The 2020-21 NBA season is officially over for the San Antonio Spurs after losing to the Memphis Grizzlies 100-96 on Wednesday night in the play-in tournament. It was a tough year for the Spurs as they finished with just a 33-39 record and the 10th seed in the Western Conference. They only had a shot at the playoffs due to the play-in tournament.
By missing the playoffs again, San Antonio ended a streak of 45 years without two consecutive playoff misses. The Spurs have their work cut out for them as they try to find a way back into the playoffs and title contention.
With that said, this offseason will be a defining moment for this team. DeMar DeRozan is set to hit free agency and based on his performances in the playoffs, it's in the best interest they let him walk away to another team (or work out a sign-and-trade). During Wednesday night's game against the Grizzlies, DeRozan put up 20 points, three rebounds, and three assists. However, he was 5-of-21 shooting from the field and scored half of his points from the free-throw line.
It was a tough scene to witness given DeRozan has undoubtedly been San Antonio's best player since trading Kawhi Leonard away for him. Since joining the Spurs, DeRozan has averaged 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game. Even so, it's time the front office moves on from DeRozan and embraces the rebuild.
He's not the only player set for free agency this offseason, as Rudy Gay and Patrick Mills will be hitting the open market as well. Between these three players, the Spurs have over $55 million coming off the books. San Antonio could theoretically open up around $50 million in cap space this offseason.
With DeRozan, Gay, and Mills all potentially leaving, the Spurs suddenly become a young team, with Derrick White being the oldest player on the roster at 26 years old (he'll be 27 right when free agency begins). The roster mainly consists of guards, which means the front office will be searching for forwards and centers to add to the roster. The free-agent pool doesn't necessarily have the most enticing group this offseason, but San Antonio should at least be able to grab a few solid rotational players to complement its young core.
The Spurs need the most help in the post, and luckily there are a few centers who stand out. Guys like Nerlens Noel, Enes Kanter, and Richaun Holmes all stand out as possible candidates for San Antonio to sign. Acquiring one of these three to pair with Jakob Poeltl would give the Spurs a solid 1-2 punch at the center position without breaking the bank.
However, where the Spurs could really make a splash in free agency is at the power forward position. Atlanta Hawks star power forward John Collins is set to hit free agency, albeit the restricted version. With trade rumors swirling around Collins before the trade deadline, it's possible the Hawks let him walk. The Spurs might have to overpay to obtain him, but it would be well worth it. Lauri Markkanen is another young power forward hitting restricted free agency, though he's not on Collins' level.
Bringing in a young stud like Collins and either Noel, Kanter, or Holmes would give the Spurs a solid base to build around. San Antonio would suddenly have some nice depth and young pieces to focus on while rebuilding the rest of the roster around the likes of White, Poeltl, Dejounte Murray, Keldon Johnson, and Lonnie Walker IV.
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