Pounding The Rock 4 hours ago
Open Thread: Josh Primo impressed with the Spurs acquisitions
Photo by Tim Heitman/ Branham and Wesley are ready to hit the floor in Las Vegas In an article at sports Illustrated’s on-line platform, journalist Grant Afseth reported that two of the Spurs recent draft picks have caught the eye of Josh Primo: “They’re really good. Blake (Wesley) is great offensively and defensively. And Malaki (Branham) is really savvy. He knows how to get to his spots. He’s got some physical attributes that make him pretty special.” The Spurs highest draftee, Jeremy Sochan, has tested positive for COVID-19 and had not been cleared to play...
Pounding The Rock 16 hours ago
The Spurs’ next challenge is finding a new starting point guard
Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports The first big decision of the Spurs’ rebuild will be to pick between making one of the young players already on the roster their starting lead guard or adding a veteran to fill that role. The Spurs made a huge move this offseason by trading away Dejounte Murray. It was a transaction made with eyes on the future, and it could pay off greatly, but it also had some repercussions in the present, as it left San Antonio without a starting point guard for the first time in years. While the franchise is rightfully thinking past next season in...
Pounding The Rock Jul 3, 2022
Open Thread: Take the San Antonio Spurs 2021-2022 Roster Quiz
Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Who can remember all the players from the past season For years now, the San Antonio Spurs have been known for their quiet free agency acquisitions and even quieter trade deadline dealings. But if the second half of the last season and this summer are any indication, the once subdued Silver & Black may have changed their ways. Before we untangle and access the current changes (Dejounte Murray and Jock Landale to the Atlanta Hawks, Lonnie Walker IV to the Los Angeles Lakers, Dalino Gallinari waived), let’s revisit some of the changes...
Pounding The Rock Jul 2, 2022
Open Thread: Happy birthday to (former) Spurs guard Derrick White
Photo by Jason Miller/ Probably celebrating his 28th in Bean Town Ever since the video posted of Gregg Popovich calling to welcome him to the Spurs organization, I had nothing but good vibes about Derrick White. He was the first Spurs jersey I have ever owned. Derrick White, @Dwhite921, got emotional when he got a call from Gregg Popovich. Tears started flowing. pic.twitter.com/qqQ44CjjGb— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) June 23, 2017 Derrick was drafted 29th overall in 2017 and spent much of his rookie season leading the Austin Spurs to a G-League...
Pounding The Rock Jul 1, 2022
Open Thread: Curse of the bobbleheads strikes Dejounte Murray
Photo by Ethan Miller/ What to think about Dejounte Murray to Atlanta and Danilo Gallinari to San Antonio. Dejounte Murray heads to Atlanta the same day fans could finally pick up his bobblehead. The Hawks have agreed to send Danilo Gallinari and multiple first round draft picks for the Spurs’ defensive stalwart who will be paired with Trae Young in an effort to create a competitive backcourt that can make a deep postseason run. Both Trae Young and Dejounte Murray are in their prime. Apart, the two could continue to play for the next few years with nothing to show...
Pounding The Rock Jul 1, 2022
What’s next for the Spurs this offseason, after the Dejounte Murray trade
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports The Spurs were quiet in the hectic first day of free agency, but could still make big moves as the offseason progresses. The first day of free agency was a quiet on for the Spurs, which is not surprising after the monumental trade that sent Dejounte Murray to Atlanta. San Antonio is choosing to rebuild, so there’s no rush to make any win-now signings. Brian Wright has the opportunity to play it slow and try to find bargains and opportunities, and seems to be taking advantage of it, but there could be some more moves still to come in...
Pounding The Rock Jul 1, 2022
Report: The Spurs are waiving Danilo Gallinari
Photo by Michael Reaves/ San Antonio says adios to their newly acquired combo forward as they prepare for the first year of an all-out rebuild. The San Antonio Spurs are waiving Danilo Gallinari, per ESPN Senior NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski. Once the San Antonio Spurs finalize the expected release on forward Danilo Gallinari, his preference is to join the Boston Celtics upon clearing waivers, sources tell ESPN.— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022 San Antonio acquired the Italian combo forward, three first-round picks, and a first-round pick swap for...
Pounding The Rock Jun 30, 2022
Spurs rescind their qualifying offer for Lonnie Walker IV
Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via San Antonio could be moving on from their highflying two guard as free agency approaches. The San Antonio Spurs are pulling their qualifying offer for Lonnie Walker IV, per Shams Charania of The Athletic. The Spurs are pulling the qualifying offer on Lonnie Walker IV, making him an unrestricted free agent, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Expect a strong market for Walker immediately.— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022 This move comes less than an hour before free agency begins and makes Walker an unrestricted...
