Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009 at 1:29 pm  |  180 responses

Breaking: Richard Jefferson to Spurs

by Ryne Nelson

The Spurs never cease to be in the picture. They will never become irrelevant. They won’t allow it. Why?

Well, leave it to Chad Ford to break the most breaking news of the offseason as dramatically as possible via his live web chat:

The trade is Richard Jefferson to the Spurs for Bruce Bowen, Fabricio Oberto and Kurt Thomas … more coming in just a second. Deal is agreed to in principle with a trade call coming later today.

[...]

Bowen, Oberto and Thomas are all in the last year of their contracts. It saves them roughly $3 million this year and $15 million next year. And it gives them some flexibility to sign at least one of their restricted free agents — either Charlie Villanueva or Ramon Sessions.

You heard it: Bruce Bowen is no longer a Spur. We knew it would happen someday, possibly, but nonetheless it’s still pretty unthinkable. At this point in his career the Spurs might’ve just awarded him an honorary spot at the end of the bench until Kobe retires, just to annoy the Mamba. But this… you know this is a business now. The Spurs throw away some refuse and dig up a still-spry, high-character wing player. What a piece for the best organization in sports!

People forget Bowen’s early days in Miami, Philly and Boston since Bowen did most of his damage in the white and black, but now he’s officially been given the Damon Jones treatment. This is a sad and happy day for Spurs fans.

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  • http://drexlerwasabeast.com nbk

    Richard Jefferson has a career average of 18 ppg

  • http://www.manutd.com Z

    3 over the hill out of the rotation guys for a 20 ppg scorer who shot 40% from deep last year and can jump with anyone in the league. I’ll take it. Assuming that Bonner and Mason keep their starting spot. That’s Manu, Finley, Gooden and George Hill coming off the bench. They need maybe one more big (unless Mahinmi is ready) and they’re good to go. That’s a team that will contend.

  • http://slamonline.com Spaceship Jay

    Whew!!! Thank God for you Myles. I agree, if they get some more frontcourt support, then it’ll be a discussion… Ehhhh… But if JKidd and RJ weren’t on the same team at the time, would we know who RJ is? Without a good/great passing point g. to set him up, RJ is… well… RJ from Milawkee. And Ariza plays D.

  • http://slamonline.com Spaceship Jay

    And I’m sure that 18 ppg average is STRAIGHT from 4-7 assist from Kidd and 3 free-throw line visits a night.

  • http://www.manutd.com Z

    Myles, I beg to differ. 1- If you’re going to compare Odom to SA’s bench you have to include Manu. And give the Spurs the edge. 2- Gooden is a crazy lunatic but rebounding has never been an issue with him. 3- Jefferson is more than slightly better than Ariza. I have to wait and see if the real Ariza is the one that shot 48% from deep in the playoffs or the one that shot 32% in 82 games.

  • http://lastknickstanding.blogspot.com Bryan

    I like everyone on the zags better than daye.

  • vannshy

    If Ian Mahimi can give us a solid contribution and if we can have another solid 5 to complete the rotation, we will talk with the Lakers again.

    Parker will kill any guard the Lakers will trowing at him.

  • http://www.broy7.com nate the great

    to be honest, i think bowen, and oberto will retire.

  • http://www.manutd.com Z

    Spaceship Jay, you’d have a better argument if RJ hadn’t scored 20 a game last year with Luke Ridnour and Ramon Sessions feeding him.

  • http://www.hibachi20.blogspot.com BETCATS

    Z: you are a idiot if you dont think Ramon Sessions is the truth

  • http://drexlerwasabeast.com nbk

    actually he averaged 21 a game in Milwaukee over the past 2 years and hasn’t missed a game jay.

  • http://www.manutd.com Z

    I also expect Jordan Farmar to be the starting pg at some point in the season. If he doesn’t, he never will. D-Fish is one of the ballsiest dude in the L but opposite pgs are basically running layup drills on him at this point. He made Aaron Brooks into an household name.

  • http://www.hibachi20.blogspot.com BETCATS

    but RJ is not the creation of anyone. Pen15-head can ball, i will give him that.

