If any Spurs fan was in doubt about San Antonio’s playoff hopes next year before now, they shouldn’t be any longer. With their only all-star, Dejounte Murray, traded to the Hawks for 3 1st-round draft picks, the only thing the Spurs will be competitive in next year will be the draft lottery.
This rebuild has been a long time coming for San Antonio. Coming off 22 straight years of playoff appearances, the Spurs have clearly been the most consistent NBA team in the 21st century as they have won 4 NBA championships (2002/03, 2004/05, 2006/07, 2013/14) since the year 2000.
Boasting of Hall of Fame talent and coaching such as Greg Popovich, Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, Kawhi Leonard, David Robinson, and Manu Ginobili in that span, it was inevitable the Spurs’ luck would run out eventually. No one can stay great forever.
Unfortunately for Spurs fans, transitioning from a contender to a rebuilder and back to a contender again is a tough, slow, and long process.
Drafting Jeremy Sochan 9th overall was a smart choice. He may never be a great scorer as he only averaged 9.2 PPG and 1.8 APG in his final season at Baylor, but his positioning and defensive awareness is spectacular. If he can transition his game into the NBA, then he should be one the teams’ starting forwards in a few years.
However, these next two-three drafts will be vital for the Spurs if they want to rebuild quickly. Trading away Dejounte Murray, their all-star guard, will leave a massive hole in the team’s backcourt. Successfully tanking for Victor Wembanyama should serve as the focal point of a new Spurs’ dynasty.
The dynamic French center will be a dominating force in the NBA for years to come, similar to how Shaq was during his career.
If the Spurs can win the draft lottery and take Wembanyama #1st overall, then this team will be closer to contending sooner than anyone would have thought. On the other hand, if the Spurs don’t win the lottery, then they should look to solidify the backcourt by taking either guards Scoot Henderson or Nick Smith. They can always pick up a center in another way.
Unlike a lot of former contenders, the Spurs have an abundance of cap space with approximately $38.5 remaining to be spent. The most in the NBA, for that matter. As long as they draft well, they should have more than enough money to pay their homegrown stars and attract high-end free agents in a few years’ time.
The only unsolved variable is the longest serving member left on the Spurs: Greg Popovich.
Will the 73-year-old coach want to stick around for another 3-4 years BEFORE San Antonio will be challenging for the NBA championship? If yes, then they have nothing to worry about. If not, then a new, experienced coach is vital for this team to succeed in the future.
It will take a while, but the San Antonio Spurs will rise again as true challengers in the NBA. Their organization is defined by winning, after all.
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