Pounding The Rock Jun 30, 2022
SB Nation Reacts: The Spurs are wheeling and dealing as the offseason begins
Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via San Antonio and General Manager Brian Wright have been busy this summer, but are more moves on the horizon? Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Each week we ask questions of the most plugged-in San Antonio Spurs fans and fans across the country. Between trading All-Star point guard Dejounte Murray, picking three 19-year-olds in the first round of the 2022 NBA Draft, and preparing for free agency, the San Antonio Spurs have experienced a whirlwind of emotions two weeks into the offseason. The Silver and...
Pounding The Rock Jun 30, 2022
Spurs tend qualifying offers to Lonnie Walker IV, Joe Wieskamp
Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports The Spurs have made Wieskamp and Walker restricted free agents, but the two wings might still be on their way out. Lost in the chaos created by the Dejounte Murray trade was an interesting piece of news. Hours before the deadline to do so, the Spurs tendered qualifying offers to Lonnie Walker IV and Joe Weiskamp, making them restricted free agents. To understand why the Spurs did that despite not likely having either young wing in their future plans it’s necessary to know what restricted free agency is. It essentially allows the team...
Pounding The Rock Jun 30, 2022
The Spurs launch a full throttle rebuild with a monumental Dejounte Murray trade
Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Noah Magaro-George and Damien Bartonek discuss the details of San Antonio’s blockbuster and how it impacts the direction of the franchise. The San Antonio Spurs performed their first considerable transaction this offseason, shipping Dejounte Murray to the Atlanta Hawks less than a day before free agency begins. Fans said farewell to their All-Star point guard as the franchise bolstered their growing list of assets with Danilo Gallinari, three first-rounders, and a pick swap. General manager Brian Wright has been incredibly assertive...
Pounding The Rock Jun 30, 2022
The Spurs reset the timeline, in earnest
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports Trading your franchise point guard isn’t meant to be popular or easy. In their most deliberate move of the post-Kawhi era, the Spurs turned their star guard into a trove of assets and begin moving towards a new future. That line about smoke and fire proved true for the Spurs, as percolating reports from different outlets and fan incredulity gave way to a bona fide blockbuster deal on Wednesday, with San Antonio sending All-Star guard Dejounte Murray to Atlanta in exchange for Danilo Gallinari and a bounty of picks and pick swaps. Thus...
Pounding The Rock Jun 30, 2022
Report: Brett Brown reuniting with Gregg Popovich’ staff
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports Brett Brown looks set to replace Becky Hammon’ spot on the bench A day after the San Antonio Spurs lost a familiar face in Dejounte Murray, the Spurs will gain a returning member to the franchise with Brett Brown looking to return to Gregg Popovich’ bench to replace Becky Hammon, according to Emiliano Carchia of Sportando. Sources are expecting former 76ers head coach Brett Brown reuniting with Gregg Popovich’s staff, filling the spot vacated by Becky Hammon in San Antonio— Emiliano Carchia (@Carchia) June 30, 2022 With...
Pounding The Rock Jun 29, 2022
Grading the Spurs’ trade of Dejounte Murray to the Hawks
Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports The Spurs move in another direction... It happened. After days of speculation the San Antonio Spurs lone All-Star, Dejounte Murray, was finally traded to the Atlanta Hawks. In the final hour before the deal was completed, trade talks were heating up with the Knicks, and the Timberwolves also reported as suitors. With this trade, the Spurs showed they are embracing a full rebuild and looking towards the future with a bunch of young talent and a haul of picks. Dejounte Murray to the Hawks for Danilo Gallinari, Hornets 2023 first round pick...
Pounding The Rock Jun 29, 2022
The Dejounte Murray trade shows the Spurs are finally embracing a full rebuild
Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports The move almost certainly sets the Spurs’ return to relevancy back years, but is probably the right decision nonetheless. In a move that no one could have seen coming weeks ago, the Spurs have agreed to trade Dejounte Murray to the Hawks in exchange for Danilo Gallinari, a 2023 first round pick by way of the Hornets, plus Atlanta’s 2025 and 2027 unprotected first round picks, and a future pick swap. The move comes as a slight surprise, despite reports about the framework of the negotiation going back for days. It simply never felt like...
