Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

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July 2

San Antonio Express-News

"The Spurs put in a call to representatives for Rasheed Wallace not long after NBA free agency opened at 11:01 on Tuesday night. Now, the wait is on. "There's interest, mutual interest, I would say," Wallace's agent, Bill Strickland, said Wednesday. "I would say the Spurs have a job to do." Wallace, considered to be the top free-agent target for a Spurs team in desperate search for a big man, fielded similar calls from Orlando, Cleveland, Boston and elsewhere in the first few minutes of free agency. All of the above teams, including the Spurs, can make Wallace approximately the same offer, a short-term deal starting at the mid-level exception, expected to be worth around $5.6 million. The ..."

Not just Wallace

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July 2

San Antonio Express-News

"It is widely believed Rasheed Wallace is at the top of the Spurs free-agent target list. Yet they are hardly putting all their eggs in the Wallace basket. In addition to Wallace, the Spurs have contacted at least two other big men during the early throes of free agency. According to an NBA source, the Spurs have also been in touch with Antonio McDyess, Wallace's soon-to-be-former Detroit teammate, and Dallas forward Brandon Bass. McDyess would be an intriguing fallback option should the Wallace plan not work out. The Pistons are interested in re-signing McDyess, who returned to Detroit after being included in the Chauncey Billups-Allen Iverson deal last fall, but it is believed he could be ..."

Finley opts to stay with Spurs

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June 30

San Antonio Express-News

"Michael Finley has informed the Spurs that he intends to exercise his contractual option and spend a fifth season with the team. Finley, 36, is coming off a season in which he averaged 9.7 points, shooting 43.7 percent from the field and a career-best 41.1 percent from beyond the 3-point arc. He played in 81 games, starting all but for."

Bucks deal Jefferson to Spurs

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June 23

ESPN.com

"The Milwaukee Bucks agreed to trade Richard Jefferson to the San Antonio Spurs for Bruce Bowen, Kurt Thomas and Fabricio Oberto a Bucks source told ESPN.com. The two teams have agreed to the deal in principle. A trade call to make the deal official is coming later Tuesday. The move gives the Spurs a dynamic wing scorer to play alongside Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. The Spurs had promised to make their team better this summer and adding Jefferson for role players should give them a huge shot in the arm. The Bucks incentive to make the trade is largely financial. Bowen, Oberto and Thomas are all in the last year of their contracts. The deal will clear $15 million off the books ..."

Spurs discuss trade for Bucks' Jefferson

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June 23

Yahoo! Sports

"The San Antonio Spurs are in serious discussions with the Milwaukee Bucks for forward Richard Jefferson, league executives told Yahoo! Sports on Tuesday. The proposed deal would have the Spurs send send veterans Bruce Bowen, Kurt Thomas and Fabricio Oberto to the Bucks, who are looking to shed the remaining two years, $29.2 million on Jefferson's contract for the Spurs' expiring contracts. The deal isn't completed, but league executives say both teams appear motivated to get it done."

Udoka waits for news on future with Spurs

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June 23

San Antonio Express-News

"Spurs fans are eager to know what their team may, or may not, do between now and Thursday's NBA draft. So, too, are the players who were on the roster when the team made its early exit from the playoffs, and if you are a player less than two weeks from free agency, anxiety is a daily companion. Ime Udoka's path to the Spurs included stops in Spain, France, the NBA D-League, and minor-league teams in Fargo, N.D., and Glens Falls, N.Y. It is a career history that mitigates abject fear of the unknown, but Udoka will be watching the telecast of Thursday's draft to the bitter end, attuned to any news with a potential to affect his future in silver and black, with a touch of nervousness about ..."

Washington Trade Rumors: Ginobili

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June 13

Washington Post

"As I've stated before, this time of year, there are several rumors that get floated around, names get mentioned, people start to get in a tizzy. One minute it's Ricky Rubio, then it's Amare Stoudemire, then it's Josh Howard. Now, the latest is talk about the Washington Wizards having a deal on the table for Manu Ginobili for a package involving the No. 5 pick. The website, Hoopsworld, has a purely speculative story about it and now it's all over the Internet. I still don't know what the big deal is. Until I see something meaty, there really is no need to overreact. From what I hear, this is what went down: The San Antonio Spurs contacted the Wizards to inquire about what it what it would ..."

