Saddle Up!: Analyzing The Bucks-Spurs Swap

The San Antonio Spurs aren't used to long off seasons. A normal title contender, the Spurs were ousted in the first round of this year's NBA Playoffs to their instate rivals the Dallas Mavericks. Instead of sitting patiently for the draft, the Spurs have made a move which impacts the Western Conference playoff picture for the 2009-2010 NBA season which puts them as one of the favorites to hold the O'Brien trophy come June. The Spurs acquired Forward Richard Jefferson from the Milwaukee Bucks for Bruce Bowen, Kurt Thomas and Fabricio Oberto. Let's go inside and see why both these clubs swapped:

From the Spurs perspective:

San Antonio showed a weakness in their first round exit: when Manu Ginobili went down, the Spurs had no one to drive and hit perimeter jumpers. Adding Jefferson now eliminates that weakness. Jefferson averaged about 20 points and five boards for the Bucks this season and is another option for the Spurs. The Big Three has turned into the Fantastic Four. Now the Spurs have become much more versatile, athletic, and this frees up Tony Parker to run and gun on the fast break. Take a look at the new Spurs starting lineup

PG: Tony Parker

SG: Manu Ginobili

SF: Richard Jefferson

PF: Matt Bonner

C: Tim Duncan

Bench: Michael Finley, George Hill, Drew Gooden, Roger Mason

In my opinion this makes San Antonio the favorite in the Southwest division and the No. 2 team in the West behind the Lakers. If San Antonio can go out and add some bench depth through the draft and free agency, then they have as good a shot as anyone to pop the champagne come June.

Bucks Standpoint:

Going into this off season, the Bucks were dangerously close to the Luxury Tax. Even worse the Bucks have two key free agents, Ramon Sessions and Charlie Villanueva, they desperately need to re-sign and if they sign both then they would be over the tax. Clearly this was a monetary move. Though Jefferson was one of the best players to suit up for the Bucks, he was not in their future plans. Sessions is their point guard of the future and they like Villanueva as the versatile forward who drives to the basket and scores, the role Jefferson played this year. In return the Bucks did not gain much. Bruce Bowen, Fabricio Oberto and Kurt Thomas all bring veteran experience, and knowing how to win, but with the Bucks wanting to go young, they won't see the floor much. Plus their is already talks that a Bowen buyout is in the works, freeing him up to return to San Antonio. Good news is all three have expiring contracts for the summer of 2010.

Here's a look at the Bucks roster

C: Andrew Bogut

PF: Charlie Villanueva

SF: Luc Richard Mbah a Moute

SG: Michael Redd

PG: Ramon Sessions

Bench: Joe Alexander, Damon Jones, Charlie Bell, Oberto, Thomas

I still like the Bucks chances for next season. The Bucks are a young time on the rise and I see them sneaking into the Eastern Conference Playoff  race as the No. 7 or 8 seed. If they can add a swingman or point guard in the draft, then watch out for the Bucks, they could surprise next year.

Overall:

I like the move for both sides. San Antonio adds a vital piece to their title chase, while Milwaukee clears up cap space and are now able to re-sign Villanueva and Sessions. I expect both teams to make the playoffs next year and this deal could be looked as one of the biggest moves in the off season should the Spurs win the 'ship