SAN ANTONIO, July 23 -- Unrestricted free agent Chuck Person is reportedly set to sign a contract with the San Antonio Spurs. The San Antonio Express-News is reporting that the Spurs are expected to announce the signing of Person early next week.
The paper also states that the 6-foot-8 small forward will fill the $1.1 million salary slot left by unrestricted free agent Dale Ellis, who apparently isn't in San Antonio's plans for next season. The 30-year-old Person, an eight-year veteran, played six years with the Indiana Pacers and the last two with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He was recently released by the Wolves when they bought out his contract after this past season. Person is expected to back up Sean Elliott, who was re-acquired by the Spurs earlier in the week in a trade that sent first-round draft pick Bill Curley and a second-round draft pick in 1997 to Detroit. In his first seven years, Person, nicknamed 'The Rifleman,' averaged 18.7 points per game with 47.5 percent shooting. His average dropped to 11.6 per game (42 percent shooting) last season with reduced minutes. On Friday, the Spurs signed Avery Johnson to a multiyear contract as their starting point guard. Johnson already had started for San Antonio in two previous stints, but was twice let go by Spurs management.
