Which Spurs Free-Agents Will Be Back and Who’s Gone?

The San Antonio Spurs have many decisions to make this offseason. Many of them are coming in

Jun 12, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward

(2) and guard

(20) and forward

(21) react during the second quarter of game four of the 2014 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

free-agency. The Spurs have 9 free-agents this offseason. Below I will predict what’s going to happen with each Spurs free-agent.

Tim Duncan- Tim Duncan is coming off a terrific season despite being 39-years old. Duncan is an unrestricted free-agent, the question isn’t whether the Spurs will resign him, it’s whether he will retire? Duncan averaged 13.9 points and 9.1 rebounds this season. After a difficult exit in the first round of the playoffs against the Clippers, I expect Duncan to return for one final season.

Manu Ginobili- Unlike Duncan, Ginobili isn’t capable of producing at a high level consistently. Despite this Ginobili is still valuable off the Spurs bench. He averaged 10.5 points and 4.2 assists this season. Like Duncan the question is whether he will retire or not? I believe that Ginobili will return as well but it’ll take a while for him to decide.

Kawhi Leonard- Kawhi Leonard is a restricted free-agent. Leonard is returning, the Spurs will match any offer he gets or he will turn offers down. Leonard is the future of the franchise. His improvement on offense will make it easier for the Spurs to sign him on a max contract or near one. He averaged 16.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.3 steals.

Danny Green– Danny Green is an unrestricted free-agent this season. Green had his most complete season of his NBA career, he averaged 11.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks. Green versatility on defense and shooting ability (42% threes) will make it hard to believe that the Spurs won’t resign him.

Marco Belinelli– Marco Belinelli is an unrestricted free-agent this offseason. The sharpshooter had a solid campaign this season. Belinelli averaged 9.2 points on 37% threes. I believe Belinelli will resign on a small one or two year deal with the Spurs.

Matt Bonner– The “Red Rocket’s” time might be up in San Antonio. Bonner is an unrestricted free agent this season. He averaged 3.7 points in 13 minutes. I wouldn’t be surprised if Bonner doesn’t return to the league next season, there aren’t many players looking for a non-athletic, one-dimensional 35-year old.

Aron Baynes– Aron Baynes was one of the bigger surprises in San Antonio this season. Baynes averaged 6.6 points and 4.5 rebounds this season. He is a restricted free-agent this season. I expect Baynes to stay especially if Tiago Splitter is dealt.

Jeff Ayres– Jeff Ayres didn’t have much of a role this season, as he averaged 2.7 points and 2.3 rebounds. Ayres is an unrestricted free-agent this season. I don’t think the Spurs will make a big push to keep Ayres, so he might be on another roster soon.

Cory Joseph– Cory Joseph will be a restricted free-agent this season and he is coming off a good season. Joseph averaged 6.8 points and 2.4 assists, but as a starter in 14 games he averaged 13.2 points and shot 56% from the field. I believe Joseph will sign a deal that sees him getting $4-5 million a year with a team like Miami.

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