Longtime Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich doesn’t yet have a contract for the 2023/24 season, but the team is operating as if he’ll return, and there’s a sense that the impending addition of French phenom Victor Wembanyama may inspire him to stick around for longer than just one more year, writes LJ Ellis of SpursTalk.com.
According to Ellis, a team source says there’s an expectation that Popovich will sign a three-year contract worth approximately $14MM per year. That would presumably make him the NBA’s highest-paid head coach in terms of annual salary, edging out Monty Williams‘ new deal with Detroit.
Here’s more from Ellis on the Spurs:
- Ellis hears from a team source that Wembanyama is unlikely to play for the Spurs during either of July’s Summer Leagues (Sacramento or Las Vegas). Although the No. 1 pick may practice with the team, San Antonio wants to give him some time off from competitive action, since he has played into June in the LNB Pro A playoffs and hopes to suit up for France in the World Cup in August and September.
- The Spurs, who control the 33rd and 44th overall picks in addition to No. 1, are active in draft-related trade talks, Ellis reports, adding that the club would like to acquire another first-round pick. Whether or not they land another first-rounder, the Spurs are unlikely to keep and use both of their second-rounders, Ellis says.
- Popovich has conveyed a “strong preference” that San Antonio retains restricted free agent guard Tre Jones this offseason, according to Ellis, who says the head coach likes Jones’ competitiveness and what he brings to the locker room.
- A scout for a Western Conference team believes the Spurs will be in the market for a veteran point guard this summer, identifying Chris Paul and Fred VanVleet as possible targets, Ellis says. While it would be a bit of a surprise if San Antonio spends big on a free agent, Wembanyama could certainly benefit from teaming up with a reliable play-maker.
Spurs getting first pick in the draft was so obviously rigged what a joke
They were 22-60 and had the second best odds, it’s not that surprising.
Yeah sure, the team with the best odds for the number pick got the number one pick.
Don’t watch then. We will all be better off. Thx.
Lol you cranky af bro I know reddit is down but it will be heckin up in the next few days don’t worry!
Everything in the NBA is rigged basically, I knew the Spurs would get Wemby I called it a year ago. It’s a good fit for both of them, so I’m not at all upset. Would’ve been a shame to see Victor go to a dumpster fire organization like the Rockets Hornets or Pistons
So what they deserved it
Time to retire
Very hopeful we get to see a few youngsters like Wembo, Killian Hayes & Ousmane Dieng along with Rudy, Fournier & the French vets this summer at the World Cup… link to m.youtube.com
Spurs should try and get Hayes. I think Pops can fix him. He’s still very raw imo. He needs a strong father figure mentor, wise basketball guy. Pops can get to him.
I like Tre Jones as their pg of the future tbh & they just spent a 1st rd pick on Blake Wesley so they’ll prob wanna see how he progresses. If they add another vet pg I think John Wall would be sorta perfect bc of his status as a former phenom/#1 like Wembo & bc of his ability to play fast which I’m sure the Spurs will wanna do next season. Former Spurs like George Hill/CoryJo might work if Wall doesn’t wanna be a backup for a team with slim to no chance of winning a title… Killian really hasn’t shown any reason to believe he’ll be a NBA pg long-term. Lol I think you give Popovich way too much credit
I agree completely. I don’t care for Killian after punching backs of heads. I still think maybe they should look for and PG if one of available. I like trey. He needs a better 3pt shot. They should look at the SF spot too. A diamond in the
I think Fred Van Fleet is going to be a sixer. and I don’t see why Chris Paul would want to sign in San Antonio
FVF would be good…
But CP3? This just seems like an agent trying to get their players name out there…