Spurs front-runners in race for Maggette

[RKO]

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The San Antonio Spurs have targeted Corey Maggette and are the front-runners to sign the Los Angeles Clippers’ free agent forward, multiple league sources said Tuesday night.

While no deal was imminent, Maggette would be expected to sign a multi-year deal for the mid-level exception, a move that would fulfill the Spurs’ desperate need for perimeter athleticism and scoring. Maggette would be leaving the Clippers, just as the team came to an agreement with Golden State free agent Baron Davis on a contract. With so much sudden salary cap space, the Warriors could be a threat to swoop in and take Maggette for themselves. The Boston Celtics have also shown serious interest in Maggette.

Another team with salary cap room, the Philadelphia 76ers, will present Atlanta Hawks restricted free agent Josh Smith an offer sheet on Wednesday when he visits with Sixers general manager Ed Stefanski in Philadelphia, two league sources said.

The Spurs struggled to generate points in the Western Conference finals against the Los Angeles Lakers and believe Maggette could make a dramatic impact as a complement to Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker. Maggette averaged 22.1 points and 5.6 rebounds for the Clippers, who expect now to quickly re-sign free agent Elton Brand.

The Spurs had targeted Maggette as an explosive offensive addition to an offense that struggled to generate points in the Western Conference finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. Maggette averaged 22.1 points and 5.6 rebounds for the Clippers, who expect now to quickly re-sign free agent Elton Brand.

Maggette, 28, opted out of his contract with the Clippers on Monday, along with Brand. He had hopes of returning to the Orlando Magic, but the Spurs, who have an interest in Denver restricted free agent J.R. Smith and Detroit free agent Jarvis Hayes, made an aggressive push in the last 24 hours to sell Maggette on playing an important part in restoring them to a championship team.

“He’s going to take a lot of the offensive load off (Manu) Ginobili, but (Spurs coach Gregg) Popovich will have to hide him defensively on the floor,” a Western Conference scout said Tuesday night.

Maggette can sign on July 9, once the NBA’s moratorium on free agents is lifted.

This is great to see as a Spurs fan. Especially if the front office gets it done. This will take the offensive load a lil bit off Ginobili and we can continue to use him off the bench. While we start Maggette.

[NovU]

maggette is a better penetrator than ginobili but less of a shooter. i'd have maggette than ginobili anyways.

i don't see how they will efficiently share the minutes or the floor. so if it happens, spurs better trade ginobili for some decent role player(s). if this happens, and spurs' timmy and bowen don't show decline, they'll likely be back to top of west.

[Patr1ck]

I think Maggette will get more minutes at small forward like he did with the Clippers. I also think the Spurs would be a good team for him to go so he can improve his defensive skills and learn how to be more effective in a half court offense that has good ball rotation.

[Alejandrov011]

They can sign him with mid level exception???


WTF?



The Spurs are the best financial team i have ever seen! A lot of great players in their roster and still with cap flexibility

Just awesome

[Its_asdf]

You'd think that a player like Maggette would be seeking a long term deal worth at least double the MLE, but this tells you how reputable the Spurs organization has become. And as Pdub already said, I don't really see anyone that can challenge Maggette for the foward spot other than Michael Finley, who's a free agent and Bruce "I'm god awful and have to resort to undercutting players to gain defensive recognition" Bowen. Even then, Bowen doesn't have the offensive firepower and the ability to draw 10+ free throws a night.

I'd say the only problem is keeping Maggette for over 70+ games....

[Andrew]

It remains to be seen how he'll gel with the team but it looks like a good move on paper. Supposedly Horry and Finley still want to return which wouldn't be a bad idea since I doubt either would be looking for big contracts and they're familiar with the system. Getting a younger player in Maggette is good thinking moving forward but last year's team was still a viable contender. Not to take away from the Lakers' performance but had Manu not been hobbled, his usual explosiveness could have prevented those droughts that saw them blow big leads in Los Angeles. Keeping Finley and Horry around for another year would be a decent insurance policy.

[L10]

maggette is a better penetrator than ginobili but less of a shooter. i'd have maggette than ginobili anyways.

i don't see how they will efficiently share the minutes or the floor. so if it happens, spurs better trade ginobili for some decent role player(s). if this happens, and spurs' timmy and bowen don't show decline, they'll likely be back to top of west.

haha no way, Popovich will never trade manu!
by the way, the Celtics extend offer to maggette too: http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archi ... _maggette/

[Cartar]

Hopefully Celtics will get him, he would awsome bench player or replacement in starting lineup to Allen/Pierce, when injured. Boston probably will lose Posey, but they would get better player still. Although I think, Orlando is, where hé´ll land.

