San Antonio Spurs

[revi]

I think they will get Paul Gasol

 

I think they are more interested with Jahlil Okafor. Tho, Pau Gasol is not far fetched. There are reports saying that the Spurs will run after Durant. But it seems KD will return to OKC for two season with an opt out clause.

[HarryPotter25]

 

 

 

It's hard to blame anyone who feels a little bit disappointed about the Spurs' 2015/16 season. Every time a 67-win team fails to at least reach the conference finals it means something went wrong. It wasn't injuries this time, so instrospection is necessary. Was San Antonio really as good at its record said?

The reality is the Spurs were ahead of schedule. They had to give up a lot of depth to acquire LaMarcus Aldridge and simply couldn't replace it in that same offseason. The biggest weaknesses were obvious form the start: depth at center and outside shooting. That's obviously still the case and could become an even bigger problem if San Antonio loses Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili to retirement.

That's why it's curious to hear so many fans focusing on the point guard position as one of the main priorities. While improving across the board should always be the goal, there are much more pressing needs at other spots.

Tony Parker is not an elite point guard anymore. That much is clear. He's still young by Spurs standards but has a lot of miles on those legs and he's lost a step. He can't be a consistent go-to option on offense and he needs to occasionally be hidden on defense. He definitely tries, angling his body to steer his man away from screens and putting pressure whenever he can, but has been exposed guarding good offensive players.

He's also become a good floor general who gets the team into its sets and makes few mistakes. With Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge getting the bulk of the shots now, that's the type of player you want setting the table. It would be great if he were more consistent as a scoring threat off the dribble but he can still have games in which he takes over and his improving three-point shot should allow him to play off the ball more going forward.

If instead of going by traditional positions we go by actual skills, Patty Mills is a shooter. He's not a floor general or a playmaker. He was more of a distributor in Portland but he never was special at it. Mills made a career of playing off the ball and hitting tough looks. That's what he did with the Australian national team when he won the scoring title in the last Olympics and that's what made him a rotation player in San Antonio.

Yet he can guard point guards well, especially backups. Mills always puts pressure on them, often picking them up full court, and draws a lot of offensive fouls. He's also a solid ball handler who can get the ball up court quickly. Sure, he can be inconsistent but he's a career 39 percent outside shooter who can get hot in a hurry and his off-ball movement opens up space for others.

The Spurs don't have a star point guard in an age in which most contenders do, and that's not ideal. But they do have a solid starter and a good backup. More importantly, they have the right players around them to at least mask their weaknesses. Kawhi Leonard andDanny Green can defend the best lead guards in the league when Parker needs to be hidden. Ginobili, Diaw or, if they move on, Kyle Anderson, should allow Mills to continue to play off the ball on offense.

It would obviously be great to have a top-10 starting point guard and a bigger backup to allow for more positional versatility, but it's important to realize that right now those would be luxuries, not urgent needs.

Parker is still good enough to start for a contender, provided he's surrounded by the right players and filling a role that suits his diminished offensive skills. At least for another year, Mills will hold down the fort off the bench for most of the available minutes. All the Spurs really need for now is a third point guard who is more defensively-oriented. Those are not that hard to find.

In other positions, however, there are glaring holes. Under no circumstances should the Spurs prioritize upgrading at point guard over filling those.

As mentioned in past articles, the Spurs won't have a lot of cap space to make additions. Without Tim, Manu and David West, the Spurs would have around $15 million to spend, with $18 million in committed salary to lead guards. Boban Marjanovic could be the only center under contract and Anderson the defacto third wing. It would be lunacy to spend big on year another lead guard instead of targeting a big man and a shooting guard.

"What about a trade?" you ask. The Spurs will not trade Tony Parker. They won't. Whether that's a mistake or not doesn't matter. It's moot. It would be completely out of character for them to move a player that has been on the team for 15 years. Yes, at one point they entertained the idea, but that was a long time ago. The chances of him finishing his career anywhere but in San Antonio have to be considered all but nonexistant.

As for Mills, moving him is a possibility but it's hard to find a trade that nets the Spurs an upgrade. His contract is an amazing value at roughly $3.6 million, which might be reason enough to keep him. It also makes it hard to make a big move centered around him. The only impact players that make a similar salary are on rookie contracts and no one is going to trade a developing player for a 27-year-old gunner who will become an unrestricted free agent next offseason.

There's always a chance to move Mills for an upgrade at a different position, but that would only create a problem at backup point guard. There will be no player available in the market as good as Mills for the money he's making, not with the cap exploding. The Spurs should be careful before pulling the trigger, if the opportunity arises, especially considering that Parker will need someone to spell him for at least 15 minutes a game.