Spurs' Dennis Lindsey no longer interested in Timberwolves' GM job

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May 2

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Two weeks in, the Timberwolves' search for a new head of basketball operations took a dramatic turn Friday when San Antonio Spurs assistant general manager Dennis Lindsey withdrew from consideration. ESPN.com was the first to report that Lindsey pulled out of the running, eliminating a highly regarded candidate who had been considered the front-runner. He also was viewed as a potentially difficult hire, however, as someone who would demand a free hand to overhaul the Wolves' coaching staff and front office and spend whatever it took to improve the roster. Lindsey's withdrawal leaves former Indiana Pacers executive David Kahn as the only outside candidate confirmed to have interviewed with ..."

Gooden likely to test free-agent waters

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April 29

San Antonio Express-News

"Drew Gooden arrived in San Antonio last March hoping to make it his home. He had bounced around the NBA for six-plus seasons in a nomad's career. He was finally ready to settle down. Speaking to reporters at the Spurs practice facility this afternoon, Gooden reiterated his desire to remain with the Spurs after he becomes a free-agent on July 1, but intimated that he will test the market first. "I had a great time here," Gooden said. "It was a great experience. Whatever happens, this will be a couple of pages in my book that will be memorable. I'd love to be a part of this organization, but we'll see this summer." If Tuesday's Game 5 loss to Dallas was his last in a Spurs uniform, Gooden ..."

Timberwolves to Interview Spurs Assistant General Manager Dennis Lindsey

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April 20

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"The Timberwolves' search for a new head of basketball operations could be nearing its end and so could the Kevin McHale era. The San Antonio News-Express reported Sunday that Spurs general manager R.C. Burford confirmed the Wolves have asked for permission to interview assistant general manager Dennis Lindsey for the position. The newspaper also reported that another former member of the Spurs' front office, Cleveland assistant general manager Lance Blanks, is believed to be on the Wolves' short list, although Cavaliers general manager Danny Ferry has denied that the team asked for permission to interview him. Wolves owner Glen Taylor has said he would like to fill the front-office ..."

Spurs' Robinson earns Hall entry

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April 3

San Antonio Express-News

"David Robinson, the great center who helped the Spurs win two of their four championships, will be announced Monday as a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The official announcement of the members of the hall's Class of 2009 will be made in Detroit, where Monday's NCAA championship game is to be played. Robinson's selection by the Hall of Fame's Honor Committee, apanel of 24 voters, was confirmed Thursday by sources connected with the hall. Others expected to make it are Michael Jordan and John Stockton. Robinson retired from the Spurs after a 14-year career that didn't begin until age 24 because he served two years in the Navy following his 1987 graduation from the ..."

Popovich reveals little about Gooden acquisition

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March 5

San Antonio Express-News

"DALLAS - Spurs coach Gregg Popovich remained in stonewall mode when it came to discussing his team's pending acquisition of free agent power forward Drew Gooden. Popovich had no choice but to acknowledge that Wednesday's release of forward Pops Mensah-Bonsu had cleared the way for the acquisition of another player. "Intuitive people would reasonably read into that move, in some way, shape or form," Popovich said, breaking into laughter. When pressed about the reported addition of Gooden, expected later this week, he refused even to mention him by name. "I'm in a no-comment mode on any individuals not on our team, not just that specific individual you just mentioned," Popovich said. "Who ..."

Luther Heading elsewhere

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March 3

Newark Star-Ledger

"Agent Mark Bartelstein just made it unofficially official: The Nets are out of the running for his client, Luther Head. And before you jump to conclusions, you should know this: It was only their inability to guarantee playing time that was the dealbreaker. And no, they didn't go cheap on you with a playoff berth at stake: "If we wanted to come, they were willing to pay," Bartelstein believes. But here's your basic bottom line: "They have a three-guard rotation right now that they're set with, and we want Luther to control his own destiny," the agent said of his free-agent client, who was waived by Houston Saturday. "So it's not going to be the Nets -- it's just not the right fit. It's ..."

Gooden could make smooth transition to Spurs

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March 3

San Antonio Express-News

"Nobody in the Spurs organization is saying anything on the record about Drew Gooden, the 6-foot-10 power forward cut loose by the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night, in time to be added to the playoff roster of any team that might pick him up. But others around the league call a Gooden-to-the-Spurs signing nearly a done deal, as soon as he clears waivers. At the least, the Spurs appear highly interested in a player who started for the Cleveland Cavaliers when the Spurs played them in the 2007 NBA Finals. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich acknowledged that the Spurs approached Sunday's waiver wire news "professionally." In addition to Gooden's release, Oklahoma City negotiated a deal to buy out Joe ..."

