Marco Belinelli will be joining the San Antonio Spurs next season, according to Yahoo Sports, citing league sources. The contract will be for two years and $6 million.
The signing gives the Spurs a great 3 point shooter and someone who can provide a 20-point scoring performance from time to time.
Belinelli was key last season to a Chicago Bulls team that was without superstar guard Derrick Rose and struggled to find scoring at times. Bellinelli averaged 9.6 points per game in the 2012-2013 regular season while shooting 35 percent from behind the arc. For his career Belinelli is a 38 percent three point shooter.
The Spurs made two other free agency moves this offseason by resigning star guard Manu Ginobli and center Tiago Splitter. Ginolbi resigned for two years, $14 million and Splitter signed for four years, $36 million.
According to ESPN.com, the Spurs agreement with Belinelli probably foreshadows the end of guard Gary Neal’s run with the storied franchise. Neal was a vital part to the Spurs win in Game 3 of the NBA Finals with 24 points and a great performance from behind the arc with six three pointers.
Other teams have been reaching out to Neal in restricted free agency, reports ESPN citing sources. The deals being offered to Neal are for much more money than the Spurs are ready to pay him. It is almost a foregone conclusion Neal will sign with another team.
The Spurs saw their chances with Neal were slim which is most likely why the team moved swiftly in their negotiations with Belinelli.
*Stats according to Yahoo! Sports and ESPN.com
