Spurs Offseason Work Begins At Draft Combine

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The NBA Draft Combine runs Thursday and Friday. Interviews started Wednesday and the Spurs, like every other team, have already been active.

First things first, interviews matter because it means a team has some level of interest, but each gets a bajillion interviews (rough estimate). But a guy like Terry Rozier, a tough, defensive minded point guard from Louisville, makes complete sense if the Spurs do indeed just go ahead and draft at 26, which is where they’re slotted. Cory Joseph isn’t a lock to come back, Rozier comes from a winning program and is experienced enough to play spot minutes right away.

Fact is most seasons, the draft feels like its own, independent event separate from the rest of the Spurs’ offseason. This is a team that relies on veterans as much as anyone and whoever they draft late in the first round is typically some sort of project. Even Kyle Anderson, one of the NCAA’s most productive players, needed an entire year of adjusting to the NBA’s style of play. This offseason feels different for a couple of reasons. First, the Spurs have just five players under contract for next season. Three free agents, Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green and Joseph, will all be commanding salaries that are at least double what they made this past season. The Spurs will also face a ton of competition from teams looking for a shooter and defender like Green. It’s also unclear how high they’d be willing to go to match a Joseph restricted offer. So getting a guy who makes between one and two million dollars a year and could be a rotation player next makes sense from a roster construction stand point.

There’s also the idea of the Spurs going after a big fish in free agency. LaMarcus Aldridge, Marc Gasol, Kevin Love, even non max-level but still big ticket guys like Paul Milsap will further slice into any cap space regardless of whether Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili return. This might mean exploring trade options with someone like Tiago Splitter, Boris Diaw or Patty Mills to clear more space. Again, acquiring a draft pick in return would achieve two goals: filling up the roster with cheap, productive pieces and creating cash for someone like Aldridge without losing someone like Green.

As far as what types of players the Spurs should be looking at, I think there’s three types of players. A combo guard that can fill the role Manu Ginobili will leave behind either this summer or in the near future. Someone that can both back up Tony Parker and play next to him. Someone that can run point so Patty Mills continue his designated shooter role. Think Jerian Grant from Notre Dame (trade would almost certainly be necessary) or Delon Wright from Utah. Another is a power forward that can and wants to create his own shot. Past Tim Duncan, the Spurs don’t have many scoring options down low. Diaw can do it, he just doesn’t always have the mentality. Think Bobby Portis from Arkansas or Trey Lyles from Kentucky. Again, we’re talking trading into that 15-20 range for either guy. The third need is a wing that can defend. Green could leave and even if he doesn’t the Spurs struggled mightily on defense without Kawhi Leonard on the floor. Getting another good to potentially great defender would relax Leonard’s minutes or make it easier for the Spurs to play small ball with Leonard at the four. Arizona’s Rondae Hollis-Jefferson might be the best wing defender in the draft, but his lack of a jumper is likely to keep him in the 20-30 range. Virginia’s Justin Anderson has been slotted to the Spurs in just about every mock draft (insert “that means the Spurs aren’t drafting him” joke here) and Sam Dekker from Wisconsin is rising up the boards but I wouldn’t say he’s out of reach just yet.

Of course, shooters are always a need for a team like the Spurs so also keep an eye out for guys like RJ Hunter, Tyley Harvey and Rashad Vaughn. We’ll keep up you updated about any interviews were here about over the next two days. Get excited, the offseason gets going starting now.

  • TD BestEVER

    We need some size. Forget the combo guard. You can go out and get Gerald Henderson for 2 million. Get someone with some up side that can play the 3/4 spot. That we can go small with a 6/8 or 6/9 player at the 4 and KL DG on the wing like we used to with Capt Jack.

  • Dapimp Ofdayear

    Spurs need a young guy with the foot speed and handles to get into the paint. Get the shooters open looks while the offense runs more smoothly. Parker can’t do it consistently anymore without breaking down physically. After that, an athletic big who can actually play next to and complement Tim Duncan. I think Parker’s decline makes Patty more valuable than ever, so they should look to trade someone like Splitter if freeing up cap space is the issue.

