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San Antonio Express-News: Bruce Bowen will test free agent water

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by smoothie, Jun 13, 2004.

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  1. smoothie

    smoothie Jabari Jungle

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    The San Antonio Express-News is reporting that Bruce Bowen will test free agent water

    from The San Antionio Press:


    Bruce Bowen has declined his contract option for next season, making him an unrestricted free agent while also giving the Spurs added financial flexibility to shape their roster this summer.

    The 6-foot-7 guard-forward would have made $4 million in the final season of a three-year, $11.5 million contract he signed in July 2002. Not exercising the option allows him to reassess his market value — and perhaps seek a new multiyear contract — following a season in which he was named to the NBA's All-Defensive first team for the first time in his eight-year career.

    Though Bowen, who turns 33 on Monday, may ultimately re-sign with the Spurs, his decision is expected to increase the team's salary-cap room to close to $15 million after the league releases its cap figure next month.

    The Spurs, as expected, also formally declined to pick up Robert Horry's $5 million option for next season.

    Spurs general manager R.C. Buford said Bowen's decision was not a surprise.

    "After the season Bruce had and the great recognition he received for being first-team All-Defense, this is probably a nice opportunity for him," Buford said.

    The Spurs should now have enough room to offer Kobe Bryant a maximum-salary contract if, as expected, he opts out of his current deal with the Los Angeles Lakers. Most team and league insiders, however, still view the Spurs' chances of signing Bryant as small because the team would likely have to gamble on losing Manu Ginobili while waiting for Bryant to resolve his legal status.

    Horry and Bowen, meanwhile, are now ineligible for Charlotte's expansion draft because they are unrestricted free agents.

    On Friday, the Bobcats received the list of players the Spurs and the 26 other teams not playing in the NBA Finals are protecting for the draft. Detroit and the Lakers will submit their lists after the conclusion of the Finals.

    The Spurs protected Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Rasho Nesterovic, Devin Brown and restricted free agents Ginobili, Hedo Turkoglu and Jason Hart.

    Alex Garcia also was protected, but the team waived him on Friday after it had already submitted its expansion list to the league. Cutting Garcia gives the Spurs additional salary-cap flexibility — his $620,000 contract for next season was non-guaranteed — though the team may try to re-sign him if he clears waivers.

    Malik Rose, Matt Carroll and Charlie Ward, who can decline his $1.1 million option for next season and become an unrestricted free agent, were exposed to the Bobcats. Unsigned draft picks also are ineligible to be taken by Charlotte, so the Spurs did not have to protect Argentine forward Luis Scola.

    Scola is expected to try to join the Spurs this summer if he can successfully negotiate a buyout of his contract with his Spanish team.

    The Spurs, who would like to shed the remaining five years and $32.8 million of Rose's contract from their payroll, can offer the Bobcats draft picks and up to $3 million to entice them to select Rose. Charlotte, however, is not expected to take him unless it is to trade him to another team because its first-season salary cap will be 34 percent smaller than that of the league's existing franchises.

    Though the league is keeping the protected-player lists secret, Charlotte is allowed to make pre-draft deals with other teams to select or not select a specific player.

    The expansion draft will be held on June 22 or 23, depending on whether the Finals extend to seven games.
     
    #1 smoothie, Jun 13, 2004
  2. gucci888

    gucci888 Member

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    Not sure what this has to do w/ the Rockets, I guess you're suggesting we should pick him up.

    I don't like the guy, he's a dirty player and everyone knows it. He does play suffocating D though, and isn't a bad shooter either.
     
    #2 gucci888, Jun 14, 2004
  3. dharocks

    dharocks Member

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    I'd be more interested in Horry, personally.

    Out of everyone in the article, Ward's the most likely to be a Rockets next year.
     
    #3 dharocks, Jun 14, 2004
  4. smoothie

    smoothie Jabari Jungle

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    im not suggesting we get either, i thought it was an interesting developement. i think both could help us but i don't know where we stand on their wish list of teams to play for. i think bowen will want a little more than we can offer.
     
    #4 smoothie, Jun 14, 2004
  5. madmonkey37

    madmonkey37 Member

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    Unless Bowen can play PF or PG I wouldnt give him more the then Vet Minimum.
     
