NBA Rumors: San Antonio Spurs Reportedly Interested In Bringing Livio Jean-Charles Over From Europe


The San Antonio Spurs were very busy yesterday adding players to their roster and may not be done tinkering.

San Antonio, which finished with the league’s second best record last year, appears to be going in a different direction when filling out its roster than in the past following the retirement of Tim Duncan. In previous seasons, the Spurs have filled out their roster with veterans like Matt Bonner, Rasual Butler, and Ray McCollum.

This year, though, San Antonio looks like it is trying to get younger. Yes, the Spurs signed 36-year-old Pau Gasol and re-signed 38-year-old Manu Ginobili. But both of those players — who were among the contingent of players to officially ink a contract — figure to play a prominent role in the teams rotation. LaMarcus Aldridge, Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard, Tony Parker, and Patty Mills are the team’s other veterans seemingly locked into the rotation.

A pair of San Antonio’s younger veterans, Kyle Anderson and Jonathan Simmons, may also become part of the Spurs’ regular rotation, according to Michael C. Wright of ESPN. Anderson went from averaging 10.8 minutes a game in 33 appearances during his rookie season to playing in 78 games, making 11 starts, in 2015-16. The 22-year-old increased his numbers across the board last year, averaging 4.5 points along with 3.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists while shooting 46.8 percent from the field, as well as 32.4 percent from beyond the arc.

Anderson played in five summer league games for the Spurs this year. The 6-foot-9 wing filled up the stat sheet, averaging 21.6 points to go along with 7.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists. He also recorded 2.4 steals and 1.4 blocks a game.

Anderson has the ability play four of the five positions on the court and is a true playmaker. He is also a decent shooter and rebounds the ball well.

Simmons demonstrated a knack for being a scorer in his limited role as a rookie. The 26-year-old shooting guard produced 10 double-figure scoring nights in his 55 outings, averaging 6.0 points a game while shooting 50.4 percent from the field and 38.3 percent from beyond the arc.

Simmons also had a great summer league campaign, playing in both the Las Vegas and Utah leagues. He scored in double-figures in six-of-his-seven summer league contests, which included a 35-point, seven rebound, five assist outing against the Philadelphia 76ers on July 5 in Utah.

Simmons is a good shooter, which makes him a perfect fit for a 3-and-D type player. The 6-foot-6, 195-pounder has the physical tools to be a solid defender and is extremely athletic.

Another potential rotational player is Dewayne Dedmon, who is another player that the Spurs formally announced the signing of. The soon-to-be-27-year-old’s deal is for two-years and worth $6 million, per Shams Charania of The Vertical.

Dedmon played for the Orlando Magic last year, averaging 4.4 and 3.9 caroms over 12.2 minutes of action in 55 games. The seven-footer is an elite rim-protector and rebounder. He will likely be the main backup center behind Gasol though the Spurs could also use Aldridge or Leonard when using a small lineup at the 5 spot.

In addition, the Spurs signed rookies Davis Bertans, Bryn Forbes, Dejounte Murray and Ryan Arcidiacono yesterday.

Bertans played for Laboral Kutxa in the First Division of the Spanish League a season ago, producing 7.8 points and 2.6 rebounds in 39 contests. The 23-year-old Lativan forward shot 43.3 percent from the floor and 42.6 percent from long-distance. San Antonio acquired the 6-foot-9 forward from the Indiana Pacers as part of the Leonard trade.

Forbes, an undrafted free agent from Michigan State, earned a contract with the Spurs following an impressive summer league performance. The 6’3? combo guard averaged 11.1 points and 3.3 rebounds in 25.3 minutes in seven summer league games between Las Vegas and Utah.

Murray, the team’s first round selection, will likely see very little action this year behind Parker and Mills. The 19-year-old showed off his athleticism and scoring prowess but also struggled with his shooting during the summer league campaign. Murray averaged 11.0 points and 6.2 rebounds during summer league action.

Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News reported that Arcidiacono’s deal is a two-year pact that is partially guaranteed. The undrafted rookie point guard, out of Villanova, has been up-and-down in summer league action but is a natural leader who can run an offense and distribute the basketball.

Arcidiacono has also played tough hard-nose defense. He is currently averaging 2.3 points along with 2.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists, as well 1.1 steals in seven summer league games.

With yesterday’s signings, San Antonio currently has 14 players under contract meaning that the Spurs will likely add at least another player before training camp. According to Euro Hoops, one player the Spurs may add is 2013 first-round draft choice Livio Jean-Charles.

Jean-Charles had spent the past five season with French club Villeurbanne, which is owned by Parker. The 6-foot-9 forward produced 6.9 points and 5.1 rebounds while shooting 57.5 percent from the field in 46 games last season.

Jean-Charles is very athletic and a good finisher around the rim. He is also very active on both ends of the floor.

Jean-Charles has played for the Spurs summer league team that past two-years. The 22-year-old is averaging 3.0 points and 2.0 rebounds in two games for the Spurs in Las Vegas this season.

Olivier Hanlon, Youssou Ndoye, Will Cummings and Jarnell Stokes are also possibilities to at least receive a training camp invitation. All four players played for San Antonio’s summer league team.

[Photo by Rick Bowmer/AP]

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