Carter Unfazed By Rumors

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February 18

New York Post

"The trade deadline is tomorrow, and the number of teams rumored to be interested in Vince Carter virtually exceeds his scoring average. But Carter maintains he wants to stay a Net. After watching the Rockets, one of the teams atop the rumor list, rampage through and outmuscle the Nets, 114-88, last night with a dizzying display of 3-pointers, toughness and rebound superiority, one question arises. Why? "When you start something, you definitely want to finish it," said Carter. "We've come a long way since Day One." Carter hears all the rumors and tries to block them, but it's impossible. There's San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, Cleveland, Portland - all looking for scoring, all involved in one ..."

Vince swirls in trade winds

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February 17

Bergen Record

"Vince Carter practiced at the Toyota Center on Monday. He may be calling this building home later in the week. The Nets and Rockets have exchanged trade proposals and continue to talk, according to league sources and sources close to the Nets. One scenario has Carter and Josh Boone going to Houston for Ron Artest, Carl Landry and Luther Head. But another Texas team remains very much alive in the Carter sweepstakes. The San Antonio Spurs' package for Carter would include Roger Mason Jr., George Hill and Bruce Bowen, the sources said. The Nets would have to make other moves to clear roster room for the additional players they take back. Nothing is imminent at this point, but the trade ..."

Vince Carter subject of New Jersey Nets' trade talks, Spurs involved

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February 14

Newark Star-Ledger

"The opening day of Trade Talk Weekend centered on an extraordinary amount of discussion for Vince Carter Friday in Phoenix, where Nets officials struck out in a last-minute bid to acquire Shawn Marion and then re-focused their attention on a possible deal with the Spurs. According to various league officials and player agents at the scene, the Nets have spoken to numerous teams to gauge Carter's value, but the most likely scenario -- as of Friday night -- was a complicated 4-for-1 deal with San Antonio that would bring back two young pieces and two players the Nets would probably let go. In this scenario, which was reported last Friday on NJ.com, sharp-shooter Roger Mason and rookie point ..."

Plenty of trade assets

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February 13

Bergen Record

"Rod Thorn and Kiki Vandeweghe are in Phoenix, enjoying the warm weather and trying to convince rival executives to help improve the Nets. Thorn, the Nets' president, and Vandeweghe, the general manager, have assets other teams are interested in, and should be very busy this All-Star Weekend. The Nets' brain trust recovered nicely from being forced to trade Jason Kidd last February and deciding to move Richard Jefferson in June. The Nets are in the playoff hunt, which few expected when this team started the season with three rookies, two second-year players and seven potential rotation guys 25 and younger. "We're probably a little bit ahead of where most people thought we would be at this ..."

Mavericks have discussed trade for Carter

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February 13

Yahoo! Sports

"The New Jersey Nets and Dallas Mavericks have discussed a trade that would reunite Vince Carter and Jason Kidd, with Carter joining the Mavericks, a league source familiar with the discussions said Thursday night. The proposed deal, which isn’t imminent, would send Carter, Keyon Dooling and Eduardo Najera to the Mavericks for Josh Howard and Jerry Stackhouse. Nets executives are still reluctant to trade Carter, but are determined to let teams make their best offers all the way to next Thursday’s trade deadline. The Mavericks have lost guard Jason Terry to a broken hand and desperately need perimeter scoring to stay a contender in the Western Conference. The Nets’ and Mavericks’ front ..."

Just 13 Shopping Days Left, and Amare's Out There

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February 7

Newark Star-Ledger

"As best as we can tell, the Nets haven't jumped into the Amare Stoudemire Sweepstakes yet, but we know this much: It's inevitable. They'll make the call, they'll suggest two young players, cap filler and probably their own draft pick, and then stay by the phone until Steve Kerr realizes that there's no way Portland is going to part with LaMarcus Aldridge. This works: Yi, Anderson, Simmons, and a No. 1 -- preferably, that spare one from Dallas in 2010. We're interested to see if the Suns can find something better. It gives them cap relief and their last, best chance to start the youth movement, because they're already two years behind that curve. Yes, this probably tears the Nets' long-term ..."

