Is this post-Duncan team a legit contender?

[HemisfairArena]

The player I want to replace Timmy is Drummond. He will be looking to leave the hole that is Detroit and join a class organization like the Spurs.

[DPG21920]

I like Drummond, but I hope people realize the level of gap between a player like Duncan anchoring your team vs a guy like Drummond.

There is no big, outside of maybe a healthy Anthony Davis, that can really come close (and even that isn't close as of yet at all). There is a massive difference in a Duncan/Dirk and even KG vs the big men today, including Love/Aldridge/Blake. Even this year's Tim is more conducive to winning that those guys. Getting a guy like Drummond is fine, but it's a big, big drop off from anchoring a playoff team let alone a true contender.

[HemisfairArena]

I like Drummond, but I hope people realize the level of gap between a player like Duncan anchoring your team vs a guy like Drummond.

There is no big, outside of maybe a healthy Anthony Davis, that can really come close (and even that isn't close as of yet at all). There is a massive difference in a Duncan/Dirk and even KG vs the big men today, including Love/Aldridge/Blake. Even this year's Tim is more conducive to winning that those guys. Getting a guy like Drummond is fine, but it's a big, big drop off from anchoring a playoff team let alone a true contender.

That's pure speculation. I respect your opinion but no one knows how great a guy like Drummond or Davis, ect,,,,will be. Duncan was fortunate to get drafted by a great organization with a great starting base. Drummond is already a walking talking double/double machine at age 19 who doesn't even get near the minutes he should. 6'10 and 270,,,,he will be the Shaq of power forwards in his prime. He wont need to do 12-15 foot bank shots of the glass....he's gonna rule the paint

[DPG21920]

It's a fair point about the situation, but there's a clear gap. Drummond is young, you are correct. Tim came into the league much more seasoned. However, Tim also came into the league much more talented.

[Sean Cagney]

If Duncan doesn't come back in they get blown out yesterday.

EASILY.

[Kidd K]

I think Duncan's presence is being underestimated. He can't be replaced that easily, even by the top big men of today.

I'm not saying he's better still necessarily, but our team benefits greatly from his skills and leadership.

[dg7md]

People take Duncan's greatness for granted. The Spurs are a lottery team the year after Duncan retires.

Lottery? Debatable. I still think we'd make the playoffs in the lower tier of the West without Duncan. Teams have a lot worse rosters than we do.

[Captivus]

In order to be a contender you a superstar, not even an All-Star.
The Spurs should go after Davis and if they dont get him, then they make sure someone else is paying him big money.
Duncan is not easy to replace.
I like Drummond, but he is no Davis.
Love looks good too.

But remember this, if the Spurs dont get any of those 3 (or maybe LMA, Gasol), then the Spurs wont contend. Thats a reality.
Is it bad? Well...most teams do exactly that, they dont contend.

[Richie]

In order to be a contender you a superstar, not even an All-Star.
The Spurs should go after Davis and if they dont get him, then they make sure someone else is paying him big money.
Duncan is not easy to replace.
I like Drummond, but he is no Davis.
Love looks good too.

But remember this, if the Spurs dont get any of those 3 (or maybe LMA, Gasol), then the Spurs wont contend. Thats a reality.
Is it bad? Well...most teams do exactly that, they dont contend.

Why is anyone even mentioning Davis and Drummond? Neither is getting traded and they won't be free agents for another 7 years.

[Richie]

What about this team?

Parker/Room exception PG
Green/Bogdanovic
Leonard/Bertans
Aldridge/Diaw
Splitter/FA center

With players like Jean-Charles, Hanga and other draft picks to fill the gaps. I think there's a good chance that such a team would be the second- or third-best team in the West during that time, given that Portland would obviously be done. Really only OKC and Houston would be challengers, unless the Pelicans can get their act together and build properly around Davis.

I feel like Aldridge will leave the Blazers if Portland can't get out of the first round the next two years. I think he's going to start having Lebron syndrome where he becomes disillusioned from having to put up legendary performances just to eek in a game against the fourth seed. I haven't heard talk about him looking for a bigger market, so I think the Spurs would have a real chance to get him if they go after him hard enough. LA is from Texas, played at UT, and he knows the Spurs can build a strong supporting cast around him. I think the situation up in Portland will be a pretty interesting one to watch in the summer. If Aldridge doesn't extend after the playoffs, I think he's gone.

Before last year I'd agree with you, but there's no way Aldridge is leaving Lillard. If lillard doesn't get drafted I think its guaranteed Aldridge leaves, now I don't think there's any chance whatsoever.

[BatManu20]

"Just sign Anthony Davis or Marc Gasol and we'll be alright"

What, in the Spurs history, have you seen that would make you think any of these are even realistic possibilities? Has any marquee FA ever signed with the Spurs? There's a reason we've built our team through the draft and signing cast offs from other teams.

[HemisfairArena]

Why is anyone even mentioning Davis and Drummond? Neither is getting traded and they won't be free agents for another 7 years.

Both will be unrestricted free agents in 3 years after 2016/2017,,,and if Detroit and New Orleans continue to be holes they will leave.

[BatManu20]

Both will be unrestricted free agents in 3 years after 2016/2017,,,and if Detroit and New Orleans continue to be holes they will leave.

If their team is still not anywhere near contending for a ship in 3 years then yes, they will leave. But they win't be coming to San Antonio, that's for sure. Duncan, Manu, and likely Pop will be gone by then. It will be a new era of Spurs basketball, one that I, for one, do not look forward to.

[illusioNtEk]

Parker / Mills
Green / Beli
Lenord / Green / Beli
Diaw / Splitter
Hibbert / Splitter / Diaw

[Richie]

If their team is still not anywhere near contending for a ship in 3 years then yes, they will leave. But they win't be coming to San Antonio, that's for sure. Duncan, Manu, and likely Pop will be gone by then. It will be a new era of Spurs basketball, one that I, for one, do not look forward to.

No they won't leave. Even if they sign max offer sheets, their respective teams will match immediately.

Neither will risk leaving $80m on the table and play the extra year to reach unrestricted free agency.

[Richie]

Both will be unrestricted free agents in 3 years after 2016/2017,,,and if Detroit and New Orleans continue to be holes they will leave.

They're both getting extended in their restricted free agency year by either signing directly with their current team or their team matching whatever offer sheer they sign. Neither is leaving for a long time.

[Richie]

"Just sign Anthony Davis or Marc Gasol and we'll be alright"

What, in the Spurs history, have you seen that would make you think any of these are even realistic possibilities? Has any marquee FA ever signed with the Spurs? There's a reason we've built our team through the draft and signing cast offs from other teams.

If Gasol chooses to leave, I see San Antonio as a realistic destination. The only time in the Duncan era we've had room to add a major free agent was 03 with Kidd.

Money talks, look at All Jefferson signing in Charlotte, especially with the incredibly punitive luxury tax in the current CBA. With Love, Rondo, Chandler and Aldridge unrestricted, as well as Melo if he doesnt opt out this year and Lebron and Bosh having player options, the 2015 free agent class is already stacked and could get stronger depending on what the Heat do. A 30 year old Gasol won't be top of the major market wish lists.