San Antonio Spurs Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Spurs Waive Nicolas Laprovittola

December 27th, 2016 at 4:15pm CST by Luke Adams

The Spurs have made a roster move, announcing today in a press release that they’ve waived rookie guard Nicolas Laprovittola. The move reduces the team’s roster to 14 players, creating an opening to add someone, though there’s no indication a signing is imminent. The Spurs released Laprovittola to maintain roster flexibility, according to Jabari Young of The San Antonio Express-News (via Twitter).

Laprovittola, who will turn 27 next month, signed with the Spurs in September and appeared in 18 regular season games with the club, making three starts. In 9.7 minutes per contest, the Argentenian averaged 3.3 PPG and 1.6 APG, shooting 37.0% on three-pointers.

Last season, Laprovittola averaged 10.3 PPG and a team-high 3.8 APG for Lietuvos Rytas in Lithuania, posting an impressive .492/.444/.912 shooting line. He was also a member of the Argentinian national team in Rio this past summer, averaging 8.2 PPG, 2.7 APG, and 2.2 RPG in the Olympic tournament.

Because he was on a non-guaranteed contract, Laprovittola’s full $543K salary won’t count against the Spurs’ cap. That salary would have become fully guaranteed if he had remained under contract through January 10, so San Antonio made an early decision to cut him and avoid taking on that full guarantee.

Laprovittola will become an unrestricted free agent later this week, assuming he goes unclaimed on waivers. He’ll be a candidate to head back to Europe unless he finds another NBA job quickly.

Ginobili Still Going Strong; Murray Gets Start Near Home

December 25th, 2016 at 7:32pm CST by Arthur Hill

Manu Ginobili is giving the Spurs more of “the old Manu” this season, writes Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express News. At 39, the 15-year veteran was instrumental in wins this week over the Pelicans and Rockets. He continues to amaze teammates, who marvel at his work ethic and passion for the game. After considering retirement last summer, Ginobili signed a one-year deal worth $14MM. He hasn’t said whether this will be his final year in the NBA. “Manu is Manu,” said coach Gregg Popovich. “When he gets on the court, he is there ready to play and compete and he’s done it for his whole career. And he’ll do it until he stops playing. I don’t care what his age is.”

Rookie Spurs guard Dejounte Murray was grateful to get his second start of the season in front of family and friends in Portland, Orsborn writes in a separate piece. The Seattle native had a huge contingent cheering him on as he filled in for Tony Parker. “All I need is a chance,” said Murray, who has played just 74 minutes all season. “Like Pop told me, ‘Stay under control, run the team, and do what you do.’ It’s basketball at the end of the day. It’s nothing to be afraid of, nothing to be nervous about. I’m a little nervous because I’m a rookie. But at the end of the day, it’s hooping. Just go out and play ball.”

NBA D-League Assignments/Recalls: 12/22/16

December 22nd, 2016 at 10:55pm CST by ChrisCrouse

Here are Thursday’s D-League assignments and recalls from across the NBA, with the latest moves added to the top of the list throughout the day:

10:55pm:

The Nets recalled forward Chris McCullough from the Long Island Nets, the team tweets. McCullough was assigned to the D-League Nets on December 9 and started the team’s last five games. He had 20 points and eight rebounds in 35 minutes against the Grand Rapids Drive on Thursday.

3:50pm:

The Spurs have recalled Dejounte Murray and Bryn Forbes from their D-League affiliate, the Austin Spurs. Tom Orsborn of Spurs Nation relays. Both players will be available for tonight’s game against the Clippers.
The Jazz have assigned Joel Bolomboy to the Salt Lake City Stars, the their D-League affiliate, according to the team’s website. This will be Bolomboy’s sixth assignment of the season.
The Raptors have assigned Bruno Caboclo and Fred VanVleet to their D-League affiliate, according to the team’s Twitter feed.

Duncan's Retirement Ceremony Spurs Celebration

December 19th, 2016 at 8:52pm CST by Austin Kent

The Spurs retired Tim Duncan‘s jersey Sunday and the tribute videos are out in full force. The NBA’s YouTube channel has uploaded the full retirement ceremony and San Antonio’s official website is celebrating 21 Days of TD.