  • http://www.manutd.com Z

    BETCATS: You’re an idiot if you think that Sessions is as good of a facilitator as Kidd. Follow the argument, please.

  • http://lastknickstanding.blogspot.com Bryan

    Remember when richard jefferson couldn’t really shoot threes but he defended rebounded and passed instead? If the spurs get that rj then this is a steal if they get the buck rj they’re screwed. But I have faith in the spurs coaching staff and players to set him straight.

  • http://slamonline.com Spaceship Jay

    Maybe so… But again, I wouldn’t throw these guys in front of the Laker-Voltron Lions just yet Z. Another year means Duncans a little more worn down (but still the best PF), and Ariza has gotten a pretty great (I’m assuming) confidence boost from this year’s run. And again, It’s been confirmed that he plays defense, which is getting more and more four-leaf cloverish in the NBA year after year. Ariza > Jefferson.

  • http://www.hibachi20.blogspot.com BETCATS

    Z: your a idiot if you think i follow the argument. I MAKE the argument.

  • http://nationofmillions.ca Ciolkstar

    I’m the resident Spurs fan here and I even think the Spurs are clearly a player away from being as talented on paper as the Lakers. That doesn’t mean we couldn’t beat them in a series though. I’m also very interested to see how much the Lakers end up paying Ariza and whether thy get the guy fron the playoffs (who can defend, make plays in transition, and shoot the lights out) or the guy from the regular season (who can make plays on D and in transition but can’t shoot). Sadly, (for my Spurs) I think Ariza will only get better, I just hope him and his agnet know that and force the Lakers to pay up.
    BET is correct about Sessions, he’s a beast. Maybe this means they’ll pass on Flynn and he’ll be able to guy to a real NBA team.

  • http://www.manutd.com Z

    I completely disagree. Again, the Ariza that we saw in the playoffs might not be the Ariza that we will see next year. I remember Mike Bibby KILLING dudes in the playoffs and then going back to being Mike Bibby the year after. I also never got the impression that RJ was a poor defender, not a lockdown defender but not a cone either. ANyways, I’m off. Peace.

  • http://lastknickstanding.blogspot.com Bryan

    Ariza crashes the boards and attacks the basket with reckless abandon while taking the threes the defense gives him , in other words he plays exactly the way the spurs want richard jefferson to play on offense except he shuts dudes down and wrecks the passing lanes also.

  • http://www.hibachi20.blogspot.com BETCATS

    Sessions will be a top 5 point guard within the next 3 years if he gets the right coach. Scott Skiles is not the right coach. Free yourself, Ramon!

  • http://slamonline.com Spaceship Jay

    nbk, It’s Milwaukee. One of those bizarro NBA cities where stats don’t really count in the real world.

  • http://drexlerwasabeast.com nbk

    Flynn is not falling passed number 8 in the draft. He should don’t get me wrong, but he wont

  • http://nationofmillions.ca Ciolkstar

    ^Typo city
    thy – they
    agnet – agent
    guy – go

  • http://slamonline.com Spaceship Jay

    Bryan- “except he shuts dudes down and wrecks the passing lanes also.” Are you talking about RJ or Ariza? the shuts dudes down and wrecks passing lanes part dosen’t sound like RJ.

  • http://drexlerwasabeast.com nbk

    @jay – hence me pointing out his career average first

  • http://slamonline.com Spaceship Jay

    Good call then nbk. Good call.

  • http://nationofmillions.ca Ciolkstar

    RJ seems like the type of player who will accept his role as long as the team is winning, he became a bit of a gunner (and less of a rebounder/passer/defender)last season when it became clear the Miluakee was just playing out the string. Still, I think he’ll be able to fit in and make a big contribution in SA. My main concern is George Hill’s development, and drafting some players that we’ll actually put to use.

  • http://drexlerwasabeast.com nbk

    I think SA success will hinder on Greg Poppovich and Health

  • http://nationofmillions.ca Ciolkstar

    nbk: you sure about Flynn going top 8? Everywhere I’ve looked has him going 10th to Miluakee. I know a bunch of teams from 4-8 have brought him in, but I assumed that was just formality. I stil think that if he lands in the right situation (personally, I’m hoping for ATL or Philly) he’ll do serious damage.

