2015 OFFSEASON WINNER – SAN ANTONIO SPURS
Key Losses: Tiago Splitter, Marco Belinelli, Corey Joseph, Aron Baynes
Key Additions: LaMarcus Aldridge, David West, Ray McCallum
If you had any feeling that the Spurs championship door had closed, their offseason should’ve smacked you right in the face for that thought. The Spurs have retooled, and have extended their dynasty.
R.C Buford and company pulled off magician like moves. By trading away starting center Tiago Splitter to free up cap space, landed the services of LaMarcus Aldridge on a 5 year – $84 million deal. Aldridge clearly upgrades the Spurs frontcourt next to Tim Duncan – who re-signed on a 2 year deal – bringing an array of low post scoring and can stretch the floor.
Per Basketball – Reference and Bleacher Report, Aldridge shot 57.1% from 16 ft or further. That leaves an enormous amount of space for Duncan to roam near the basket. He shot 70% under the rim last season.
You can pick your poison with their frontcourt because if you try to double team either Aldridge or Duncan, expect them to kick the ball out to either Kawhi Leonard or Danny Green, who both re-signed this offseason.
The Spurs locked up their future by investing $90 million into Leonard. The former NBA Finals MVP and reigning Defensive Player of the Year is coming into his own and improving every night. Green is one of the best 3-PT shooters in the league today, shooting 41% behind the arc last season.
Manu Ginobili will continue to bring the energy off the bench, agreeing to return next season. And the Spurs also quite possibly made the steal of the summer by bringing in veteran big man, David West.
West decided to opt out the final season of his $12.6 million with Indiana, to sign with the Spurs for the veterans minimum of a little over $1 million. West will bring some toughness, a solid shooting touch and ability to find the open off the bench to run with finessed frontcourt mate Boris Diaw; who pretty much does the same and could compliment West very well.
Not only did they sign big names, they went after three young players who could fit the Spurs system very well. They agreed to two year deals with defensive swing man Jonathan Simmons, 7’3 center Boban Marjanovic, and traded for electric point guard Ray McCallum.
I’m telling you, the Spurs franchise amaze me more and more every season.