It is entirely possible for an organization to cut costs in one area while simultaneously making investments in others.
In this case, it is entirely possible for the Spurs to be extremely cost conscious with their Basketball Product while still making a prudent Real Estate investment. And face it, this "Human Performance Complex" is just that - a real estate investment. People want to point to it as some indication that it locks the Spurs into San Antonio forever, but it does nothing of the sort. If the Spurs move, which they might, their real estate investment doesn't instantly become worthless. It is still a smart development in a valuable part of a large (and growing) city.
Cost cutting in one area while making investments in others are by no means mutually exclusive, it's just prudent strategic business management.