Spurs add another key piece in McDyess
You still have to consider the Los Angeles Lakers the favorites in both the Western Conference and the entire NBA next season, but the San Antonio Spurs appear to have closed the gap considerably on the champs this offseason – bet on NBA futures at WagerWeb.com.
Having already acquired Richard Jefferson from the Bucks for some spare pieces, the Spurs now are adding valuable big man Antonio McDyess, formerly of the Pistons. San Antonio is the clear No. 2 in the West right now – sorry Dallas and Denver.
McDyess was in high demand despite being 34. He is expected to sign later this week, probably for the team’s full midlevel exception of about $5.85 million. The 6-foot-9 forward spent the last five seasons with Detroit and averaged 9.6 points and 9.8 rebounds in his 14th NBA season last year. His rebounding average was the third highest of his career.
San Antonio needed a big man to help complement Tim Duncan this season. The Spurs originally were interested in another former Piston in Rasheed Wallace, but he signed with Boston. The team truly appears to be going for the fifth title in the Duncan era with this move and the Jefferson move. Plus Duncan will be 33 next year, and he has shown signs of slowing down, so it’s probably now or never for the franchise.
Last season, the aging Spurs were ousted in the first round of the playoffs last season for the first time since 2000 as they were without an injured Manu Ginobili. Following that series, the Spurs admitted to not packing the same firepower as Dallas.
McDyess, who will be San Antonio’s starting power forward, chose the Spurs over the Pistons, who could not match the money the Spurs offered. The Orlando Magic also are believed to have offered him full mid-level money. The Cleveland Cavaliers, who had the NBA’s best record last season, also were bidders.
It’s your move, Mavericks and Nuggets.
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