NBA Power Rankings Preseason Edition: Lakers moves lead the way

Last Season: 33-39, 10th in Western Conference

For years the San Antonio Spurs have been the bastion of consistency, making the playoffs for two straight decades. Now they have missed the playoffs for two straight years and there is not clear answer about the goal of this team. Are they rebuilding? Are they maximizing wins in case this is Gregg Popovich’ last season? No one knows.

This offseason was about letting the veterans go, with Patty Mills, Rudy Gay and DeMar DeRozan all suiting up for other teams this season. That opens up playing time for the young generation of players on this team. Do they grow into something good? Possibly. Do they fall apart and get the first high draft pick for the Spurs’ organization since Tim Duncan?

Key Offseason Move: DeMar DeRozan trade. The San Antonio Spurs likely were not going to bring back DeMar DeRozan, electing instead to allocate those touches to younger players. Even so the Chicago Bulls ended up paying through the nose to add DeRozan via a sign-and-trade, sending back a first-round pick, two second-round picks, Al-Farouq Aminu and Thaddeus Young.

This was an incredible piece of business for the organization, gaining a legitimate pile of somethings for nearly nothing. Young might be a better player than DeRozan next season, and even if he isn’t the entire package was a windfall for the Spurs.