Ideal Potential Free Agent for San Antonio Spurs at Every Position
The 2015 free-agency period has watershed potential for the San Antonio Spurs franchise. Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili are rumored to be returning, per San Antonio's KENS 5, and the contracts they demand will likely set the tone for the rest of the summer.
Kawhi Leonard is in the market for a pay upgrade, and while the Spurs are expected to wrap him up long-term as soon as possible, the futures of other San Antonio contributors set to hit the market—Danny Green and Cory Joseph, to name a few—remain unclear.
Roster spots don't appear to be scarce, and while big-name additions like LaMarcus Aldridge have been tied to San Antonio for more than a year, per the KENS report, don't be surprised if the team also opts to make smaller splashes at other positions.
Though the Spurs have been known to keep things constant from season to season, with the 2015-16 season shaping up to be the transition year, they should keep their eyes open for good fits in the upcoming months.
Point Guard: Cory Joseph
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Depth at the 1 has rarely been an issue for San Antonio, and with Tony Parker still slated to spearhead the offense and Patty Mills wrapped up until 2016-17, upgrading the position should be a secondary concern this offseason.
Any player brought in would be filling a backup role and would have to command a modest salary.
As such, it makes sense for the Spurs to keep things consistent and bring back Cory Joseph for another stint with the silver and black. His contract expired after his fourth season with the team, and while he's certain to demand a larger salary than the $2 million he made in 2014-15, he has proved to be worth the money.
His latest campaign was his breakout one, with Joseph emerging as a capable backup to Parker during Mills' early absence as he recovered from shoulder surgery. Despite seemingly negligible stat increases in points per game—5.0 to 6.8—and assists per game—1.7 to 2.4—Joseph demonstrated a versatile offensive skill set over the course of the year.
In addition to a visible increase in comfort and confidence, his 2014-15 campaign saw an improvement in both mid-range jump shooting and rim-attacking ability.
If anything, the biggest roadblock keeping Joseph from returning will be interest from other teams and the potential for a bigger opportunity elsewhere. But, with him and Mills filling different roles—despite sharing a position—there's room for both if the team extends Joseph another contract—likely in the $4 to $5 million range.
If Joseph becomes unavailable, offensive studs like Aaron Brooks, Mo Williams and Sergio Rodriguez—the latter is playing overseas—deserve looks from the front office.
But, with Joseph's obvious upside—he's just 23—his demonstrated ability to improve and his existing familiarity with the Spurs system, the team's best free-agent option at the point guard position is the one who has already called San Antonio home.
Shooting Guard: Danny Green
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Similar to the situation at the point, San Antonio's top 2-guard target should be another in-house prospect. Danny Green's four years (and change) as a Spur have been eventful, with Green emerging from obscurity to become a household name as the NBA's three-and-D exemplar.
This year, in addition to averaging 11.7 points and shooting over 40 percent from deep for the fourth straight season, Green averaged a full block and a full steal, an achievement that only five other players—the rest being forwards and centers—could boast in 2014-15.
Though his current contract may have come to an end, the Spurs should only consider moving on from their current starting shooting guard if it means they'll be able to secure a top-tier free agent. Otherwise, money should be a non-factor, as Green's two-way talent makes him an ideal candidate for any system, especially one like San Antonio that places great value on three-point shooting and perimeter defense.
As Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley pointed out:
"According to CBS Sports' Ken Berger, Green is expected to fetch an annual salary in the $10 million to $12 million range. If that sounds a little steep, just remember the salary cap is about to burst in the near future... Green could soon be commanding just 10 percent of a team's total cap. That's money very well spent on a lockdown defender and lights-out shooter who also brings along a wealth of postseason experience.
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The team relies on his services on both ends of the floor, and wrapping him up long-term would be a worthy investment. Despite day-to-day shooting inconsistencies, he remains among the league's best three-point threats as well as a versatile defender capable of guarding the league's top guards and swingmen.
If a potential deal falls through, Alan Anderson of the Brooklyn Nets would be a serviceable replacement. He has similar three-and-D skills as well as a top-tier motor. He'd fit nicely into the Spurs system in a similar role to Green's.
Even so, Green (27) is four years younger than Anderson (32) and is already familiar with the team and its system. He has expressed interest in returning and—unless it's done to make room for a blockbuster addition—he remains the Spurs' best bet at the 2.
Small Forward: Al-Farouq Aminu
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The 2015 draft class has a strong concentration of lockdown perimeter defenders around the Spurs' 26th pick, so it wouldn't be surprising if the team pulls the trigger and fills that need then.