San Antonio Spurs keep doing it their way David Zalubowski / Associated Press The for the last 12 years, the San Antonio Spurs have had a dynamic duo in Coach Gregg Popovich and power forward Tim Duncan.

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January 25

Los Angeles Times

"Not you guys again. The Lakers can rise, fall and rise again, as they just did in 10 years, but there's one dark-clad scourge they can always count on, timeless as Dracula and no more fun. Yes, it's the San Antonio Spurs, in the same old black-and-silver uniforms they could market as retro, if they had ever changed them. If the Spurs have aged, they're still looking better than anyone else who was around when they won the first of their four titles in 1999. With one exception -- the Lakers -- they're also better off than any of the teams that arose in the time it took them to win their fourth title in 2007. The Spurs, who play the Lakers today at Staples Center, have the scars to prove it ..."

Popovich not aiming for 20-year mark

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December 10

San Antonio Express-News

"In Minneapolis on Tuesday night, Jerry Sloan celebrated his 20th anniversary as coach of the Utah Jazz, marking the day in 1988 that he took over the team's reins from Frank Layden. A thousand miles to the south on Interstate 35, the NBA's second-longest tenured coach said he has no plans of sticking around long enough to match Sloan's milestone. "I have no doubt that Jerry has been remarkable in his longevity," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said before Tuesday's 133-126 double-overtime victory at Dallas. "I also have no doubt there's no way I'll get to 20 as a coach." Popovich, who took over on the Spurs' bench 18 games into the 1996-97 campaign, has spent each of his 13 seasons as a head ..."

Steph Eyes Spot With San Antonio

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November 12

New York Post

"Stephon Marbury didn't go around house-hunting in Alamo City yesterday, but the exiled point guard acknowledged if the Knicks cut him and point-guard-light Spurs show interest, San Antonio would be on the top of his list. Marbury received another snub from Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni yesterday when injured Eddy Curry was activated over him for last night's game vs. the Spurs to replace absent Danilo Gallinari. Curry still has a knee injury and hasn't been cleared to play. But Curry was in a Knicks uniform as a blue-and-orange ornament piece while Marbury sat behind the bench in a red-and-black rugby. Marbury would love to be on the opposite bench nowadays, realizing there is no future on ..."

Retirement suits Horry just fine - at least for now

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October 1

San Antonio Express-News

"At 11:30 Tuesday morning, the Spurs were finishing up the first day of training camp, shouting and sweating their way through a zone defense drill that stressed vocal intimidation as a viable tactic. About the same time, some 140 miles to the East, Robert Horry was on his way to a health club in Katy, where he intended to get in a good cardio workout and a few pick-up games with lunchtime basketballers. "Sometimes," confided 'Big Shot Rob', "I let the guys on the other team win, just so they can go home and tell their friends they kicked my butt." This is the first time in 16 years that NBA training camps opened without Horry, the league's all-time leader in postseason games played and ..."

Finley to re-sign with Spurs despite interest of others, sources say

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August 15

ESPN.com

"After drawing interest from a few top contenders, including the NBA's new champions in Boston, Michael Finley has elected to re-sign with the San Antonio Spurs. NBA front-office sources told ESPN.com on Friday that Finley and the Spurs have reached terms on a new deal that has been submitted for league approval. Contract specifics were not immediately available, but sources say Finley's decision came down to a choice between staying with the Spurs or joining the Boston Celtics as the reigning champs' replacement for James Posey, who signed with the New Orleans Hornets earlier this summer. Sources say the two-time All-Star also drew strong interest from the Hornets and Cleveland Cavaliers. ..."

Pargo not expected to re-sign with N.O.

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August 6

New Orleans Times-Picayune

"It appears the Hornets might be ready to live with Mike James as the backup point guard this season, allowing Jannero Pargo to sign with another NBA team, possibly the San Antonio Spurs. Pargo's agent, Mark Bartelstein, said the Hornets "don't seem interested in signing (Pargo) at this point. I don't think he'll be back with them." Hornets General Manager Jeff Bower on Tuesday declined to comment on any on-going negotiations with free agents. Pargo, 28, opted out of his contract with the Hornets this summer to test the free-agent market. Bartelstein said he really couldn't characterize the Hornets' interest or lack thereof in retaining Pargo, who last season was Coach Byron Scott's ..."

