San Antonio Spurs' 2016-17 NBA Training Camp Roster Rankings
The San Antonio Spurs looked absolutely dominant in the first round of last season's playoffs, but they quickly ran into a speed bump thanks to the Oklahoma City Thunder's athleticism and youth.
With all-timer Tim Duncan retiring this summer, general manager R.C. Buford and the rest of the front office quickly assembled some reinforcementsānamely big men Pau Gasol and David Lee. A few talented youngsters found their ways into the training camp mix, too.
Now the question is: Which of those newcomers will make the cut?
Tony Parker might be running out of gas, but Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge could very well make up the difference. Either way, this core needs some help. A ranking of this season's training camp invitees may reveal just where that might come from.
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20. Ryan Richards
There's still a lot to like about Richards' length and athleticism, but his fate with the Spurs is just as uncertain as it was when the club picked him in the second round of the 2010 NBA Draft. The 7-footer has bounced around leagues in Poland, Austria, Dubai, Iran, Lebanon and Bahrain, but he's yet to find his NBA calling.
At 25, now may be the time for San Antonio to make a decision about his pro fate. His contract for $543,471 becomes guaranteed if and when he actually sticks around on the 15-man roster.
19. Nicolas Laprovittola
Otherwise known as Nico or Lapro by his fans, the 26-year-old Argentine appears to be in his basketball prime. He's averaged a combined 13.4 points and 5.1 assists with Flamengo during the last two seasons and is coming off the 2016 Summer Olympic Games and a silver medal at the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship.
The crafty point guard could vie for a third-string opportunity behind Tony Parker and Patty Mills if he clears training camp and sticks with the club.
18. Patricio Garino
San Antonio brought Garino in for a training camp deal after the George Washington product turned some heads with the Orlando Magic during the 2016 NBA Summer League. He could very well wind up replacing Manu Ginobili someday as the latest Argentine swingman.
Garino posted 14.1 points and 4.2 rebounds per game during his 2015-16 collegiate campaign, nailing 36.4 percent of his three-point attempts at George Washington and could become a fixture in San Antonio if he keeps up the hot shooting.
17. Ryan Arcidiacono
In addition to getting some experience with the Italian national team, the Villanova product brings four years of NCAA experience to the table. Though he went un-drafted during during the 2016 NBA Draft, Ryan Arcidiacono caught the San Antonio Spurs' eye after demonstrating a consistent shooting touch and the ability to distribute during his collegiate career.
If he thrives as a combo-guard, his backcourt versatility could earn him some opportunities down the road. If nothing else, the chance to enjoy training camp with such a polished operation should help his still-early development.
16. Bryn Forbes
A product of Cleveland State and Michigan State, Bryn Forbes is already plenty comfortable with the NBA's three-point range. He garnered some attention with the San Antonio Spurs' Summer League squad, but the real question is whether he can stick around as a 6'3" shooting guard.
Similar size never stopped the scoring likes of Monta Ellis, but Forbes might have to slide over to the point guard spot to sustain a consistent NBA role. Alternatively, he could emerge as the kind of spark plug who provides San Antonio some instant offense off the benchāespecially if Patty Mills winds up departing via free agency next summer.
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15. Joel Anthony
Looking for additional help in the paint in the wake of Tim Duncan's departure, Anthony's training camp deal assures San Antonio another option off the bench. His veteran presence could certainly be a source of leadership and a valuable insurance policy in the event any of the other bigs miss serious time.
While Anthony hasn't averaged more 9.1 minutes per contest since the 2011-12 season, he's steadily served as a role player for the likes of the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons. During his prime with Miami, Anthony consistently averaged more than 1.3 blocks per game as a capable rim protector. It remains to be seen whether he'll play a meaningful role here.
14. Davis Bertans
A 6'10" forward from Latvia, Davis Bertans was initially drafted 42nd overallĀ by the Indiana Pacers in 2011 before immediately having his rights traded to the Spurs. As the organization is oft to do, general manager R.C. Buford adopted a "draft and stash" approach during subsequent seasons to allow Bertans to develop overseas.
Even after an already-established (though nascent) European career, it remains to be seen how Bertans will hold up at the NBA level. There's little doubt he has exceptional range for a big man. After signing a two-year deal with the Spurs, he may become the team's spread-4 of the future in the wake of Matt Bonner's departure.
13. Livio Jean-Charles
Just in case Jonathan Simmons or Kyle Anderson takes a step back this season, the San Antonio Spurs opted to bring another young project on their hands. Livio Jean-Charles signed a two-year contract this summer that provides the organization an option in 2018 and 2019.
That gives the coaching staff an extended look at the 6'9" forward taken 28th overall back in 2013. Thanks to some top-shelf athleticism, Jean-Charles can score, rebound and potentially emerge as an NBA-ready defender. Given San Antonio's historic success with overseas talent, the 22-year-old stands a good chance of turning into something special.
