Should the Spurs sign DeMar DeRozan to a contract extension?

[DC23]

Per the poll on SpursTalk homepage. Vote and discuss.

1226604600075014145

[DPG21920]

The answer is a RESOUNDING no. No justification for signing him to a longer term. Unless it’s specifically a sign and trade the option is trade him if he exercises his player option or let him walk/sign-and-trade if he does not.

[EasyMoney]

Best case scenario was to sign him to a cheap 3 year deal during the season or before the season started, then trade him for the best deal possible, but rumors say demar and his agent don't want anything less than the max. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Since that seems to be out of the question now, then hell no.

The best option now is a sign an trade in the off season

[lmbebo]

sign and trade him.

[lmbebo]

Best case scenario was to sign him to a cheap 3 year deal during the season or before the season started, then trade him for the best deal possible, but rumors say demar and his agent don't want anything less than the max. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Since that seems to be out of the question now, then hell no.

The best option now is a sign an trade in the off season

who is giving him max money?

Not many teams with max money available this summer

[Floyd Pacquiao]

He can't shoot 3s and is a bottom 20 defensive player. NO but Pop and RC/brian Wrong will look at his 20 and 5 assist and think he deserves a max contract

[JuneJive]

Hell naw.

[EasyMoney]

who is giving him max money?

Not many teams with max money available this summer


https://twitter.com/jgsiegel/status/1225511966774566915?s=19

Not exciting. But still something to look at.

[DPG21920]

https://twitter.com/jgsiegel/status/1225511966774566915?s=19

Not exciting. But still something to look at.

4 of those 5 could definitely see throwing money at Derozan

[slick'81]

4 of those 5 could definitely see throwing money at Derozan


I dont see teams throwing max money but well see. I also dont see spurs getting much back in a sign and trade either

[lmbebo]

I dont see teams throwing max money but well see. I also dont see spurs getting much back in a sign and trade either

Maybe a trade exception they take on to accept a player down the road? But nothing exciting.... Could see NY or Charlotte potentially giving him an offer. Maybe detroit.

[Chinook]

This isn't a yes-on-no thing. DeRozan extending makes sense if the price is right. It doesn't if it's not. People keep trying to make excuses for the young players and indirectly for PATFO's ability to scout and develop prospects. Until they fix that aspect, letting DeRozan go only sets the team up to be horrible for a long time. There's a chance they draft a legit generational player that brings the team back despite a lackluster organization. But way more likely is that they'll just be an overhyped cog in a dysfunctional machine like KAT or Booker. Murray can't dribble because he can't dribble, not because DeRozan is sucking out the dude's handles like an alien in Space Jam. Walker's BBIQ and finishing ability are bad because his film-study and techniques are lacking, not because there are other players on the team who can score. White lacks confidence because that's just who he is. The coaching staff isn't helping for sure, but he worked just fine with DMDR and LMA last year. It's not them hurting him.

If Samanic plays with the big club and shows his same weaknesses next season, are folks going to blame LMA and DeRozan? Probably, because that's just how it is with some fans. I'm not saying that the young guys are hopeless. Far from it. I'm saying they're being brought along poorly, on the court, yes, but more importantly in the gym. At best, they're going to be decent young players on an awful team if you get rid of the only actually good players on the roster. Yeah, getting one or a couple of high picks and nailing them sounds great. But usually teams that win the lottery don't turn it around even to the point where the Spurs were last year. There are much worse things -- much less watchable things -- than being a lower-bracket playoff competitor.

[duncan2k5]

FFFFUCK NO! we KNOW he can't win a ring... He couldn't do it in the weak east on a singificantly better team while in his prime! Dude was benched in a game 7 IN HIS PRIME!!! why keep him if we KNOW it's gonna end up in failure? I rather roll the dice on one 9f the young kids... Jokic was a 2nd rounder... Giannis wasn't even top 10... Give the young guys a chance... One may break out... As opposed to going all in with a pair of old guys who don't wanna be here and who we KNOW won't bring us wins... We won't even make the playoffs with these two for Christ sakes

[TD 21]

They're already set-up to be horrible for a long time either way, no need to delay the degree to which by catering to a pseudo star/career net negative, who will begin to decline during his next contract and has no chance of sparing them from that plight.