But if the top targets (e.g., Justin Anderson and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson) are off the board once San Antonio's name is called, the team must address perimeter defense in the subsequent free-agency period, independent of Green's return—though it's obviously a greater priority if he departs.
Dallas' Al-Farouq Aminu has proved himself in that role and would provide the Spurs with a strong option off the bench to spell Leonard and serve as a secondary defensive stopper along the arc, as well as inside, as Alan Smithee of Mavs Moneyball noted:
"Aminu was asked to guard every position on the court with the exception of center, and demonstrated lockdown potential as a man defender. Even better, Aminu has become one of the best help defenders and defensive playmakers the Mavericks have had in years, as his block-rate led all small forwards, and his steal rate was fifth among small forwards.
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His strong play in the 2015 postseason—he averaged 11.2 rebounds and 7.2 rebounds on 55 percent shooting—only solidifies the notion that he's primed to be a valuable rotation player.
Bleacher Report's Vytis Lasaitis projected Aminu's upcoming salary to hover around $5 million per year—a total not outside San Antonio's price range if he emerges as a top free agency target.
Aminu is only 24 and has the physical tools and athleticism to succeed. Though he's likely never going to live up to his top-10 draft hype, he is trending up and strengthens the Spurs' frontcourt depth while giving them a project for the future.
Power Forward: LaMarcus Aldridge
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Rumors associating Portland Trail Blazers big man LaMarcus Aldridge with the Spurs have been circulating for a while now, with ESPN.com's Marc Stein most recently reporting that there is serious mutual interest and "that San Antonio sits near or at the top of Aldridge's list."
Though Duncan seems primed to play another season, it's no secret that he's going to have to hang it up eventually. Aldridge, a four-time All-Star who often finds his name below Anthony Davis on the power forward hierarchy, would provide the Spurs with a natural Duncan successor.
He most recently averaged 23.4 points and 10.2 rebounds despite playing with a thumb injury for most of the season. As a versatile big man capable of playing outside the paint or with his back to the basket, there's a reason that he is such a coveted target.
His strong defensive and rebounding skills only add to the fire.
Of course, pursuing one of the summer's top two free agents would come at a cost. As Pounding the Rock's J.R. Wilco outlined in a mid-May podcast, the Spurs would have to clear significant room to obtain and keep Aldridge, who may elect to stay with his current team.
Still, if the opportunity arises for the Spurs to nab one of the league's best sub-30 players, they should take advantage of it. Not only would Aldridge maximize the team's chances of winning before the core calls it quits, but he'll ensure that the team remains a relevant contender in the subsequent years.
Center: Tyson Chandler
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Marc Gasol is the obvious "ideal" center target, but with San Antonio reportedly prioritizing Aldridge, per RealGM.com, and decidedly less buzz surrounding a potential union with the Grizzlies' current anchor, signing Gasol is the longest of long shots.
Instead, Tyson Chandler—a veteran defensive stud—should be near the top of the Spurs' free-agent list as they look to bolster their interior depth.
Assuming Duncan returns, his minutes restriction will likely grow even stricter. Tiago Splitter's ongoing injury woes mean that the team needs another 7-footer capable of playing significant minutes and guarding formidable opponents. Despite the strides made in 2014-15, Aron Baynes is still too raw to be the first and only option behind the aforementioned duo.
That Chandler will likely command an eight-digit salary—he made $14 million this past season—could be an issue, but if San Antonio could convince him to take a pay cut, the money could work without major changes if both Ginobili and Duncan sign manageable, veteran contracts and the Spurs play their cards right with Kawhi Leonard, as outlined by Pounding the Rock's Jesus Gomez.
"But if he is not extended, only the much smaller qualifying offer counts against the cap until he signs an offer sheet or re-signs. That would give the Spurs almost $8 million more to play with in free agency, which could come in handy if Duncan and Ginobili retire and the team needs to find replacements.
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Chandler, 32, is no longer trending up, but he's a top-tier defensive anchor with legitimate skills on the glass. He's a great locker-room presence and overall competitor who would seamlessly fit into what the Spurs have going.
His finite offensive ability is a cause for worry, but Chandler recognizes his limitations and appears more than happy to let others handle the scoring load.
Though Dallas isn't going to let him go quietly, Chandler's skill set makes him seemingly destined to one day sport silver and black. It wouldn't be a move for the future, but the Spurs could patch up a few holes by bringing in the 2012 Defensive Player of the Year.
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