Spurs: Ginobili might still play in Olympics

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July 12

San Antonio Express-News

"appears Manu Ginobili could be leaning toward playing in the Olympic Games after all. After struggling all summer with a jammed left ankle that cast his availability for Argentina's national team in doubt, Ginobili told reporters in his home country he was optimistic he would be able to play next month in Beijing."

Najera could know Monday if he will leave Nuggets for Nets

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July 11

Rocky Mountain News

"Free-agent forward Eduardo Najera expects to know by Monday whether he might leave the Nuggets to sign with the New Jersey Nets. Najera was in Orlando, Fla., where the Nets are playing in NBA summer league, Thursday and Friday to meet with Nets officials. "Met with them just now," Najera wrote in a text message to the Rocky Mountain News on Friday morning. "Everything went great." Najera was asked via text if he will sign with the Nets. "Don't know yet," Najera wrote. "I will have a better answer by Monday.""

Delfino likely done as a Rap

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July 11

Toronto Sun

"The Raptors are expected to sign newcomers Roko Ukic and Nathan Jawai in the next few days, but veteran guard Carlos Delfino appears to be on the way out. Delfino, who averaged career highs in points (9.0) and rebounds (4.4) last season for Toronto, likely will not return, even though he received a qualifying offer from the club last month. Delfino is a restricted free agent, meaning that Toronto would have the right to match any offer he receives. But the Raptors are unlikely to exceed the NBA salary cap to keep him."

Najera Being Heavily Persued

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July 10

Rocky Mountain News

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"It remains to be seen if the Nuggets, who also want to re-sign restricted free agent J.R. Smith, will spend enough to keep free-agent forward Eduardo Najera. Najera, whose preference is to re-sign, said early Wednesday evening he hasn't received any offers. Word is New Jersey has made Najera a primary target. General manager Kiki Vandeweghe had that job in Denver from 2001- 06. "Kiki brought me to Denver (in March 2005), and I know he does things the right way," Najera said. "He's trying to get a team to compete in the East. . . . I'm ready for any kind of offer. I'm excited if they're considering signing me." Najera named Dallas, Golden State, Milwaukee, Oklahoma City, New Orleans ..."

Posey officially on market

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July 9

Boston Globe

"While Posey's agent, Mark Bartelstein, wouldn't say which teams were interested in his client, he did say they were contenders. Among those also expected to be wooing the Cleveland native are the Cavaliers, Wizards, Hornets, Spurs, and Lakers. "We're just working through this thing," said Bartelstein yesterday. "Free agency is just a moving roller coaster. He'd like to get something done, and he'd like to get something done quickly and be over with it. Every team that is interested has a chance to win a title." Although a Celtics official has denied it, an NBA source said Posey was initially offered a three-year, $12 million deal by Boston, but the source said the Celtics have ..."

Maggette a long shot

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July 5

The Deseret News

"The Jazz's ability to land longtime Los Angeles Clippers swingman Corey Maggette is looking more and more long shot by the day. As many predicted earlier this week, the Golden State Warriors, with newfound money after point guard Baron Davis opted out of his contract and committed to the Los Angeles Clippers, now are in the mix for Maggette. Multiple reports today suggested as much."

Warriors join the list of teams interested in Maggette

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July 4

Los Angeles Times

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"Meanwhile, the Warriors have a contingency plan to land another Clipper if Brand declines their offer, the sources said. Golden State is expected to join a number of teams to lure free-agent forward Corey Maggette, who opted out of the final year of his Clippers contract on Monday. The Philadelphia 76ers, according to the sources, may also bid for Maggette, who led the Clippers in scoring last season, averaging 22.1 points. The Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs and Utah Jazz are also in the running."

Spurs at front of line for Maggette

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July 4

San Antonio Express-News

"Three days into the NBA's free agency period, Corey Maggette is still talking to teams and weighing his options. It appears the free-agent swingman is heading into the holiday weekend a little bit closer to becoming a Spur than he was before the week began. A source close to the negotiations said Thursday that, though no deal is imminent, talks between the Spurs and Maggette are serious and the interest is mutual. The Spurs are believed to have offered Maggette a multi-year deal, starting with their $5.8 million mid-level exception. Maggette became an unrestricted free agent this week when he opted out of the final year of his contract with the Los Angeles Clippers."