There's only one point guard in this free agency class that -- if healthy -- would be an upgrade over Parker and that's Mike Conley. He will surely command a maximum salary, which the Spurs can't offer without making serious sacrifices. There are some solid backups but Mills is just as good, and less expensive. Unless someone leaves money on the table, or a front office is willing to give up a young rotation player for Mills, the Spurs should simply stay put.

A year from now, when Mills is a free agent and a 35-year-old Parker enters the last year of his contract, the Spurs will need to hunt for his heir. Fortunately for them, they could have max money to offer as Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul, Kyle Lowry, Jeff Teague, Jrue Holiday and George Hill, among others, will enter unrestricted free agency. Draftexpress.com has nine point guards in their 2017 mock draft as well. There will be time to think about the future of the position for the Spurs soon enough.

This offseason should, on the other hand, be all about reloading on depth, whether Duncan and Ginobili retire or not. Adding a defensive-minded center and a couple of good shooters is paramount. Unless a great opportunity presents itself, upgrading over Parker and Mills should be the least of the Spurs' concerns right now. There's simply too much work left to be done elsewhere to be thinking about fixing something that isn't broken.

[Hari ng Spakol]

Better luck next season spurs.

[-=sexy-eyes=-]

Vinny Del Negro,, haha

[alesso99]

Nice one.

[Guiness]

Sources: Warriors, Spurs, Thunder get first Kevin Durant meetings

The Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs and incumbent Oklahoma City Thunder are the first three known teams to secure face-to-face meetings with free agent-to-be Kevin Durant, starting next weekend, according to league sources.

 

Sources told ESPN that the list of teams that get to pitch Durant directly will grow before NBA free agency officially commences July 1 at 12:01 a.m. ET, but the list of confirmed suitors for now features the Thunder and their two main rivals in the Western Conference.

The Warriors and Spurs, sources say, are both already planning to load a plane full of key organizational figures -- including Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson for Golden State, and Gregg Popovich and Tim Duncan for San Antonio -- to fly to an undisclosed location once free-agency season starts to try to lure Durant away from the only franchise he has ever played for.

 

Expected to sit alongside Durant at the forthcoming meetings, sources say, is his agent Rich Kleiman and selected family members and friends.

 

After Oklahoma City lost to Golden State in the Western Conference finals, ESPN reported that the most likely scenario for Durant this summer was staying with the Thunder on a two-year deal that includes a player option after Year 1 that would allow him to return to free agency in July 2017 alongside teammate Russell Westbrook.

 

Other teams hopeful of getting their own opportunity to make a recruiting pitch to 2016's most coveted free agent but whose status is not yet known include the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers.

 

The Houston Rockets have long planned to chase Durant in free agency, but when Durant and Rockets star James Harden were spotted spending time together earlier this month, sources said the Rockets are not expected to get serious consideration as a destination from Durant.

 

Sources say Durant's hometown Washington Wizards are likewise pessimistic about their chances of emerging as a real factor in the Durant sweepstakes, despite the recent hiring of former Thunder coach Scott Brooks.

[Guiness]

Kevin Durant is the most talked about name in the NBA right now, and the upcoming free agency period is expected to be crazy to say the least. Teams are lining up, trying to secure meetings with the superstar forward and one of those teams is the San Antonio Spurs.

After reaching into free agency to sign LaMarcus Aldridge last offseason, the Spurs are hoping to do the same this year with Durant. They are beginning to see their long-term stars wear down and retire. Tim Duncan has likely played his last NBA game, while both Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili have fallen off a bit over the last couple of years.

 

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, the Spurs have already set up a meeting with Durant.

San Antonio is hoping to maintain their dominance in the Western Conference, and Durant would fit the mold of Spurs’ type players. Gregg Popovich would likely welcome Durant with open arms and could do his career a lot of good. As good as Durant has become throughout his career, he is still a willing passer and a high caliber teammate.

 

 

Last season as a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Durant ended up averaging 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 5 assists per game. He shot 50.5 percent from the field overall and knocked down 38.6 percent of his three-point shots. There have not been many better offensive players in the NBA’s history, which is saying a lot about Durant’s talent.

 

At just 27-years-old, whoever signs Durant will be getting him in his prime. He is playing the best basketball of his career and has the talent to carry a team to an NBA Finals appearance.

 

Oklahoma City still believes that they have the best chance to sign Durant this offseason. He has a very close relationship with Russell Westbrook, although they did trade Serge Ibaka to the Orlando Magic. Even though Ibaka is gone, the Thunder can offer him a deeper supporting cast than many teams that are in the running to sign him.

