For the Spurs, Transition is coming...

[mfbmike]

One question for the San Antonio Spurs: Now what?

Sure, it's possible the Spurs can put together a nice effort on their homecourt in Game 5 on Tuesday night and push their series against the Mavericks to a sixth game in Dallas.

And maybe the Spurs could even follow that up with an unlikely Game 6 win on the road and make their first-round series a seven-gamer.

And who knows, the Spurs might even be able to complete the unforeseen trifecta of victories and make a surprise appearance in Round 2.

These are not likely scenarios for the Spurs, but since they're the Spurs they should be afforded the respect they deserve. And the respect they deserve is to not be counted out of a series when they're down 3-1 in.

Still ...

No matter if the Spurs go meekly on Tuesday in San Antonio or they gut out a few more wins before they're eventually eliminated, they're at a crossroads. The Spurs just aren't the Spurs we've come to know anymore.

Their heart and soul, Tim Duncan, is 33 years old and Manu Ginobili, who is hurt right now, will be 32 this offseason and has some hard mileage on his frame. We're talking natural wear and tear here ... factors that can't be overturned.

The Spurs have been almost universally praised over the past decade as a well-run organization and well-run basketball team. How can you argue? Since 1999, four NBA titles.

But it's going to be interesting to see how they handle their upcoming transition.

Tony ParkerIt's not hard to see coming. Duncan and Ginobili are on the downside and, other than Tony Parker, there is no budding star or even sure thing on the horizon when it comes to younger players.

Yes, the Spurs have managed the cap well, but they still have to pay three bona-fide stars, and each makes good money into the near future. Duncan is under contract for three more seasons, Ginobili two and Parker one.

Bruce Bowen and Fabricio Oberto aren't guaranteed past this season, but Matt Bonner, Kurt Thomas and Roger Mason are signed through 2010. There doesn't seem to be any conceivable way the Spurs get better unless they surround Duncan, Ginobili and Parker with an improved supporting cast, and immediately.

It was alarming what was going on – or not going on – around Duncan and Parker on Saturday. The futility of the Spurs' role players was front and center for all to see.

It's now obvious why the Spurs were in the mix to sign Corey Maggette as a free agent last summer before the Warriors came in and doubled his money.

Mason has been a nice surprise, but Maggette would at least be giving the Spurs the kind of option they don't have right now. The kind of option that's not even on their roster.

No, it wouldn't be wise to count out the Spurs, even though they're down 3-1. But no matter what happens against Dallas, the Spurs will have some issues to address.

What do you guys think? Should the Spurs shift to rebuilding mode or make a solid attempt to get another player this offseason? If so, what are possible options? Maggette in a Spurs uniform this season would've worked wonders. Shame the lowly Warriors managed to double his money. That whole Clippers/Warriors player swap last offseason was so dumb.

[Palooza]

Maaaan. I hate the Spurs. I hope their "rebuilding process" takes 30 years.

[mfbmike]

I'm sure there's a potential FA that would be willing to take an exception for a shot to play with a proven winner. Health permitting of course.

[Vinsane]

If I'm the Spurs I pull the plug now.

I've been living in San Antonio for only two months now and I've seen what this team is to this City. It's life.

The Spurs organization has put together one of the best franchises in the past decade, nearly winning a Championship every other year. I think if you pull the plug now and get younger you'll have less of a fallout and can rebound well. Give them a few years, a lottery pick in a draft and they're right back in it. They have the blueprint for success they just need to put newer cogs in the machine and get it running again. I know how hard it is to find players like Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobilli and Tony Parker. Start searching now though.

[mfbmike]

That was kind of my idea as well. Look at the talent Minnesota got for KG. (Jefferson + what was originally the O.J. Mayo pick)

The Spurs could easily get a whole lot in return for those older guys now and pave the way for the future as opposed to just letting their contracts expire and get nothing in return.

[A Tasty Burgerr]

I think they should add a solid vet with the MLE (unless they've used it already, not sure) and have one more go, then begin the rebuilding process in 10-11.

If they would've pulled the trigger on the rumored Sheed trade they could have made alot more noise in the playoffs.

[NAHSTE]

One more go with a guy added into the mix.

[The Messenger]

Sheed could still sign with San Antonio, giving them another legitimate big man when Duncan is on the bench/out. They are only a few pieces and health away from being Championship contenders again.

