San Antonio Spurs' Free-Agent Moves Set Stage for LaMarcus Aldridge's Arrival

The San Antonio Spurs knew they were on the brink of a pleasantly hectic offseason, and the first day of business didn't disappoint. Just hours after the free-agent frenzy commenced on Wednesday, the organization made three moves that figure to impact its well-chronicled pursuit of Portland Trail Blazers star big man LaMarcus Aldridge.

The writing has been on the wall (and in plenty of columns) for some time, as Bleacher Report's Jared Zwerling recently noted via Twitter.

Aldridge hasn't been San Antonio's only order of business, but he's clearly central to the franchise's plans this summer. After reaching initial agreements with swingmen Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green, general manager R.C. Buford quickly traded center Tiago Splitter to the Atlanta Hawks in a bid to clear the two years and $16.75 million remaining on his contract.

Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski first reported the deal and noted that "the Spurs are clearing the necessary cap space to sign All-Star free agent LaMarcus Aldridge of Portland."

Securing Leonard's and Green's services wasn't merely a means to the end of landing Aldridge, but it certainly reasons to help. Both players were integral to the franchise's 2013 Finals appearance and 2014 championship. And both could be key attractions in Aldridge's mind, cornerstones of a potentially loaded lineup to come.

Building Another Winner

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It's long been assumed that the Spurs would make every effort to retain Leonard, the 2014 NBA Finals MVP and reigning Defensive Player of the Year. Already one of the league's very best two-way contributors, the 24-year-old emerged as San Antonio's leading scorer last season with 16.5 points per contest. He may be best suited to becoming a secondary scoring option, but that doesn't make him any less deserving of the deal he and San Antonio have reportedly agreed upon.

According to Wojnarowski, "Leonard has agreed to the framework of a five-year deal that could be worth in excess of $90 million, league sources told Yahoo Sports."

"I have every intention of signing with the San Antonio Spurs," Leonard revealed via a statement, also per Wojnarowski. "There are details in the contract which need to be worked out with the organization. I am confident that this will be accomplished."

In a world where the Spurs add Aldridge, Leonard figures to become one heck of a sidekick. His 22.1 player efficiency rating trailed only Tim Duncan's mark of 22.7 among the Spurs last season, according to ESPN.com. Beyond the scoring ability—which has dramatically improved since Leonard's 2011-12 rookie campaign—the four-year veteran has an uncanny rebounding ability for his 6'7" size, and he's an exceptional perimeter defender.

Leonard's value is no secret, and it's probably one of the reasons San Antonio ranks among the front-runners for Aldridge.

Green may well be another one of those reasons. The 28-year-old has established himself as one of the premier three-and-D specialists in the business, an ideal complement to a lineup that often depends heavily on ball movement and long-range shooting.

	Min	Pts	FG%	3FG%	Reb	Ast	Stl	Blk
Leonard	31.8	16.5	.479	.349	7.2	2.5	2.31	0.75
Green	28.5	11.7	.436	.418	4.2	2.0	1.25	1.07

The six-year veteran reportedly agreed to a deal worth four years and $45 million, according to ESPN.com's Chris Broussard, a fairly reasonable pact given the salary inflation running rampant on the eve of a markedly expanded salary cap in 2016 and 2017.

Green shared his enthusiasm about the deal via Instagram on Wednesday, and—according to Broussard—also remarked that "I'm very excited to be back, [especially because] it looks like we might be getting some other pieces. We have a good future."

Now the only question is: Who else will be part of that future?

Creating the Space

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This much we know: Center Tiago Splitter won't be along for the ride.

His departure was logical enough. Though a serviceable starter with strong pick-and-roll pedigree, Splitter is no All-Star. To whatever extent his salary (scheduled to be $8,500,000 next season and $8,250,000 in 2016-17) precluded Aldridge's arrival, a deal like this was bound to happen. That's business.

And while Buford and Co. have long committed themselves to the virtues of continuity and the corporate knowledge accrued thereby, they aren't stupid. Aldridge would be a substantial upgrade over Splitter, a qualitatively more polished scorer with shooting range the club sorely needs.

	Min	Pts	FG%	Reb	Ast	Stl	Blk
Aldridge	35.4	23.4	.466	10.2	1.7	0.68	0.96
Splitter	19.8	8.2	.558	4.8	1.5	0.67	0.71

With Splitter off the books, San Antonio's financial balancing act becomes significantly easier. Bracketing aside the agreed-upon deals with Leonard and Green (which can't be officially consummated until July 9), the organization is now financially obligated only to Tony Parker, Boris Diaw, Patty Mills and Kyle Anderson.

There are still decisions to be made regarding complementary contributors such as unrestricted free agent Marco Belinelli and restricted free agents Cory Joseph and Aron Baynes, but it appears the franchise is willing to part ways with any contract that obstructs access to Aldridge. If need be, San Antonio can always round out the roster using cap exceptions when the time comes. For now, the priority is clearing space.

The only wrinkles are Duncan and Manu Ginobili, potential retirees who may accept steep pay cuts in order to afford Aldridge.

ESPN.com's Marc Stein reported last week that:

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Although Duncan and fellow Spurs mainstay Manu Ginobili have yet to make formal declarations about their plans for next season, sources said that the Spurs are optimistic about re-signing both at salaries that will allow the team to re-sign prized restricted free agent Kawhi Leonard this summer and to pursue top-tier free agent LaMarcus Aldridge. 

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The San Antonio Express-News' Mike Monroe similarly indicated that "There are several NBA player personnel executives who believe the Spurs will offer Duncan a two-year contract that begins between $6 million and $7 million, with a partial guarantee and a player option in the second season."

Put simply, the club's incumbent personnel appear committed to making this work. That was the crucial first step, and Splitter's exit may be the last. From there, the ball is in Aldridge's court.

Making the Sell

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Here's what we know so far. Spurs representatives (reportedly including Duncan, point guard Tony Parker and head coach Gregg Popovich, according to Yahoo Sports' Marc J. Spears) met with Aldridge on Wednesday morning, and the early word has been positive.

At least one team was reportedly already eliminated from contention.

And at least one other report completely contradicts that verdict.

Anything can happen amid such a hotly contested courtship. Several teams want in on Aldridge, and nothing's final until he says so. And for the record, the almost-30-year-old apparently seemed pretty interested in what the Phoenix Suns had to say, too.

But the Spurs do have plenty to offer, including a virtually unparalleled record of recent success. And one report, courtesy of Basketball Insiders' David Pick, already has him coming to San Antonio.

Then there's the fact that the Dallas native has some Texas attachments. As the Oregonian's Mike Tokito noted on Wednesday:

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Add the fact that one of Aldridge's sons lives in San Antonio, and he has ties to nearby Austin, where he went to the University of Texas (although the school did fire his former coach, Rick Barnes), and you can see why the word "front-runner" gets thrown around about the Spurs in the Aldridge derby.

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On paper, the Spurs boast an accomplished core that still has relatively young pieces in Leonard and Green. Unlike the still-rebuilding Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio is already in position to win regardless of how the rest of free agency shakes out.

It would be in even better (far better) position with Aldridge on board.