12. Dejounte Murray
It's become increasingly rare for the San Antonio Spurs to use their first-round pick on anything but overseas talent, but the club clearly found something they liked with Dejounte Murray. The 6'5" Washington Huskies product has the size to play either back-court position, but he promises to be an athletic point guard with finishing ability and a penchant for scoring in a variety of ways.
He posted 16.1, six rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.8 steals as freshman and proved he can do just about everything. The next step is learning to shoot from three-point range, and that shouldn't be a problem if his early trajectory is anything like new teammate Kawhi Leonard's.
11. Manu Ginobili
The Spurs opted to give the legendary Manu Ginobili a pre-retirement version of a signing bonus this summer in exchange for everything he's meant to this franchise over the years.
That doesn't necessarily mean he'll see much time on the court with the emergence of swingmen like Jonathan Simmons and Kyle Anderson. The good news is that Ginobili yielded an efficient 9.6 points in just 19.6 minutes per contest during the regular season. However, his production dipped to just 6.7 points per game during the playoffs.
Still one of the league's elite long-distance marksmen, the real question is whether Ginobili should remain a consistent sixth man option or more of a situational specialist. At minimum, he could certainly adopt the role of sage player-coach thanks to his passion and unique understanding of the game. He may also be the ideal mentor for youngsters like Simmons, Anderson and rookie guard Murray.
Whatever his on-court contributions, locals are sure to enjoy seeing one of their all-time favorites enjoy enjoy one more run after Tim Duncan's departure.
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10. Kyle Anderson
Once viewed as a more mobile version of the now-departed Boris Diaw, now may be the time for third-year forward Kyle Anderson to make his move into the San Antonio Spurs' rotation on a more full-time basis.
The crafty UCLA product only averaged 16 minutes per game last season, but his all-around game certainly showed signs of improvement. His field-goal percentage jumped to 46.8 percent after a rookie mark of 34.8, and there's no question his command of the offense was reflected in head coach Gregg Popovich's allowing Anderson to bring the ball up as he once did with the Bruins.
That kind of point-forward pedigree is a unique commodity and could win Anderson minutes over teammates like Jonathan Simmons and Manu Ginobili. At minimum, his length and versatility allow Popovich & Co. the ability to create or react to unique match-up situations.
9. Dewayne Dedmon
Spurs fans may be unfamilar with Dewayne Dedmon and his body of work, but they'll be pleased to know the 27-year-old grinder is coming off his most complete season yet after averaging 4.4 points and 3.9 rebounds in just 12.2 minutes per contest last season with the Orlando Magic. That might not sound like a lot of production, but keep in mind the 7-footer showed serious flashes when briefly filling in for the starter Nikola Vucevic early in the season.
Dedmon may struggle to replace the fanfare associated with the departed Boban Marjonovic, but his on-court presence should be just as effective. Indeed, his mobility and rim protection may well be more consistent with San Antonio's actual needs behind starting center Pau Gasol. As low-key free agent additions go, this one just might rank as one of the league's best.
8. David Lee
Pau Gasol may have been the San Antonio Spurs' splashiest summer addition, but David Lee just might be the organization's most savvy. After having his minutes with Golden State Warriors cut by Draymond Green's arrival, Lee split time between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks last season in a bid to reestablish himself as one of the league's go-to power forwards. The 33-year-old is on the back-end of his career, but he also remains an efficient scorer and rebounder with double-double potential on any given night.
Assuming he earns around 20 minutes per content in San Antonio, he's likely to remain one of the league's most valuable bench contributors. Thanks to a still formidable mid-range game and a workman-like attitude around the basket, the Spurs will arguably boast the most interior depth they've had in years.
With LaMarcus Aldridge and Pau Gasol both in their 30s, it's also likely that Lee will see some longer minutes when head coach Gregg Popovich opts to rest one of his star starters.
7. Jonathan Simmons
One might expect to see Manu Ginobili or Kyle Anderson ranked ahead of Jonathan Simmons, but times could be changing in San Antonio. Simmons emerged as an electric presence off of the Spurs' bench thanks to his slashing ability and penchant for finishing at the rim with authority. The 27-year-old may have had a round-about path to the NBA, but his rookie season turned some heads thanks to an improving three-point shot and his superior athleticism.Ā
Simmons also has the making of an above-average perimeter defenderāperhaps even the kind who could snag minutes from Danny Green and the aging Manu Ginobili. Should he become more of a marksman and round out his mid-range game, the sky is the limit for the Houston product. With his prime still ahead of him, he could even emerge as the team's starting shooting guard of future in due time. But will head coach Gregg Popovich will give him the requisite playing time to speed up development?
6. Patty Mills
Once a late second-round draft pick, the Australian-born Patty Mills has come a long way since his first two seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers. The quick-shooting point guard has proven he can strike from long distance and keep opposing defenders honest on the perimeter.
At 28, however, the big question is whether he can adopt a more prominent role amid Tony Parker's seemingly inevitable decline.
