Spurs Trio to Retire in Two Years?

After an impressive playoff run to the 2013 NBA Finals, the San Antonio Spurs had some important offseason moves to make. 

Two key pieces of their roster, Manu Ginobili and Tiago Splitter, were free agents with plenty of suitors. 

The Portland Trailblazers were waiting on Splitter's doorstep with a pile of cash and the Spurs knew a lucrative offer was coming. So they had to act quickly. After reaching an agreement for a four year, 36 million dollar contract, I was surprised he got away with making nine million a year after a terrible Finals performance, virtually disappearing. Not only that, but the highlight of Lebron James blocking him was one of the highlights of the playoffs, playing nonstop on Sportcenter. He did, on the other hand, help destroy the Memphis Grizzlies in the Western Conference Finals and has shown steady improvement since he's been in the league. 

A few days later the Spurs reached a two year deal with fan-favorite Ginobili at 14 million total, no opt-out options and fully guaranteed. 

Last year Tim Duncan signed a three year, 30 million dollar contract with a player option for the last year. Now with two years left on Duncan's deal, it's easy to see why Ginobili signed a two year deal.

They're old. 

Is it safe to say the pair will retire in two years? Probably, but hopefully not. One of my favorite (almost) dynasties led by one of the best coaches in the league, Gregg Popovich, said he's retiring when Timmy does. I understand that, and it's hard to imagine The Big Fundamental being coached by anyone else. The longest tenured coach currently in the NBA will hopefully stay on in a management or consultant position with the Spurs. 

So what's this transition going to be like for San Antonio? This is a franchise that has been used to a championship-caliber roster since 1999, fourteen straight years. 

With Ginobili, Duncan and Pop gone in two years, Tony Parker will be 33 and possibly starting to decline. He's arguably the best point guard in the league today and chances are he will continue to be effective well into his thirties. San Antonio will have a veteran point guard who knows the system well and will continue to be a leader, but what about everyone else? 

Kawhi Leonard has emerged as a potential star based on his improvement and a hard work, especially in the playoffs. He shut down Lebron James as impressively as any other player could have done and rebounded more effectively than anyone else in the Finals. If he keeps improving the Spurs should be fine at the small forward/swingman position. Also, he's going to be a top notch Kevin Durant defender, who will probably be San Antonio's strongest opponent in the brutal Wester Conference for the next decade and more.

Splitter will have two more years on his deal when the trio leaves and at the age of 30, will still be in his prime. He is a player with a high basketball IQ, running pick and rolls with Tony Parker smoothly and effectively. 

A core of Parker, Leonard and Splitter will be solid, but not exactly young.

An interesting piece is Danny Green, who proved himself in these playoffs, breaking a Finals all-time record for most threes made throughout the series. Green has, of course, two years left on his deal after signing a three year, twelve million dollar contract. 

I like Dejuan Blair, who barely gets any playing time and seems to always be on the trading block, as well as Gary Neal, who are 24 and 28 years old, respectively.

Tracy McGrady, 34, Boris Diaw, 31, and Matt Bonner, 33, aren't exactly spring chickens, while Cory Joseph, 21, Aron Baynes, 26, Nando de Colo, 26, and Patty Mills, 24, aren't proven and don't seem to have high ceilings. 

Not including draft picks, Parker, Leonard, Splitter, Green, Neal and Blair make a perennial playoff team, and only a championship-contending one if Leonard, Splitter and Green each take their games to the next level. The Spurs look to be contenders for the next two years, but after that who knows. You can't count out general manager R.C Buford because of his reputation of drafting diamonds in the rough and making savvy trades. As long as Parker is on the roster the Spurs will stay relevant, especially if Leonard and Green keep improving. We can only wait to see what happens in the Post-Duncan Era, with or without Pop, and I believe San Antonio will find a way back to the top quickly.