San Antonio Spurs in Transition: 5 Moves to Win Tim Duncan His 5th Ring

Tim Duncan has precious few years left as an integral piece of the San Antonio Spurs. At season's end, Duncan will become a free agent, but it's highly unlikely he won't be back for at least another run.

Duncan has given no indication that he'll retire, and he's never been the type to jump ship for a better shot at winning.

Meanwhile, the Spurs remain a team that can make noise in the playoffs if they're healthy and get hot at the right time. The Western Conference appears to be as wide open as it was last season when the Mavericks came out of nowhere to snatch their first title.

But for all its talent, experience and championship pedigree, this is a team that's missing something. Sunday's loss to the youthful Oklahoma City Thunder was all too reminiscent of a certain first-round playoff exit that Spurs fans are eager to forget.

Manu Ginobili was battered and bruised against those feisty Grizzlies, and he wasn't even on the court on Sunday versus the Thunder. There's little doubt that Ginobili's return will keep San Antonio in contention for at least this season—he can will his team to victory like few other competitors.

Even with Ginobili back in the lineup, though, San Antonio's margin for error is dangerously small. Popovich's club increasingly relies upon streaky perimeter shooting and pushing the tempo against slower opponents.

When games do slow down, the Spurs find themselves at a loss for players who can create their own shots. And, the once-feared Spurs defense is now inconsistent and frequently outmatched in the paint.

If Timmy is to win his fifth ring, he may need more than a healthy Ginobili. Here are five moves San Antonio should make between now and the start of next season.

Re-Sign Tim Duncan on the Cheap

Tim Duncan may very well be the key to a fifth ring, and not because he's still the franchise player he once was. After making $21.3 million this year, Duncan should agree to take a significant pay cut in the offseason.

Combined with additional roster moves (keep reading), the salary reduction should free up enough cap room for San Antonio to make a run at prominent free agents.

If Duncan reached a deal that paid him $8 to $10 million per year (for maybe two or three years), the Spurs likely would be right at the cap, barring any additional moves. While the new contract wouldn't in and of itself create room, it's the first step in doing so.

And oh by the way, in this scenario, the Spurs would be keeping one of the better big men in the league at a much more reasonable price. Duncan remains the anchor of the Spurs interior defense, a steady presence on the glass and could easily put up 11 or 12 points a game for another three years.

The organization could be tempted into overpaying Duncan in a gesture of appreciation for a legacy that has defined the franchise. Duncan will have to ask himself just how much he wants a ring for each finger.

Without high draft picks or a deep reservoir of trade assets, free agency must become part of the Spurs' strategy.

Amnesty Richard Jefferson Following the Season

Richard Jefferson has absolutely been the Spurs' best (healthy) player thus far in 2012. His can't-miss three-point stroke has created distance between San Antonio and its opponents in game after game.

He has handled criticism over the last two seasons with nothing but professionalism and renewed commitment to constantly improving his game.

And to his credit, he hasn't made a peep after rampant speculation that the Spurs would employ the NBA's new "amnesty clause" on Jefferson in December.

Jefferson has been everything Lamar Odom was not (Odom requested a trade out of Los Angeles after his feelings were hurt by the Lakers' vetoed trade for Chris Paul). He has just gone to work and made it rain three-pointers for a team that desperately needs them.

Sound like the profile of an amnesty candidate? No. And, Jefferson doesn't deserve it one bit.

But unfortunately, he probably doesn't deserve the $10 million he's set to make next season either. He'll get that money no matter what. If, however, the Spurs have any hope of making a run at an impact player, that $10 million can't count against the salary cap.

If Duncan agrees to play for $10 million or less, then freeing up Jefferson's $10 million would essentially become the starting point for any pursuit of free-agent talent.

That's where the amnesty clause comes in. Jefferson gets paid every dollar he's owed, but none of them would count against San Antonio's salary cap. The Spurs, meanwhile, would become instant players in free agency.

The team struggled to land Caron Butler or even Josh Howard this offseason, but then again, they weren't waiving around $10 million either.

San Antonio will no doubt miss Jefferson's accuracy from range, but if there's one thing with which they can afford to part, it's shooting. Manu Ginobili, Gary Neal, James Anderson and perhaps even Danny Green will remain legitimate deep threats.

The rest of RJ's game is limited by his declining athletic ability and a frame that just doesn't stand a chance against longer wing players like Rudy Gay or Kevin Durant. 

