Tweet
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slu...v=ap&type=lgns
Spurs send Nesterovic to Toronto for Bonner, Williams
SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- The San Antonio Spurs traded center Rasho Nesterovic and cash to the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday for forwards Matt Bonner and Eric Williams, and a second-round pick in 2009.
The move creates flexibility for the Spurs on their roster and salary cap.
The 30-year-old Nesterovic has $23.5 million and three years left on his contract, while Bonner and Williams are entering the final year of their contracts. They could be traded again to teams hoping to open cap room next summer or the Spurs could keep them and enjoy that luxury themselves in 2007.
Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo is eager to put the 7-foot, 255-pound Nesterovic in the middle alongside blossoming forward Chris Bosh.
"He's a smart basketball player who will help address our needs, particularly on the defensive end of the floor," Colangelo said.
Nesterovic signed with San Antonio three summers ago with the unenviable task of replacing David Robinson -- numerically, that is, as no one expected him to live up to the Admiral's standards.
Nesterovic averaged 8.7 points and 7.7 rebounds over 28.7 minutes his first season, then dropped off drastically. He was down to career lows of 4.5 points and 3.9 rebounds this past season, while splitting time with Nazr Mohammed.
Neither center played much in the second-round series against Dallas, which the Spurs lost in seven games. Coach Gregg Popovich used a smaller lineup with forward Robert Horry at center and hinted he might go with that kind of lineup more next season.
This move could be the first step in that direction, with the 6-foot-10 Bonner a candidate to start in the middle.
Mohammed is a free agent, so whether the club tries to re-sign him will be the next indicator. If the Spurs are interested in keeping Mohammed, he might be more willing to listen with Nesterovic out of the way.
Bonner, coming off his second season out of Florida, averaged 7.5 points and 3.6 rebounds last season. He also made 42 percent of his 3-pointers.
"Bonner is a big guy who has the unique ability of knocking down the outside shot, which will help us spread the floor," Spurs general manager R.C. Buford said. "Williams gives us a steady veteran presence and some added depth at the forward position."
Williams, who turns 34 next month, is an 11-year veteran with career averages of 8.8 points and 3.3 rebounds. He played only 28 games last season and averaged a career-low 3.3 points. The Spurs will be his sixth team, fifth in four seasons. He was acquired by Toronto in the deal that sent Vince Carter to New Jersey.
The Raptors also released center Robert Whaley.
SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- The San Antonio Spurs traded center Rasho Nesterovic and cash to the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday for forwards Matt Bonner and Eric Williams, and a second-round pick in 2009.
The move creates flexibility for the Spurs on their roster and salary cap.
The 30-year-old Nesterovic has $23.5 million and three years left on his contract, while Bonner and Williams are entering the final year of their contracts. They could be traded again to teams hoping to open cap room next summer or the Spurs could keep them and enjoy that luxury themselves in 2007.
Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo is eager to put the 7-foot, 255-pound Nesterovic in the middle alongside blossoming forward Chris Bosh.
"He's a smart basketball player who will help address our needs, particularly on the defensive end of the floor," Colangelo said.
Nesterovic signed with San Antonio three summers ago with the unenviable task of replacing David Robinson -- numerically, that is, as no one expected him to live up to the Admiral's standards.
Nesterovic averaged 8.7 points and 7.7 rebounds over 28.7 minutes his first season, then dropped off drastically. He was down to career lows of 4.5 points and 3.9 rebounds this past season, while splitting time with Nazr Mohammed.
Neither center played much in the second-round series against Dallas, which the Spurs lost in seven games. Coach Gregg Popovich used a smaller lineup with forward Robert Horry at center and hinted he might go with that kind of lineup more next season.
This move could be the first step in that direction, with the 6-foot-10 Bonner a candidate to start in the middle.
Mohammed is a free agent, so whether the club tries to re-sign him will be the next indicator. If the Spurs are interested in keeping Mohammed, he might be more willing to listen with Nesterovic out of the way.
Bonner, coming off his second season out of Florida, averaged 7.5 points and 3.6 rebounds last season. He also made 42 percent of his 3-pointers.
"Bonner is a big guy who has the unique ability of knocking down the outside shot, which will help us spread the floor," Spurs general manager R.C. Buford said. "Williams gives us a steady veteran presence and some added depth at the forward position."
Williams, who turns 34 next month, is an 11-year veteran with career averages of 8.8 points and 3.3 rebounds. He played only 28 games last season and averaged a career-low 3.3 points. The Spurs will be his sixth team, fifth in four seasons. He was acquired by Toronto in the deal that sent Vince Carter to New Jersey.
The Raptors also released center Robert Whaley.
Comment