While waiting for the opening of the regular season on October 18, We Sport offers you an overview of the thirty franchises that will compete for the title in the NBA. Today, focus on the San Antonio Spurs.
The balance sheet of the San Antonio Spurs last season
For his twenty-sixth season on an NBA bench, Gregg Popovich entered a little more in the history of the league. On the hunt for the regular season win record owned by Don Nelson so far, Pop took it on March 12, 2022 by beating the Utah Jazz, recording his 1336e career victory (today’s total increased to 1344). And that record was the main event in a rather lackluster Spurs season.
Far from having the weapons to adjoin with the title contenders, San Antonio nevertheless got involved in the fight for the playoffs, carried by a Dejounte Murray named All Star for the first time in his career. Thanks to a rather successful end to the season – with an almost neutral record after the All Star Break – and with the bankruptcy of the Lakers, the Spurs managed to snag the last ticket for the play in. Unfortunately, the adventure will be cut short with an elimination as soon as they enter the fray against the Pelicans, ending a season closed for the third consecutive year with a negative balance sheet.
[34-48]10e of the Western Conference, eliminated in the play-in tournament by the New Orleans Pelicans
The San Antonio Spurs Free Agency
If we had to sum up the Spurs offseason in one move, it would be the trade that sent Dejounte Murray to Atlanta. The best scorer, passer and interceptor in his franchise last year, the point guard joined the Hawks in exchange for Danilo Gallinari – cut since – and numerous draft picks and pick swaps. An exchange which is part of a logic favoring the future in the present for San Antonio, which also let Lonnie Walker IV and Jock Landale go.
In terms of arrivals, the Texas franchise has mainly relied on young people. Via the Draft, San Antonio recorded the reinforcements of the Pole Jeremy Sochan, but also guards Malaki Branham and Blake Wesley. Other players signed with Spurs during the Free Agency such as youngster Isaiah Roby and veteran Gorgui Dieng, although no major signings have been recorded. Also note the extension of Keldon Johnson for four additional seasons, making him – for now – one of the cornerstones of the franchise project.
Arrivals: Gorgui Dieng (hawks), Alize Johnson (Pelicans), Isaiah Roby (Thunder)
Departures: Devontae Cacok (Blazers), Jock Landale (hawks), Dejounte Murray (hawks), Lonnie Walker IV (Lakers), DJ Stewart Jr. (Mavericks), Robert Woodard II (—)
Extensions: Keldon Johnson, Joe Wieskamp
Draft: Jeremy Sochan (9e choiceBaylor), Malaki Branham (20e choiceOhio State), Blake Wesley (25e choiceOur Lady)
The workforce ofs San Antonio Spurs 2022/2023
Leaders: Tre Jones, Tommy Kuhse
Rears: Malaki Branham, Romeo Langford, Joshua Primo, Josh Richardson, Devin Vasell, Blake Wesley
Wingers: Keita Bates Diop, Jordan Hall, Keldon Johnson, Doug McDermott, Joe Wieskamp
Power forwards: Dominick Barlow, Zach Collins, Alize Johnson, Isaiah Roby
Pivots: Gorgui Dieng, Jakob Poeltl
Coach: Gregg Popovich
[TW = two-way contract]
NB: During the off-season, each franchise is authorized to have up to twenty players in its workforce. When the regular season begins, said numbers will have to be reduced to fifteen players, to which two two-way contracts may be added.
San Antonio Spurs : Ambitions and ranking
With a workforce similar to last season but greatly weakened by the departure of Dejounte Murray, the Spurs should once again be far from the title race. If San Antonio had managed to get their ticket to the play in last year, it’s hard to think that the franchise will be able to repeat this performance in the coming year. With many young players and few certainties in the 5 Major, the Texans are in full rebuild and could vegetate in the western conference slums. While it will be interesting to follow the development of some youngsters and you have to make the most of seeing Gregg Popovich on an NBA bench, Spurs fans will surely have to be patient in 2022/2023. Before going up the slope thanks to a certain French prospect?
Player to watch: Devin Vassell
Drafted in eleventh position in 2020, Devin Vassell gradually obtains more responsibilities at Spurs. Established permanently as a holder since last February, the Florida State aluni will be able to show himself this season in a franchise where he will be one of the stars. Following the departure of Dejounte Murray, he should have even more balls in attack and will have plenty of opportunities to show that he can be a star in the NBA. It’s up to him to exploit these opportunities and show Spurs that they can count on him in the future.
The calendar ofs San Antonio Spurs in 2022/2023
- 10/19: Charlotte Hornets @ San Antonio Spurs
- 04/11: Los Angeles Clippers @ San Antonio Spurs
- 31/12: Dallas Mavericks @ San Antonio Spurs
- 03/19: Atlanta Hawks @ San Antonio Spurs
- 09/04: San Antonio Spurs @ Dallas Mavericks
Louis Rousseau
The words “Minnesota Miracle” and “No-Call” are scratched from my vocabulary. My heart mourns the retirement of Drew Brees and the loneliness of RJ Barrett in Madison Square Garden.