This NBA offseason has already been interesting and it has not even formally begun. With rumors of where Dwyane Wade will land, and Kevin Love opting out of his contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, amongst other items, everyone will be tuned in at the start of next season. Today, some major news is coming out of San Antonio. According to ESPN, the Spurs franchise is optimistic that aging veterans Tim Duncan, 39, and Manu Ginobili, 39, will return to play next season. Both men, who will become free agents this Wednesday, will be offered reduced contracts in order to allow the team to resign restricted free agent Kawhi Leonard and pursue LaMarcus Aldridge.
Aldridge, who has been at odds with the Portland Trailblazers front office, is 99% sure he will be leaving the team according to ESPN The Magazine’s Chris Broussard. With that said, Aldridge has expressed that San Antonio is at the top of his list for possible destinations. Followed by the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks. Aldridge played High School basketball in Dallas and played closer to San Antonio during his college years at the University of Texas in Austin.
As for Duncan and Ginobili, the duo have not yet formally confirmed or denied whether or not they will play next season but the team not only feel strongly that they will return but are bold enough to offer them reduced contracts. Being competitive the past few seasons, landing in the NBA Finals 2 of the last 3 years, winning one of them, an improving Leonard and the addition of Aldridge would give a major boost to their stock in the western conference.
Rocko Rathon (@Rocko_CNK)
