How can the Spurs move forward

San Antonio came into the 2014/15 season as the defending champions having won the 2014 NBA Finals, defeating Miami Heat 4-1. In 39 seasons with the NBA, the spurs have won 20 divisional titles and 5 NBA titles, establishing themselves as a 21 century powerhouse. They overcame a slow 2014/15 start (despite crossing their 20 loss tally of 2013/14 in February), to withstand a mid-season charge by Oklahoma City Thunder to secure their 6 seed for the Western Conference Playoffs. They finished with a 55-27 regular season record (continuing their 50+ wins a season streak, for 16 consecutive seasons). The defending champions were eliminated by 3 Seed Clippers in game 7, after both teams played one of the best NBA playoff series.

The linchpin of Spurs success since the 1997/98 season has been Tim Duncan. He has been the core along with Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli. However, Duncan and Ginobli are closer to their 40s and Parker is 33 and struggled quite a bit during the season along with Ginobli. While Duncan, statistically fell, he was a key component in this season for the Spurs. But at 39? He could really just… hope for 1 more season at the most before calling time on a Stellar Career. Ginobli may feel the same. With their guard ageing? How can Greg Popovich overhaul the squad?

The Spurs face a unique season. 10 members of their rosters hit the Free Agency market on the first of July. Only 6 players are tied down for 2015/16. They are Kyle Anderson, Boris Diaw, Patty Mills, Tony Parker, Tiago Splitter and Reggie Williams who is not guaranteed. Together, their salary is $34.2 Million. With regulations stating teams needing to hold at least 12 players, the Spurs can retain their rights over some of their players, placing them on a list with Salary cap hold figures. It will presume the Salary will rise and is set to be around $67 million range. Duncan, Ginobli, Ayers, Belinelli, Bonner, Green, Joseph and Lenard are expected to be placed on the list as they head into the Free Agency market.

There are talks that Duncan will be offered a 2 year contract with an option in a second season, starting at $6-$7 Million in the first year. Leonard might get the maximum $7.2M cap extension and Green at $15M. There are talks that Splitter will be traded to try and bring in Marc Gasol (highly unlikely) or Portland’s LaMarcus Aldrige who is one of the hottest Free Agents available in the off-season (there could be intense competition from Dallas, Houston and others for his signature). Spurs might be tempted to get the ageing Ginobli off their books, to free around $4-5 Million.

With the 26 and 55 picks during the draft, the Spurs might consider trading some of their players and other future picks, to try and set up a young core. If Duncan and Parker can pull out 1 good season, and they keep Leonard, Green, Belinelli, Bonner and Ayers and Joseph an experienced core to help the development of young players can happen in the best way. The Spurs can create a new core before the league salary cap bursts in the 2016/17 season, when they can then target some of the top talents in the game.

Greg Popovich will surely be looking at more titles in the near future, but he first needs to overhaul the old roster. If done correct, the Spurs can easily maintain their consistency and dominance that they have showed in the 21 Century.

Many teams have a player that was the CORE. When they depart, the team struggles for a while. Spurs really need to avoid this, when Duncan will call time on his career. Pop will not let this happen but it’s going to be an interesting season nonetheless for the Spurs.