Glad to hear this kind of thing from someone actually associated with the Spurs. I'm not sure exactly what kind of access "Special Advisor to Basketball Operations" actually has - but I just assume that Manu is connected with the FO at a high level and when he says this it's not just his personal opinion but the goals of the organization.
So, with that said... it would seem logically that the team would be looking for a similar trajectory that OKC and Minn have recently taken:
OKC:
2021-22 - bottom 4 record
2022-23 - play-in
2023-24 - top seed (I would consider this as being "a contender") / semifinals loss in 6
MIN:
2020-21: bottom 6 record but only 1 game removed from a bottom 4 record
2021-22: first round playoff loss (via #7 seed/play-in)
2022-23: first round playoff loss (via #8 seed/play-in)
2023-24: WCF (and very much "a contender")
If we are to believe Manu, then it should be clear that tanking is not the intention next season (of course this won't stop folks from claiming we are tanking if the season doesn't go as planned, much like this year)

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He also clarifies that by contending he’s just saying they’ll make the playoffs and be a generally good team.
