Oh, To Feel Young Again: Spurs Trade For Jefferson

Tim Duncan and his supporting cast are aging quickly, and if that window is to be kept open, the Spurs had to make a move.

Fans’ prayers were answered as the team added some serious firepower, acquiring Richard Jefferson from the Bucks for veteran role players Bruce Bowen, Kurt Thomas, and Fabricio Oberto.

The Bucks are a small market team facing the tough economy, with two of its key young players, Ramon Sessions and Charlie Villanueva, entering restricted free agency this summer.

When all options were weighed, his larger contract made Jefferson the odd man out, ending his short tenure with the Bucks.

The deal, which sends three expiring contracts to Milwaukee, clears up $15 million to be used on other contracts for next season and keeps the Bucks safe from the NBA’s dollar-for-dollar luxury tax penalty.

Kurt Thomas is more than likely to request a buyout from the Bucks. Bruce Bowen also offers potential to do the same.

The Bucks were in dire straits, and in swarmed the Spurs to the rescue. The team made an oath to improve its roster this summer, and Jefferson adds a scoring wing-man that is desperately needed next to the oft-injured Manu Ginobli.

A borderline all-star, Jefferson is a 20 point per game scorer who, when paired with Duncan, Parker and Ginobli, will force the opposing defense’s hand.

The deal was a low-risk, high-reward type scenario for the Spurs, as Kurt Thomas is from Texas, and would likely be interested in returning to San Antonio after the league’s mandated 30 day wait period if he is waived by the Bucks.

Although he is among the league’s nastiest defenders, there is potential for Bowen to return as well, whether this season, or next, when his contract expires.

Oberto, a foreign phenomenon, was once considered a hot commodity, but his success has yet to translate over to the NBA.

If the Spurs do not inch closer to the ultimate goal this season, however, it too will be another team weighing financial options. A team that cannot achieve acceptable success is not one that can afford what’s now to be considered the team’s “Big Four” on the books for very long.

Congratulations, Spurs; your window of opportunity has been open just a tad more, but if success is not found, it will be slamming shut for a very long time.

Good luck.