 

If the Spurs are able to lure Durant away, there is no question that they would instantly become top contenders in the Western Conference again alongside of the Golden State Warriors. Oklahoma City would take a big hit, although Westbrook wouldn’t allow them to fall too far in the standings.

 

Needless to say, the stage has been set for an entertaining free agency this offseason. Durant isn’t the only big name on the market, although some teams may target other players in order to steal them off the market while the main teams are preoccupied with Durant.

 

 

Other teams that have been granted meetings with Durant so far include the Boston Celtics, Warriors, Thunder, Los Angeles Clippers and Miami Heat. All of those teams are intriguing landing spots for Durant, although a few of them don’t seem like likely destinations.

Expect to hear plenty of rumors about Durant in the coming week or two as free agency draws closer and gets underway. He likely won’t take too long to make his decision, although it may seem like forever with all the times his name will be mentioned. It will be interesting to see where he lands to say the least.

 

San Antonio may not end up signing Durant, but the fanbase should be grateful to see them getting involved. They do not want to fall off at all when their current leaders retire, and this interest in Durant shows that.

 

[EL_PY]

If Spurs can get Durant and at the same time si Pau Gasol(rumors he like to be with the SPURS), then this is a good team for 2016 NBA season.

ANything is possible with the Spurs but i'll hope Gasol lands with the SPURS.

 

Duncan nag exercise pa ng player option. Di man lang ginive up para makacreate CAP space. di naman din sya sure if he will play the next season

[Guiness]

Spurs reportedly will make Pau Gasol a 'priority' in free agency

By Nunzio Ingrassia

Jun 28, 2016 at 4:50p ET

 

The San Antonio Spurs reportedly are one of six teams that will get a face-to-face meeting with Kevin Durant once free agency tips off Friday. But that doesn't mean the Spurs are putting all their eggs into one basket.

 

San Antonio appears to be very interested in free-agent center Pau Gasol, who could team with LaMarcus Aldridge to create a formidable front line.

 

Adrian Wojnarowski said the Spurs are expected to make Gasol a priority this summer.

 

Wojnarowski on The Vertical podcast:

 

"I'm told that Pau Gasol is a real priority for them. They tried to get him before he signed with Chicago. The Bulls were able to offer him a little bit more than the mid-level that year, I think the Spurs had a mid-level for him. They can maneuver in San Antonio and probably be able to offer him market value. We'll see what that's going to be."

 

The Spurs made a serious run at Gasol last offseason, but he opted to sign a two-year deal, which included a player option for the second year, with the Bulls. Gasol declined the $7.7 million option with the Bulls for next season, leaving the 35-year-old big man to enter free agency with the salary cap exceeding $90 million.

 

The Spurs still haven't heard if Manu Ginobili or Tim Duncan plan to return next season. If they decide to retire, San Antonio will have ample cap room to make a run at a number of free agents.

Edited June 30, 2016 by hahnz

[MrSniper88]

What the spurs need right now is explosive player like Kevin Durant. Nawala na bangis ni Manu eh.

[matchb0x]

Kahit sino na top free agent player makuha ng spurs..susupportahan ko sila. Go Spurs!

[Guiness]

The spurs aren't the only team that's after Durant's services although he did grant them a sit down interview. But it doesn't guarantee that they will get him to sign but its a positive that Durant is considering them as one of the teams he is thinking of joining if he decides to really leave Oklahoma City. The Thunder are also looking to keep Durant as they have already made moves to improve the team with the Ibaka trade and are now in talks of signing Free Agent Forward Al Horford.

 

As for Ginobili, his time has passed as an All Star. Him and Tim Duncan are considered role players at this point in their careers and they can't be relied upon like they were before. Even Tony Parker is slowed down. The team is now built around Leonard and Aldridge as their core.

 

At this point they are hoping that their sit down with Durant ends up with him signing, they are also making other moves like getting Gasol in order to improve the team and not just waiting against hope that Durant decides to or decides not to sign with them.

[alesso99]

Durant in spurs?

[BigBen28]

With Durant signing with Golden State, what type of player can the Spurs add to be able to compete with the Warriors for the 2017 championship?
I doubt signing an aging Pau Gasol would be enough...

What do you guys think? What piece(s) are they missing to go back to the top of the world BBall hierarchy?

[Guiness]

Sources: Pau Gasol, Spurs finalizing 2-year, $30M contract

 

Pau Gasol is finalizing a two-year deal ‎with the San Antonio Spurs worth in excess of $30 million, according to league sources.

