From Minnesotas stance, there could be logic in a Sign and Trade. Garnett is not happy he has made it very clear. By building up some expiring contracts that would make it a little easier for them to pick up one of the big name free agents of next year. Such as Peja, Terry, or even Harrington. Garnett needs some kind of promise that his team will be getting better or hes going to be seriously demanding a trade. Lets face No KG for the T-Pups, No playoffs for the T-Pups.
I'm not concerned about Spree's lockerroom issues, but getting Anderson pretty much makes him redundant. At this point in his career, I think Anderson is definately a better SG, and there's not enough minutes at the 3 with T-Mac to make it worth giving up anything for Spree.
Ok this has been on my mind all day so I really sat down and looked at it Comparisons Wesley Spree PPG 11.9 12.8 RPG 2.9 3.2 APG 3.3 2.2 SPG 1.2 .66 BPG .11 .26 FG% .398 .414 FT% .857 .830 3P% .375 .327 MIN 34.7 30.6 Ht 6-1 6-5 Is it really worth it?
seeing the luck that spurs get, he might somehow end up in san antonio....playing side to side....with finley
Or god forbid, SA. Popovich is meeting with Finley along with the T-Wolves. The fact that he is meeting with so many west teams means to me that its no slam dunk that he is only going to an east team, Finley will sign with a team that will pay him the full MLE, where he can start and has the potential to win a championship. I think Finley goes to Phoenix and Spree may wind in Miami.
I am not sure if this has been posted but the rumour/ wish of spreewell/ whatever it is, has enough life to it that it has made yahoo. He must be coming. http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-rockets-anderson&prov=ap&type=lgns Rockets sign guard Anderson By KRISTIE RIEKEN, Associated Press Writer August 23, 2005 AP - Aug 23, 5:00 pm EDT More Photos HOUSTON (AP) -- Free agent Derek Anderson signed with the Houston Rockets on Tuesday -- yet another addition in a busy offseason for the team. Anderson, a 6-foot-5 guard, was released by the Portland Trail Blazers under the NBA's amnesty provision. ``We think we've added another top-line piece of the puzzle and a great talent,'' general manager Carroll Dawson said. ``To get a guy like this I feel very blessed. There are many ways that this guy can help our team win basketball games.'' Dawson likes his shooting and ball-handling skills and thinks that he's underrated as a passer. An eight-year veteran and former lottery pick, Anderson averaged 9.2 points and three assists last season for Portland. He will still receive $18.8 million from the Trail Blazers for the remainder of his contract, but the team will avoid paying future luxury tax on his salary. The Rockets said he was signed to a multiyear contract. It has been reported that it is a two-year deal worth $1.67 million. Both Dawson and Anderson said that he was offered more money to play elsewhere, but that he liked the challenge joining the Rockets. Houston already has several guards, including David Wesley, Jon Barry, Bob Sura and 2005 draft pick Luther Head. ADVERTISEMENT Coach Jeff Van Gundy said a major concern entering the season is the health of his backcourt as both Sura and Wesley recover from surgery. Anderson, who has averaged 13.1 points in his career, understands that he might not be a starter but said that he would work hard whatever his role is. ``When you get an opportunity to get money and still go somewhere you got to think about what you really want as a person and as a player,'' he said. ``I think this was a better fit for me to come here and challenge myself to play and be able to win a championship.'' Dawson said Tracy McGrady was excited about the addition of Anderson. McGrady has known him since high school when the Anderson was McGrady's host on his recruiting trip to Kentucky. ``I told McGrady 'maybe you can host him now,''' Dawson said. Anderson's signing comes less than a month after Houston picked up power forward Stromile Swift. The Rockets have also recently re-signed Ryan Bowen and Barry. They released Clarence Weatherspoon under the same amnesty provision that made Anderson available. Even with all the changes, the Rockets might not be finished upgrading the team yet. Some talk had free agent Latrell Sprewell as another possible addition in Houston. With this recent move, the Rockets cannot afford to simply sign the 13-year veteran. But Sprewell could still come to Houston in a speculated, but unsubstantiated, sign-and-trade deal with Minnesota. AP - Aug 23, 4:50 pm EDT More Photos Dawson did not comment on Sprewell directly but did say the team remains open to more changes. ``If we can help our team we'll add someone else,'' he said. ``We're always looking to help our team.'' Sprewell's agent said several teams are options for the player, but that he has expressed interest in Houston and playing for his former coach. ``Latrell loves Van Gundy,'' agent Robert Gist said. ``He respects Van Gundy as a coach. He has spoken to Van Gundy.'' Gist said he has not been in any talks about a possible sign-and-trade deal with Minnesota, but said that such a deal would be virtually the only way the Rockets could sign Sprewell. ``I think that the Rockets are a Sprewell away from reaching the NBA Finals,'' Gist said.
