San Antonio Spurs: Grading The Offseason
Re-Signing Tim Duncan
Re-signing Kawhi Leonard was San Antonio’s biggest offseason priority, but bringing back Tim Duncan ensures that the Spurs remain perennial title contenders. Signing him to a two-year, $10 million extension is not only a steal well under his market value, but it also guarantees that San Antonio is in the contender category for the next two years as Leonard and Aldridge grow into their roles as the team’s new leaders.
Until the day he retires, Duncan will remain the face of the franchise. He’s won five titles in San Antonio and cemented his legacy as a top 10 player of all time. At age 39, the Big Fundamental is probably on his last legs, but those legs have lasted him for 18 years without a drastic dip in his play from year-to-year. Hell, last season, he was an All-Star and averaged 13.9 points and 9.1 rebounds per game.
Can confirm details of Duncan contract: $5.25 million next season, $5.6 in 2016-17. Second season fully guaranteed with a player option.
— Jeff McDonald (@JMcDonald_SAEN) July 10, 2015
Aldridge is accustomed to being the best offensive player on his team, but another year of Duncan puts a capable defensive big next to LMA. All of this is before you mention that he’ll be a terrific mentor for Aldridge, who will eventually replace him as the Spurs’ power forward of the future.
Between R.C. Buford, Gregg Popovich, Aldridge and Leonard, the Spurs are perfectly positioned for life after Tim Duncan. They’re going to be just fine. But everything San Antonio has built since the last 90s, that whole championship culture? It starts with Tim Duncan, and letting him play into his 40s on a bargain of a contract was a tremendously underrated move in the middle of such a splashy summer.
Grade: A
Next: One More Round For Manu