Brent Barry Signs with Rockets

As soon as the Spurs signed Roger Mason Jr., the writing was on the wall for Brent Barry to sign with another team. The Houston Chronicle is reporting that Barry has just signed with the Rockets, leaving the Spurs after four seasons and two championships.

On some level, it's saddening. He was one of the most personable and funny guys in the league, and he was one of the few players that was genuinely, visibly emotional when he played (on a team of robots, it's refreshing). So, here's to bones, one of my all-time favorite Spurs personalities, and a guy that earned each ring he got.

I'll miss you. *Sniffle* This shot will always give me chills...

Spurs Ink Roger Mason Jr.

This offseason, I wanted the Spurs to target the sweet-shooting combo guard, who averaged 9.1 points a game with Washington last season. Lo and behold, they actually listened to me for once (unlike the draft).

After Corey Maggette signed with the Warriors, the Spurs signed the Virginia product to a 2-year, $7.3 million deal. The Spurs spent half of their MLE, and what they do with the rest of their money will probably be dictated by whether or not they sign the in-demand Brent Barry, who is coveted by Phoenix and Houston, amongst other things.

Roger Mason Jr. can stroke it, is a class act, and plays defense, so he fits in well on the team. He's capable of playing point guard in spurts, but he's best served as a shooter who can, on occasion, get red hot.

Links:

Signing Mason Brings Spurs Tax Relief

More Details on Mason

Spurs Targeting Maggette; Barry Opts Out

Yahoo: Spurs Front-Runners for Corey Maggette.

Spurs fans have wanted Corey Maggette for some time now: he's relatively young (28), can jump out of a gym, and is strong enough to steal minutes at the 4 spot. He's also sort of one dimensional (a scorer), and has never dedicated himself to defense. That being said, you take you 22 points per a game players as they come. If he'll take the MLE with the Spurs and plays second-fiddle to the holy trio of Tim, Tony, and Manu, he'll be proving a lot of people wrong about his desire to win.

ESPN: Barry Opts Out, Becomes Free Agent

Final Thoughts on the Draft

1.) The Spurs had an interest in Nicolas Batum, and probably would have drafted him at #26, if Portland hadn't traded in and swept him up at #25. Batum, judging by this French interview, also wanted to be a Spur: "Mon objectif, c'est vraiment d'aller à San Antonio" (loosely, "My objective was to go to San Antonio").

2.) The Spurs wanted to trade up or out. Whether they were looking at Batum or Robin Lopez, the Spurs did explore trading up into the 20-24 range.

3.) They liked George Hill...but he may not have been the first choice. It's realistic to think that they could have traded down to get Hill around pick 33-36, but maybe they couldn't get a trade together after Batum was selected right before they were slated to choose.

4.) The Spurs, ultimately, filled a need. Whether Mario Chalmers is better or not will be highly debated, but, when it's all said and done, the Spurs got a mature backup point guard who can help them this year. He's mentally tough, unlike that guy Sacramento just signed, and has the length and dedication to play some D.

5.) The Spurs drafted domestic. That may be the biggest surprise of all.