The Future Remains Bright For The San Antonio Spurs

The team’s choices in the 2016 NBA Draft maintained the San Antonio Spurs’ place among the league’s elite.

I have partially exhaled.

As the league and fans await The Decision: San Antonio edition, the San Antonio Spurs made moves on the night of the 2016 NBA Draft to ensure that their legacy as one of the league’s elite teams remains intact.

To wit: drafting Dejounte Murray, of the University of Washington, with the 29th overall pick.

(And can we talk about his GORGEOUS purple velvet blazer and matching quilted purple slippers? My soul said yes.)

https://twitter.com/NBADraft/status/746076016800567296

Murray is a one-and-doner who averaged 16.1 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game as a Husky. Like most freshman players, his game is still a work in progress and it’s not to be expected that he’ll be an immediate impact player for the Spurs when the season opens.

In fact, he’ll probably follow in the footsteps of other rookies and spend a significant amount of time in Austin, with the team’s D-League affiliate, the Austin Spurs.

Still, fans have to be pleased that there will be an answer for the aging starting point guard Tony Parker. While still coming through in some clutch situations during the regular 2015-16 season, it has become painfully obvious that the Parker of old is no more, even if The Powers That Be don’t wish to admit it in public. He joins the aging Big Three core in diminished playing time, scoring, and roles, changes with which Parker is said to be cool.

With Manu Ginobili opting out of the final year of his contract to become a free agent on July 1 (which may or may not indicate that he’s retiring), Murray could also serve as a backup option behind Patty Mills and Jonathon Simmons.

Murray, for all of his burgeoning talent, seemed to be underrated by most teams in the draft, who — as is the trend — chose the more shiny objects, regardless of true fit.

(Speaking of shiny: shout out to Providence’s Kris Dunn, who was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves. He sported a custom-tailored JC Penney suit and gorgeous Gucci shoes. This fashion combination gave me all types of life.)

https://twitter.com/jcpenney/status/746149196592349184

Indeed, Murray seems to have a fan none other than The King himself, three-time NBA champ and three-time Finals MVP LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Then again, Murray is signed to Klutch Sports Group and shares the same agent — Rich Paul — as James. So there’s that.

Murray’s rebounding ability can also help bolster defense, which will come in handy should a certain franchise player decide to ride into the sunset.

Murray isn’t the only unpolished gem to be added to the Spurs’ crown on draft night. I was quite pleased to hear that Villanova guard Ryan “Arch” Arcidiacono, a member of the 2016 NCAA Championship team who went undrafted, signed a partially guaranteed deal with the Spurs.

(I was going to mention in a future column that the Spurs should seriously look at Arcidiacono if he went undrafted, maybe invite him to play in Summer League, but PATFO must have read my mind and beat me to the punch. I’m good with that.  #BigEastReppin.)

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Arcidiacono, a four-year player, shot 39 percent from the three-point line during his college career and is good off the pick-and-roll, which is the Spurs’ butter (defense is their bread). His three-point prowess could prove a valuable respite for three-and-D man Danny Green and Mills. It’s Arcidiacono’s playmaking skills, though, that are the most coveted in the Alamo City.

Arcidiacono has proven himself since he first arrived at ‘Nova, captaining the team since his freshman year and coming full circle in his senior year to help lead the Wildcats to a national college title. He’s scrappy, focused, a leader, and has the skills to help back up multiple players. I hope he makes the final roster.

The Spurs seem to have come to terms with the necessary adjustments for the upcoming season and beyond; adding two young players with lots of potential and the possibility of making somewhat of an impact during the regular season were good moves.

More hoops habit: 2017 NBA Mock Draft: An Early Look Ahead

Murray and Arcidiacono would complement the New Big Three of Kawhi Leonard, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Green and keep the Spurs relevant. Kudos to general manager R.C. Buford, head coach Gregg Popovich, and new owner Julianna Hawn Holt for pulling the trigger on these deals.