This was the year, they said. Cap space opening up in the summer of 2021. Expiring contracts (gold on the NBA trade market) to be cultivated into solid draft picks or even an overpaid player or two who just needed the right coaching. A chance for the young guns to take over the team. Bryn Forbes no longer holding the team back.
Fast forward to today. No big time free agents on the market. Aldridge given away for free and DeRozan likely to leave for nothing as well. Bryn Forbes...NBA champion for Pop's old assistant coach.
We had the draft to look forward to. 12th pick, not ideal but still a spot to find some immediate help. Trust Brian Wright...right?
Nah, let's go ahead and draft an 18-year old guard about 18 spots higher than he's valued. Knowing the Spurs' track record, kid won't consistently see an NBA court until he's actually old enough to drink with Pop.
Alright, mini-rant over. The 2021-2022 season is three months away. This version of the Spurs will look much different than the past couple of versions. While subject to change, it looks increasingly likely that DeMar DeRozan has played his last game as a Spur. Sadly, that game was the type that earned him the DeFrozen moniker that has dogged him since his Eastern Conference battles with LeBron. Rudy Gay, another free agent, has earned himself an opportunity to join a host of contenders who would welcome the hustle and grit he showed in San Antonio over the past few years. There are even questions surrounding Patty Mills (a front office favorite). He already got his payday on his last contract. There's no way PATFO throws another $10-$15/mil a season his way again...right?!
Assuming those three are gone, here's what the roster looks like (sans draft picks).
PG: Murray/White/Jones
SG: Walker/Forbes/Vassell
SF: Johnson/Vassell/Young
PF: McDermott/Samanic/Young
C: Poetl/Eubanks/Londale
Now let's look at the rookies.
Could the Spurs have been inspired by another SEC guard who played limited minutes in his lone collegiate season?
One thing I will say about the Spurs pick of Josh Primo. It's aggressive. They didn't play it safe. However, they need to have that same mentality now that he's a Spur. The safe thing would be to send him to Austin for the entire season. The aggressive move would be to let the kid grow up quick and maximize his rookie contract. The other kid (Joe Wieskamp) will likely struggle to make the roster due to defensive issues, but then again, Bryn Forbes was a multi-year starter, so what do I know?
In any event, the best case scenario for Spurs fans is getting a season where the young guns get to show out (win or lose). Lonnie Walker is playing for his next contract. Luka Samanic is trying to show he's an NBA player. DeJounte Murray will have the clear reins of the team, while Derrick White will have to show he can stay healthy for 5 min. And let's not forget Big Body doing Big Body things (
).
October can't get here soon enough. We'll be there. The one final question though...will Pop be there as well?
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Fast forward to today. No big time free agents on the market. Aldridge given away for free and DeRozan likely to leave for nothing as well. Bryn Forbes...NBA champion for Pop's old assistant coach.
We had the draft to look forward to. 12th pick, not ideal but still a spot to find some immediate help. Trust Brian Wright...right?
Nah, let's go ahead and draft an 18-year old guard about 18 spots higher than he's valued. Knowing the Spurs' track record, kid won't consistently see an NBA court until he's actually old enough to drink with Pop.
Alright, mini-rant over. The 2021-2022 season is three months away. This version of the Spurs will look much different than the past couple of versions. While subject to change, it looks increasingly likely that DeMar DeRozan has played his last game as a Spur. Sadly, that game was the type that earned him the DeFrozen moniker that has dogged him since his Eastern Conference battles with LeBron. Rudy Gay, another free agent, has earned himself an opportunity to join a host of contenders who would welcome the hustle and grit he showed in San Antonio over the past few years. There are even questions surrounding Patty Mills (a front office favorite). He already got his payday on his last contract. There's no way PATFO throws another $10-$15/mil a season his way again...right?!
Assuming those three are gone, here's what the roster looks like (sans draft picks).
PG: Murray/White/Jones
SG: Walker/Forbes/Vassell
SF: Johnson/Vassell/Young
PF: McDermott/Samanic/Young
C: Poetl/Eubanks/Londale
Now let's look at the rookies.
Could the Spurs have been inspired by another SEC guard who played limited minutes in his lone collegiate season?
In any event, the best case scenario for Spurs fans is getting a season where the young guns get to show out (win or lose). Lonnie Walker is playing for his next contract. Luka Samanic is trying to show he's an NBA player. DeJounte Murray will have the clear reins of the team, while Derrick White will have to show he can stay healthy for 5 min. And let's not forget Big Body doing Big Body things (
).
October can't get here soon enough. We'll be there. The one final question though...will Pop be there as well?
Draft Picks: Josh Primo; Joe Wieskamp
Key Additions: Thad Young; Doug McDermott; Al-Farouq Aminu; Zach Collins; Jock Landale
Key Losses: Return of Bryn Forbes; DeMar DeRozan; Patty Mills; Rudy Gay; Gorgui Dieng; Trey Lyles
Key Additions: Thad Young; Doug McDermott; Al-Farouq Aminu; Zach Collins; Jock Landale
Key Losses: Return of Bryn Forbes; DeMar DeRozan; Patty Mills; Rudy Gay; Gorgui Dieng; Trey Lyles
@Da King
@Cycloneon
@Remote
@duckbutta
@AlbertPullhoez
@360dagod
@lightskin jermaine
@DonkeyPuncher718
@DrexlersFade
@malbaker86
@FAH1223
@BodieBroadus
@8====D
@twan83
@Zyne
@mad82109
@the kid
@KingTut
@jahsoul357
@NoMorePie
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Collins would be a come up, but not sure Atlanta lets him walk unless he's maxed.
He’s a nice player but don’t give him the bag