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Before the 2019-20 season was suspended due to COVID-19, the San Antonio Spurs were actually on their way to missing the playoffs for the first time since 1997. The team had a record of 27-36, putting them in the 12th spot in the Western Conference standings.
Gregg Popovich is still viewed as the best coach in the NBA, but even he couldn't will this Spurs team to a winning record. The Western Conference keeps getting tougher and the loss of Kawhi Leonard has hurt San Antonio since they no longer have a superstar in town.
With that said, it may be time for the Spurs to do something they have never done under Popovich — rebuild.
If the 2019-20 season is over, there are three moves Spurs general manager Brian Wright should consider making.
3. Trade DeMar DeRozan
DeRozan was making $27,739,975 this season with the Spurs. He has a player option for the 2020-21 season worth the same amount. If DeRozan declines that option, he would become an unrestricted free agent in the summer, free to sign with any team of his choice.
The Spurs explored trade scenarios involving LaMarcus Aldridge and DeRozan near the February trade deadline. The franchise needs to go ahead and trade DeRozan so they don't lose the All-Star shooting guard and come away empty-handed.
Multiple reports have said DeRozan is unhappy in San Antonio and won't pick up his player option. As a result, the Spurs might have to move him and get something in return for the high-flyer.
DeRozan was averaging 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game before the 2019-20 season was suspended.
2. Trade LaMarcus Aldridge
The Spurs might as well embrace the tank and deal Aldridge after moving DeRozan. Aldridge is due $24 million in 2020-21 and he's made some hints lately that he wants to return to the Portland Trail Blazers and finish his career in Rip City.
Aldridge began his NBA career in Portland. Maybe the Spurs and Blazers can get on the phone and work something out.
Aldridge was putting up 18.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists for the Spurs in 53 games this season. He's still a walking double-double but his services may be better suited for a contending team.
1. Acquire more 3-point shooters
If the Spurs do in fact trade their two All-Stars and decide to build around youngsters Dejounte Murray, Derrick White, and Lonnie Walker, they will need more 3-point shooters to space the floor.
San Antonio made just 671 3-pointers prior to the season getting suspended. They were the NBA's 26th ranked team in that category. That's not going to cut it in today's game.
The loss of Davis Bertans really hurt the Spurs in 2019-20. He made 200 3-pointers for the Washington Wizards—a production San Antonio would have loved. To recall, the Spurs traded Bertans to the Wizards to create cap space to sign Marcus Morris. However, Morris backed out of his deal with San Antonio and joined the New York Knicks instead.
Popovich signed a three-year extension with the Spurs in April. The Athletic reported in December that Pop is widely known to be taking a year-by-year approach at this stage of his career. He is 71 and has been working with the franchise since 1988.
Let's say the Spurs take our advice and embark on a full rebuild. Would Popovich stick around for that or would he call it a Hall of Fame career and retire? That's a question only Popovich himself can answer.