San Antonio Spurs: A Game Plan After Corey Maggette's Snub

At only 22, he would provide the Spurs with youth and athleticism that the Spurs desperately lacked last season with Brent Barry, Michael Finley, Bruce Bowen and Ime Udoka taking turns as the second wingman next to Ginobili.

The question is whether the Spurs want to bank on a player with as many character problems and off-court issues as Smith, who has been suspended on multiple occasions due to his behavior on and off the court as well as facing legal issues. 

For the Spurs, who pride themselves on personal character, such behavior must give them pause.

The next option has been somewhat less explored, but makes some sense. The Spurs could make a move on Chicago Bulls restricted free agent Ben Gordon.  At 25 and a scoring machine at 18.6 PPG off the bench, Gordon would certainly give the Spurs their much-needed fourth scorer.

A player such as Gordon would certainly command the Spurs' full mid-level exception.  On talent alone, the Bulls would be certain to match.

However, given his streaky play last season in which several of his stats dipped from 2006-2007, and the crowded backcourt in Chicago (after drafting Derrick Rose and with Kirk Hinrich, Larry Hughes, Thabo Sefolosha, Andres Nocioni, and Luol Deng), the Bulls might elect not to match a full mid-level offer.

Ultimately, Gordon is a long-shot, and I suspect the Bulls would match the Spurs offer.

There are two more players left who have skills that might interest the Spurs at this price range, Blazers forward James Jones and Celtics swingman James Posey. 

Jones seems to be seeking a deal starting at about $5 million per year, while Posey appears to be holding out for the full mid-level exception.

Each player can shoot from long range, and Posey plays gritty defense, and they would both be attractive to the Spurs. However, spending so much money on what will likely wind up being an eighth man is what gets teams locked in salary-cap hell. I don't think signing either would be a good move for the Spurs.

Look for a Hidden Bass

OK, so making a subtle allusion to Mavericks forward Brandon Bass, the prototypical hidden impact player signed for the cheap, may not have been the most clever maneuver in the world.  Sue me.

Unfortunately, there's a reason why these kinds of players are hidden: nobody knows who they're going to be.  So here's a list of players who would be my best bets to be a surprise contributor for a near minimum-salary deal next year.  The Spurs could split their mid-level exception amongst two or three of these guys and hope they pan out.

Eddie House gave the Celtics much a much-needed scoring punch in the Finals last year.  Unfortunately, the streaky nature of his scoring and his suspect defense led to him being mostly benched for the first three rounds of the playoffs.  If the Spurs could get some consistency out of House, they could get a steal at about $2 million per season over two years.

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