2018-19 Finish: 53-29 (4th seed in West), bounced by LAC in second round. 

Season Highlight: Not necessarily game action, but I believe pulling off the Embiid trade is easily the highlight of the year for the Spurs. They kept pace record wise with their previous season, and didn’t have massive playoff success so the move that set them up nicely for the future has to top the list.

Season Lowlight: Not exactly heartbreaking, but being bounced in the second round is the lowlight of an otherwise impressive year. Nothing to hang their head at, as LAC went on to the Finals, but the Spurs are close to knocking them off, and 2019 could be the year. 

Best Trade: The Atlanta Hawks send Jrue Holiday to the Charlotte Hornets. The Charlotte Hornets send Gary Harris to the Atlanta Hawks. The Charlotte Hornets send Myles Turner, Dejounte Murray and Lonnie Walker to the San Antonio Spurs. The San Antonio Spurs send Joel Embiid to the Charlotte Hornets. The Charlotte Hornets send a 1st-Rounder (Cha) to the Atlanta Hawks It’s not often that trading a superstar like Joel Embiid results in both teams involved feeling excited about the return. I think this is one of those times. Pairing a younger, less injury prone C next to Anthony Davis that will still allow the floor to be stretched and save some cap space in the short term is a great move from the Spurs, in my opinion. On that note, Embiid in Charlotte really makes them a legitimate contender in the East. The addition of two young guards in Murray and Walker to bolster the Spurs depth is also not to be forgotten. This is a win-win, and I love what the Spurs were able to do here. They didn’t lose any draft capital, either.  Worst Trade: The Miami Heat send JJ Redick and Ben McLemore to the San Antonio Spurs. The San Antonio Spurs send George Hill and Sindarius Thornwell to the Miami Heat.

The San Antonio Spurs send a 2nd-Rounder (Dal), 2nd-Rounder (Ind) and 1st-Rounder (SA) to the Miami Heat. So, I fully understand how important Redick is to an offense, but I just think this was too expensive of a price for a veteran sharp shooter who doesn’t put you over the top. Especially when you consider McLemore was released, and the Spurs sent 2 2nd’s and a first to Miami in the deal. George Hill is a quality starting guard in the league, and Thornwell is a young role player who showed some versatility at USC. Clearly he’s not going to be an All-Star, but again, just too much capitlal for Redick in my opinion.  Other Notable Trades: The San Antonio Spurs send Justin Holiday to the Washington Wizards. The Washington Wizards send Dragan Bender to the San Antonio Spurs.  This is all upside, and I love every bit of it. I feel like people forget that Bender is a true 7 footer than can straight up stroke it from deep. Also, he turns 22 during the season this year. Too young to give up on as a project if you ask me. Especially considering all the Spurs had to give up was the third best Holiday brother in the league… 

Free Agency: The Spurs has 6 players looking for new deals. 

Trey Burke: With the addition of Murray and Lonnie Walker, perhaps SAS looks to bring the 2013 NCAA Player of the Year back on a team friendly deal for back court depth? Not a priority, but could be a cheap deal. 

Wayne Ellington: Same situation as Burke regarding a team friendly deal possible next year. The 31 year old swingman could look elsewhere to join a contender, though. He’s a solid piece that can help someone win now. I’d look to bring him back if I were SAS. 

Trey Lyles: A very nice piece to have behind Davis and Turner regarding depth, but will Lyles command more money than the Spurs want to pay a backup? My eyes are locked in on this one. 

Stanley Johnson: To this point, an underwhelming career, but still has the potential to be a devastating defender. It may be pricey, but I’d be looking to hold Johnson here, and he’s a RFA so we’ll see what the Spurs decide on. The $10.62M cap hit will be taken into account, as SAS currently in the luxury tax. 

Jonas Jerebko: Jerebko may find himself in SAS again, due to cap restrictions. If Trey Lyles walks, SAS should keep Jerebko for depth. 

Dragan Bender: Bender has to be kept in my opinion, no question. They got him for practically nothing, and he will provide depth behind Turner and Davis. He will continue to stretch the floor when he comes in, giving the offense continuity. Bender should be a cheap asset that SAS should retain. 

Star: Anthony Davis scoffs at any other answer. AD led the team in points at 32.5 a game, and when coupled with 15 boards a game, makes him the undisputed leader in San Antonio. That 32.5 point mark is good for 5th in the league, when you don’t take into account the 62 game minimum to be considered. As mentioned earlier, the addition of Myles Turner and guard depth should only help Anthony Davis’ production in 2019. I’d like to see him making a little higher clip from deep, as he’s sitting at a respectable 35%. I think improved guard play will help him get some more open looks on that front. 

Goat: For a veteran wing, on a contending team, Justin Holiday really disappointed. His inefficiency in the NBA seems to have bled over to the NLL. A 31% shooting clip from deep is abysmal for a guy who considers himself a volume scorer. Paying anything over MLE for numbers like 5 PPG and 1 APGis criminal, and it's not the Spurs fault. This is exactly why Justin Holiday got dealt straight up for Dragan Bender. 

Draft Grades: Round 2, 54 overall: Oni Miye. Grade: B+ Miye made history as the first Ivy League player drafted in the NBA.  since Jerome Johnson in 1995. Miye has legit NBA length and size, and a 6’ 10” wingspan which will help him transition into a potentially lethal 3&D wing in the league. Miye can improve his shooting percentage from deep, as he sits at 37%, but he finishes well enough through traffic and has NBA athleticism. Great value pick here by the Spurs in the late second.  Round 2, 60 overall: Marinkovic Vanja. Grade: D Touted as a threat from deep who can make shot in bunches, Vanja doesn’t show up on the stat sheet. He shot 35% from three in his Euro professional league career over 5 total seasons. He was also touted @ 6’7” with solid length, but measured @ 6’4”. There were probably higher ceiling guys to take in this spot, but time will tell.   

The Future: The Spurs could be in a worse position. San Antonio faithful is just hoping that Antohny Davis’ prime doesn’t get wasted. They’re building a stronger competitor, and if Lonnie Walker and Dejounte Murray develop they could be a legitimate problem in the West. A lot hinges on the backcourts development, ad AD should continue to shoulder the weight, providing he can stay healthy. Keep an eye out for the Spurs late in the playoffs, especially if they can find someone to step up from the wing.