While some NBA teams’ offseason checklists are fairly straightforward, there are a handful of clubs that could realistically go in any number of directions with their rosters in the next couple weeks.
The Spurs are one of those clubs. After seeing their streak of postseason appearances snapped this summer, San Antonio will have to decide what to do with veterans like DeMar DeRozan, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Rudy Gay, all of whom will be on pricey expiring contracts in 2020/21, assuming DeRozan exercises his player option.
San Antonio’s books are nearly entirely clear of veteran contracts beyond 2021, and the team has a promising young core of Dejounte Murray, Derrick White, Lonnie Walker, Keldon Johnson, and Luka Samanic to build around. If the front office decides to accelerate the rebuilding process, it could do so by moving some of those veterans.
The Spurs don’t typically make blockbuster trades unless their hand is forced (as in the case of Kawhi Leonard two summers ago). A typical offseason in San Antonio would probably involve hanging onto their veterans, perhaps extending DeRozan and re-signing restricted free agent Jakob Poeltl, and betting on internal improvement to help the club return to playoff contention.
However, multiple NBA reporters are suggesting that the Spurs may have something bigger in mind this fall. Within his mock draft on Tuesday, John Hollinger of The Athletic wrote of “unusually large plumes of smoke” coming out of San Antonio for a team that is “normally church-mouse quiet.”
Today, draft analyst and former agent Matt Babcock tweeted that there’s a “growing sense” in league circles that the Spurs are up to “something big.” Keith Smith of RealGM (Twitter link) has also heard from multiple teams that the Spurs are “up to something” and that they’re talking to more people than usual.
It’s hard to know yet whether all of this smoke means there will be any fire next week — or what exactly San Antonio might have up its sleeve. A trade involving Aldridge or DeRozan would be the most obvious way for the club to make a splash, and there has been a little Aldridge chatter, at least. A deal involving one of the younger players shouldn’t be ruled out either, if the Spurs aren’t sold on all of them being long-term building blocks.
It’s also worth noting that the Spurs hold a lottery pick (No. 11) for the first time in over two decades. The last time San Antonio drafted a player in the lottery was in 1997, when the team used the top pick on Tim Duncan. The last time the franchise made a draft-night trade to acquire a prospect picked in the top half of the first round was in 2011 for Leonard.
It’s probably safe to say this year’s selection won’t become a Duncan or Leonard, but if San Antonio has zeroed in on a specific 2020 prospect, the organization is in far better position than usual to land that player, even if it means trade up a few spots.
What do you think? Do you expect a fairly quiet offseason in San Antonio or do you think the Spurs could make some noise this month? If you’re expecting bigger moves, what do you suspect the team has in mind?
Head to the comment section below to weigh in with your thoughts!
Spurs want to take Wiggins contract and #2.
It means to me that there is a superstar on this draft.
I can see Aldridge going to GSW for Wiggins and the #2. Spurs toss in a future protected #1 somewhere down the road and a second rounder perhaps this year. I’d suspect Wiseman would be their target.
I would deal Aldridge & #11 to GS for Wiggins and the #2 then … deal DeRozen to the Lakers for Kyle Kuzma & Danny Green
But Danny just sold his house in San Antonio earlier this year. Don’t do that to him.
I like the GS deal, but I think it would take more than Green and Kuzma to get DeRozan.
Reports are saying that the Lakers would have to throw in a couple of million dollars to even the trade out …
Yeah I just saw those reports. In my opinion DeRozan is a much better player than that offer. I realize he only has 1 year left under contract, but players sign extensions all the time. If I am a up and coming team like Denver or Dallas or Atlanta, I would be all over this. I think he would be good in Portland too.
The point is that there should be a much bigger market than just taking bench fodder from the Lakers.
I think there will be something, like one of the two all stars will be traded. But as a spurs fan, I just don’t see them going full rebuild. But I could be wrong. Trade rumors out of San Antonio is wild. I don’t know. I hope for a full blown rebuild. The #2 pick would be nice. And Andrew Wiggins under pop would be interesting. If one man can revive a career, it’s him. I doubt the warriors take that deal for the pick, unless they’re hell bent on getting an all star for the pick, as I can see us as being the only ones willing to give one away right now. And I’ll admit Aldridge does have a manageable contract compared to someone like Westbrook. I’m just not convinced it’s going to happen.
Trust in Pop! Can’t wait
I’ve heard LMA and the spurs #11 pick to GS for the #2 overall. The thought of helping GS become a super powerhouse team that would instantly be title favorites makes me want to vomit. To me this would be the worst move in franchise history and I’d probably not watch the NBA if this happened much like I didn’t watch much when cupcake Durant went to champion 73 win team to make a team so lopsided just to snatch up 2 foolsgold rings. I dont care if he was the best player or MVP he still took the easiest path. In this draft theres no guarantee that the #2 will be so much better than #11. So GS would get LMA and not even move down 10 spots in the draft. If I’m the Spurs I’d counter that offer with LMA and 11th pick for Step,Klay and #2 just to show I dont wanna do business with yall. I’d much rather keep LMA and the 11th. If Spurs feel the need to move up the draft board I think theyd be much better served by dealing with either Cleveland,Chicago,Charolette,Atlanta or even Minnesota. It wasnt long ago that GS had that trash Zaza in a conference finals game to hurt a spurs player because he was about to carry his team past them to the finals. If the spurs ever help GS I might have to start pulling for Houston or Dallas. Or maybe better yet just turn off my tv of the NBA completely