[Emiliano]

I hope this does happen. They were contemplating it last off-season and during this past regular season so I hope this time around something happens. We need more athleticism, specially since guys are getting older... I'm guessing with this move Finley probably wouldn't come back or who knows, he would have to have a smaller role that's for sure...

[BigGameJames]

The Warriors have also extended him an offer.

[RKO]

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Report: Maggette Off The Market?

No player has been more sought after or talked about this summer than Corey Maggette. Most of the teams who feel they have a legitimate shot at winning a title in the near future have talked about him being the missing piece that would put them over the top. The Orlando Magic were the most recent team to make a play, but teams like Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio have also been hot on his trail.

According to multiple reports this morning Maggette will, indeed, wind up in the Texas Triangle, and he could very well turn out to be the piece that gets his new team a championship. If all goes according to plan, Maggette will finally join the San Antonio Spurs, who were very much in love with him a couple of seasons ago when his last contract came up.

Maggette was not completely against returning to the Clippers, but behind closed doors it seems there was a mutual understanding that splitting the sheets was the best move. LA's move to steal Baron Davis away from the Golden State Warriors was the final indicator that Maggette's days in LA are finished.

For now, Spurs fans can start to think about Finals tickets once again . . .and get in line for your Corey Maggette jersey.

It won't be #50.

[Cartar]

Damn, hate to see that, it looks pretty final. Btw, where did you get the news?

[RKO]

I got it off of hoopsworld.

[Lamrock]

Fuck the fucking Spurs.

At least the Lakers get Bynum and the Hornets gain experience though, meaning the Spurs won't necessarily win their fourth straight odd numbered year title.

[Sauru]

Hopefully Celtics will get him, he would awsome bench player or replacement in starting lineup to Allen/Pierce, when injured. Boston probably will lose Posey, but they would get better player still. Although I think, Orlando is, where hé´ll land.

i pray we keep posey, infact it should be our main priority. no way in hell do i take a player like maggette over posey

[RKO]

Fuck the fucking Spurs.

At least the Lakers get Bynum and the Hornets gain experience though, meaning the Spurs won't necessarily win their fourth straight odd numbered year title.

If we get Maggette and he sings with us. Don't worry, we'll win it again. It is an odd year.

[jonthefon]

Once again, Mark Cuban and Donnie Nelson have fucked up, gotten the Mavs off the board after wasting their full MLE on Gana Diop.

*Vents angrily in the background*

[[Q]]

i hate the spurs.

they always continually find a way to get better. ridiculous. maggette fills the scoring need that finley filled a couple years back.

he'll probably wear #0 right? i thought he wore that before.

[airBerlin]

I don't see how the spurs can possibly lose if they pick up Maggette.

[The X]

this seems so crazy that I'll have to see it to believe it....I couldn't imagine Maggette taking only the MLE in a multi-year deal....maybe a one year deal, but not multi-year....

[Andrew]

I don't see how the spurs can possibly lose if they pick up Maggette.

Injuries, if nothing else.

this seems so crazy that I'll have to see it to believe it....I couldn't imagine Maggette taking only the MLE in a multi-year deal....maybe a one year deal, but not multi-year....

Well, presumably "multi-year" could end up being two years which wouldn't be a bad sacrifice to get on a team that should contend for the championship. If he proves himself a valuable member of the team, he could be in for a bigger payday down the road if Bruce Bowen hangs it up within the next few years.

[hokupguy]

i am not too sure about him going to the spurs , they was alot of talk that he really wanted to come back to orlando. And taking the med level exp to play here. And i think we would not really fit or like SA because of there playing style. Might be better in Boston or orlando.

[L10]

I agree with you daddie9, there is nothing sure about it... but, having celitcs and spurs, i think going to orlando is not a possibility- by the way, if maggette choose boston he will have to come from the bench, going to spurs he wont...

[benji]

Once again, Mark Cuban and Donnie Nelson have fucked up, gotten the Mavs off the board after wasting their full MLE on Gana Diop.

As good as Maggette is, do the Mavericks really need a defenseless wing player who uses 28% of possessions? In comparison to a frontcourt defender who is efficient in the few possessions he uses?

maggette fills the scoring need that finley filled a couple years back.

When he averaged 10 points a game? And 13.8 per 36? As compared to this season when he averaged 10 points a game and 13.5 per 36? Maggette's 22 for both is a little bit more.

The best upside is that the Spurs weakness was offense last season (24th at getting to the line where Maggette would help quite a bit), and Maggette would hopefully push Bowen to that 10 minute guy off the bench role he probably should be at this point. Finley too.

he'll probably wear #0 right? i thought he wore that before

He's only ever worn #50.

[Lamrock]

Do they win more regular season games with or without Corey?