San Antonio Spurs: Does Arron Afflalo Fit?

The San Antonio Spurs finished off the first “half” of their season Wednesday night, with a convincing 104-87 victory over the Detroit Pistons. It served as a revenge game of sorts for the loss Brandon Jennings handed them in San Antonio, back when the Pistons were playing at super-human levels.

The All-Star break, and soon the trade deadline, are upon us, so it’s time to focus on the stretch run and think about how these teams plan to improve between now and April.

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As most Spurs fans know, it’s been a weird year in San Antonio. They’ve played outstanding defense, they hold the NBA’s third best defensive rating, but their offense has been mediocre at best (13^th best offensive rating in the NBA).

Some of that can be attributed to the musical chairs they have been playing with their lineup, thanks to a rash of injuries early in the season. Marco Belinelli has been banged up, Tony Parker has missed time, Kawhi Leonard missed more than a month, and Manu Ginobili is always a threat to get hurt due to his age and fearless playing style.

All that uncertainty has fans, and most likely management, scheming up different ways they can improve their depth before the trade deadline. This all leads to a text I received from my Spurs fanatic friend the other day: “Does Arron Afflalo make sense in San Antonio?” Well now, that’s a good question.

As most NBA fans know, the Denver Nuggets have turned into one of the most well lit dumpster fires in the league. Disharmony between coaches, management, and players has led to speculation that a fire sale is coming.

Everyone from Wilson Chandler to the aforementioned Afflalo could be moved by the deadline. So, does Afflalo make sense for the Spurs? That’s a tough question.

He’s not having a great season, averaging 14.5 points per game on 33.7 percent from three-point range. He’s just one season removed 42.7 percent from outside, and if you want to talk yourself into him as a player, you could discount this season due to the turmoil of the situation in Denver. Being with a more stable organization with a defined role may allow him to rediscover his consistent shooting stroke.

Player	FG%	3P%	FT%	TRB	AST	STL	BLK	PTS
Arron Afflalo	.428	.337	.841	3.4	1.9	0.6	0.1	14.5
Marco Belinelli	.441	.381	.790	2.6	1.8	0.5	0.1	9.8
Danny Green	.422	.394	.829	4.5	2.0	1.4	1.2	12.0

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 2/12/2015.

On paper, the Spurs have plenty of guard depth with Tony Parker, Patty Mills, and Corey Joseph manning the point, while Danny Green, Manu Ginobili, and Marco Belinelli hold down the wing. However, as I stated before, that depth is always tenuous due to injury concerns.

There is also the issue of having no true backup for Kawhi Leonard. Wilson Chandler would be the better fit here, as I’ve mentioned in a previous article, but Afflalo could help too. With him in the fold, the Spurs could go smaller with some bench lineups, playing Mills, Affalo, Green/Belinelli, Diaw, and Duncan/Splitter giving them an offensively potent group that would be tough to defend. He is by no means an elite defensive player, but the Spurs have not needed much help in that department this season.

There is no doubt that this would increase their versatility, if he shoots like he did during the 2013-2014 season. The Spurs have a knack for providing veterans with a magic elixir that helps them regain their effectiveness (just ask Boris Diaw), perhaps Afflalo can add to that list.

In tinkering with ESPN’s trade machine, I found it difficult to find a deal that works for both sides. The Nuggets are likely to want a first round pick for Afflalo, that’s not the issue, but matching the money he is owed is the problem.

The only players who match-up with him in a one-for-one trade are Ginobili, Diaw, and, Tiago Splitter. Other trades that would work require some combination of Patty Mills, Danny Green, Marco Belinelli, or Cory Joseph. I feel confident in saying any of those combinations that could make the deal happen are not in San Antonio’s best interest.

In the end, I’m afraid there is just not a palatable way to make the money work. The most realistic way they might bolster their depth is to sign Gary Neal (yikes) if he ends up being bought out by the Minnesota Timberwolves.

That may not be pleasant to hear, but right now it seems like their options on the trade market are very slim. Neal was once a successful role player for the Spurs, so if he’s ever going to get his groove back, San Antonio might be the perfect place. Then again, Gregg Popovich and R.C. Buford may be better off making an offering to the basketball Gods to ensure good health the rest of the way.

Never doubt that Spursian voodoo.

Next: 3 Predictions for the San Antonio Spurs

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