A small forward away from chipping?

[JuegaBonito]

Would you consider the spurs an all star level SF 10-20 player away from chipping this year?

[Chinook]

I mean, the All-Star SFs are all superstars, so yes. As far as just a pretty good SF, I don't know. Covington would really shore up the SL, but then you have to send one of Forbes, Gay or White to the bench. Losing any of them from the first unit would have problems, and I don't know how much better the bench would be after the swap. Forbes/Mills/Beli seems like an awful defensive perimeter. Gay might mess up the offensive flow, and White honestly is such a huge benefit next to DeRozan while not having as much of a place on the bench. I could see it working out depending on what got sent out, but it's not like just adding more talent without any risk. Then when you start getting to guys like Porter or Harris, you get into even deeper problems. Guys like Johnson just won't cut it and don't fit this thread.

Of course, there's a good chance some guys fall off. Like White could regress to the point where it seems silly to worry about him having a spot. But any chance at a le requires those guys to be playing well, so those more-likely scenarios get swept under the rug.

[Timnobili]

Honestly if Forbes and White keep maturing and the team keeps gaining chemistry we can win it all right now. Not because we are so good but more because the NBA is wide open this year and we have a few players with a lot to prove.

[JuegaBonito]

I mean, the All-Star SFs are all superstars, so yes. As far as just a pretty good SF, I don't know. Covington would really shore up the SL, but then you have to send one of Forbes, Gay or White to the bench. Losing any of them from the first unit would have problems, and I don't know how much better the bench would be after the swap. Forbes/Mills/Beli seems like an awful defensive perimeter. Gay might mess up the offensive flow, and White honestly is such a huge benefit next to DeRozan while not having as much of a place on the bench. I could see it working out depending on what got sent out, but it's not like just adding more talent without any risk. Then when you start getting to guys like Porter or Harris, you get into even deeper problems. Guys like Johnson just won't cut it and don't fit this thread.

Of course, there's a good chance some guys fall off. Like White could regress to the point where it seems silly to worry about him having a spot. But any chance at a le requires those guys to be playing well, so those more-likely scenarios get swept under the rug.

So would you consider this year as a player development, chemistry development year and just think of next year as making a run? If the spurs stand pat then they are currently not constructed to ring.

[TimmyBuckets]

This team can win a chip this year if GSW is not 100%. Spurs have a good shot against any other team. I think that's obvious.

[cd98]

I think a small forward would be helpful if he was a 3/D guy. But that said, I don't see it as the priority it used to be. Most superstar threes are really playing 4s now and so you could get away with a shooting guard playing the three. Heck, we just got away with a PG guarding a 3/4. That said, White can play a 2/3, he's not just a PG.

People were too quick to judge this roster the first month of the season and too quick to judge Pop. He has to figure out what combinations work. We also need to give the players time to gel. The Spurs have been playing great basketball the last few weeks. It's been aesthetically pleasing and not just shoot a million threes. It's been good team work and team play. I don't know that they have the firepower or the defense to beat the best of the best, but more and more I see they are a playoff team and no doubt they may be good enough to land a top 4 seed in the west. I don't see them beating 2-3 teams in the West, but they could top out at a second round exit, which would be a successful season in my book.

[SpursforSix]

Would you consider the spurs an all star level SF 10-20 player away from chipping this year?

I don't know about just a SF. But you're probably not off base in that they only need a player or two. If they had maybe a Davis and Leonard, I think they're definitely in the conversation.

[Chinook]

So would you consider this year as a player development, chemistry development year and just think of next year as making a run? If the spurs stand pat then they are currently not constructed to ring.

I'm not sure they can get much better without a real superstar. They can get more consistent, but their current level of play is hard to match. Every trade would come with risks, even an almost-ideal one like Cov for Beli, Pon and picks. Right now, the SL works because Forbes is shooting lights out, White is a legit defensive hound dog, and the DeRozan/Gay/Aldridge trio is extremely difficult to cover at once. Then you have their bench, who's tearing it up with great chemistry and confidence. Anything you do that risks disrupting those units has a chance to backfire. That includes bringing back Murray and drafting a rotation-caliber forward.

My point wasn't that there's no reason to trade at all. It was that you have to be careful. The team could get more talented while not ending up playing better. Covington is almost certainly worth it. Porter might be worth it. Any lessor talent probably isn't unless it's a really cheap scenario or depth addition, and those aren't likely to move the needle anyway. Also, there isn't an All-Star SF for sale, so there's no reason to consider that possibility.

[DesignatedT]

Spurs are finally building chemistry and a trade for a high caliber SF will ultimately derail that progress but it is still probably necessary if the Spurs want to make a legit run at a le. They need more size/length and another good defender at the 3/4 position.

What's the deal with Kris Middleton? Hardly a great defender but has great size, can shoot/score, and I feel would fit in nicely in the offense. Thought he might be on the block this year.

[Chinook]

I think a small forward would be helpful if he was a 3/D guy. But that said, I don't see it as the priority it used to be. Most superstar threes are really playing 4s now and so you could get away with a shooting guard playing the three. Heck, we just got away with a PG guarding a 3/4. That said, White can play a 2/3, he's not just a PG.

People were too quick to judge this roster the first month of the season and too quick to judge Pop. He has to figure out what combinations work. We also need to give the players time to gel. The Spurs have been playing great basketball the last few weeks. It's been aesthetically pleasing and not just shoot a million threes. It's been good team work and team play. I don't know that they have the firepower or the defense to beat the best of the best, but more and more I see they are a playoff team and no doubt they may be good enough to land a top 4 seed in the west. I don't see them beating 2-3 teams in the West, but they could top out at a second round exit, which would be a successful season in my book.