http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_2974218 Agent says Sprewell interested in Denver By Adam Thompson Denver Post Staff Writer The Nuggets have seen a boatload of free-agent shooting guards end up at other addresses this summer. But after teams passed him by as well, Latrell Sprewell seems high on Denver. "I can confirm Latrell has interest and even hopes of playing there," agent Bob Gist said Thursday of Sprewell, who averaged a career-low 12.8 points in 30.6 minutes with Minnesota last season. Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe confirmed talking to Gist. Gist said Sprewell, who also considers the Los Angeles Lakers a desirable destination, would contact coach George Karl in the near future. Gist said Sprewell likes the speed of Denver's game, the chance to start at two-guard and former New York teammate Marcus Camby and Karl. Denver can pay no more than the $5 million midlevel exception, which Gist called "hard to digest," but he added Sprewell could be inclined to take it. The guard, who turns 35 next month, earned $14.6 million last season. But after he turned down a reported $7 million per year deal early last season, the Timberwolves made no effort to re-sign him. Detroit and Houston signed other guards after eyeing him. "He made it clear that he could not see coming off the bench in Detroit and fitting in there," Gist said. "Not with (his) legs and basketball IQ and love for the game." Footnotes Tony Dutt, agent for free agent Nick Van Exel, said he has not heard from the Nuggets. San Antonio and Miami have interest in the guard. Vandeweghe said the Nuggets are "getting close" to re-signing guard Greg Buckner. ... Spree is so desperate for a team. Not a single team has said they are interested. Only him and his agent talking & talking about how they would love Houston, Detroit, Denver anywhere....
Classic!! This is probably too good for Spree. Lets hope he ends up under someone elses bridge. We have a higher standard for our bridge folks.
I think his performance last year destroyed his reputation. The choking incident is long gone but what he did last year to the T-Wolves is almost unforgiveable. The fact his agent has kissed up to the Rockets and now the Nuggets shows he is in a position of weakness. The Nuggets have been rejected by every SG they went after so they may be desperate enough to give Spree a try.
After Sprewell's feed-my-family remark, the agent needs to choose his words more carefully. Granted, he's an agent. So he knows how to talk smack. The Rockets might even still be in the running for Latrell and this is a tactic to get them moving (although I don't know if I really care). Sprewell is gonna be, what?, 36 when the season tips off. He had his worst year last year (granted, his attitude might have contributed). I'm afraid he's earned table scraps. Hopefully he didn't spend all that 15 million from last year.
I dont think his agent is helping much by insisting he is worth more than the MLEE either. This is getting quite fun...
Seems like Spree has lost alot of value and he must be pretty mad at his agent for not pushing him to take the extension last year from Minny. J
Poor guy might have to settle for 5 mil after avg a whopping 12 ppg. Yep thats gotta be "hard to digest", and after such a great season I can see why he couldn't see himself coming of the bench for a title contending team. Screw this guy and his idiot agent!
Either yesterday or Thursday, I read a comment from his agent that Spree was very interested in the Lakers. All the Lakers can offer him after signing McKie is $2.5MM leftover from their MLE or their LLE. I don't think he can live off that.
