Spurs waive Finley

[Andrew]

Source

The San Antonio Spurs waived swingman Michael Finley(notes) after nearly five seasons Monday, giving the 15-year veteran a chance to finish the season with more playing time elsewhere.

The Spurs said they honored Finley’s request to be released from his contract, which was in its final year after he exercised a $2.5 million option this season. Finley, who turns 37 this week, will be eligible to sign with a playoff contender.

“I was very surprised, but we granted his request,” Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich said before San Antonio played the Hornets. “That’s for other teams to decide if they think he can be useful. But we did grant him his release before the deadline so he would have the opportunity to play someplace in the playoffs if he so desired.”

At this point of his career, I don't think there'll be too many opportunities for him to get significantly more playing time than he already was with the Spurs but I'm sure there'll be some interest in him nevertheless. With the Spurs playing below expectations, perhaps he'll settle for simply being on a team more likely to contend.

[Rip32]

As a character/leadership guy I could see him signing on in Dallas. He doesn't really fit what they've got going, but he played the majority of his career so it seems like a logical fit at this point in his career.

[Andrew]

Yeah that's not a bad prediction, assuming he'll forego the desire for extra minutes for familiar surroundings and an increased chance of winning another championship. As you said they don't really need him, but they've got an open roster spot and he'd add a little extra depth, another experienced hand as they gear up for the Playoffs.

[jonthefon]

Apparently the Mavs are staying put with their current roster. I'd love to have him back (great guy, done a lot for the franchise, would like him to retire as a Mav, etc.) and I'd probably take him over Von Wafer, but unfortunately there probably won't be any minutes in the rotation for him, since his outside shot seems streakier than ever and he doesn't really bring much else to the table, especially with the Mavs having benefited so much from improved D - unless you count sentimental value and "veteran experience".

[Andrew]

Finley could draw interest from Celtics

After asking the San Antonio Spurs to let him go, Michael Finley is looking for a chance to be a factor on a title-contending team. The Boston Celtics are among the teams who have interest, league sources said.

The Spurs waived Finley on Monday after he expressed frustration about his limited role with the team. The Celtics, sources said, have some interest because they could use another shooter off the bench. A league source also said the Los Angeles Lakers eventually could have interest in Finley as an “insurance player” to help strengthen their own bench.

[Stress Fracture]

Oh come on, the Celtics again? How can they sign Finley? Do they still have cap space?

[NovU]

He used to have a text book style fade away jumper. I wish I could see few more of those before he retires. Best of luck to the guy.

[Andrew]

Oh come on, the Celtics again? How can they sign Finley? Do they still have cap space?

Not an issue when there are exceptions and the veteran's minimum.

[puttincomputers]

chicago should sign him

[Andrew]

I wouldn't be against it, but this isn't the Michael Finley of 7-10 years ago. I don't think he's going to help them all that much.

[Modifly]

Oh come on, the Celtics again? How can they sign Finley? Do they still have cap space?

Of course they can. What gets me is that the C's always go after veterans that are available. Eg. Cassell, Wallace, P.J. Brown.

[Rip32]

Oh come on, the Celtics again? How can they sign Finley? Do they still have cap space?

by that reaction it sounds like you think he would actually make a difference for them

[NovU]

Personally, I hope to see him return to Dallas to retire there. He had best years in Dallas, so I think many fans will welcome him regardless of his production.

Edit: Maybe Cuban should think about it.

[Stress Fracture]

Oh come on, the Celtics again? How can they sign Finley? Do they still have cap space?

by that reaction it sounds like you think he would actually make a difference for them

Who knows? They have a history of using veterans in the playoffs, with the exception of Marbury.

[benji]

Marbury played 12 minutes per game in the playoffs. 15 minutes more than he should have considering how bad he was during the season and how much worse he plays in the playoffs historically.

[Oznogrd]

-3 minutes per game? I like this plan. We build the time machine and we go back and take marbury out of games he already played in, making him lose minutes...Operation:Starburyfucker is a go.

[atlwarrior]

So the Celtics just signed Finley today. Wow

[Andrew]

Can't hurt, but unlikely to be the answer to all their problems. If they can stay healthy then I think they're still in the discussion though, their record with their regular rotation intact isn't too bad.

[Alpha_]

Finley will going to join the C's..

[NovU]

This may not be relevant to this thread, but it seems to me that Nate was actually a good addition to the C. He's not afraid to take shots and looks like he does provide to be a scoring threat off the bench, unlike spot up jump shooter Ed House.

Weird the Celtics signed Finley though. For Finley, I think he's gotta love it since the Celtics compete at serious championship level when healthy, but not sure what the team gets in return by playing him. I guess the time will tell...

[Andrew]

If there's anything left in the tank and he's healthy then I believe he's got the potential to make a positive contribution in limited minutes. He's probably got enough game left for the role they need him to fill.

[puttincomputers]

could be what busts my predictions for the playoffs or the catalyst to make it happen!