NBA Power Rankings: Preview the Los Angeles Lakers and the rest

Dearly Departed: Bryn Forbes, Marco Belinelli

New Additions: Keita Bates-Diop, Devin Vassel, Tre Jones

Win Projection/Prediction: 31/Under

It is hard to be critical of the San Antonio Spurs. They have had a historic playoff run over two decades that finally came to an end. This is the first step into a new era of Spurs basketball. At least in the short term, it is hard to expect too much winning.

There were trade rumors involving both LaMarcus Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan heading into draft season and that may pick up closer to the trade deadline. They are expiring contracts and do not fit the timeline of the rest of the roster. All the better if San Antonio can get anything of value back for them.

Pivoting to the future, there are some interesting pieces already in place. The Spurs may have found something with their three-guard lineup in the seeding games where they started Dejounte Murray, Derrick White and Lonnie Walker IV. Devin Vassell is the perfect addition and will fit the timeline of these guards. Tre Jones is not at their level but his grit and basketball intelligence will help him fit in.

The Spurs will probably win more games than the rest of the bottom dwellers solely based on coaching and professionalism. In addition to the former All-Stars previously mentioned, Patty Mills is also still here. This team will be competitive every night, if not good.