The San Antonio Spurs have made the playoffs for an unprecedented 21 straight seasons, and have been a symbol of excellence in the NBA for the past two decades. However, the Spurs are now in a period of transition, and are looking at their two All-Stars DeMar Derozan and LaMarcus Aldridge to lead a new cast of Spurs.

The former Toronto Raptor is already embracing the challenge and is looking forward to take the lead role with his new squad.

“I'm going into my 10th year in the league, so with the knowledge and everything I've gained in this league, if I can help the next guy, that's what it is all about,” DeRozan said in a piece by Rob Wolkenbrod of Forbes.

Aldridge also acknowledged that the leadership will have to fall between him and Derozan.

“DeMar was a leader in Toronto,” Aldridge said in a . “It's naturally going to fall to him and I.”

Both Derozan and Aldridge have to step up to the plate in San Antonio following the official end of the Big Three Era of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili with the storied franchise. Duncan has since moved on from the game in 2016. Ginobili announced his retirement this off-season, and Parker transferred addresses to Charlotte during free agency.

Moreover, the supposed heir to throne of the Spurs, Kawhi Leonard, no longer wanted to be with the team, and was shipped to the Raptors in a deal that included Derozan. He was planned to be given the keys once the Big Three era was officially over.

But plans have changed. No knock against the Derozan and Aldridge, but the Spurs are now looking at two second-tier stars to lead their squad.

With the mastermind Gregg Popovich at the helm, however, he could bring out the best out of these two under-the-radar All-Stars and could elevate them to bring back the Spurs into legitimate title contention.