The biggest "what if" scenarios in San Antonio Spurs history

1. If Tim Duncan had joined the Orlando Magic in the early 2000s

It was the year 2000, and Tim Duncan had already been an NBA All-Star, Rookie of the Year, NBA Finals MVP (1999), and NBA Champion. However, after a sour ending to the season that saw an injured Duncan watch his team get swept by the Phoenix Suns in the playoffs, he began looking elsewhere.

The Orlando Magic was a sought-after destination for any free agent that summer. The team had recently traded for Tracy McGrady (via the Raptors) to lead an aging Magic team led by a young coach in Doc Rivers. Shortly after, they set their sights on forwards Grant Hill (Pistons) and Duncan to form what would have been one of the league's best trio.

Over the years, rumors have swirled that Duncan flirted with the idea of joining the Magic in 2000, but they've never been confirmed. After a recent interview with Hill on the "All the Smoke" podcast, Hill finally put some truth to the speculation. Hill was asked by hosts Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson to elaborate on what could have been.

"Tim was more in than I was, and everything was going well, showing signs that this could happen," said Hill. According to the Duke legend, a closing meeting between the two players and Orlando staff did not go as planned, prompting Duncan to return to San Antonio. Duncan would sign a 3-year, 31-million-dollar contract extension with the Spurs ahead of the 2000–2001 season.

The following season saw Duncan mold into the league's best player, capturing his first regular-season MVP award during a period where the Western Conference was loaded with superstars.

It makes fans wonder what would have been had Duncan signed with Orlando, though. The Spurs would not have become as big of a dynasty as they did over the next decade. Sure, the Spurs staff would have put the right pieces around Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili to be a competitive team.

However, the Spurs do not win championships without Duncan, plain and simple. Still today, Spurs fans praise Duncan for staying with the team for as long as he did. To picture the quiet Duncan in a city led by Mickey Mouse ears, roller coasters, and the fast life just does not seem right. It is safe to say that the Spurs-Duncan love story was meant to be.

Honorable mention moments

If Kawhi Leonard had never gotten hurt in the 2017 NBA semi-finals

The Spurs may go on to win that title that season, making Leonard a two-time champion with the Spurs. This success could have been a reason that he stayed in San Antonio rather than let his rehab cause a rift between himself and Spurs staff. Leonard could have been one of the next Spurs greats, if not getting injured in the 2017 semi-final series against Golden State.

If David Robinson had not had a season-ending injury the year before the 1997 NBA Draft

David Robinson was the leader of the Spurs franchise for a whole decade before Duncan got to town. Robinson was a multi-NBA All-Star, an MVP, and one of the league's best centers. However, in 1996, he was plagued with many injuries, causing him to miss nearly the whole season. This void caused the Spurs to lose over 60 games. This was a blessing in disguise, as they drew the first overall selection for the upcoming draft where they landed Tim Duncan. Had Robinson not been sidelined by injury, leading to a poor year for San Antonio, they would not have gotten Duncan at all.