Roster

[MaNu4Tres]

My opinion on what the lineup should be as is:

1. Murray 6'5"
2. White 6'5"...6'10" with the hair
3. DeRozan 6"7"
4. Bertans 6'10"
5.Aldridge 7'0"

Bench:

1. Patty
2. Marco
3. Manu/ Lonnie
4. Gay/ Cunningham
5. Pau/ Poeltl

If Manu retires:

1. Patty
2. Marco/ Lonnie
3. Gay
4. Cunningham
5. Pau/ Poeltl

Close:

Murray White DeRozan Gay LMA

[MaNu4Tres]

By default, DeRozan will play most of his minutes at SF, but I'd be surprised if Pop burdens him with defending the best opposing wing from the jump.

White's playmaking will be needed off the bench, especially if Ginobili retires.

If they go small along the perimeter to start, Mills probably continues to start.

Unfortunately, Gasol has to start in order to make room in the rotation for Poeltl, who can't start because it would further cramp the spacing. Let's hope Gasol's being replaced with a 3 and D wing doesn't take a year.

Stagger White where he starts but plays equal minutes w Bench.

Theres no way the Spurs prioritize getting Poeltl minutes over White by starting Pau.

White will be unleashed mark my words.

[coachmac87]

My opinion on what the lineup should be as is:

1. Murray
2. White
3. DeRozan
4. Bertans
5.Aldridge

Bench:

1. Patty
2. Marco
3. Manu/ Lonnie
4. Gay/ Cunningham
5. Pau/ Poeltl

If Manu retires:

1. Patty
2. Marco/ Lonnie
3. Gay
4. Cunningham
5. Pau/ Poeltl

Close:

Murray White DeRozan Gay LMA

White is for sure going to be legit...i agree regarding him being in rotation or even starting. Just don’t know if it’ll happen as soon as it should

[SAGirl]

Murray playing off the ball is not a problem. He already showed he can do that with his offensive rebounding and cutting. They figured that out with him playing near the basket. It all comes down to if Murray can reliably hit the 3. It's vital as a matter of fact. DeRozan is in the forseeable future so his future here depends on if he can space. He's gonna lose a ton of minutes if he can't and could find himself in another situation. It's time to see if that J is ready. He's been developing it since he got here. Time to see some rewards of his effort. If he can hit it tho, he'll be an All Star soon enough. He avg 11 ppg when he got his starting spot after the break. Couple threes more spacing and he could avg between 15-17 ez this year.

Agree with all observations. It's time he really shows his development. A PG who can't shoot and is limited to scoring off cuts and offensive boards kinda unnatural. He needs to develop offensively. White and Forbes or even Mills are still around for when that confidence shooting is lacking.

[dbreiden83080]

Hoping Murray really develops this season.

[marinoman]

Didn’t david Aldridge say the spurs were gonna trade for another allstar if kawhi committed but went haywire. What was that trade, is it still available? Lma, derozan and some allstar, go for it

[coachmac87]

Same way he played with Kyle. They park Dijon under the basket. He's feasts on cuts and offensive boards. Derozan requires more attention than Kyle ever did so they will be better I hope. In the playoffs though,everyone gets exposed.

Hopefully Dijon isn't teasing with all the jumpshots he's posting in Instagram.

Right but you also have Green lurking around the 3pt line. They don’t have that anymore....they need a well respected and actual consistent/ confident shooter next to Murray/DeRozan.

I like White but don’t know if PATFO think he’s gonna be ready immediately out the gate

[dbreiden83080]

I expect DeRozan to have a great season. He is mad about the trade, will come to the Spurs with something to prove.

[John B]

Between Murray, White and DeRozan. White is the best facilitator and can shoot over PNR = PG. Murray is the best at guarding perimeter, can rebound, but needs to show consistent 3pt range and attacking the rim when closed-out, needs to bulkup = 3 and D. DeRozan can run havoc at SG. Imo White/DeRozan/Murray/Gay/LMA

[MaNu4Tres]

I expect DeRozan to have a great season. He is mad about the trade, will come to the Spurs with something to prove.

If Chip can turn into a 44% 3 point shooter at 30 yrs old, Im optimistic about DeRozan improving.

Work ethic isn't his problem.

[SAGirl]

Good take on it feeling like 2008-2012. We’re small again. Not just KL but Danny too.

And you have the young red Mamba too.

[SAGirl]

On no team in the world should Aldridge, Gay, and Gasol be on the court together

Except on Pop's team!

[SAGirl]

Right but you also have Green lurking around the 3pt line. They don’t have that anymore....they need a well respected and actual consistent/ confident shooter next to Murray/DeRozan.

I like White but don’t know if PATFO think he’s gonna be ready immediately out the gate

I like White. I want him to surprise me and make it. I have liked him in the few opportunities he got last year he was solid. Don't know if he'll be starting. Pop may start a veteran just bc but when shig hits the fan hopefully White is ready to answer that call when he's number is up. He may not start right away but earn the spot through the season.

Looking forward to what Davis can do too and perhaps less, but not completely discarding Cunningham.

Frankly I don't know. I am not sure Gay starts either but he might.

[spurs10]

As it stands currently. Looks like we'll see a move or two to clear up the guard situation. Maybe the plan is to use a three guard lineup to fill in for the lack of a real backup 3. Unless something changes Paul and Cunningham will be battling it out for the 15th spot.

