Yes, Scola is better than Fabs, Butler & Ely. Ely was obtained in trade after the season started so his "money" had no bearing on trying to sign Scola during the off season. Fabs was signed last season so also had no bearing on this season's signings.
The two players signed this offseason were Butler and Elson. If the Spurs were have given their entire mid-level exemption to Scola then they would have had no money to sign Elson. And therefore your fantasy lineup could never exist. So now you choose...would you rather have Scola or Elson? You can't sign both.
A huge negatory on all accounts.
Scola Remains Shackled to team in Spain Web Posted: 07/06/2006 09:48 PM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
One of the agents for Luis Scola accused the Spurs on Thursday of making the Argentine forward a "prisoner" because they don't intend to sign him this summer and have yet to trade his rights.
The Spurs drafted Scola in the second round in 2002. He has hoped to come to the NBA each of the past two seasons but has been unable to work out an agreement with the Spurs, in part because of the large buyout he has with his Spanish team, Tau Ceramica.
Spurs officials made it clear after the season they likely wouldn't sign Scola because they didn't want to invest in another power forward, especially after signing Fabricio Oberto, Scola's friend, last year and trading for Matt Bonner two weeks ago. They also are unsure how well Scola would play next to Tim Duncan, given that both like to work out of the post.
"In the country of liberty, Luis is a prisoner," Claudio Villanueva, one of Scola's three agents, told Argentine newspaper La Nación. "The Spurs do not utilize him, neither do they want to yield him to another team and they impede him to play in the NBA."
Spurs officials declined comment except to say they have not spoken to Villanueva. Instead, they have worked with Scola's U.S. agent, George Bass, for more than a month to find him another team.
Several executives from other NBA teams said the Spurs tried to use Scola's rights to move into the first round of last week's draft. They also have sought to secure a future first-round pick for him.
Cleveland and Memphis expressed some interest, but the talks never yielded an offer.
Bob Myers, the agent for Utah's Jarron Collins — the top NBA free-agent center left on the market — called the Spurs "an attractive option" Thursday but also said Collins is assessing all opportunities. The Jazz have said they hope to re-sign him.
Milwaukee is trying to trade Jamaal Magloire but doesn't like what the Spurs have to offer.
Moving Duncan to center and signing Scola isn't being considered.
Scola is seeking a three-year contract worth between $9 million and $10 million, about a third of which would go to paying the $3.5 million buyout he has with Tau.Had the Spurs not signed Oberto last summer — when Scola's buyout was nearly four times as much as it is now — or if Scola were in position to sign for the $1.5 million Manu Ginobili drew for his first-year NBA salary, the Spurs would be more willing to gamble on Scola. Other teams also seem hesitant.
Scola has distinguished himself as one of Europe's top players, which, coupled with the success of Ginobili and Chicago forward Andres Nocioni, has made him into a mythical star among Spurs fans, most of whom have seen him play few, if any, games. NBA officials, however, seem split on how Scola would fare in the league.
One Eastern Conference general manager said the Spurs could do a lot worse than signing Scola. Others question whether he is athletic and big enough. A Western Conference executive said his team didn't have much interest in Scola in the 2002 draft and is even less interested now.
With the Spurs unwilling to sign him — and apparently unable to trade him — Scola said he would play for Tau.
"Luis is young; he is 26 years old," Villanueva told La Nación. "He can expect that next year he surely he will fulfill his dream."
FWIW here is what Scolas agent said in July about what came down:
http://www.lanacion.com.ar/820978"I will continue one more year in Tau Ceramica", is the announcement argentinian power forward Luis Scola will make today during a press conference to be held in Vitoria, Spain where Tau's president, Joan Quereteja, will present the new roster.
Therefore, for the third consecutive year, the dream of the olympic champion won't come true because the team which owns his NBA rights, San Antonio Spurs, didn't show any interest in signing him. "In the country of freedom, Luis is a slave", said Claudio Villanueva, Scola's agent and added: "The Spurs are preventing him from playing in the NBA, they don't want to trade him".
According to Villanueva, it is clear that "San Antonio doesn't want Luis Scola. They don't valuate him as a player although he is one of the best in Europe and a winner of many tournaments and individual awards. Actually, I don't know why Gregg Popovich doesn't want him", said the argentinian agent.
Scola was decided to pay his buyout ($4 millions for the two years left in his contract) to accept offers from Chicago Bulls or Utah Jazz, who had shown interest in signing him. "Phoenix and Memphis also asked for him", said Villanueva. However, Spurs asked for money and first round picks in next year's draft to trade Scola's rights.
"Luis is young, he is 26 years old, and can wait: I am sure his dream will come true next year", affirmed the agent.
