley is coming on strong.
If they include Graham, McDermott, Bullock, Mamu in a trade for Dame Lillard, why not, then they've got:
Dame/Tre J.
Vassell/Branham
Keldon/Champagnie
Sochan/Osman
Vic/Collins
I prefer that! Hah!
In that interview I posted last week, Michelle Beadle compared Pop to Al Pacino having a baby at 82 years old.Pop has to be feeling like a kid again
Stevens and Birch are most likely to get cut/trade fodder.Will bullock actually be a contributor or is this just another dude they trade for just to cut him the next day?
Same. Most exciting Spurs season in awhile.Also, no idea where they end up, but I'm excited to watch.