NBA D-League Assignments/Recalls: 12/18/16

December 18th, 2016 at 9:09pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Here are the D-League assignments and recalls for Sunday:

The Spurs assigned guard Bryn Forbes to the Austin Spurs, the team announced on its website. Forbes scored 23 points against the Westchester Knicks on Sunday afternoon.
The Thunder recalled forward Josh Huestis from the Oklahoma City Blue, the team announced in a press release. In nine games with the Blue this season, Huestis is averaging 12.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 2.11 blocks in 31.7 minutes. Huestis has appeared in five games with the Thunder, averaging 2.8 points and 2.0 rebounds in 11.0 minutes.

Patty Mills An Under-The-Radar 2017 Free Agent?

December 18th, 2016 at 3:48pm CST by Luke Adams

Keith P. Smith of RealGM.com identifies 11 players on track for 2017 free agency who may be flying under the radar a little, including JaMychal Green (Grizzlies), Patty Mills (Spurs), and Bojan Bogdanovic (Nets).

Poll: Biggest Threat To Warriors In West?

December 17th, 2016 at 3:59pm CST by Luke Adams

The Warriors entered the 2016/17 season as significant favorites to come out of the Western Conference and win the NBA Finals, and little has changed during the first couple months of the season. Golden State isn’t quite on a 73-win pace again this season, but the team is 23-4 and its offense is producing at a historic pace.

Although the Warriors haven’t looked invincible, they also haven’t had to endure many growing pains as they’ve incorporated prized offseason signee Kevin Durant into their rotation. It will be an extremely tall order for any Western Conference team to beat Golden State four times in a seven-game playoff series, but a handful of teams in the conference have looked good so far.

The Spurs have the West’s second-best record, at 21-5, though advanced statistics suggest that pace is probably unsustainable, as Mika Honkasalo of HoopsHype writes. The Clippers got off to a hot start and briefly looked like they belonged in the discussion with the Warriors, but a cool stretch starting in late November brought them back down to earth, and they’ve struggled against Golden State in recent years. L.A. has lost its last seven games to the Warriors, and was blown out in the only meeting between the two teams so far this season.

While San Antonio and Los Angeles were expected to be the Warriors’ top challengers coming into the season, another trio of teams has helped form a strong second tier in the conference. The Rockets, led by MVP candidates James Harden and a record-setting barrage of three-pointers, have won nine games in a row and are tied with the Clips at 20-7. The Grizzlies, who surged without their top player (Mike Conley), are right behind them, and the Jazz, who have battled injuries all year, look like they could be a dangerous club if and when they finally get healthy.

What do you think? Which of these teams should the Warriors be most worried about facing in the Western Conference portion of the postseason? Is there another team in the conference that could create problems for Golden State? Weigh in below with your vote!

Which team is the biggest threat to the Warriors?

San Antonio Spurs 38.51% (541 votes)

Houston Rockets 25.91% (364 votes)

Utah Jazz 16.09% (226 votes)

Los Angeles Clippers 12.03% (169 votes)

Memphis Grizzlies 5.48% (77 votes)

Another Western Conference team 1.99% (28 votes)

Total Votes: 1,405

App users, click here to place your vote.

Celtics Considered Drafting Tony Parker

December 16th, 2016 at 1:57pm CST by Arthur Hill

Tony Parker briefly held a Celtics cap during the 2001 draft, relays ESPN’s Chris Forsberg. Boston was considering using the No. 21 pick on the French point guard before opting to go in a different direction. Instead, the Celtics took Joseph Forte from North Carolina, and Parker fell to the Spurs at No. 28.

Marks Uses Spurs Blueprint

December 11th, 2016 at 9:02am CST by Arthur Hill

Nets GM Sean Marks is leaning heavily on his background with the Spurs as he tries to build the organization, according to NetsDaily. About a quarter of the staffers the former San Antonio GM has hired since taking over in Brooklyn previously worked for the Spurs.

Pau Gasol Was Nearly A Spur in 2014

December 8th, 2016 at 7:00pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Pau Gasol nearly signed with the Spurs in 2014 before choosing the Bulls, according to Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express Nets. Gasol felt Chicago “underperformed” in his two seasons there before he opted out of the final year of his contract and chose the Spurs this summer. He was also heavy recruited by ex-Bulls coach and current Timberwolves coach and president of basketball operations, Tom Thibodeau, McDonald continues. Gasol turned down bigger money — two years and $36MM — to sign with San Antonio for two years and $31.6MM, McDonald adds. “I think a player like that, he’s looking for an opportunity to be part of a championship team,” Thibodeau told McDonald.