2015-16 Finish: 47-35

Season Highlight:

In what Leeroy described as a “building” yeah the Spurs were still very good. A solid 47-35 record which saw them settle into a 6^th place finish out in the west. After a tough start, AD had a mid-season revival and even played 70 games for the first time in his NLL career, his numbers weren’t the most gigantic but his impact was definitely noticeable and was part the reason the Spurs powered their way to the playoffs from that point on. A lot of the young wings grew a lot through the season too, which went a long way, unfortunately they want to get paid now, so the Spurs have some decisions on their hands.

Season Lowlight:

“The Process” still didn’t play a game. The Spurs gave up wing stalwart Wes Matthews do grab him but unfortunately the big man still did not make an appearance. Anthony Davis, played 70 regular season games, but was shut down at the end of the season for multiple injuries, which lead to the Spurs being swept by the Nuggets in the playoffs. Still there is plenty to build on here and with a healthy Davis, who knows what could’ve happened?

Best Trade:
The LA Clippers send Stanley Johnson to the San Antonio Spurs. The San Antonio Spurs send Marreese Speights to the LA Clippers.

The San Antonio Spurs send a 1st-Rounder (SA) and 1st-Rounder (Utah) to the LA Clippers.

 

The LA Clippers trade -6 GM points. The San Antonio Spurs receive 6 GM points.

Now I don’t think this a terrible trade for the Clippers, I actually liked it for both. The Spurs made a lot of solid moves though and it was hard to pick the best out. Stanley has really good potential and the Spurs wanted to add players that could make a big impact a couple of years down the line. 2 picks are a big haul to give up but could be worth it in the end. A solid move for the Spurs here, but not bad for the Clippers either.

Worst Trade:

The San Antonio Spurs send Miles Plumlee to the Sacramento Kings.

The Sacramento Kings use their trade exception over $ 2,109,293.

The San Antonio Spurs receive 8 GM points. The Sacramento Kings trade -8 GM points.

You know you’re clutching at straws when this is the worst trade. Miles has established himself as a solid big and is even starting in the NBA, but he’s not a great player to ride home about. Though I would’ve though cash considerations are underselling on Plum here.

Other Notable Trades:

The New York Knicks send Maurice Harkless to the San Antonio Spurs. The New York Knicks send Tony Wroten and Jae Crowder to the Toronto Raptors. The San Antonio Spurs send Jameer Nelson to the New York Knicks. The Toronto Raptors send Mario Chalmers, Donatas Motiejunas and Kyle Anderson to the New York Knicks.

The New York Knicks trade -8 GM points. The Toronto Raptors receive 8 GM points.

Wait, a promising wing prospect for an over the hill backup/3^rd string pg? Great deal here for the Spurs. Harkless has shown great improvement over the last 18 months and this is a solid deal. He is asking for quite the pay rise this off season though.

 

The Orlando Magic send Luol Deng and Joel Embiid to the San Antonio Spurs. The San Antonio Spurs send Wesley Matthews to the Orlando Magic.

The Orlando Magic send a 2nd-Rounder (Orl) to the San Antonio Spurs. The San Antonio Spurs send a 2nd-Rounder (SA) to the Orlando Magic.

The Orlando Magic receive 10 GM points. The San Antonio Spurs trade -10 GM points.

If The Process was still hurt, I would’ve nommed this as the worst trade, but Embiid is healthy…. And man does he look gooooooood. Matthews was great for the Spurs but coming off a serious Achilles injury, Leeroy felt it was time to roll the dice on him and go for another guy dealing with a serious injury. If Embiid stays healthy enough, this trade has the makings of a potential championship contending change. A Embiid/Davis front line is just flat out scary.

 

The Charlotte Hornets send Gerald Henderson to the San Antonio Spurs. The San Antonio Spurs send Beno Udrih to the Charlotte Hornets.

The San Antonio Spurs send a 2nd-Rounder (Hou) and 2nd-Rounder (SA) to the Charlotte Hornets.

A solid veteran wing for an over the hill pg again and a couple of seconds? Good deal for Spurs here.