Being scared of the lottery because of (supposedly) inferior organizations failures, is as ridiculous as thinking the answer is staying in the middle and hoping to get historically lucky like the Raptors have in recent years.

I've said it ad nauseam, but this is an emphatic no at all costs.

[sasaint]

4 of those 5 could definitely see throwing money at Derozan

Out of curiosity, which do you think would not?

[sasaint]

who is giving him max money?

Not many teams with max money available this summer


Nobody will give him max money, but somebody will overpay him, and pay him much more than I would like to see the Spurs pay.

[DPG21920]

Out of curiosity, which do you think would not?

ATL. Not going to bring in a guy like Derozan there imo.

But all others have a great case

[spurs1990]

The saying goes when you're in a hole, stop digging. Nowhere is that more apt than the consideration of hitching your wagon to a player who's got a big role on a healthy, 20-29 ball-club.

[gambit1990]

https://twitter.com/jgsiegel/status/1225511966774566915?s=19

Not exciting. But still something to look at.
ugh.

[gambit1990]

the hornets are always begging to be fleeced.

demar and the spurs 2020 2nd round pick for batum and the hornets 2020 1st round pick i guess...

[Allan Rowe vs Wade]

spurs dont deserve him tbh

[JuneJive]

This isn't a yes-on-no thing. DeRozan extending makes sense if the price is right. It doesn't if it's not. People keep trying to make excuses for the young players and indirectly for PATFO's ability to scout and develop prospects. Until they fix that aspect, letting DeRozan go only sets the team up to be horrible for a long time. There's a chance they draft a legit generational player that brings the team back despite a lackluster organization. But way more likely is that they'll just be an overhyped cog in a dysfunctional machine like KAT or Booker. Murray can't dribble because he can't dribble, not because DeRozan is sucking out the dude's handles like an alien in Space Jam. Walker's BBIQ and finishing ability are bad because his film-study and techniques are lacking, not because there are other players on the team who can score. White lacks confidence because that's just who he is. The coaching staff isn't helping for sure, but he worked just fine with DMDR and LMA last year. It's not them hurting him.

If Samanic plays with the big club and shows his same weaknesses next season, are folks going to blame LMA and DeRozan? Probably, because that's just how it is with some fans. I'm not saying that the young guys are hopeless. Far from it. I'm saying they're being brought along poorly, on the court, yes, but more importantly in the gym. At best, they're going to be decent young players on an awful team if you get rid of the only actually good players on the roster. Yeah, getting one or a couple of high picks and nailing them sounds great. But usually teams that win the lottery don't turn it around even to the point where the Spurs were last year. There are much worse things -- much less watchable things -- than being a lower-bracket playoff competitor.

Yeah, but the ceiling with DeRozan is pretty low as we all know.

So, why even bother carrying on with what you know won't get you to a contender status.

[CGD]

sign and trade him.

[CGD]

https://twitter.com/jgsiegel/status/1225511966774566915?s=19

Not exciting. But still something to look at.

If you believe the narrative, MIA wants to keep flexibility for Giannis the next summer so they seem unlikely. Some think that was one of the reasons they were OK moving Winslow now for Iggys shorter deal.

Of the remaining, only one that makes sense is DET. They need to put butts in seats and there is the connection to the coach.

More likely, Spurs work with agent to find a trade partner that gives spurs some value.

[DPG21920]

CHA DET and NY make a ton of sense. They are not the Spurs. They need even mediocrity now. Getting Derozan on teams like that are huge wins for them.

[JeffDuncan]

If DDR wants the most money, he'll sign the player option he has with the Spurs. If the Spurs then want to try to trade that, good luck to them.

He will not agree to an S and T to be traded to another loser. Unless he really is nuts.

If he doesn't care about making the most money, he'll decline the player option, and tell his agent to start calling teams that look like they'll be winners next season.

[sasaint]

ATL. Not going to bring in a guy like Derozan there imo.

But all others have a great case

Yeah, taking the ball out of Trae's hands so that Dumbmar can get his stats would be way stoopid.