Should Mills become more of a distributor and develop a more balanced offensive approach (e.g. consistent slashing and mid-range ability), anything could happen. His quickness has been a virtue, and his energy on both ends of the floor has proven a valuable commodity for a second unit that needs a spark. After averaging a career-high 20.5 per game last season, it's entirely possible Mills sees even more action this season.
Unless Parker proves he can still carry the offensive load, San Antonio may have no other choice.
5. Danny Green
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After a breakout performance in 2014-15, Danny Green's production lilted a bit last season, but he showed signs of life down the stretch. T
he three-and-D specialist appears to have hit something of a developmental ceiling at age 29, yet it's certainly possible he expands his offensive repertoire to include improved slashing ability and a better handle.
Green can keep up with the best of them defensively, but he remains something of a liability off the dribble. That's largely prevented him from elevating his game to an All-Star level consistency, instead assuring he remain one of the game's most reliable role players.Ā
After putting up 7.2 points and 3.8 rebounds per game last season, one might like to see a bit more from the North Carolina product, but he'll probably need more than 26.1 minutes per game to make a more robust impact.
With increasing depth on the wing, those minutes will likely be hard to come by.
4. Tony Parker
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A once dynamic scorer, Tony Parker became a far more inconsistent scorer last season as the San Antonio Spurs began shifting their offensive focus to Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge.
The 34-year-old Frenchman showed signs of slowing down but remained a capable floor general who averaged 5.3 assists per contest and provided his usual veteran leadership. The club is undoubtedly hoping he'll rediscover some of the quickness that once characterized his penetration, but it may have to settle for a few more mid-range jumpers and that patented floater that made Parker so dangerous in the first place.
The good news is that backup point guard Patty Mills remains in his prime and potentially capable of adopting a larger role if and when Parker takes another step backward.
The less-than-good news is that San Antonio still relies on Parker as its primary distributor and can ill-afford to sit him for long periods at a time. It might be a stretch to call point guard a weakness for this team, but much hinges on whether the 15-year veteran can carry the Spurs amid playoff intensity like he once did.
3. Pau Gasol
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The Spurs' premier offseason addition didn't come via trade or the draft, and this isn't the first time this organization pursued Pau Gasol's services via free agency.
But after choosing the Chicago Bulls two summers ago, the Spaniard opted to replace the legendary Tim Duncan this season and man the middle for a team in desperate need of more size. Though Gasol is nearing the end of his career at age 36, the 7-footer can still produce.Ā
He tallied 16.5 points, 11 rebounds, 4.1 assists and two blocks in just 31.8 minutes per game last season, impressive numbers for a center of any age. With big shoes to fill and a legacy to continue, it's entirely conceivable that Gasol remains an All-Star caliber contributor for just long enough to keep San Antonio in the title hunt.
Though Duncan will be missed, there's little doubt Gasol will serve as a fitting replacement given his ability to strike from the midrange or operate with his back to the basket. The even bigger perk is that he can still protect the rim with the same kind of fundamentally sound defense that made Duncan such a fixture in the paint.
2. LaMarcus Aldridge
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The 31-year-old LaMarcus Aldridge came out of the gates slowly during his first season with San Antonio, but he made up for it toward season's end and in several standout postseason performances.
When all was said and done, the All-Star posted 18 points and 8.5 rebounds per contest and simultaneously replaced Tim Duncan as the club's interior scoring presence.
Though he isn't the defensive anchor some might hope for, Aldridge's midrange game ranks as one of the best among big men and assures the Spurs a vital second option when the offense slows down. He's also the kind of rebounding presence needed in a post-Duncan era and the obvious heir apparent to that fundamentally sound legacy.
But will his game evolve any further as he races past his prime; namely will his already-polished post moves yield increased dividends as defenders start crowding him in the paint? Spurs fans can certainly count on a reliable scorer for the next several years, but it's anyone's guess whether LMA is the kind of sidekick who can elevate San Antonio to another title.
1. Kawhi Leonard
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After asserting his MVP credentials last season, the NBA world is waiting to see what's next from the Spurs' premier superstar.
Initially known for his defensive chops, Leonard averaged 21.2 points per game last season and took his offensive game to an All-NBA level. The team began to rely more heavily on him to carry the scoring load after years of sharing the ball and relying on the likes of Parker, Ginobili and the now-retired Tim Duncan.
Assuming that remains the trend, only time will tell just how much more effective Leonard can become.Ā His real value stems from the fact he scores in a variety of different waysāeven if not especially in the kind of isolation situations San Antonio rarely employed in years past.
And at minimum, his strength and athleticism make him a sight to behold for fans of a team once deemed boring.
The two-time Defensive Player of the Year will remain in the hunt for MVP honors with the likes of LeBron James, James Harden, Russell Westbrook and whoever emerges as the Golden State Warriors' featured superstar. With or without the individual recognition, Leonard almost certainly will be the central factor in determining whether this proud contender remains a force in the Western Conference.
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