I wouldn't go as far as to think the lack of a defensive forward isn't an issue. White is punching way above his weight right now, and we can't reasonably expect this to last. I think the team could make the conference finals with the right bracket as is, but you'd arguably want to swap White out for someone with forward size who can shoot way better than Cun. Not many of those in the league. But then, you'd also want to swipe out Forbes for a White who can shoot well enough to replace Bryn's shooting. Then you'd want to get away with a Forbes/Mills pairing or somehow make a Forbes/Beli back court work. It's just a head-scratcher. I think the Spurs will be a trendy buy-out destination, but I can't think of anyone who'd get bought out and come into SA and be a starter or even sixth man at this point.

[SpursDynasty85]

It's tough to say. Our biggest needs are wing defense and rebounding.

[Fusternino]

Probably a trash idea: Gasol and Q-Pon for Crabbe, Hollis-Jefferson and a 2nd round pick.

[Chinook]

Spurs are finally building chemistry and a trade for a high caliber SF will ultimately derail that progress but it is still probably necessary if the Spurs want to make a legit run at a le. They need more size/length and another good defender at the 3/4 position.

What's the deal with Kris Middleton? Hardly a great defender but has great size, can shoot/score, and I feel would fit in nicely in the offense. Thought he might be on the block this year.

At his best, I'd say he's a bigger White. Dude hasn't been having a great year and is a free agent to be. In a normal year, I'd say he's gettable, because he could definitely solicit max offers this summer while not being worth than the Bucks. But I assume they're going for it this year and are willing to take the risk.

[timvp]

There's not a realistic move the Spurs can make that leapfrogs them over the Warriors as championship favorites. Right now, the goal would be to try to become a legit contender heading into the playoffs. Even that is difficult to imagine but it's not the impossibility it appeared to be about a month ago.

[John B]

Agree the West is anyone’s grab and Spurs can win it all, IF Dubs continue to falter, we continue to be healthy, develop especially Walker, Poeltl even Huestis and Moore. Anything can happen. The FO has a big decision to make if going to stay put with the current roster, package Pau plus 1st round pick or wait for a player to be waived. Should the Spurs be aggressive? I really like to see what Huestis can bring at the 3 and D. When is he due back??

[Duncan87]

Huestis hasn’t even played for Austin Spurs yet don’t see any possibility to suit up for Spurs

[r0drig0lac]

Spurs are finally building chemistry and a trade for a high caliber SF will ultimately derail that progress but it is still probably necessary if the Spurs want to make a legit run at a le. They need more size/length and another good defender at the 3/4 position.

What's the deal with Kris Middleton? Hardly a great defender but has great size, can shoot/score, and I feel would fit in nicely in the offense. Thought he might be on the block this year.

he's second best player in the best team of the east, no chance

[Chinook]

Probably a trash idea: Gasol and Q-Pon for Crabbe, Hollis-Jefferson and a 2nd round pick.

I wouldn't. I like RHJ well enough, I guess. But the Spurs have no use for Crabbe, now or in the future.

Something like Gasol, Pon and the Toronto pick for MKG and Kaminsky might work better. Spurs get center depth with option value in addition to a plus defensive forward. Hornets get a pick and save a bit of money for their rebuild. Maybe they'd want a bit more, and I wouldn't be against giving them Milutinov or a second. Or they might want to send out Hernangomez. That's fine, though I'm not giving up anything more than a second in that case. Regardless, I think the way this deal is structured works better for the team than one with Crabbe.

[marinoman]

Pau and his expiring contract need to be moved, I hope he’s not just bought out. I do think we need a playmaking defensive wing coming off the bench l. DeMar is logging lots of minutes and especially when he’s on the bench someone needs to set others up

[DesignatedT]

Hope Pop gives Walker a chance during the second half of the year. Spurs could really use his playmaking ability/athleticism coming off the bench.

[DesignatedT]

he's second best player in the best team of the east, no chance

Yeah, that's true. Honestly didn't realize Milwaukee was doing so good this year. Still don't see them paying Middleton all that money this summer so figured they would try to move him this year.

[emanueldavidginobili]

The Warriors are bored right now, Klay Thompson won’t shoot this bad for the rest of the season. Green might possibly actually suck forreal now but I’m sure he will get it together. Also I don’t think Cousins coming back will ruin the team. He’s light years better than Looney on one leg. Barring any injuries the Warriors will win it all again.

This years more of a developmental year anyways, and next year too with DJ coming back from injury and Lonnie coming up. I could see them doing some damage though next year but not legit contenders. So far Bryn, Davis, Derrick and Jakob have been progressing really well so far. I think the year after next they have the potential to be legit contenders. A full year of DJ coming back from injury and hopefully Walker staying healthy and getting better. Along with a couple roster tweaks and getting that SF whoever it might be. I honestly don’t see them moving Pau, I think he will play out his contract unless he gets upset with his role and approaches Pop about it.

[JuegaBonito]

haha what if Kiwi signed back with us, that would be 99% improbable but we would chip next year.

[objective]

Any 2-way player with SF size makes the Spurs better. Porter might not be a great defender, but he's not a minus.

Gasol is dead money the way things are going, and Mills isn't crunch time finisher in the playoffs at his size with his defense.

Turning either one or both into a player who could be a part of a crunch time lineup can only make them better. Not good enough to be favorites this year, but more of a puncher's chance.

Pau's partial guarantee next year and the multiple draft picks this year might give a better opportunity to get that player this year in season.

It would be an aggressive and risky move to load up for next season with the expectation that Murray is ready to go. Maybe too aggressive.

[Fusternino]

If Pau is really gone then, we will need to bring over Milutinov in a win-now scenario rather than drafting a big. Does his buy-out count against the cap?