[Frenchfred]

the hornets are always begging to be fleeced.

demar and the spurs 2020 2nd round pick for batum and the hornets 2020 1st round pick i guess...

why would we take a worse player with a big contract as well and a low pick?

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

Yeah, but the ceiling with DeRozan is pretty low as we all know.

So, why even bother carrying on with what you know won't get you to a contender status.

Because there's a long road to becoming a contender, a lot of steps along the way. Some people seem to think that after a couple of lottery picks they'll be a contender within 5 years again but that's a very unrealistic expectation. Chances are the Spurs are at a precipice of a 10 year long rebuild that would take them to the same place they were at last season.

DeRozan isn't going to make you a contender, but he undoubtedly makes this team better and being the only player able to drive and kick ( aside from White when he feels like it ), he could help the development of some of the younger players. Of course only on a reasonable contract, nowhere near the max. But if you think taking the ball from DDR's hands and putting it Murray's or Walker's won't make a difference then you're crazy. The Spurs will be a worse team without DeRozan and even if his play doesn't always translate into wins it does make the offense flow better. Just imagine Murray driving and kicking 10 times a game instead.

[RC_Drunkford]

even if the Spurs wanted to he won't resign with this shit show. Nobody in their right mind would

[Coach X]

I think too much people is assuming DeRozan would like to stay. It might be the case that either Spurs overpay DeRozan or he decides to sign somewhere else. The San Antonio Spurs are far from being an interesting program right now. Say goodbye to the perennial contender halo surrounding our team, making it appealing for a lot of players.

We have to change the way we've been thinking the last 20 years: we are not a winning team, the big 3 is gone, there are no future all-stars in the roster, and Popovich is not the great coach he was anymore so there is not a lot of reasons for players to come to San Antonio.

I'm afraid Spurs will try to sign whoever wants to play for them. And the pool of players will be quite limited.

[ceperez]

No. The team needs a culture change and players like DeRozan and Aldrige are born losers.

[monty4329]

hoping to get historically lucky like the Raptors have in recent years.


How exactly did get lucky the Raptors?

[pad300]

How exactly did get lucky the Raptors?

How many MVP level players have actively forced their way out in the middle of a contract, in the process creating so much bad blood and reducing their own trade value so much, that a very meh offer was acceptable? I can think of one in the history of the NBA...

[monty4329]

How many MVP level players have actively forced their way out in the middle of a contract, in the process creating so much bad blood and reducing their own trade value so much, that a very meh offer was acceptable? I can think of one in the history of the NBA...

In other words 29 teams got lucky, and the Raptors simply made the best perceived offer.

But I don't think TD21 referred to Kawhi, he wrote "recent yearS" as if they got lucky multiple times. Which I don't dispute, I just asked how.

[Harry Callahan]

I think too much people is assuming DeRozan would like to stay. It might be the case that either Spurs overpay DeRozan or he decides to sign somewhere else. The San Antonio Spurs are far from being an interesting program right now. Say goodbye to the perennial contender halo surrounding our team, making it appealing for a lot of players.

We have to change the way we've been thinking the last 20 years: we are not a winning team, the big 3 is gone, there are no future all-stars in the roster, and Popovich is not the great coach he was anymore so there is not a lot of reasons for players to come to San Antonio.

I'm afraid Spurs will try to sign whoever wants to play for them. And the pool of players will be quite limited.

The Spurs did not attract players from other teams very often even when they were good because most of them did not want to be coached hard by the pre-2019 Pop.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

No.

[DPG21920]

This isn’t about being a contender. There is no difference in a 20 win team and low 30’s win team (and it’s not hard to be a low 30s win team). It’s just not.

There is zero justification for giving DeRozan an extension. Im sorry, it’s true. Its not even that Derozan sucks or anything like that but his time with SA is so clearly up that it would be devastating to pay him to keep him.

I’m not even saying the draft and “tanking” is the only way; I’m fine getting other free agents to do what some of you think DeRozan can do. Just not him.

LMA has to go. They are officially on the treadmill now and both of those guys need to go and SA should be very careful that they aren’t the team that pays those players.