Najera Looks At All Options

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July 3

Rocky Mountain News

"Najera has other suitors. One is Milwaukee, where Najera's former Oklahoma coach, Kelvin Sampson, is an assistant. "A reunion would be great," Najera said. "But I'm not ready for that unless the Nuggets aren't a possibility." Najera expressed similar sentiments about the Spurs and SuperSonics, who have contacted Fegan. Najera played in high school in San Antonio, and Seattle will move to Oklahoma City, where Najera lives. Dallas and New Jersey also have expressed interest. But the Mavericks, whom Najera played for from 2000 to 2004, might be out after agreeing to use their full midlevel exception on DeSagana Diop."

Maggette coveted by several teams

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July 3

San Antonio Express-News

"The Spurs are expected to soon make an offer to free agent swingman Corey Maggette, if they haven’t done so already. After that, the wait begins. Maggette seems to be a popular man in the early stages of this summer’s NBA free-agency period, with as many as four other teams reported to have also contacted him to make known their interest. To land him, the Spurs will have to outpitch the likes of Orlando, Utah, Boston and Miami — all of whom have made Maggette an offer, according to various news reports — as well as any other suitors who might emerge in the coming days."

Lakers interested in James Posey, Brent Barry

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July 2

Los Angeles Times

"The Lakers continue to wait for Sasha Vujacic and Ronny Turiaf, but they have fall-back plans in case their restricted free agents don't re-sign with them.The Lakers have talked with representatives of Boston small forward James Posey and veteran San Antonio sharpshooter Brent Barry to gauge the free agents' interest. Posey, a key reserve for the Celtics, is expected to draw the full mid-level exception of five years and about $30 million, though the Celtics have said they consider signing him an off-season priority."

Spurs plan to make offer for Maggette

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July 2

San Antonio Express-News

"Two seasons after the Spurs unsuccessfully tried to trade for Corey Maggette, they appear to be trying to recruit him. According to two NBA sources, one from each conference, the Spurs are preparing to make an offer to Maggette, who became an unrestricted free agent Tuesday when he opted out of the final year of his contract with the Los Angeles Clippers. Details are not known, but the Spurs are believed to be poised to offer the 28-year-old guard-forward their full mid-level exception worth about $5.8 million for the first year, the sources say."

Davis' decision benefits Spurs

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July 2

San Antonio Express-News

columnist Mike Monroe

"If the Spurs emerge from the Western Conference playoffs and win another NBA title next season they might have to consider giving a playoff share to Baron Davis. Davis' decision to opt out of the final year of his Golden State Warriors contract, which would have paid him $17.8 million, has set the table for the Spurs to make an offer to Clippers guard-forward Corey Maggette, just the sort of athletic wing man they have coveted for the past few seasons. Should the Spurs make an offer to Maggette, who on Monday opted out of a deal that would have paid him $7 million next season, they won't have to worry about the Clippers negating it by using their "Larry Bird" rights to offer him a ..."

Rockets to pursue Spurs guard Barry in free agency

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July 1

Houston Chronicle

"The Rockets began the free-agent recruiting period with an 11 p.m. call to Spurs guard Brent Barry on Monday, Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said, but the team might already have hit a snag in its plan to bring back forward Carl Landry. The Rockets telephoned Barry as soon as NBA rules allowed in an effort to land the free agent, who got away last season when he was released by the Seattle SuperSonics but chose to return to the San Antonio Spurs."

Spurs Look To Make Little Change

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July 1

San Antonio Express-News

"Denver guard J.R. Smith, who has piqued the Spurs' interest in the past, is one such player likely to be available. He is a restricted free agent, but it is unlikely the Nuggets, who already are well over the luxury tax threshold, will be tempted to match a competing offer for him. Among the unrestricted free agents who might be of interest to the Spurs are Golden State guard Mickael Pietrus, Portland swingman James Jones, Boston guard James Posey and L.A. Clippers guard Quinton Ross. Carlos Delfino, a restricted free agent who appears to be on the way out in Toronto, is another potential target."

Horry wanting to return, hopes it's with the Spurs

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June 28

San Antonio Express-News

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"Horry had told the Express-News that if he returned for a 17th season, he preferred that it be with the Spurs, but said there were "two or three" other teams for which he would consider playing. KRIV-TV reported that Horry said he would prefer to play in Houston if the Spurs opted not to sign him."

