NBA: What's Next for the Old San Antonio Spurs?

You've probably heard by now that the defending champions are no longer a part of the NBA Playoffs, but what adds to sorrow is the doubt circling over this franchise in the future.

There was always this feeling that even though the Lakers looked unbeatable in a seven game series, the Spurs experience would help overcome the momentum the Lakers had. Today, that experienced squad turned into nothing more than a team of old guys.

The next few years look to belong to the Lakers, with the Hornets, Jazz, and Blazers being part of the mix. As difficult as it may sound, the big three in San Antonio might not be enough.

Tim Duncan is 32, and potentially has three good years left in him. Manu will be 31 heading into next season, and showed that he is not immune to the injury bug or fatigue.

Gregg Popovich did an excellent job resting his players throughout the regular season in order to preserve them for a late playoff battle, but unfortunately it did not produce a championship outcome.

This means the roster must be dealt with and improvements are needed.

It is so unfortunate that the strong Spurs bench is even looking at the wrong side of the age factor. Bruce Bowen is 36, Oberto is 33, and the rest such as: Horry, Finley, etc. don't need their ages mentioned because the way they played are indicative of how old they are. Even Ime Udoka is 30, and he is considered young in comparison to the rest. 

So what is next for the Spurs?

They have a few options to consider before hitting the floor next year. The decisions they make this off season could help them be serious contenders next year. They can also give them a year to readjust and then compete, or they can force them to be perennial first/second round dwellers.

Option One

The Spurs need to look to their previous drafts, and this year's draft for a trio of contributors. This situation might call for some spending and moves that the Spurs aren't used to, but needed.

Tiago Splitter, Ian Mahinmi, and the first round pick of 2008 will need to be added to the roster immediately. Tiago Splitter, the 28th pick in the 2007 draft, gives the Spurs a versatile big man at 6'11" who can run the floor and help on the offensive end.

At the age of 23, Splitter gives them the youth they need and a player who many saw as a Pau Gasol, but more likely will be a younger PJ Brown, or versatile Kurt Thomas.

He is currently signed to TAU Ceramica in Spain until 2009-2010, so this move could cost money in order to have him come to the U.S.. Perhaps it is a gamble worth making, especially since Luis Scola left for Houston, and now seems to be a gem.

The Spurs will also need to bring Ian Mahinmi, the 28th pick in the 2005 draft, he will also be needed on the roster next year. Mahinmi, who is listed at 6'11", will give the Spurs a strong interior presence who can play center or power forward.

Mahinmi, unlike Splitter, is not property of another European team, but instead in the D-Leagues, and has been a development project. Mahinmi has flashed raw potential, but has not yet shown discipline needed to play in the Spurs' system.  He needs more looks in order to be fully evaluated and could be a big piece of the puzzle. 

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