[acoelho1]

DDR would be good for any team as a 2nd or 3rd option. He's just terrible as your best player given his lack of a clutch gene so my preference is for a sign/trade or let him walk. I rather ride with Murray, White and Walker. I still think Murray will be a star despite some of the naysayers. This offense needs to move away from iso ball and use Murray's and Walker's speed. Just be patient and trust the process.

[DPG21920]

Because there's a long road to becoming a contender, a lot of steps along the way. Some people seem to think that after a couple of lottery picks they'll be a contender within 5 years again but that's a very unrealistic expectation. Chances are the Spurs are at a precipice of a 10 year long rebuild that would take them to the same place they were at last season.

DeRozan isn't going to make you a contender, but he undoubtedly makes this team better and being the only player able to drive and kick ( aside from White when he feels like it ), he could help the development of some of the younger players. Of course only on a reasonable contract, nowhere near the max. But if you think taking the ball from DDR's hands and putting it Murray's or Walker's won't make a difference then you're crazy. The Spurs will be a worse team without DeRozan and even if his play doesn't always translate into wins it does make the offense flow better. Just imagine Murray driving and kicking 10 times a game instead.

You only pay players like DeRozan if they help you win. Who cares if the offense flows better if it does not translate to wins? If that is the case, and you are going to win 35 games with DeRozan, better to win 20 games without him, have flexibility and give yourself a shot to do more than just scrap for nothing.

Plus, defense.

[Genovaswitness]

Get rid of demar

[JeffDuncan]

DDR would be good for any team as a 2nd or 3rd option. ...


There are teams that would disagree with even that much, since he doesn't shoot 3-pointers.

[DPG21920]

What this really boils down to are two things IMO:

1) No one wants to pay a guy who at his best, didn’t seem to impact winning all that much but more importantly is at an age where its so clear his best days are behind him. Unfortunately in the NBA you are paying for what they have done vs what they will do and there is zero chance that DeRozan lives up to his next deal 2-4 years from now.

2) But even if you dont agree with #1, the real reason it makes no sense is because the amount of work it would take to build a team around him that justifies keeping him is next to impossible. Will SA ever get a talent next to him as good as LMA? Even if they had max cap space? I find that hard to believe for many reasons. But even if they can get one younger all star to come, they need to literally reshape the entire roster to fit the modern nba. Mills, Carroll, Beli, Bryn, Rudy, Lyles all need to go and be replaced by not just warm bodies, but carefully crafted players that fit DeRozan’s style of play and cover up for his glaring weaknesses.

That really isn’t possible so what is the point again of keeping him? It really isn’t hard to be a 35 win team in the NBA. You can blow a couple of drafts and still get there in a few years. But even if you don’t agree, there is no difference in 35 and 20 wins like I said. You are bad either way and that 15 wins doesn’t fool anyone.

To jump from 35 to 45 and be a legit playoff team not fighting vs 4-5 other teams just to get swept? Yeah, that is the hard part people can’t take for granted.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

You only pay players like DeRozan if they help you win. Who cares if the offense flows better if it does not translate to wins? If that is the case, and you are going to win 35 games with DeRozan, better to win 20 games without him, have flexibility and give yourself a shot to do more than just scrap for nothing.

Plus, defense.

Disagree - you don't get rid of good players for the sake of it unless you get a compensation, say a good offer in a sign and trade. By this I don't mean overpaying him and this is the tricky part - what is the price that would make DeRozan valuable. I can't say I know the answer to this but there's certainly a price that the FO would deem fair for him. A 3yr/$75-80mil extension would IMO be better than losing him for nothing or for a late 1st round pick. If he wants much more than what they're willing to give him then obviously they shouldn't sign an albatross and should try to work a sign and trade.

His defense isn't that bad. He's passable most nights.

[Dejounte]

What this really boils down to are two things IMO:

1) No one wants to pay a guy who at his best, didn’t seem to impact winning all that much but more importantly is at an age where its so clear his best days are behind him. Unfortunately in the NBA you are paying for what they have done vs what they will do and there is zero chance that DeRozan lives up to his next deal 2-4 years from now.

