Apr 22, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward
LaMarcus Aldridge(12) during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies in game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Memphis Grizzlies beat Portland Trail Blazers 97 – 82 Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
New Faces
The San Antonio Spurs landed four-time all-star LaMarcus Aldridge. The Spurs signed Aldridge to a 4-year $84 million contract. Aldridge is the only player in the league to average at least 23 points and 10 rebounds in consecutive seasons. He will instantly become the Spurs go-to-guy.
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A few days later the Spurs signed Pacers forward David West to a one-year, $1.4 million deal. West
Mar 7, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward
Jason Smith(14) defends Indiana Pacers forward David West (21)during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
averaged 11.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists. The two-time all-star isn’t an a top big anymore, but he will be a terrific role player. West excels at making the midrange jumper.
The most under-the-radar move the Spurs made was trading for Kings guard Ray McCallum. The Spurs gave up a future second-rounder for the 24-year old guard. McCallum is a terrific replacement option for Cory Joseph, who signed with the Raptors (4-years $30 million). Last season, he averaged 7.4 points and 2.8 assists. In 30 starts, his numbers increased to 11.2 points and 4.3 assists. Ironically, he and Joseph are both 6″3, 190-pounds and excel at scoring inside the three-point line.
The Spurs signed summer league standout Jonathon Simmons to a 2-year veteran’s minimum deal. The 6″6 wing won the Summer League Championship game MVP. Simmons scored 23 points in the win against Phoenix. Simmons averaged 17 points for the Spurs in the Las Vegas Summer League.
The Spurs signed European center Boban Marjanovic. He is expected to compete for the backup center spot since the Spurs lost Tiago Splitter.
The most recent move was signing Jimmer Fredette to a training camp deal. The sharpshooter from BYU has disappointed in his three-year career so far. At the same time, Fredette hasn’t had a legit shot at making an impression, as he has 7 career starts. Fredette averages 6.1 points in his career and is a 38% three-point shooter.
Players That Re-signed
The Spurs re-signed Kawhi Leonard, Tim Duncan, Danny Green, Manu Ginobili, and Matt Bonner. Leonard got a max contract, as he signed for 5-years $94 million. The 24-year old keeps improving and should be the best two-way player in the league in short time.
Duncan did the Spurs a favor by taking a two-years, $10.4 million deal. That is a massive discount for the Spurs as he is still an extremely productive player. Duncan averaged 13.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 2 blocks.
Green signed a four-year, $40 million contract. The 28-year old has turned into a terrific “3 and D” guy. Last year he averaged 11.7 points and 4.2 rebounds. Another good deal for the Spurs as he could’ve gotten more elsewhere.
Ginobili signed for two-years, $5.8 million. The 37-year old averaged 10.5 points and 4.2 assists. He will continue to be a playmaker that makes big shots off the bench for the Spurs.
Bonner signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract. It’s unlikely that Bonner has a significant role, but when his number is called, he will provide terrific outside shooting.
Spurs That Left
The Spurs lost Tiago Splitter, Cory Joseph, Marco Belinelli, and Aron Baynes in the offseason. While all four were significant role players, they will only miss a few of them.
Splitter will be missed as he was a center, something the Spurs are missing off the bench. Belinelli will be the one Spur player that many wish returned. He averaged 9.2 points on 37% threes. Belinelli was valuable as he is a terrific shooter that plays hard on defense.
Next: Marco Belinelli Will Be Missed In San Antonio
Overall Offseason Grade: A
The Spurs got Aldridge and West. They resigned everyone for cheaper than most thought. The Spurs had the best offseason without question.