J.R. gamble would be up to Popovich

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June 22

San Antonio Express-News

columnist Buck Harvey

"The one who makes the most sense for the Spurs is the one with the least sense. That would be J.R. Smith, the flawed diamond of this summer's free-agent class. He has been everything the Spurs are not, and he also has everything the Spurs need. For one, he can dunk. So he's worth a look. And if the Spurs go in that direction on July 1, and if they interview Smith, then what follows will hinge on this: Can Gregg Popovich see something he likes in someone he shouldn't? Next season might hinge on it, too. The Spurs likely won't get enough from the draft to help them immediately, even if they find a way to move up. The other free agents are equally uninspiring. Role players are ..."

Ginobili might miss Olympics with ankle injury

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June 19

San Antonio Express-News

"Ginobili, who was hobbled by a jammed ankle during the Spurs' playoff ouster against the Lakers in the Western Conference finals last month, has not seen much improvement in the joint since the season ended three weeks ago. For that reason, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said Wednesday he hopes Ginobili will give serious thought to sitting out the Summer Games. "My concern is that it's going to get worse," Popovich said. "He's got to seriously consider his health." Speaking to media in Buenos Aires on Wednesday, Ginobili acknowledged the injury was worse than previously believed, casting his ability to play in Beijing in doubt. "I believe this puts in danger my chances at playing in ..."

Trades? They're a comin'

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June 10

Toronto Sun

"The calendar and the weather may suggest otherwise, but the NBA climate has the feel of February. Much like the frenzy and wild speculation that serve as a prelude to the league's trade deadline, caution must be observed and logic exercised. With so many teams looking to improve and so many names being bandied about, it wouldn't surprise any one if one or two roster-altering moves are completed, perhaps more. Until the NBA final runs its course, no deal will be announced in an environment where there's no shortage of possibilities, some that appear to have merit."

Spurs' Veteran Status

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June 8

San Antonio Express-News

"Two of the Spurs' big men, Robert Horry, 37, and Kurt Thomas, 35, are unrestricted free agents, but Splitter's decision figures to effect their situations. The Spurs should be expected to make a concerted effort to bring back Thomas, acquired from Seattle in a February trade. After a season in which he played only 45 games for a variety of reasons, Horry has contemplated retirement. Two days after the Spurs were eliminated from the playoffs by the Lakers, he said he was still "up in the air" about playing again. He said he prefers to remain with the Spurs if he opts to return. Ian Mahinmi, a 21-year-old power forward-center who spent most of the season with the Austin Toros of the ..."

Kerr focuses on 4 coach candidates

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June 5

East Valley Tribune

"Detroit assistant coach and close friend Terry Porter is still believed to be Kerr's No. 1 choice. Kerr admitted that Porter's previous head coaching experience in Milwaukee "helps, for sure," and "I don't think anybody can know what it's like to be a head coach in the NBA until they actually have been one." But Kerr quickly pointed out that the other three candidates: San Antonio's Mike Budenholzer, Utah's Tyrone Corbin and Houston's Elston Turner all have significant experience as assistants. Kerr played for Budenholzer for four seasons in San Antonio and with Corbin in Phoenix."

Porter appears to be Suns' top candidate

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June 4

East Valley Tribune

"The Suns’ coaching search is winding to a close after Spurs assistant coach Mike Budenholzer had his formal interview with general manager Steve Kerr on Tuesday in Phoenix. The meeting wasn’t nearly as long as Detroit assistant Terry Porter’s second interview on Monday. Kerr was back home in San Diego in time to take in the Cubs-Padres game Tuesday night. He said he doesn’t have any more interviews scheduled and there are no “surprise” candidates beyond the known finalists — Budenholzer, Porter, Utah assistant Tyrone Corbin and Houston assistant Elston Turner."

Kerr favorite Porter may top list

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June 4

Arizona Republic

"The Suns' head-coaching search is nearing a conclusion, with indications that it will end with a choice that General Manager Steve Kerr long has had in mind. Each NBA general manager keeps a list of coaches he would consider hiring should a vacancy arise. Two sources say that Detroit Pistons lead assistant coach Terry Porter has been at the top of Kerr's list for a while and that Porter's position strengthened with the addition of center Shaquille O'Neal in February. Although San Antonio Spurs lead assistant Mike Budenholzer interviewed Tuesday in Phoenix, the finalists are considered to be Porter, Houston Rockets lead assistant Elston Turner and Utah Jazz assistant Tyrone Corbin."

Spurs Trade Rumors