Followers of rebuilding groups see each staff because the enemy (generally even the one they root for.) But particular franchises obtain much more ire, not due to some lengthy standing rivalry, however future property which might be at stake.
When decide swaps, protected and unprotect picks are within the combine, generally it may well really feel such as you not solely need to beat an opponent, however crush their will. Sending them right into a tailspin that lands them within the draft lottery, and one other first spherical decide in your draft cache.
The San Antonio Spurs don’t have any unprotected picks or decide swaps coming from different groups within the 2024 draft. They need to in all probability be specializing in their very own improvement after getting the primary decide within the 2023 draft. But, there are nonetheless a number of groups that may go away followers praying on their downfall. Franchises which might be oh so near the sting of catastrophe, and the Spurs might be there to learn within the wake.
Whereas it’s protected to say followers ought to at all times be rooting in opposition to the opposite staff, listed here are some opponents that it’s best to particularly hope to fail in 2023-24.
The Milwaukee Bucks
Damian Lillard has highlighted this offseason because the marquee star on the lookout for a change of surroundings. A one-horse race to Miami appears to be the case in that state of affairs, that means that different groups are on the lookout for the following whale to amass through commerce. Enter Giannis Antetokounmpo.
This summer season Antetokounmpo appeared on the “48 minutes” podcast, the place he mentioned:
Does that sound like a participant that plans to play out the three years left on his contract it doesn’t matter what?
The Bucks are sure to be one of many groups contending for an NBA championship this season. Antetokounmpo’s greatness assures it. They’ve come up quick two years in a row now, shedding to the eighth seeded Miami Warmth within the first spherical final season. After former Spurs assistant Mike Budenholzer was changed by Adrian Griffin, Milwaukee is formally on the “pre-agency” clock. The Spurs are in prime place to learn from one other failed Bucks season.
Of all of the groups within the league, the Spurs could have the very best bundle to amass a participant like Antetokounmpo. They’ve a treasure trove of draft property, budding younger gamers like Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan and Keldon Johnson, in addition to a foundational piece in Victor Wembanyama. They may give up so much, and nonetheless put a good staff round Giannis, that will be coached by Gregg Popovich. All they want is for the Greek Freak to power his manner out.
It’s apparent how dynamic the duo of Antetokounmpo and Wembanyama can be. Two athletic freaks taking part in inside and outside. It might create one of many hardest matchups in NBA historical past. Add in some additional playmaking and capturing, and you’re looking at a possible title contender. For this reason stockpiling property is so essential. You’ve gotten the ammunition to go after the massive fish after they hook on the road.
It’s unlikely that Milwaukee will miss the playoffs. However an early exit, in addition to some respectable video games in opposition to San Antonio may have Antetokounpo contemplating making a change to the silver and black. No less than that’s what Spurs followers must be hoping for subsequent season.
The Atlanta Hawks
Alright I saved the marginally extra apparent, and fewer thrilling state of affairs for final. The Spurs personal Atlanta’s 2025 unprotected first spherical decide, a 2026 decide swap and their 2027 unprotected first spherical decide on account of the Dejounte Murray commerce. It’s so uncommon to obtain unprotected first lately, so it’s greatest to capitalize on them.
Atlanta had a tough go of it of their first 12 months with Murray, firing their coach mid-season and ending seventh within the Jap Convention. With a comparatively new entrance workplace that includes Landry Fields and Kyle Korver, in addition to a brand new coach in Quinn Snyder, it is a new period of Hawks basketball. New entrance workplace are sometimes not eager on conserving issues intact if the product on the ground is just not worthy. Which makes this a giant 12 months for the way forward for the franchise.
The Hawks didn’t make a whole lot of noise this offseason. They traded John Collins to the Jazz, and drafted Kobe Bufkin from Michigan. Principally they stood pat and counted on the interior improvement of gamers like Onyeka Okongwu, Jalen Johnson and De’Andre Hunter. Is that this staff marginally higher than the one which struggled to keep away from the play-in final season? Particularly in an improved Jap Convention, I’m not so positive.
If Atlanta underachieves, the brand new brass might be fast to make some strikes that shake the roster up. Trae Younger might be one other star who doubtlessly asks out if issues go south. A doomsday state of affairs is just not sure, however undoubtedly doable, and would make San Antonio’s draft picks much more beneficial.
The 2025 and 2026 drafts have the potential to be loaded with expertise like Cooper Flagg and Cameron Boozer. A catastrophe season crammed with turmoil may assist load the Spurs pockets with draft capital down the road. Followers of the silver and black ought to hope for the sky to fall in Atlanta in the course of the 2023-24 NBA season.
