San Antonio Spurs: 2018 preseason schedule announced

The San Antonio Spurs announced their 2018 preseason schedule.

The 2018-19 season is still three months away for the San Antonio Spurs, which could or will feature the trade of Kawhi Leonard, more roster additions and training camp. However, the real prelude to the season, the preseason, will take place, as a warm-up before the 82-game set kicks in.

The preseason can work out position battles, give younger players a longer look and allow head coach Gregg Popovich to decide on his rotation. Last year, it allowed the team to take a better look at Rudy Gay, who had not stepped on the court since January 2017 due to a ruptured Achilles.

On Monday, the Spurs revealed their full slate for the 2018 preseason. Who will they play? Let’s take a look:

• Sunday, Sep. 30 vs. Miami Heat at 4:00 p.m. CT
• Friday, Oct. 5 vs. Detroit Pistons at 7:30 p.m. CT
• Sunday, Oct. 7 vs. Houston Rockets at 3:00 p.m. CT
• Wednesday, Oct. 10 @ Atlanta Hawks at 6:30 p.m. CT
• Friday, Oct. 12 @ Orlando Magic at 6:00 p.m. CT

Aside from the Rockets, these are all Eastern Conference matchups for the Preseason Spurs. So they will receive a look at players that will mostly stay out of their way for the 2018-19 campaign.

The Heat have not made significant additions, but they will still put Goran Dragic, Hassan Whiteside and Josh Richardson, among others, on the court. Erik Spoelstra’s squad lost in the first round of the playoffs.

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Detroit fired Stan Van Gundy and hired 2017-18 Coach of the Year Dwane Casey, who will lead the Blake Griffin-Andre Drummond frontcourt. Without cap space and their first round pick with the Los Angeles Clippers, the Pistons will have a similar look to last season.

The Rockets have yet to give Clint Capela a new contract, and they let Luc Mbah a Moute and Trevor Ariza walk in free agency. However, this could be a showcase for Carmelo Anthony, pending he joins James Harden, Chris Paul and company.

Trae Young and Kevin Huerter will lead the new-look Hawks that have the identity of the “Baby Golden State Warriors.” Given Huerter’s hand injury, it could be one of the first times this drafted duo leads the Atlanta backcourt.

Finally, Orlando will present their latest draft pick, Mohamed Bamba, and his 7-foot-10 wingspan. If he receives a long look in the preseason, it will be interesting to see how he fares against LaMarcus Aldridge and Pau Gasol.

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With the preseason set to wrap up on Oct. 12, look for the regular season to start shortly afterward. Which prelude game are you looking forward to this fall?