Sign a Difference-Maker

If Gerald Wallace's 31-point outburst against the Lakers is any indication of how he likes playing in Portland, he just might stick around. Wallace has a player option to return to Portland next year, and Portland would love to have him back.

That said, this offseason may be the best time for Wallace to test the free-agent market and pursue a longer contract guaranteeing him security into his 30s. Portland's small forward in waiting, Nic Batum, will be a restricted free agent this offseason as well, potentially making it difficult for Portland to offer both players lucrative, long-term deals.

Since Portland apparently flirted with the idea of trading Wallace as part of a deal that would have sent Dwight Howard to New Jersey, perhaps they'll let him walk this summer in pursuit of a long-term deal.

The San Antonio Spurs should take the money saved by amnestying Jefferson and reducing Duncan's salary to go after whichever small forward the Blazers deem expendable.

Portland might not be willing to match a $10 to $12 million deal for the relatively unproven Batum, or they may balk at the kind of extension Wallace has in mind. Either way, the Spurs can't afford to be quite as choosy at a position of need.

In Wallace, San Antonio would acquire a strong defender with the kind of hustle and tenacity that can put a team over the top. The Spurs need to get longer, tougher and meaner. And, they need slashers who can finish around the rim.

Wallace would also be the perfect mentor for young Kawhi Leonard, a player with similar size and ability. Leonard is a promising athlete and rebounder with tons of defensive upside, but he's struggled with his shot much like Wallace in his early days. 

Most importantly, a player like Gerald Wallace can make an impact in the paint on both sides of the ball. Richard Jefferson and smaller wing players like Neal and Anderson just don't have the size or the strength to make their presence felt inside. 

The 6' 8'' Batum has a nice wingspan, great range and is only 23. And like Tony Parker, he comes from France. It's hard to imagine the Blazers not retaining a player with his kind of upside, and it's hard to imagine the Spurs making a bid large enough to make Portland think twice.

After returning from China this spring, WIlson Chandler might also be available if he doesn't find a long-term deal later this year.

Like Wallace, Chandler is a formidable defender capable of disrupting plays with his length and strength. He's also a versatile threat on offense who can hit the three and finish strong inside.

Banish Matt Bonner

Matt Bonner is due to make $3.6 million next season and another $3.9 the season after that.

About once every four or five games, Bonner hits a few three-pointers and makes you believe he just might be worth it.

He's not. Don't get me wrong. Bonner has hit some huge shots for the Spurs. And, he is most certainly a novelty.

Unfortunately, he's the kind of novelty who can't rebound or play defense. If the Spurs want to spread the floor, they're better off just going small (e.g. with Leonard at the 4).

The trade market for Bonner has to be extremely thin. If the Spurs elect not to amnesty Jefferson, Bonner is the next logical choice.

If the Spurs do amnesty RJ, they'll just have to hope another team is desperate enough for an overpaid "spread-four" to part with a conditional second-round pick in 2023 or something like that. Otherwise, they should beg Bonner to retire and join the team in some off-court capacity (coaching, front-office, concessions...).

The additional savings could either put San Antonio in position to pursue more premium talent or perhaps target two very solid free agents.

Trade Tiago Splitter

Tiago Splitter has demonstrated a tricky post game and a nice touch around the rim. Even without much of a mid-range shot, Splitter has proven that he can make baskets.

But the Spurs haven't been short on inside scoring, especially with DeJuan Blair's emergence as a consistent threat.

With Duncan aging and Blair undersized, the Spurs desperately need an inside presence who can alter shots. Splitter will fight for rebounds and seems to have a decent motor, but the Spurs would be better served getting something of value in return.

Splitter has difficulty making decisions in the post, and when he touches the ball, he's almost a lock to force a shot or just turn the ball over. San Antonio would be better off with a defensively oriented center who will defer on offense and crash the boards.

Losing Splitter would not in and of itself provide many answers. As Tim Duncan begins assuming the role David Robinson once played for him, the search for the Spurs' future low-post identity should be well underway.

It's unlikely a player like Roy Hibbert will become available anytime soon, so we may just have to count on the Spurs to find another diamond in the rough, as they've done so many times before.

Offered alone, Splitter might not be able to fetch much. If adding another young piece (like James Anderson) and a draft pick could return a capable shot-blocker to San Antonio, R.C. Buford should pull the trigger.

What moves would you make to help Duncan get his fifth ring?