Starters
1 Murray
2 DeRozan
3 Gay
4 Aldridge
5 Gasol

Bench
1 White
1/2 Mills
2 Belinelli
2 Forbes
2 Ginobili
4 Bertans
5 Pöltl

IR/Austin/Etc
2 Walker
2 Paul
3/4 Cunningham
5 Metu

This looks about right. I saw timvp suggest Beli over Gay to start because he is a better 3 pt shooter and that will be imperative with DeRozan and LMA being jump shooters. Murray isn't exactly a knock down 3 pt shooter, but I bet he's working on it.

I also like the idea of Bertans playing the 4 and moving LMA to the 5, with Gay or Beli at the 3.

[sasaint]

I like White. I want him to surprise me and make it. I have liked him in the few opportunities he got last year he was solid. Don't know if he'll be starting. Pop may start a veteran just bc but when shig hits the fan hopefully White is ready to answer that call when he's number is up. He may not start right away but earn the spot through the season.

Looking forward to what Davis can do too and perhaps less, but not completely discarding Cunningham.

Frankly I don't know. I am not sure Gay starts either but he might.

As long as Pop runs the show White will play in Dijon's shadow. He will be moved in a season or two and hopefully get a legit shot with his new team.

Pop's pets are Dijon, Patty and (for now) Bryn. It will be interesting to see how Derozan fits into Pop's new pecking order.

It will also be interesting to see who gets "promoted" in the HEB ads. And it will be most interesting to me to see who the team promotes as the face, leader, spokesman. Patty is my guess (assuming Manu doesn't return). I admit, however, I do not know what DeMar's proclivities are.

[DPG21920]

I know there was not much SA can do, but even after the trade man this is a poorly constructed roster. It’s not just a talent thing, it’s fit and balance and many other things.

I really hope SA doesn’t just try to figure it out but makes logical moves even if they have to pay for it.

[barbacoataco]

DeRozan is the best player on the team now, so he is going to be on the court. I think the need for a SF is overrated. Spurs will have decent size overall.

The big question marks for me are-
1. Will White have a big role, and will he play well?
2. Will Murray get better?
3. Will the defense suffer from losing Green?

I think overall the Spurs will be better on the offensive side, and worse on defense. They added DeRozan and Belinelli, and Gay will be healthier.

Another thought- isn't Bertans a SF candidate? Or at least a guy with some size and mobility.

i like this team and I'm excited.

[Ron Swanson]

Didn’t david Aldridge say the spurs were gonna trade for another allstar if kawhi committed but went haywire. What was that trade, is it still available? Lma, derozan and some allstar, go for it

It was reported to be Kemba Walker, and Kawhi said no.

[KDKSpurs24]

DeRozan is the best player on the team now, so he is going to be on the court. I think the need for a SF is overrated. Spurs will have decent size overall.

The big question marks for me are-
1. Will White have a big role, and will he play well?
2. Will Murray get better?
3. Will the defense suffer from losing Green?

I think overall the Spurs will be better on the offensive side, and worse on defense. They added DeRozan and Belinelli, and Gay will be healthier.

Another thought- isn't Bertans a SF candidate? Or at least a guy with some size and mobility.

i like this team and I'm excited.

I don’t think the need for a SF is overrated at all. Who’s gonna guard the Lebrons, KDs, PGs and so forth? I’m really hoping for a move to acquire a 3&D SF. Prince, Covington, Middleton.. someone.

[mo7888]

Carroll is probably available and in a 1 year deal. I also think Otto Porter might become available, though I'd prefer Beal even though he's not a 3.

Bazemore is available as well.

[marinoman]

It was reported to be Kemba Walker, and Kawhi said no.

Was it indeed kemba, thought it assumed but unknown. Obviously kawhi didn’t commit but unless green was necessary in that trade I would like to know if it still can be done. But if it’s kemba then the trade would most likely involve Murray and or white, so screw it

[ace3g]

I don’t think the need for a SF is overrated at all. Who’s gonna guard the Lebrons, KDs, PGs and so forth? I’m really hoping for a move to acquire a 3&D SF. Prince, Covington, Middleton.. someone.

Some people just don't understand the importance of SF in today's NBA. IMO is the key position to winning the championship. Doesn't matter how great your PG, SG, and PF/C are because they are either too short (PG/SG) or too slow (PF/C) to guard elite SF on the perimeter. On the defensive end elite SF can guard pretty much 1-4 when the game goes inevitably small in the 4th quarter.

[DPG21920]

Losing Danny hurt bad for trades. We saw teams value him and it was a great no risk contract too.

[CGD]

Carroll is probably available and in a 1 year deal. I also think Otto Porter might become available, though I'd prefer Beal even though he's not a 3.

Bazemore is available as well.

Beal would be amazing, but I do t think we have the juice for it to happen. I actually had hoped WAS would do a DeRozen type trade around him but alas. Don’t know enough about Potter but he seems way overpaid for too many years.

Carroll is interesting, but since he’s an expiring Brooklyn would probably want an asset to take on Pau’s money. Maybe a future second does it?

[KDKSpurs24]

Some people just don't understand the importance of SF in today's NBA. IMO is the key position to winning the championship. Doesn't matter how great your PG, SG, and PF/C are because they are either too short (PG/SG) or too slow (PF/C) to guard elite SF on the perimeter. On the defensive end elite SF can guard pretty much 1-4 when the game goes inevitably small in the 4th quarter.

Exactly! I really hope they are looking to acquire one because they should learn from their mistakes of lacking at the SF position 2008-2011 before trading for Kawhi that year. It’s such a huge need right now.