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So i thought this could be fun as each team gets knocked out. Especially at a time in which fans of said eliminated teams are thinking very clearly

So where does San Antonio go from here?

Think the main question is if Pop wants to come back. If so, you owe it to him to try and win as much as possible. If not, move on from DD and build around the youth.

Pop seems content to roll out mostly veteran teams that will be in this range of competing for the play in spots. Hell hope he finds a needle in the haystack with Kawhi or has some lottery lock in a Duncan year.

The way the Spurs are just running that middle tier treadmill shows how overrated good management is in building contenders IMO. They’re about as good as they come... doesn’t matter. Unless they get some lottery luck like Duncan or a later pick outplays even their own optimistic expectations like Kawhi they won’t compete for championships anytime soon. Good management only goes so far.

It depends if they think that they can be a contender

1. With the Ensemble approach

2. Stars/superstars surrounded by role players


If they choose #1, then keep on doing what they have been doing.

If they choose #2, then they need to tank for a bit and hope that they get lucky.

They need to start from scratch. They have some decent young players but overall, this team is the true definition of treadmill. They overachieved early in the season but fell off a cliff late.

In regards to coaching, some of their fans say Pop is done. This team hasn't achieved much since trading Kawhi. They need to rebuild. Let DeRozan & Rudy Gay walk & tank next year.

Any interest in some of the bigger name RFAs? Collins? Markkanen?

No idea what the right number for DeRozan is, but I'd be wary going too big.

If Pop retires, who takes over? My vote is Budenholzer if the Bucks don’t get to the Conference Finals.

Foshan wrote:So i thought this could be fun as each team gets knocked out. Especially at a time in which fans of said eliminated teams are thinking very clearly

This is a terrific idea for a thread series. Appreciate you thinking of this and creating the topics.

BullyKing wrote:Think the main question is if Pop wants to come back. If so, you owe it to him to try and win as much as possible. If not, move on from DD and build around the youth.

Yeah Pop is the big question. And he decides he's done, then Hammon becomes the big question. And I am crazy if I suggest that she could get the job and Pop would serve as her lead for a year? Strikes me as something he might well do to help her succeed but also strikes me as something he'd avoid so he didn't distract from her.

And if Pop leaves and its not her, Bud is a good name, but this might be where Udoka gets his first shot at the big chair too.

I'd not bring back DeRozan regardless of Pop, it's time to transition and accept they don't currently have a franchise player to build around.

I think they need to be willing to pull the trigger on the young players they don't consider to be the best prospects. I don't think White and Murray is a legit guard pairing, and Johnson's going to have to show a ton of development if he wants to remain a starter. I could see SA hesitating to collect assets given how much youth they have on their team, but they shouldn't. They don't have enough legit prospects to feel like they're done rebuilding. Clear some space in the coffers and keep shuffling that deck. Tim, Tony and Manu can be treated like family. Guys like Murray and Walker can't be.

I'm still okay with keeping DeRozan, but they have to actually build to his strengths and not surround him with ball-handlers who are reluctant shooters. I legit can't think of a worse way to use him than that, and he still put up a tremendous statistical season.

Yeah, they absolutely ought to blow it up. Get what you can for anyone over 25, tank a couple of seasons and try to land a star or two via the draft or from second and third tier free agents. They've maximised their window to incredible extent via great management, but it's just not ever going to get them to 50 wins again.

They have so much cap space... what under the radar young free agents are there?

NYG wrote:They have so much cap space... what under the radar young free agents are there?

They need to be careful to avoid just spending their way to respectability again though. The Knicks' power forward spree from two (?) years ago actually worked out ok in retrospect. Enough guys busted that they got a high pick anyway, they we're able to flip one of them for a first and one of them developed into an all star. That's what you're hoping for, I guess, though the spurs have a much more interesting young core than those Knicks did...

Prospect Dong wrote:

NYG wrote:They have so much cap space... what under the radar young free agents are there?

They need to be careful to avoid just spending their way to respectability again though. The Knicks' power forward spree from two (?) years ago actually worked out ok in retrospect. Enough guys busted that they got a high pick anyway, they we're able to flip one of them for a first and one of them developed into an all star. That's what you're hoping for, I guess, though the spurs have a much more interesting young core than those Knicks did...

I think John Collins is maybe the one guy worth throwing a pretty big offer at. Other than that I would look to take on money for assets or make some value signings they can eventually flip.

Totally agree that spending just because they can is not a great approach.

Pop needs only 26 wins to break Nelson’s record, which makes him a lock for a final season and a play in run. I think SAS would be smart to let their vets go and allow Pop to make his record using their young core.

Murray/White/Walker/Johnson/Vassell/Samanic/Poeltl/#11 should be their Top 8 players. Offer big money to Collins or Lauri to get the 9th and you are good to go.

They have a ton of middle tier young talent. Like, a squad of young guys that project as really good 4-5 options and great bench players. But, when I look at their young talent, I dont see a single guy that can be even a #3 option on a HCA caliber playoff team. They continue to be too good to get a blue chip pick and until they bottom out, they will have to keep using the 'sit and hope another Leonard lands in your lap' approach with their 10-18 ranged picks. Its a really odd spot to be in, a team this young that already seems to be on the path to a treadmill team in the future. IDK what they should do, like at all really. Maybe try to get that GSW MIN pick if it conveys by offering a bunch of depth talent?

If Pop stays, I expect them to re-sign DeRozan and make a run at another FA.

take on salary for picks, tank hard and hope for Emoni Bates in a couple years.

As long as Pop stays, they won't tank. They should be in good position to spend next off-season and mix talent with their youth.

If I am SAS I throw a max offer at John Collins and dare ATL to match. I would then try to bring back Derozen on the cheap (2x20? second year being a PO). Then I would throw a offer at Zach Collins just big enough that Portland doesn't want to match (say 3/15m) which is a high risk upside play on a versitle defender. Both Collins are good defenders, you get a 1a option on offense with John Collins at the PF who should be a good fit with the Spurs offense.

If Pop is gone / retires... lets all of your FA walk and Find you tank commander.

NYG wrote:If Pop retires, who takes over? My vote is Budenholzer if the Bucks don’t get to the Conference Finals.

I'd be shocked if it isn't Becky.