2) But even if you dont agree with #1, the real reason it makes no sense is because the amount of work it would take to build a team around him that justifies keeping him is next to impossible. Will SA ever get a talent next to him as good as LMA? Even if they had max cap space? I find that hard to believe for many reasons. But even if they can get one younger all star to come, they need to literally reshape the entire roster to fit the modern nba. Mills, Carroll, Beli, Bryn, Rudy, Lyles all need to go and be replaced by not just warm bodies, but carefully crafted players that fit DeRozan’s style of play and cover up for his glaring weaknesses.

That really isn’t possible so what is the point again of keeping him? It really isn’t hard to be a 35 win team in the NBA. You can blow a couple of drafts and still get there in a few years. But even if you don’t agree, there is no difference in 35 and 20 wins like I said. You are bad either way and that 15 wins doesn’t fool anyone.

To jump from 35 to 45 and be a legit playoff team not fighting vs 4-5 other teams just to get swept? Yeah, that is the hard part people can’t take for granted.

Cant you apply your first point to LeBron last year?

[DPG21920]

Disagree - you don't get rid of good players for the sake of it unless you get a compensation, say a good offer in a sign and trade. By this I don't mean overpaying him and this is the tricky part - what is the price that would make DeRozan valuable. I can't say I know the answer to this but there's certainly a price that the FO would deem fair for him. A 3yr/$75-80mil extension would IMO be better than losing him for nothing or for a late 1st round pick. If he wants much more than what they're willing to give him then obviously they shouldn't sign an albatross and should try to work a sign and trade.

His defense isn't that bad. He's passable most nights.

25M year is about what he makes now and even with LMA he can’t make a winning impact. That would be crippling IMO.

A first round pick (plus ensuing cap space / flexibility) would be fine. There is no way to justify him making what he’s making now especially knowing he isn’t getting better.

You can get rid of “good” players when you are the Spurs; they have no future with him and as much as it sucks its the right call. They aren’t winning and I am of the mindset that 0 wins to 35 is no different in reality. That means you are a bad team.

Now, you can be a 35 win team like NO or MEM with a future and that makes sense. But SA is the opposite direction and you can sign other cheaper FA and get to 35 wins if that is your goal.

And he’s not a good defender. He is passable in terms of effort and low expectations for him, but I don’t confuse that with being actually good. It’s why his impact metrics are always off unlike 90% of other all stars.

[DPG21920]

Cant you apply your first point to LeBron last year?

Lebron is 100x the player DeRozan is so no. And players like AD aren’t forcing their way to SA to play with DeRozan.

[Dejounte]

Lebron is 100x the player DeRozan is so no. And players like AD aren’t forcing their way to SA to play with DeRozan.

Im not saying he isnt. But its truly subjective when making claims about DeRozan not having any impact on winning when he has been a key cog for winning teams, just like LeBron. Just because he has one losing year doesnt change that fact. It didnt for LeBron.

[DPG21920]

Im not saying he isnt. But its truly subjective when making claims about DeRozan not having any impact on winning when he has been a key cog for winning teams, just like LeBron. Just because he has one losing year doesnt change that fact. It didnt for LeBron.

The difference is we are not really sure DeRozan has had an impact on winning. Unlike Lebron, whose metrics undeniably show impact, DeRozan’s do not.

Not just a one year outlier too; unlike basically virtually all other “top tier players” he’s the one CONSISTENTLY grading out as.....meh impact wise.

Lebron has won multiple titles and crippled franchises once he left. DeRozan? Won no titles and his franchise won a title when he left.

[duncan2k5]

If you believe the narrative, MIA wants to keep flexibility for Giannis the next summer so they seem unlikely. Some think that was one of the reasons they were OK moving Winslow now for Iggys shorter deal.

Of the remaining, only one that makes sense is DET. They need to put butts in seats and there is the connection to the coach.

More likely, Spurs work with agent to find a trade partner that gives spurs some value.

Doubt that coach would want him given that he had to bench him in a game 7...

[DPG21920]

And to this season (the remainder of it at least) that part that is perplexing about not playing the youth and making no lineup changes is that if SA is truly thinking about keeping DeRozan should he not exercise his option, they absolutely need to see him surrounded by the youngsters for long stretches to make a determination on that, no?

Keep him with the youth and is he really a good fit for that? Keep him and use the youth and picks as trade bait? How can they know that when they are not giving heavy minutes with DeRozan/White/Lonnie/Murray?

