Gregg Popovich's fifth NBA Championship highlighted the storylines of redemption. Just under that layer of narrative was the San Antonio Spurs' success in reloading throughout the years, never rocking the boat quite enough to hurt their playoff chances, but never settling enough to think one title run would lead to another.
Spurs have plenty of flexibility to bring back key free agents
Another title for the Spurs likely means another offseason of keeping the status quo, which is good for all involved.
Andy Lyons
Such is the case following the 2014 championship. Chemistry changes in an offseason, and rosters obviously do, as well. San Antonio will be facing a number of questions this summer despite its historic stability, but the first of those was answered when Tim Duncan picked up his $10.4 million player option for the 2014-15 season. Obviously, it wasn't expected that he was going to play anywhere else, even if he opted out, but the Spurs have a more financial clarity heading into the draft.
San Antonio's aging big three could use a little more help, though Kawhi Leonard's MVP offers a sign that some of the help could come from within the organization.
The assets
Draft picks: No. 30, No. 58, No. 60
Free agents: Boris Diaw (UFA), Patty Milles (UFA), Matt Bonner (UFA), Aron Baynes (RFA)
Cap space: $9.5 million
Depth chart
PG: Tony Parker (non-guaranteed), Patty Mills (UFA), Cory Joseph
SG: Danny Green, Manu Ginobili, Marco Belinelli
SF: Kawhi Leonard, Austin Daye (non-guaranteed)
PF: Tim Duncan (opted in), Boris Diaw (UFA), Matt Bonner (UFA), Jeff Ayres
C: Tiago Splitter, Aron Baynes (RFA)
Team needs
The Spurs might need to target depth along the frontline. At least, that’s where more turnover could occur this offseason. Boris Diaw and Matt Bonner are unrestricted free agents, and they could leave big holes behind Duncan, whose health as a 38-year-old will be heavily considered by the front office. With only veteran role player Jeff Ayres currently under contract behind Duncan, San Antonio will need to hit the free agent market at the power forward spot. That includes looking at re-signing its own free agents.
Young center Aron Baynes could leave as a restricted free agent, but he hasn’t done enough to build his value and could be a valuable player the Spurs look at bringing back.
There are backcourt depth issues to consider with an older Manu Ginobili and Patty Mills’ free agency, as well.
Targets
Immediately, the most pressing issue involves bringing Diaw back as a free agent. In his second season with San Antonio, Diaw became a vital member of the rotation. He was a versatile defender in the NBA Finals against LeBron James and Chris Bosh and was often the catalyst to the whirring up of the Spurs' deadly ball movement.
Behind Diaw, Bonner would be worth re-signing as a microwave shooter at power forward. San Antonio will have to fill in the roster with role players who could be capable of taking some regular-season rotation minutes from Duncan should the team ready for another long playoff run.
Through the draft, the Spurs might want to target backcourt players. Ginobili and Danny Green are entering the final year of their contracts, and Mills is an unrestricted free agent this summer who could get a bigger payday away from San Antonio. Cory Joseph could eat up the minutes left by Mills, but the Spurs could use another body via the draft.
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