Whom Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili Could Pass Star Baton to on San Antonio Spurs

Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili are not going to carry the San Antonio Spurs forever.

With Duncan in the final season of his contract and Ginobili reportedly pondering retirement after his deal expires following the 2012-13 season, the team is going to need to find some new players to introduce as the franchise faces moving forward.

The club has always known to have an eye toward international talent, as well as making shrewd moves characterized by extreme value, so it will certainly be interesting to see how they go about re-making the team.

Here are some guys who could fit the landscape of the San Antonio rotation.

12. DeJuan Blair, PF

Blair was a favorite of the Spurs after the club drafted him at a value in the second round of the 2009 draft.

Asserting himself as someone who can bang around the rim despite his lack of size, Blair hasn't let the fact that he doesn't have ACL's in either knee serve as a hindrance in his development.

He must recover after a down season led to a decreased role in the rotation if he wants to lead the Spurs into the future, but his potential to make an impact is clear.

11. Gerald Wallace, SF/PF

Contract Status: Player option for 2012-13, unrestricted free agent if declined.

Wallace would rank a lot higher on this list if he were just a few years younger, but the all-around player is a veteran of the game even though he is just 29 years old.

A slashing forward capable of contributing at both ends of the floor, Wallace's versatility is an element of his attack that is often left extremely undervalued.

While he's battled health problems at various points in his career, he's stayed on the court with regularity over the last few seasons and could really add an element of athleticism to the Spurs that they've been missing.

10. Kawhi Leonard, SF

When the Spurs swung a draft day trade with the Indiana Pacers to land Kawhi Leonard, it was clear that the club planned to make him an integral piece of the future.

Blessed with supreme athleticism and hands that measure off the charts, Leonard was one of the draft's fastest risers and unexpectedly came into play for the Spurs when he fell to No. 15 overall.

With a natural knack to rebound and an offensive skill-set that should only improve, Leonard is a name to monitor as his career unfolds; he's one of the most intriguing prospects to come along over the last few seasons.

9. James Anderson, SG

We didn't get to see much of what Anderson was capable of doing after a foot injury really sapped most of his rookie campaign, but there's a lot to like about this shooter's future.

An unbridled scorer during his tenure at the University of Oklahoma, the Spurs nabbed Anderson with the No. 20 overall pick in the 2010 draft when other teams unexpectedly continued to pass over him.

He's a little raw and will undoubtedly experience some ups and downs as he polishes his game, but Anderson has the capability of blossoming into a serious scorer who can put up between 17 and 20 points nightly.

8. J.J. Hickson, PF

Contract Status: Restricted free agent after 2011-12.

J.J. Hickson was sent to the Sacramento Kings just before the lockout began in exchange for Omri Casspi, but he's set to hit the open market in 2012.

With DeMarcus Cousins patrolling the paint and a plethora of intriguing young talent on the roster, it's possible that Hickson could look to cash in for a bigger payday when he becomes a free agent.

Tim Duncan's contract is set to expire after the 2011-12 season, and the Spurs are going to need to find a way to replace him down low should the big fella decide to call it a career.

7. JaVale McGee, C

Contract Status: Restricted free agent after 2011-12.

JaVale McGee has been somewhat inconsistent throughout his NBA career in the early going, but there is all sorts of untapped potential here that could turn to stardom very soon.

With incredible length and athleticism, McGee is a walking highlight-reel waiting to happen, and he asserts himself with emphasis at the defensive end with his ability to protect the rim.

The Spurs are going to need to add length down low in a big way in the not-so-distant future, and McGee could finally reach his peak in Texas with the proper coaching.

6. O.J. Mayo, SG

Contract Status: Restricted free agent after 2011-12.

Mayo really seemed to fall out of favor in Memphis last season after being demoted from the starting rotation, but he took it in stride like a true professional.

Despite his obvious lack of playing time, Mayo managed to contribute as he could and even proved somewhat valuable in the postseason as a scorer in the second unit.

He's got legitimate potential to be a bona fide star at the shooting guard position in this league, and a fresh start may be the quickest way to expedite the process of his evolution.

5. Nicolas Batum, SF

Contract Status: Restricted free agent after 2011-12.

The Spurs have always had an eye for international talent, and Nicolas Batum fits that profile perfectly.

There were already rumors about Batum contemplating signing on with Tony Parker's French club ASVEL this summer before he returned to Nancy, and it's crystal clear that there is a connection between the two players from France.

Batum has been one of the most sought-after commodities on the trade market over the last couple of seasons, but there is a reason that the Blazers have expressed an unwillingness to give him up.

He looks like he's got the makings of something special.

4. Danilo Gallinari, SF

Contract Status: Restricted free agent after 2011-12.

The Nuggets are going to need to pull out all of the stops in an effort to retain Danilo Gallinari in the fold for the future.

Gallo has broken out as a dynamite scorer in the league, and he's shown over the last two seasons that his game isn't solely from beyond the three-point line. He's become more aggressive, shown better confidence, and as a result, has really improved his production.

He would make for an excellent No. 1 offensive option on a team that's about to lack them, and his ability to stretch the floor would make it easier for the big men that he plays with down low.

3. Roy Hibbert, C

Contract Status: Restricted free agent after 2011-12.

Hibbert is an intriguing young center who could very well turn out to be one of the most dominant big men in the NBA over the next several seasons.

Thus far, the center's inability to avoid foul trouble has really hindered his ability to stay on the court, but Hibbert has looked downright beastly at times, as he's simply too much for most to handle at 7'2" and almost 280 pounds.

If the Georgetown product can learn to rebound with a little more ferocity and stay on the court with more regularity, he's going to be a serious threat to his opponents very soon.

2. Kevin Love, PF

Contract Status: Restricted free agent after 2011-12.

Granted that it's going to take something extraordinary to get Love out of Minnesota given his restricted status, a lot could change in the landscape of the league over the next year.

Love would be a perfect long-term replacement for Duncan in San Antonio, as his mix of natural skills and high basketball IQ is exactly what the Spurs seem to target when bringing in a player.

There's a lot to like about how Love has progressed through his first three seasons in the league, and there's little reason to believe that he's not going to get even better.

1. Dwight Howard, C

Contract Status: Unrestricted free agent after 2011-12.

Dwight Howard's name has been most prominently linked to the Lakers in trade rumors, but it's going to take a behemoth type of deal to coax the Magic into trading him during the season.

Orlando is going to put their best foot forward in retaining him, but his return is no slam dunk. Howard could signal a seamless transition from the Duncan era and provide San Antonio fans a level of excitement that they've been unaccustomed to previously.

Howard has all the skills to be touted as the top talent on any team, and with the success that the Spurs had previously by running their offense through the big men down low, Howard might very well make for a top-tier target for the club.