[duncan2k5]

Because there's a long road to becoming a contender, a lot of steps along the way. Some people seem to think that after a couple of lottery picks they'll be a contender within 5 years again but that's a very unrealistic expectation. Chances are the Spurs are at a precipice of a 10 year long rebuild that would take them to the same place they were at last season.

DeRozan isn't going to make you a contender, but he undoubtedly makes this team better and being the only player able to drive and kick ( aside from White when he feels like it ), he could help the development of some of the younger players. Of course only on a reasonable contract, nowhere near the max. But if you think taking the ball from DDR's hands and putting it Murray's or Walker's won't make a difference then you're crazy. The Spurs will be a worse team without DeRozan and even if his play doesn't always translate into wins it does make the offense flow better. Just imagine Murray driving and kicking 10 times a game instead.

I rather Murray on the team than DDR .. Murray driving and kicking to DDR is a dud...trade him for an actual 3nD guy and then we will be saying something...you're assuming we would be worse without DDR just like everyone ASSUMED the thunder would be worse without PG and Russ

[SAGirl]

DPG you are even giving them for granted they will get to 35 wins. That’s not a given. And they have been healthy all season mostly and don’t even rest players on the pace that they once did.

[TimDunkem]

DPG you are even giving them for granted they will get to 35 wins. That’s not a given. And they have been healthy all season mostly and don’t even rest players on the pace that they once did.

Let's also not understate this fact: They're trying. Like, really hard.

The Spurs just suck that bad.

[HarlemHeat37]

Why are people assuming that DeRozan wants to stay, even for more money? The Spurs are a sinking franchise, there's really no reason to assume that it's going to right itself with a senile old man running things and no notable prospects on the roster.

How are the Spurs more attractive than shitty teams like the Pistons, at this point?

[TD 21]

How exactly did get lucky the Raptors?

Like I said, they didn't have an expendable piece to give up that had the capacity to hurt long term (like Brown would have the Celtics, for example). They got a superstar and elite role player for essentially spare parts because of circumstances out of their control . . . also, the Warriors had 5 of their top 7 players injured in the Finals.

Even given the circumstances, it's doubtful any other team would have accepted the type of offer the Spurs did.

[Kobe'sAchilles]

2 things. The league as a whole doesn't value him as much as he values himself. Let's say that we did sign Demar with the intention of trading him, which team would actually be in play to trade for him AND be willing to give up a first rounder. It won't be a WC team bc Pop won't want to ship him in conference and I don't see any team that would be willing to trade a pick for him. The East playoff teams don't need him and the lower teams (half the damn conference) don't value DeRozan as worth giving up a top 10 pick. Like where is this magical team that people are clamoring about with this whole s&t scenario.

Second, I believe it's best to let DeRozan walk. It sucks and it's unfortunate to both parties (him and us) that this is where we're at, but currently we are starting Forbes bc DeRozan can't shoot the 3 ball. You can point to Murray not being a threat, but atleast he's taking 3s. Demar won't even attempt a 3 in a game which is beyond ridiculous when Brook Lopez and Dedmon are attempting 3s ffs. He is never going to work in our system for that alone. We already signed DJ long term and like it or not, Demar doesn't fit with him which leads to us having to play shitty ass Forbes and having the worst defense in the league.

[Chinook]

This isn’t about being a contender. There is no difference in a 20 win team and low 30’s win team (and it’s not hard to be a low 30s win team). It’s just not.

Of course there is. Do you know how insanely high a WAR of 11 would be? Ignoring that and that the Spurs are on a mid-30s pace despite far underperforming their talent level and not even having a high talent level, it's not hard to be a plus-.500 team. The reason why some teams repeatedly struggle to get there is because their organizational direction is terrible. That can manifest itself in a poor locker room. Or hiring bad coaches. Most often, it comes from constantly fetishizing rebuilding and youth. If the Spurs just beat the bad teams on their schedule, they'd be a high-40s team. That's without them adding complimentary players that they refuse to bring in instead of playing Forbes. A 30ish-win team can improve into a plus-.500 team much more easily than can a 20-win team. I don't even know why I have to say it. It should be obvious.


