Ian Mahinmi - A top 30 UFA in 2010? Should C's be interested?

[rondohondo]

I have never heard about this guy until today when I was looking at the list of top UFA in 2010 over on fanhouse

http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/04/06/top-50-2010-nba-free-agents/

Age: 23 | Height: 6-11 Experience: 2 years | '09-10 Team: Spurs 2009-10 Stats: 3.9 pt | 2.0 reb

Status: Unrestricted free agen The Skinny: Mahinmi has played sparingly in the pros, having been injured in 2008-09 and usually hanging around on the bench or in the NBA D-League as a Spurs prospect. When he does play, he performs. He ranks as the third best player in D-League history according to PER, one of its most efficient players, a great shotblocker and rebounder. So why does he see only players, a great shotblocker and rebounder. So why does he see only garbage time in San Antonio? Beats me. Someone needs to unleash him, though

Like I said I have never seen him play, but a shotblocker/rebounder with length and athleticisim who has the 3rd best PER in D-League history sounds very interesting.

Has anyone ever seen him play? Can you give some info if you have?

Here's his scouting report from when he was drafted in 2005

Strengths: Ian is a real monster in the paint, using his good athleticism and long arms to grab tons of boards ... Reads the ball well off the rim, and even when he doesn't read it, his pure athleticism usually leads to the rebound ... Great length wingspan and reflexes allow him to grab lots of long rebounds that would bounce right over most other player's heads... Defensively he is a beast .. Incredible reach allows him to alter and/or block shots other players wouldn' even think of contesting ... Has very quick hands, leading to lots of steals and tipped balls ... When Ian does score, many of his baskets come off tip ins and offensive rebounds ... This could account for his high shooting percentage (18-30 at 60% in Zaragoza) ... Very good at establishing position in the paint, reads the play very well when making cuts and calling for the ball ... Gets the ball in good position under the basket drawing lots of fouls ... A solid free throw shooter for a post player (70%) ... In fact, many of the points he scores come from free throws post player (70%) ... In fact, many of the points he scores come from free throws... Runs the floor very well, and is one of those hustle players coaches always want on their team ... Always goes for the loose ball, blocked shot, or hustle want on their team ... Always goes for the loose ball, blocked shot, or hustle rebound ... Has decent court vision when around the basket ... Foot work is good around the basket, but needs to add some moves to his arsenal ... His potential is considerable. rebound ... Has decent court vision when around the basket ... Foot work is good around the basket, but needs to add some moves to his arsenal ... His potential is considerable

Weaknesses: At this point in his basketball career, he is still very raw and what many would call a "project" ... Still very raw offensively .... Has no shot outside of 8-10 feet ... Limited offensive skills, besides rebounding and dunking ... Strength s his biggest question mark right now. He is very good at establishing position is his biggest question mark right now. He is very good at establishing position down low, but is rarely strong enough to keep it ... Must put on weight without osing much agility, but he's such a strong athlete, that shouldn't be a problem .. The same goes for rebounding... Must get better at anticipating shots and not try to block everything ..-Rob Salvador 10/4/04

Well anyways sounds like he could be a good 4th or 5th big man for the C's, especially if Sheed retires and Perk is out for a good chunk of next year.

Probably would only take the vet min to get him.....