The Spurs have released 23-year old forward Malik Hairston at his own request. Hairston played in 47 games (0 starts) for the Spurs last season and he averaged 6.7 minutes, 2.1 points, 1.0 rebound and 0.3 assists per game. He played in 62 games (0 starts) in his two years with the Spurs and he averaged 7.6 minutes, 2.4 points, 1.2 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game. The Spurs essentially did Hairston a favor as he was buried on their depth chart heading into the 2010-11 NBA season.

The Spurs have re-signed 30-year old forward Matt Bonner to a new 4 year deal. Bonner played in 65 games (8 starts) for the Spurs last season and he averaged 17.9 minutes, 7.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game. He has now played in 430 games (84 starts) in his 6 years in the NBA and he has averaged 18.3 minutes, 6.7 points, 3.5 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game. Bonner has shot 40.5% from three point range in his NBA career and his shooting is the best asset he brings off the bench for the Spurs. This was a good signing for the Spurs.

30-year old small forward Richard Jefferson has shockingly opted out of the last year of his contract with the Spurs which would have paid him $15 million bucks. The Spurs’ front office is likely doing cartwheels right now as Jefferson didn’t pan out for them last season. Jefferson played in 81 games (70 starts) last season for the Spurs and he averaged 31.1 minutes, 12.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. He has now played in 652 games (569 starts) in his nine years in the NBA and he is averaging 35.2 minutes, 17.0 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. Jefferson is the third best small forward available in free agency and I don’t think he enjoyed being the 4th option on offense.

UPDATE: (7/21/2010) - The Spurs have re-signed Richard Jefferson to a multi-year deal. The terms have not been released as of yet. Maybe he’ll be better this time around for the Spurs.

The Spurs drafted 25-year old power forward Tiago Splitter in 2007 with the 28th overall pick (first round) of the NBA Draft. He has been overseas playing for a few years but now he wants to come to the states to play. The Spurs will likely have to pony up a deal like 5 years for $25-$30 million bucks to have him cross the pond and head south. Splitter played in 16 games (14 starts) in the Euroleague last season and he averaged 26.4 minutes, 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. Hopefully Splitter will play good enough for the Spurs to be worth the wait.

UPDATE: (7/13/2010) - The Spurs have signed Tiago Splitter to a 3-year, $10.9 million dollar deal.

The Spurs have signed 22-year old shooting guard Alonzo Gee for the rest of the year. Gee played in 11 games (2 starts) for the Wizards this season in which he averaged 16.5 minutes, 7.4 points, 2.9 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game. He will start getting minutes for the Spurs as soon as he gets in town. I really like this move for the Spurs.