San Antonio Spurs: 5 goals for the 2018 offseason

1. Align the stars

Last season was one the San Antonio Spurs would like to forget. LaMarcus Aldridge started the offseason unhappy with his role in the offense. This little wrinkle was worked out before the start of the season. Then the Spurs had all of their injury issues.

However, what is more concerning for the franchise was the constant speculation that Leonard was unhappy. There were constant questions of whether he could come back but was sitting out for some personal reason. There is also constant talk that he wants a trade, with multiple sources confirming Leonard wants out.

Almost any other franchise in the NBA would be worried. However, this is the San Antonio Spurs we are talking about here. It is also Gregg Popovich, who is not only a master coach on the sidelines but also in player management and relationships.

Furthermore, even if Leonard wants out, he’s under contract for another year. The Spurs don’t have to trade him him if they don’t like the offers they’re receiving and remain dedicated to making Kawhi happy again. Perhaps a fully healthy season would help there if the Spurs stand their ground and refuse to trade him to a team like the Los Angeles Lakers or Boston Celtics.

If anyone can find a way for these two players to play together and be happy, it is Popovich. If they manage to add a third star, Popovich will have even more work to do. He will go about it with the usual vigor and passion he has for the club and the game to make it work.

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One thing is for sure, the Spurs are going to have plenty of goals to achieve in the offseason, but the biggest is clearly figuring out what it will take to make Kawhi Leonard happy again.