2019-20 NBA Western Conference: San Antonio Spurs

San Antonio Spurs 

Roster (16)

DeMar DeRozan SG

LaMarcus Aldridge PF/C

Patrick Mills PG

Rudy Gay SF

Trey Lyles PF

DeMarre Carroll SF

Marco Belinelli SG

Bryn Forbes SG

Jakob Poeltl C

Keldon Johnson F

Lonnie Walker IV SG

Derrick White PG

Dejounte Murray PG

Chimezie Metu PF

Luka Samanic PF

Ben Moore PF

Two Way

Drew Eubanks C

Quinndary Weatherspoon SG

Starting 5

Bryn Forbes PG

Derrick White SG

DeMar DeRozan SF

LaMarcus Aldridge PF

Jakob Poeltl C

Outgoing Players (4)

Davis Bertans SF (Trade Wiz)

Quincy Pondexter (FA)

Donatas Motiejunas PF (FA)

Dante Cunningham (FA)

Incoming Players (4)

DeMarre Carroll SF (Trade, BRK)

Trey Lyles PF (FA, DEN)

Luka Samanic PF (19th Pick, 2019 NBA Draft)

Keldon Johnson F (29th Pick, 2019 NBA Draft)

2018-19 Final Regular Season Standing: 7th Western Conference (48-34)

2019-20 Projected Regular Season Standing: 8th Western Conference (47-35)

The San Antonio Spurs are treading water. Though Coach Gregg Popovich is the winningest coach in NBA history, he has had problems since the retirement of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobli, and Tony Parker. He has tried to put something together with DeRozan and Aldridge, after trading Leonard last year, but the Spurs had a lacking season before stumbling into the playoffs, only to be eliminated by the Nuggets. Many thought Popovich would retire, but he’s back for at least three more seasons, according to an extension he agreed to with the team.

Popovich will continue to try and build the Spurs back into a contender. That may require trading Aldridge and DeRozan and going the long route. I am sure Popovich would like to win another trophy before he retires for good, but it looks more likely that he will spend hid last years with the team, facilitating a rebuild. The Spurs will likely stumble into the playoffs again this season, if not fall backwards and out at the hands of a tougher west, and a burgeoning Kings team that wants to make the postseason. 8th place sounds right.