Spurs May Save Money From Spanoulis Trade
July 17, 2007 by Angelo Fernandez
Filed under NBA Basketball
As we all know, the San Antonio Spurs traded Jackie Butler and the rights to Argentinean forward Luis Scola to the Houston Rockets for the homesick Greek guard Vassilis Spanoulis. While the word is that Scola will finally play in the NBA after all these years, Spanoulis desperately wants to go back to Europe and the Spurs are expected to grant his wish.
So it appears that the Spurs’ back court will not be fortified by the likes of Spanoulis but the trade to acquire him could still prove worthwhile to the Spurs in managing the team.
Spurs officials have yet to receive a formal request from Spanoulis, but they’re expected to grant his release provided he gives up the $1.9 million he’s due this season in the last guaranteed year of the contract. Because their payroll is over the league’s luxury-tax threshold, the Spurs would save around $4 million if Spanoulis doesn’t play for them.
So the Spurs could get something out of this trade after all but it really would have been awesome to see Scola as a Spur with fellow countrymen Ginobili and Oberto.