  • http://slamonline.com Spaceship Jay

    RJ still isn’t enough for a hungry Lakers team. If they can get some front-court help, I could see them being a contender.

  • http://drexlerwasabeast.com nbk

    this is how i see it…..Flynn is ranked number 3 or 4 pg (don’t ask me why) but sacramento is real high on him, as well as GS and NY. Plus their on teams trying to trade down for him. If tyreke evans goes early like i think he will and thabeat drops back then rubio will go 4 at the highest. which leaves flynn and curry. flynn will be taken by sacramento or ny depending on where curry goes

  • http://www.slamonline.com Myles Brown

    I say that Jefferson is only slighty better just because I question his mental toughness. He just seems indecisive and weak willed to me sometimes. And thats saying something considering that were comparing a bench with him on it to one with Lamar Odom on it. Manu may still come off the bench and RJ may be the starter, but the issue remains. And Im just not sold on any title contending frontcourt that is dependent upon consistent quality minutes from Drew Gooden. Yes, again, Bynum is inconsistent also, but the champ gets the benefit of the doubt. So when looking at front courts of Ariza, Odom, Gasol and Bynum v. Jefferson, Duncan, Gooden and Bonner, who has a better chance of controlling the boards? Protecting the paint? Surviving injuries, foul trouble and which team is more likely to play through bad play from their respective frontcourt? Again, a good trade, but not a finished product yet.

  • http://www.shawn-kemps-offspring.blogspot.com/ TADOne

    If only the Spurs had kept Scola….

  • http://www.hibachi20.blogspot.com BETCATS

    Myles: Micheal Finely isnt anywhere near Odom?

  • http://www.alllooksame.com Tarzan Cooper

    spurs are one tiago splitter away from winning the finals, guaranteed.

  • http://shawn-kemps-offspring.blogspot.com Cheryl

    I’m happy and that’s all that matters.

  • http://www.shawn-kemps-offspring.blogspot.com/ TADOne

    With Cheryl being a Heat fan, i’m not sure what she is happy about, but i’m happy that she is happy.

  • http://Nationofmillions.ca Ciolkstar

    No sh1t, TAD

  • Babygab

    Pop strikes again ! If they stay healthy the Lakers may have trouble to repeat !!!

  • http://www.slamonline.com Myles Brown

    Sure Michael Finley is just as good as Odom. If the Spurs draft a time machine. C’mon.

  • http://lastknickstanding.blogspot.com Bryan

    I was talking about ariza.

  • http://nba.com Daniel

    ariza is good.

  • http://nba.com Daniel

    what did you say.

  • http://nba.com Daniel

    hhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

  • http://www.hibachi20.blogspot.com BETCATS

    Breaking News: Foye And Miller to the Wizards for the #5 PICK!

  • http://www.alllooksame.com Tarzan Cooper

    no way bet. but im greedy i want the spurs to get mcdyess.

  • http://www.hibachi20.blogspot.com BETCATS

    Google News it Tarzan. It just happened.

  • Rachel

    Marco wrote: “And now Pop, what about that trade commission you were talking about last year?”

    I’m longing for a reporter to ask him that. :)

    Man, I enjoy these comments. Some good thoughtful stuff, and for amusement I liked these:

    nick:
    “or perhaps he’s describing pops’ jocular demenor in postgame pressers using some antiquated vernacular?”

    Overtime:
    “This is all an elaborate plan to reveal Joe Alexander as the saviour of Milwaukee”

  • Sarah

    This is a good move as long as RJ and the rest of the team gets back on their collective defensive-minded track. We don’t need another person to bomb threes and play no defense *COUGH* Roger. I kinda hope we can get Thomas back. His defense will be sorely missed. Fab’s passing was a joy to watch when he was healthy. And Bruce was really the only guy we had with a mean streak and take nothing from no one attitude. Hell, I’ll miss them all, but it was time for change. Looking forward to next year.

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