There will be a new NBA champion crowned in 2015 following the reigning champion San Antonio Spurs opening round exit at the hands of the Los Angeles Clippers. While the majority of basketball fans keep their attention locked in on the playoffs, it will be the Spurs and their fans that turn their attention to the future.
Management will have some extremely tough decisions to make this offseason with several core players set to become free agents as only Tony Parker, Tiago Splitter, Boris Diaw and Patty Mills are locked in to contracts that extend through next season. The fact that Parker is set to make nearly $13.5 million next year, and upwards of $14M and $15M the following two years, certainly doesn’t help and it could create even more uncertainty. Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Danny Green and Marco Belinelli are all set to become free agents this offseason and that will mean rough waters to navigate – if all are gone. However, the same roster could very well be back to make another run.
Here’s a look at who Spurs fans should expect to stay and who they should expect to be let go by San Antonio this offseason listed in order of importance.
SF: Kawhi Leonard – SIGN
Leonard appears to be the most obvious free agent the Spurs need to bring back next season as a 23-year-old athletic wing that led the team in scoring this season and was the MVP in last year’s NBA Finals. Leonard has the potential to be an absolute star at both ends of the floor and while he still needs to become more consistent, there is plenty of time to grow in to that role. The team is shifting and he’s becoming the man in San Antonio while their Big Three of Duncan, Ginobili and Parker inch closer to the end of their careers. Even though Leonard is restricted, the Spurs will give Leonard the money he deserves but with Parker already set to make close to $13 M that could give them two players already locked in at upwards of $10 M.
PF – Tim Duncan – SIGN
That means it will be almost a necessity for Duncan to take a pay cut after he made $10 M this season. With Gregg Popovich insisting his veteran star big man will be back, it appears the team is confident they can get something done that works for both sides. Duncan is 39 years old but he averaged 13.9 points and 9.1 rebounds per game while making 77 starts for San Antonio this season, so there is a good chance he still has at least one more solid year left in him.
SF – Manu Ginboli – DO NOT SIGN
Popovich has said that he expects Duncan, Parker and Ginobili back next season but whether or not the numbers add up is another story – especially with the Spurs supposedly keen on bringing in another free agent from outside their current roster this offseason. Ginobili’s level of play has dipped to the point where it makes sense to cast sentimentality aside and move on from a player that averaged just 10.5 points per game coming off the bench this season. Ginobili is 37 years old and with Leonard set to get a raise, it makes sense to spend the money on a more valuable piece. If Manu is willing to come back at a discount, then he’s likely back.
SG: Danny Green – DO NOT SIGN
Green was excellent for the Spurs during their championship run a year ago but if the Spurs are intent on bringing back Leonard and Duncan, as well as another outside free agent, they have to find money elsewhere and not bringing back Ginobili and Green would save them $11M in salary based on the money they earned this season. The Spurs have talked about getting rid of Tiago Splitter too but he’s signed for $8.5 M, so – at least on the surface – he’s not as liquid.
That $11 M combined with the money saved if Duncan takes a pay cut from his $10 M should free up enough cash to lock Leonard in long term and make another run at a prized free agent (LaMarcus Aldridge?). With cheaper options that could potentially provide similar production to what Green offers, it makes sense not to bring him back as a free agent.
SG: Marco Belinelli – SIGN
Belinelli averaged just 22.4 minutes per game this season but still managed to average 9.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.0 three-point shots per game while costing San Antonio close to $1.2M less than they paid for Green. Belinelli has proved himself as a versatile player that could provide decent numbers for the Spurs if his role is expanded. If they can bring him back at a price tag similar to the $2.87M they paid him this year, then he will be very much worth the investment moving forward to next season.