LMA has to go. They are officially on the treadmill now and both of those guys need to go and SA should be very careful that they aren’t the team that pays those players.

Or else what, they'll be on the bad side of "meh" for a few more years? How would they ever survive that? Memphis maxed out Conley and kept giving Randolph and Allen contracts well into their decline. They maxed out Parsons even though he was already breaking down physically and refused to deal Marc Gasol while his value was high. Yet, folks hold them up as an example of tanking done right even though they didn't trade away their core until they were well into their rebuild. Memphis held onto guys even when they were bad enough to get a top-five pick, and yet people still act like they were the opposite of the Spurs.

Not being a contender isn't a horrible fate. Anyone here who follows any other sports likely roots for a team that has gone stretches of years not being a threat to win a title. Fandom stays intact, everyone survives. It's okay.

[DPG21920]

Of course there is. Do you know how insanely high a WAR of 11 would be? Ignoring that and that the Spurs are on a mid-30s pace despite far underperforming their talent level and not even having a high talent level, it's not hard to be a plus-.500 team. The reason why some teams repeatedly struggle to get there is because their organizational direction is terrible. That can manifest itself in a poor locker room. Or hiring bad coaches. Most often, it comes from constantly fetishizing rebuilding and youth. If the Spurs just beat the bad teams on their schedule, they'd be a high-40s team. That's without them adding complimentary players that they refuse to bring in instead of playing Forbes. A 30ish-win team can improve into a plus-.500 team much more easily than can a 20-win team. I don't even know why I have to say it. It should be obvious.



Or else what, they'll be on the bad side of "meh" for a few more years? How would they ever survive that? Memphis maxed out Conley and kept giving Randolph and Allen contracts well into their decline. They maxed out Parsons even though he was already breaking down physically and refused to deal Marc Gasol while his value was high. Yet, folks hold them up as an example of tanking done right even though they didn't trade away their core until they were well into their rebuild. Memphis held onto guys even when they were bad enough to get a top-five pick, and yet people still act like they were the opposite of the Spurs.

Not being a contender isn't a horrible fate. Anyone here who follows any other sports likely roots for a team that has gone stretches of years not being a threat to win a title. Fandom stays intact, everyone survives. It's okay.

Why does everyone keep saying title? I don’t care about that. Yeah it’s the goal but not an expectation. It’s about not being able to even be a good team with Derozan; forget contender.

It’s super easy to be a mid 30 win team. There’s plenty of them and you get there by keeping high floor low ceiling players.

The reason you see polar opposites too is bc no one aims for that because it’s pointless. Sure, not the end of the world to be a non contender. But having no direction, a low ceiling and no future is what bad franchises aim for.

[Harry Callahan]

Why does everyone keep saying title? I don’t care about that. Yeah it’s the goal but not an expectation. It’s about not being able to even be a good team with Derozan; forget contender.

It’s super easy to be a mid 30 win team. There’s plenty of them and you get there by keeping high floor low ceiling players.

The reason you see polar opposites too is bc no one aims for that because it’s pointless. Sure, not the end of the world to be a non contender. But having no direction, a low ceiling and no future is what bad franchises aim for.

This game tonight clearly illustrates this team is straight up incompetent right now. A little direction would be nice. Pop's in charge of a listless ship. End of story.

[R. DeMurre]

No, no, no... won't/can't shoot threes, not a defender, terrible body language, a decade of bad advanced stats that get worse in the playoffs. What's the appeal?

[slick'81]

No, no, no... won't/can't shoot threes, not a defender, terrible body language, a decade of bad advanced stats that get worse in the playoffs. What's the appeal?

theres none anymore

[Coach X]

The Spurs did not attract players from other teams very often even when they were good because most of them did not want to be coached hard by the pre-2019 Pop.
Nonetheless, Spurs managed to sign what they needed to sign around the big 3 in order to complete the roster and contend for the chapionship. The big 3 + Popovich supossed a winning guarantee and some real title chances. Now, all that is gone so the Spurs' free agency market is even smaller.

Let's assume the team doesn't go to the playoffs and have a look to the roster and franchise from an NBA player perspective. Maybe the question is: can the Spurs sign a better player than Demar DeRozan?