The deal will feature a player option in the second year, sources said.

 

Gasol had emerged as the target of a lucrative free-agency bidding war that had also involved the Portland Trail Blazers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Toronto Raptors, sources said.

 

Gasol, who will turn 36 on Wednesday, spent the past two season with the Chicago Bulls and gave the team a solid offensive punch down on the blocks and provided a professional presence in the locker room.

 

Last year he averaged 16.5 points and 11.0 rebounds for a Bulls team that missed out on the playoffs.

 

Information from ESPN's Nick Friedell was used in this report.

[EL_PY]

Pau Gasol is great pickup kasi mahina sila sa ilalim. Duncan can sub for Adridge or Gasol.

Team still okay. Danny Green should learn to shoot more threes to free kawhi and aldridge

West retain pa rin nila. Boban will go since walang improvement pag eala sya

They need 1 more shooter sa labas.

[Mad Damian]

where had David West signed with now? Hope the Spurs get him back

[*badass*]

where had David West signed with now? Hope the Spurs get him back

http://www.si.com/nba/2016/07/05/golden-state-warriors-david-west-one-year-deal

 

he just agreed to sign with the warriors.

[Guiness]

Sources: Tim Duncan 'leaning strongly' toward retiring

By Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical July 4, 2016 1:15 PM Yahoo Sports

One of the NBA's all-time icons – San Antonio Spurs center Tim Duncan – is leaning strongly toward retirement, a decision that would end an illustrious 19-season NBA career, league sources told The Vertical.

 

Duncan has left team officials, close associates and friends with a strong belief he's preparing to make an announcement in the near future on his departure, sources said.

 

The Spurs reached agreement on a two-year, $30 million-plus deal to sign Pau Gasol, league sources said.

Duncan recently elected to exercise the $5.6 million player option on his 2016-17 contract – a payment the Spurs could still make to Duncan regardless of whether he plays or retires.

 

Duncan – a five-time NBA champion, three-time NBA Finals MVP and two-time regular-season MVP – would be remembered as one of the great winners and leaders in NBA history.

For his career, Duncan has averaged 19 points and 10.8 rebounds. In 61 games last season, he averaged 8.6 points and 7.3 rebounds in a little more than 25 minutes a night.

 

The Spurs lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder in six games in the Western Conference semifinals.

Duncan, who has long had trouble with his left knee, was slowed during the season with soreness in his right knee.

[direstraits94]

Tim Duncan has retired

[Guiness]

Tim Duncan announces his retirement after a 19-year career

By Yaron Weitzman

@YaronWeitzman on Jul 11, 2016, 10:03a

 

One of the greatest careers in basketball history has come to an end. Tim Duncan, a five-time champion, two-time MVP, three-time Finals MVP and 15-time All-Star announced he's retiring on Monday.

Duncan's career will be remembered for many things, but his ability to consistently be great is what separates him from nearly every other player who's ever stepped foot on an NBA floor. During the 1997-1998 season, as a 22-year-old rookie, Duncan averaged 19.4 points, 11 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.3 blocks per 36 minutes. His PER was 22.6. As a 39-year-old during the 2014-2015 season he averaged 17.3 points, 11.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.4 blocks per 36 minutes. His PER was 22.6. Duncan never played fewer than 61 games in a season (excluding the 50-game lockout season in 1999) and his team won at least 50 games every year of his career (again, excluding the lockout-shortened '99 season).

He, along with Gregg Popovich, transformed the small-market San Antonio Spurs into a powerhouse of a franchise, a team and organization, that every other one in world of professional sports has looked to emulate for years. And it all started with the man known as the Big Fundamental.

His game was never flashy, though to true basketball enthusiasts it was more beautiful than anyone else's. The impeccable footwork from the low block. The genius-level understanding of defensive angles and positioning. The automatic bank shot off the glass. And, perhaps most important of all, the ability to lead by example and desire to empower the revered man now commonly referred to as Pop.

"The truth is we all work for Timmy," Spurs general manager R.C. Buford is fond of saying.

That right there tells you all you need to know.

[bangad]

it's about time. way overdue na yung retirement niya. si KG na lang ang natira

[EL_PY]

There is still Dirk Nowitzki

I will miss the guy who is somewhat boring but great at the same time

[ppdd]

thanks Timmy #21

how i wish you got that 6th ring before you retired. the greatest power forward ever! the big fundamental!

[Nel Horan]

Respect to the big fundamental!!! best power forward ever!!! Waiting for Dirk, KG, and the truth to call it a career..