Best FA Signing:

Bismack Biyombo

Bismack was restricted, but he did choose to test free agency, so bringing him back is a good free agent signing. He was solid throughout the year with 7.8ppg 11.1rpg and shot 60% in a starting centre role with the Spurs. The problem though he was signed on a 1yr QO deal and got a big payday. Does Leeroy think he’s worth 17m? Enough to keep him around? We’ll see.

Worst FA Signing:

John Jenkins

He was released just 2 weeks later. Pretty self-explanatory right there?

Star:

Reggie Jackson

Will Barton was great since coming over from the Magic for Nic Batum and Anthony Davis was great after mid-season and is the team’s most important player but it was Reggie Jackson that kept this team ticking over all through the season. 21.9ppg 6.1pg 3.7rpg 1.5spg but struggled a bit with his shooting. Still despite the shooting struggles, there’s a good case to argue that the Spurs may not have made the playoffs without Jackson.
 
Surprise:

Will Barton

Was playing a 6^th man role for the Magic before being thrust into a starting role with the Spurs and he didn’t disappoint. In fact, he was great! 18.9ppg 5.0rpg 2.5apg on 45/36/93 shooting on his way to winning the most improved award. Will has solidified himself as an important part of this Spurs team and I think his emergence could see the eventual moving of Allen Crabbe. We will see I guess.

Goat:

Allen Crabbe

Ok… He wasn’t terrible and I’m not even including based on his seasons performance. 8 points and a handful of rebounds and assists in a 20-24min role is alright…. But to demand 18.5m annually on the back of that? GTFOH boy. Maybe a Will Barton type season could see you nab a big payday but damn, what he provided isn’t worth 50% more than Steph Curry will make this season. It’ll be interesting to see what Leeroy does here. Yes, he’s young and talented, but with the emergence of Barton and Stanley Johnson coming through and Moe Harkless… Crabbe could be a major trade candidate out of San Antonio.

Draft Report Card:

The Spurs resisted the hype of the draft and had no picks this season.

Looking to the Future:

Anthony Davis and Joel Embiid frontline…. *drool*. Ok, but seriously how good would that be? You add in the development of Barton, Johnson and round out the line-up with Reggie Jackson? Look out west. Personally, I love what Leeroy is doing at the Spurs. He’s resisted the temptation of moving the often underperforming Anthony Davis, but that looks set to change based on his preseason form. Reggie Jackson is going to continue on being one of the better scoring pg’s in the NLL and if Embiid stays healthy the sky is the limit. I’m looking for Johnson to make a bit of a leap this season as a shutdown defender. Everything is looking great so far for the Spurs and if it stays that way, we could have another new contender out west.

Upcoming Free Agents:

Anthony Davis(RFA) – Restricted…. Franchise player…. Moving along here.

Maurice Harkless(RFA) – Moe is a solid wing, small ball four 4 and seems to be still improving. He’s asking for a modest pay rise but based on a lot of contracts been handed out, it isn’t too bad. I expect Moe to be back and not to be traded, my candidate for sign and trade is about to come…

Allen Crabbe(RFA) – 18.5m over 4 years for a guy that has career NLL averages of 7.3ppg 2.5rpg 1.4apg…. Wow. Leeroy has a big decision here, is he worth? With Barton, Harkless and Johnson on the books does Crabbe have the starting spot locked down? For 18.5m, if you commit to that you would think he’s going to start right? I don’t know, it’s an interesting one. For what it’s worth he is a good shooter/scorer and not a bad defender, but for 70m+… I’m not so sure he’s THAT good.

James Ennis(UFA) – He’s not asking for big money but he’s likely to seek greener pastures. A good athlete and decent player overall, he will find a home somewhere if it isn’t the Spurs.

Marvin Williams (UFA) – Hasn’t really turned out to be the player he was hyped up to be when drafted 1^st overall. He’s a solid stretch four and he’s almost automatic anywhere near the basket. He’s 50/50 to return atm but he wouldn’t be a bad guy to have around. I think the Spurs are pretty well set at the four though (just some dude with unibrow) and it’s looking likely he’s let go or sign and traded.