    #5 madmonkey37, Jun 14, 2004
  6. Deuce

    Deuce Context & Nuance

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    I honestly would not be surprised to see Charlie Ward on the Rockets next year for the veteran's minimum. Earlier this season it was down to the Spurs and Rockets and he chose the Spurs for a chance at a ring. My gut tells me this summer he will come play for the Rockets and JVG. At the venteran's minimum that wouldn't be too bad as far as a backup PG goes with veteran experience. It would be a step up for Mark Jackson and Mike Wilkes that is for sure.
     
    #6 Deuce, Jun 14, 2004
  7. GATER

    GATER Member

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    Deuce,
    While I generally agree with you, it's worth noting that Ward was having trouble getting PT over Jason Hart and the Rox (according to Feigen) protected Wilks in the E-draft.
     
    #7 GATER, Jun 14, 2004
  8. Deuce

    Deuce Context & Nuance

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    GATER, that's noted. I did find it interesting that Hart played more than Ward. Perhaps that is saying something? Ward or not, I just feel that for next season we need someone more experienced at backup PG than Wilkes and somone not ancient like Mark Jackson. We need a solid veteran backup PG that can play minutes. If not Ward then perhaps Mike James from Detroit. He is a FA and is a solid backup. Just someone.
     
    #8 Deuce, Jun 14, 2004
  9. xiki

    xiki Member

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    Rumor had it the Owner nixed Ward's coming here. IF that was true then, and Ward bombed in SA, then why does he get a million+ from Rox now?
     
    #9 xiki, Jun 14, 2004
  10. xiki

    xiki Member

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    Wasn't James a rook this year, or at least young? I have seen little of him. He strikes me as a couple minute at a time option.
     
    #10 xiki, Jun 14, 2004
  11. gunn

    gunn Member

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    Mentally, I would say that Horry is done. The guy has not yet recovered from missing "the shot" that could've been. He still rebounds well and brings some energy, but if you are looking for the same Robert "Big Shot" Horry of the past, well, he is no more.
     
    #11 gunn, Jun 14, 2004
  12. Baqui99

    Baqui99 Member

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    Not only that, but he has lost more than a step. He doesn't move well laterally, and can't get up off the ground.
     
    #12 Baqui99, Jun 14, 2004
  13. ROXTXIA

    ROXTXIA Member

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    I might be wrong with this one but I believe Les Alexander, he of the NE U.S. (isn't he from NY?) is either Jewish or found Charlie Ward's they-killed-Jesus-didn't-they? stance of a few years ago, uh, unpalatable.
     
    #13 ROXTXIA, Jun 14, 2004
  14. Deuce

    Deuce Context & Nuance

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    If that is indeed the case, then perhaps he wont be here. ;)
     
    #14 Deuce, Jun 14, 2004
  15. HAYJON02

    HAYJON02 Member

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    I'd rather believe that he was bound to miss some big shots eventually. Nobody bats 1.000. And hey, Robert Horry always seems to be on championship teams. I'd say he'd fill out our roster nicely if we can get him for less than the exception. Maybe he'd want to be closer to his daughter still.
     
    #15 HAYJON02, Jun 14, 2004
  16. Sane

    Sane Member

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    Someone we should be more interested in is Turkoglu. He's an FA right?

    Ofcourse, the chances of getting him are slim since we have nothing to offer but the MLE, but he'd be a nice addition if he decided to bolt.
     
    #16 Sane, Jun 14, 2004
  17. smoothie

    smoothie Jabari Jungle

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    he would be an excelent fit for us. i believe he is a RFA though.

    we also are bringing boki along, to be a very similar player.
     
    #17 smoothie, Jun 14, 2004
  18. gucci888

    gucci888 Member

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    I was thinking about Hedo. He is a very good shooter, not sure about his d, but it didn't seem like a problem w/ SA. We don't have much to offer him, but its worth a shot.
     
    #18 gucci888, Jun 14, 2004
  19. juicystream

    juicystream Member

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    No, Mike James is in his third season. But yes he is still only going to be 29 years old next season. You didn't really know about him because he went undrafted. He spent his first two seasons under Pat Riley which means he is probably an excellent defender. I just see him as a backup and not a starter. The rockets should look elsewhere if they want someone to replace Francis.
     
    #19 juicystream, Jun 14, 2004
  20. xiki

    xiki Member

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    The problem with BB and Hedo and ones like them are they are good, worth a good paycheck, but there is just so much money to spend (by Spurs or Rox or any team, even the new look Blazers [Cuban, stay out of this discussion]). I would like both, but wouldn't give either my entire MLE which would be necessary, IMO.
     
    #20 xiki, Jun 14, 2004
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