Kevin Durant (Photo : YouTube/BBadll)
Dejounte Murray (Photo : Twitter)
The San Antonio Spurs are quietly building a dynasty again. They don't get too much hype, but they get the job done.
They scored the top free agent last year in LaMarcus Aldridge and may do so again with Kevin Durant. With their Conference Semifinals loss to the OKC Thunder, they have enough motivation to improve.
If they would pursue Durant, they need to free up some cap space, as illustrated by team site Air Alamo. They need to make a trade to a team which can absorb salaries into space without sending some back.
In the scenario shown in the Alamo, they would take back Jahlil Okafor for Tony Parker, Danny Green and Patty Mills, but to acquire Durant, they may trade for future picks-similar to a salary dump. The Sixers struck out on trying to trade for Kris Dunn, their target point guard of the future. The Spurs package gives them both veteran leadership and shooting.
It won't be easy for the Spurs to trade Parker but it would be necessary to sign Durant. Thus, this trade would not happen unless the Spurs have already reached an agreement with the former MVP. This trade would also allow Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili to return for one more run.
Speaking of Parker, the Spurs actually drafted a possible replacement yesterday. According to Chad Ford of ESPN Insider, the San Antonio once again showed their mastery (wizardry?) in the draft by somehow getting point guard Dejounte Murray with the 29th pick.
"The Spurs continue to find ways to solve the draft from low positions," Ford stated. "Landing Murray at No. 29 was the steal of the draft and earned the Spurs my only A+ of the night."
Ford's assessment: "Murray has a chance to be an All-Star-caliber guard. He's terrific off the bounce, getting to the rim and making plays for others. He's a great rebounder, he's tough and he has a flair for passing the ball. He needs to become a better shooter, but it feels like the Spurs just added another important piece to their quiet rebuild."
It is also notable that Parker was picked 29th by the Spurs and had a long, fulfilling career. Murray could have a similar arc.
By drafting Murray, the Spurs can now pursue Durant instead of Mike Conley. Conley was rumored as a Spurs target as their series with the Thunder showed Parker's struggles with an athletic Russell Westbrook. Murray could address that and of course, Durant would address everything else.
