With the 2019-2020 NBA season fast approaching, Our First Draft is providing team previews for all 30 NBA teams. These are intended to inform the reader about important roster changes for all teams, as well as summarizing the outlook of the team ahead. This includes the Vegas Over/Under line, OFD’s recommendation on which side to take, as well as a projected record for the team.
Team: San Antonio Spurs
Conference: Western
Wins O/U: 45.5 (Over -120, Under +100)
Last Year’s Record: 48-34
Projected Roster (Projected Starters marked with asterisks): L. Aldridge*, M. Bellinelli, D. Carroll*, D. DeRozan, B. Forbes, R. Gay, K. Johnson, T. Lyles, P. Mills, D. Murray*, J. Poeltl, L. Samanic, L. Walker III, Q. Witherspoon, D. White
Key Offseason Moves: Traded D. Bertans for D. Carroll, Drafted L. Samanic, K. Johnson, Q. Witherspoon, Signed T. Lyles
Overall Summary: Well, as Bleacher Report has made clear in their Game of Zones videos, the Spurs are the NBA’s version of the White Walkers. Gregg Popovich simply will not let them lose. Through the years of Robinson, and then Duncan, Ginobili, and Parker, and then Kawhi, to now, Popovich continues to lead them to winning records and the playoffs. While this year’s vintage is led by two old hands in LaMarcus Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan, there is some promising talent waiting in the wings. Aldridge and DeRozan are potential all-stars, and will be counted on to do most of the scoring, but players like Dejounte Murray, Lonnie Walker III, and draft pick Luka Samanic will add athleticism and excellent defense in the backcourt and on the wing. The addition of veteran forward DeMarre Carroll will provide shooting and another veteran for Gregg Popvich to use as an example for his younger players. Pop and the Spurs may not have the most talent, but betting on Spurs regression has burned many a gambler.
Verdict: It may be asking for trouble, but I’m going to take the under. While Pop’s greatness is self-evident, the West is just so talented, and I think that the Spurs might have a worse number 1 player than anyone else in the conference. My projected record of 43-39 still has them making the playoffs, so maybe I won’t upset the basketball gods too much.
