While Spurs Sit and Wait for LaMarcus Aldridge, Plan B Is Becoming Less Clear

LaMarcus Aldridge is Plan A for the San Antonio Spurs, and following a pair of eye-opening moves, he's officially a realistic target. But the franchise is running out of options for Plan B.

To be clear, San Antonio shouldn't be in panic mode.

According to Bleacher Report's Jared Zwerling, the Spurs remain a front-runner to land the power forward's services:

Nevertheless, San Antonio needed a pair of shrewd moves to organize a potential big-name addition. Danny Green agreed to a remarkably team friendly four-year, $45 million deal, then the franchise dumped Tiago Splitter's contract on the Atlanta Hawks.

So, if the pursuit of Aldridge backfires, the Spurs need to find an alternative—and quickly—because several free agents wasted little time before making a decision.

Tyson Chandler was an under-the-radar candidate, but the 2011-12 Defensive Player of the Year received a generous four-year, $52 million offer from the Phoenix Suns. He's not coming.

Greg Monroe, who would've been a viable backup plan, accepted a $50 million offer from the Milwaukee Bucks, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports. Cross Moose out.

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

Wojnarowski reported Robin Lopez and the New York Knicks agreed to a four-year, $54 million contract. RoLo ain't happenin'.

For good measure, Wojnarowski reported that Brandan Wright will sign with the Memphis Grizzlies and Ed Davis is headed to the Portland Trail Blazers. According to ESPN.com's Marc Stein and Wojnarowski, Alexis Ajinca and Omer Asik are staying with the New Orleans Pelicans.

Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders broke the news that Thomas Robinson is off to the Brooklyn Nets, while Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports tweeted that Lavoy Allen is sticking with the Indiana Pacers.

San Antonio is nearing a potentially desperate situation because it completely sold out for Aldridge, but there's an element of trust between head coach Gregg Popovich and the front office led by general manager R.C. Buford.

According to Dan McCarney of the San Antonio Express-News, during Pop's exit interview, he cited "complete faith and trust in R.C." and his forward-thinking nature. Popovich said: 

"

R.C. and his group have always done a great job of doing things, both frugally and with class. If money needs to be spent, it's spent. But it's never done unwisely. We've never put the organization in a situation where they're paying a ridiculous amount of money for no value. My complete faith and trust in R.C. is never going to change.

"

Again, panic isn't yet necessary, but this is still a dangerous period for the team.

The front office had no choice but to trade Splitter because his $8.5 million deal was a financial obstacle. Unless upper management said it was willing to pay a hefty luxury-tax bill, keeping the center, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili in addition to signing Aldridge would have been impossible.

On Thursday, reserve center Aron Baynes accepted a three-year, $20 million contract with the Detroit Pistons, per Stein. Considering San Antonio likely wouldn't have offered more than $2-3 million per season, Baynes snagged a tremendous offer.

Baynes' exit leaves the Spurs with two post players on the roster: Duncan, who officially announced his return, according to Mike Monroe of the Express-News, and Boris Diaw.

Darren Abate/Associated Press

The free-agent market is dwindling, and legitimate targets are diminishing even faster.

David West has expressed interest in signing with a contender, according to Sam Amick of USA Today. The stretch 4 would return an element of spacing to the Spurs offense following Diaw's jump-shooting struggles last season.

Per Stein, San Antonio is indeed a likely landing spot for West:

Kosta Koufos is an intriguing option, but the center hasn't been linked to the Spurs in any fashion—neither have any of Jordan Hill, Brandon Bass or Amar'e Stoudemire, arguably the top remaining free-agent big men after West and Koufus.

At this point, it almost feels like 35-year-old Matt Bonner is on the brink of becoming a mandatory re-signing to contribute as an every-night reserve.

Almost.

The Spurs shouldn't be worried yet. Considering San Antonio hasn't made any other acquisitions, it appears confident that the four-person sales team of Popovich, Duncan, Tony Parker and Patty Mills—according to Buck Harvey of the San Antonio Express-News and Spears—was enough to convince Aldridge to eventually sign.

However, if Aldridge chooses a different location to call home, his decision will leave the Spurs scrambling to add players who will provide depth in the frontcourt.

After two fast-paced days of free agency, finding a competent, competitive Plan B won't be easily done because soon enough, San Antonio's final option will be Aldridge.

The Spurs better hope Plan A works out.

Follow Bleacher Report NBA writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.