SPANOULIS TO SPURS
The San Antonio Spurs acquired guard Vasilis Spanoulis, a second-round draft pick in 2009 and future considerations from the Houston Rockets for forward Jackie Butler and forward Luis Scola.
What does it give the Houston Rockets
This is an intriguing deal for the Rockets for several reasons. Butler has the raw talent to be a starting power forward or center in the NBA, but he never really caught on with the Spurs. Meanwhile Scola is one of the best players in Europe, an NBA-ready power forward who may yet make his way over the pond. If Scola plays for the Rockets soon, he may challenge for their starting power forward role. In Spanoulis, the Rockets lose a talented distributor who wasn't happy in Houston because he wasn't getting much playing time, so the Rockets fill their needs up front while also improving the locker-room a little by moving a disgruntled backup.
What does it give the San Antonio Spurs
In Spanoulis, the Spurs add a very solid point guard who has the talent to eventually start in the NBA. He may challenge for the right to be the top backup to Tony Parker, and this move may mean the eventual trade of Beno Udrih, who fell out of favor somewhat in San Antonio last season. Last year Spanoulis led the Greek national team to an upset of a star-laden USA squad, and he should have played more in Houston last season. The Spurs may regret losing Scola, but didn't need him with rookie Tiago Splitter now in the fold. The 2nd-round pick is also useful, since the Spurs scout so well.
Fantasy impact
