The San Antonio Spurs' nearly historic regular season ended in disappointment with their six-game loss to the Thunder in the second round of the playoffs. With the team’s long-term core nearing the end of their storied run, the Spurs could be looking at replacing players who have had a hand in multiple championships. Fortunately for San Antonio, unlike most teams who see their franchise players retire, the Spurs already have their next set of stars in Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge.

Leonard completed his development from potential star to superstar this past season. Leonard is the best defensive player in the league and his offense has grown to be nearly as good. Aldridge is an ideal running mate for Leonard. He’s both effective in the post and in the mid-range game and his defensive ability picked up surrounded by San Antonio's talent and in their sound defensive system. Having those two players as building blocks makes everything that much easier for the Spurs. 

The long time trio of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili continued to be effective, despite (or possibly because of) reduced roles. Duncan was still the backbone of the defense, but has seen his role in the offense drop down to fourth or fifth option when he’s on the court. Parker continued his efficient, if unspectacular play on the offensive end. After 15 years as the starting point guard, Parker is starting to show signs of slowing down. The Spurs have made a conscious effort to reduce his minutes to keep him fresh and productive. Ginobili, on the other hand, has had his minutes managed for years now. This has allowed him to remain a solid reserve, as he has been for the majority of his NBA career. 

Joining the two in their prime superstars and cast of veterans, the Spurs have their typical group of high performing role players. Danny Green struggled for the majority of the season offensively, but showed signs of turning it around late. He played his typically good defense though, adding to the Spurs' league leading unit. Other vets like Boris Diaw, David West and Patty Mills gave San Antonio the production they are used to. Diaw is a mainstay for the Spurs at this point and Mills is close to that level as well. West came to San Antonio on a very cheap deal and he shot a career high 55% while coming off the bench for the first time in years. 

The Spurs supplemented the veterans with newcomers Boban Marjanovic and Jonathon Simmons, as well as Kyle Anderson. In limited roles, all three players showed signs of becoming rotation players. Marjanovic showed good touch, solid rebounding, and excellent defensive instincts. Simmons is an athletic player who can get up and down the floor. His energy is a welcomed addition to a Spurs bench that sometimes lacks that sort of punch. Anderson gives the Spurs solid all-around play, almost as sort of a junior version of Boris Diaw. He’s not as bulky as Diaw or that type of defender, but Anderson is developing into a high end reserve.

This summer, same as the last couple of summers before it, the Spurs could be saying goodbye to both Duncan and Ginobili. Both players have player options for next season and both considering retirement. Given that Duncan and Ginobili can still play and that the Spurs are title contenders, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them both return. It is also realistic to envision both players opting out of their deals and signing for less money to free up some additional cap space for the Spurs.

David West isn’t likely to come quite as cheap this time around. He also has a player option, and with the Spurs having other options up front, West may look for either a bigger pay day or a team where he can have a bigger role. All accounts are that West enjoyed his time in San Antonio, so he could wait and see what the offseason brings before making a decision on where to play next year based on money, role and playing time.

Marjanovic is a restricted free agent, and he showed enough potential that he could garner offers this summer. As an Arenas Free Agent, other teams are limited in what they can offer him, but they could craft something that makes the Spurs pause on matching. It is far more likely that he returns to San Antonio and likely in a bigger role.

The other free agents, Matt Bonner, Kevin Martin and Andre Miller are likely to be elsewhere next season. Bonner has hit the point where he’s more of a coach than a player. The Spurs will likely make that official this offseason and use his roster spot on a younger player. Martin and Miller were brought in during buyout season and while both had moments, they aren’t likely to be back. Martin will want to play somewhere that he can have a bigger role in the offense. And Miller may finally choose to hang them up.

While the Spurs wait on Duncan and Ginobili to decide if they want to play again, you can bet Gregg Popovich and R.C. Buford are working on contingency plans for either situation. As with most top free agents every summer, the Spurs have been linked to both Kevin Durant and Al Horford, this summer’s best free agents. San Antonio won’t have room for either player without also moving at least one of Boris Diaw or Danny Green. Given those players’ track records and so many teams having cap space, it shouldn’t be hard for the Spurs to clear space if they really have a shot at Durant or Horford. They’ve also been mentioned as landing spots for Mike Conley and potentially even Marc Gasol via trade if the Grizzlies choose to rebuild. Such is life when you’re consistently a contender for the title every year.

The Spurs' most likely path seems to be that Duncan and Ginobili return, Marjanovic is brought back, and they add a few smaller signings. Players like Jerryd Bayless, Aaron Brooks and Pablo Prigioni could be veteran options as a third PG. On the wing, the Spurs could also use a bit more depth. Possibilities here could be Arron Afflalo, Joe Johnson or Lance Thomas.

If Duncan and Ginobili retire and the Spurs have a decent amount of cap space to spend, they could get involved with defenders like Bismack Biyombo, Roy Hibbert, Joakim Noah or old friend Ian Mahinmi. A big with range like Ryan Anderson is likely out of the Spurs' price range, but he would fit well also. But Mirza Teletovic should be affordable for the same type of role. Pau Gasol could be a possibility as well, if the Spurs would rather go in the offensive direction. And Jared Dudley makes a lot of sense as a versatile veteran who seems to fit the San Antonio mold.

One thing is certain, as long as Popovich and Buford are running things and Leonard and Aldridge are in the fold; the Spurs will be title contenders. Whether that group includes the old timers making one more run, or a new cast of characters coming in for a shot at a ring, San Antonio will be playing games deep into springtime. 

Offseason Details

Guaranteed Contracts (6): LaMarcus Aldridge, Kyle Anderson, Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard, Patrick Mills, Tony Parker

Partial/Non-Guaranteed Contracts (2): Boris Diaw, Jonathon Simmons

Potential Free Agents (7): Matt Bonner (UFA), Tim Duncan (UFA – Player Option), Manu Ginobili (UFA – Player Option), Boban Marjanovic (RFA), Kevin Martin (UFA), Andre Miller (UFA), David West (UFA – Player Option)

“Dead” Money on Cap (0): None

First Round Draft Picks: # 29

Maximum Cap Space: $18,309,765

Projected Cap Space: None. $310,549 over