San Antonio Spurs: Opportunity And An Extension Await Cory Joseph

Cory Joseph is arriving at a point in his career that could dramatically change how the next few years of his life on the hardwood plays out.

Entering his fourth year with the San Antonio Spurs and a contract season, Joseph will have a prime opportunity to audition for a raise and extension with the Spurs, or worst-case scenario, show off enough to have another team want to snag him before next season.

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But why is this is such a prime opportunity for Joseph?

After a recent surgery to Patrick Mills’ shoulder, which will leave him out of action until at least January, Joseph will see the bulk of minutes running the show as the backup behind Tony Parker. During his first three seasons with the Spurs, Joseph has never seen any more than 13.9 minutes per game.

This number should jump up to around 17 or 18 per game between the beginning of the season and Mills’ return, especially considering Gregg Popovich has a tendency to rest his starters throughout the season.

As seen by Dan McCarney of the San Antonio Express-News, this short time period where Joseph will see added responsibility could be his best and last chance to remain with the Spurs:

"“To call his fourth NBA campaign make or break would be hyperbole. But with his contract up after this year, and an opportunity to serve as Tony Parker’s backup for the first half of the season while Patty Mills recovers from offseason shoulder surgery, this will be his best — and perhaps last — chance to prove himself to the Spurs.”"

Joseph will be hoping to not join the trend of recent backup point guards in San Antonio having to continue their careers elsewhere, as seen with guys like Gary Neal and George Hill, but thus far; he hasn’t proven he’s really a necessity on a championship team.

Just take a look at his averages from last season with five points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game respectively. These numbers would certainly be better if were to receive more minutes, but from how passive he has looked offensively during his career, these numbers wouldn’t be high enough to make the Spurs fearful of losing him.

Of course his defense is usually exceptional, but with the Spurs’ pick-and-role heavy offense, it would be hard to keep a point guard around long-term if they struggle to find their own points or make the jobs of their teammates easier.

Joseph will essentially have a half-season to prove he’s worthy of being kept around for an extension. If he fails this test, it could turn out to be why teams turn away from him come 2015 free agency. It’s time for Joseph to play like his career is on the line because it just might be.