    If Duncan retires, however, all bets are off…

  • TD BestEVER

    If Duncan reties you will need a big more than ever. Tiago is good with Duncan behind him. If he is all you have you basically have NOTHING. All the more reason to jettison the guy and get with someone you can actually ride hard. Not a guy who can only give you 20mpg and 60 games a year. How does that help you win games????

  • spurskid07

    The spurs will have a new roster next season with new faces and some signing else where..here is what i think the spurs should do…
    Manu ginobli retires replace with anthony morrow
    Tiago splitter trade or buy out contract to free up cap space
    Spurs sign gerald green from phx to back up K.L side note K.L will get max deal upcoming season
    spurs sign LaMarcus Aldridge
    Matt bonner,jeff ayres contracts are up more cap space
    Let corey joseph sign more money else where he deserve to start for a team saves spurs more cap money
    let baynes take less money if not will have to work on drafting a center and possibly a backup point guard go after a decent center like robin lopez
    roster 2015/2016
    Tony parker,patty mills
    danny green,marco belinelli,anthony morrow
    kawhi leonard,gerald green
    lamarcus aldridge,tim duncan
    Robin lopez, baynes if he takes less money.

  • Tyler

    It worked in NBA 2k15, so it’s gotta work in real life.

  • Tyler

    Problem is, bigs rise in the draft, and if you’re intent on drafting a big at 26, chances are he’s not a long term NBA player (only 20-25 guys out of the entire draft will be in the league in 4 years anyway).

    Like always, just draft the player you think will be the best pro in 2-3 years and figure the rest out later. Drafting for need typically doesn’t work out well, both in the short and long term.

  • Jambuc828

    Good Point spurs are good at drafting and making players better they have a system that allows players to not do anything outside of their comfort level which is why D. Green did so well with the spurs but might not do as well with the Knicks

  • Dapimp Ofdayear

    LMAO!

  • brunostrange

    How about throw in Marc Gasol and Goran Drajic while we’re at it?

  • tetfal

    What abut trade up in draft for Kaminsky? He could probably start next to Timmy and learn form him for next 2-3 years. He can score form anywhere on floor.

  • Pat Snyder

    Who cares the SPURS are old , and the GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS are the new blood, and style of play! Run the ball and efficient shooting with smothering defense!

  • BBRIGHT

    Pelicans are a train wreck at the management level.Wonder if Anthony Davis would seriously considering going to a proven winner and class organization the season after next. Maybe Monte Williams does some whispering in his ear….. Wishful thinking, but what the heck?

  • carlo duroni

    It’s be a dream but… Let’s think about it: you’re a coach with a half-decent team and you have Anthony Davis in it.
    Do you take him and say: “C’mon, Tony! Go away.” ?

  • TD BestEVER

    I have seen him going as low as the 20th pick so yeah I think it makes sense to move up and pick him or once he is selected make a trade for him on draft night. The Spurs need a big to replace TD more than anything else.. What’s the point of having more wing depth once TD is gone.

  • DorieStreet

    A dozen teams will go hard after “The Brow”.
    Put it on TV and make him the “Sports Bachelor”.

  • Where’s Mcneill?

    Draft best available.

  • Benjamin Cooper

    Broadly agree with your 3 types of players. Guess we’ll see. The draft usually has risers and fallers, We’ll see if someone interesting falls.

    Don’t know if the Spurs have the assets, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they traded up.

  • demo0530

    Haha

  • birdie

    No one cares about your stinking Warriors, who incidentally play the “new style” (snort!) played by the Spurs to win the finals just last year. But then I guess that’s too long ago for your infant memory to recall.

    Gawd, how I hate bandwagoners; it doesn’t matter which team they root for, they are sooo obnoxious!