A healthy Manu, Parker, Duncan + their supporting cast + Rasheed = Contenders to the Lakers.

Rebuilding right now doesn't make the most sense. Ginobili is getting older, but he will still garner a lot of value after next season. Same goes for Tony Parker.

If the post season next year goes the same way or the Spurs are some how way out of the playoff race by the deadline, then you make the moves.

[A Tasty Burgerr]

I think if Sheed isn't looking for more than the MLE (and he may not have a choice) that San Antonio is definitely a possibility. There just aren't enough teams with cap space to make him an offer for what he's probably going to be looking for.

[SuperNova854]

correction: the wolves pick that got them Mayo wasn't from the Celtics. The Celtics pick they got was the 30th pick. The 3rd pick was there own. Unless you are talking about the trade making them suck enough to get the 3rd pick.

[MrBill]

The Spurs have to have the Big 3 hitting on all cylinders to do anything. When Manu was declared out for the postseason, I knew the Spurs wouldn't be winning it all in the "odd" year as is their style. Next season, Manu will probably be at full strength (if he DOESN'T spend all offseason playing for Argentina) and Tony Parker will still be at the height of his skills. Timmy has a few more good years left in him but I think the downward trend in his skills will begin to emerge in '10.

If they can get somebody via FA or draft, then I don't know if rebuilding this upcoming season would be the right thing. If the Big 3 are healthy, I think they could have one and only one more shot at a title before going into rebuilding mode.

[Vinsane]

Waiting to see if these guys are going to be healthy through 09-10' is the exact move the Spurs don't want to make if they're going to rebuild. You have to pull the trigger now, reason being. Another season of injuries and what they could get in trade value drops dramatically. Teams won't see playoff pieces, they'll see old, broken down players. I'm not trying to disrespect what these guys have done but they do have a lot of miles on them, and it shows.

By pulling the Trigger THIS off season you're going to get A TON in return as opposed to waiting and seeing where you are trade deadline next year, or the playoffs, if they make it. All the other teams in the West are going to age too, think of the teams on the outside looking in though. Grizzlies, Thunder, and the Timberwolves. They're young teams ready to make that jump, waiting another season with the players San Antonio has, they realistically could be just like Phoenix, next season.

The shape that the west is in, you have to get younger now. And build towards the next decade. A lot of the teams in the west that are the "elite" teams, their days are numbered as well. If I'm San Antonio I'm beating everyone to the punch and starting the rebuilding early.

[Vinsane]

they really dont have the cap flexibiity to do anything substantial this offseason. they have a handful of ~$3-4M expiring deals after next season (k.thomas, bowen, oberto, mason, bonner, finley) but it's not like they are going to get anything impactful back for them. manu's deal is done after next season, too. they need to convince sheed to take a paycut for a one-year deal, give it a run next year, and then tear it down.

and clearly, manu's days of international b-ball are done as long as he is in a spurs uniform. there's no way they let him play 5 minutes for another team this summer

Right, which is why you let go of high profile players and not these scrubs.

Thomas, Bowen, Oberto, Mason, Bonner, Finley. Role players, none of these guys stand out. And you already have them at good value, so resign them to one-two year deals at 3-4M. Hell you could probably convince them that teams arn't looking at them and maybe bump contracts down to 2-3M at best. Resign them as roster fillers and move your big names, Duncan, Manu. Teams will give up picks, prospects AND $$$ for a chance to try to catch lightening with these guys.

A rebuild process isn't going to be a flash in the pan, it's going to take three years minimal. Get great value for your stars now. Use small contracts expiring to pick up YOUNGER role players. Draft, which is something the Spurs are great at. And with all that cap space from your stars. If something does happen in 2010, San Antonio becomes a prime candidate.

At some point you have to let your "cornerstones" go.

[ATL Jones Bro]

I think the Spurs need to start rebuilding. As alot have said they have like 1 more year left in them to try for another title. I say go over seas and do that amazing Foreign scouting that you always do and get a nice player in the draft.

[jags224]

Thomas, Oberto, Finley, Vaughn, Udoka all need to leave. Duncan, Parker, Ginobili, Mason, Gooden, Hill and Bonner need to come back. Bowen can be kept but more of a mentor than a player, give him 5-10 minutes every night. Iverson is a possibility for the Spurs and he can start. 'Sheed is a possibility for the Spurs and he can start. IMO the Spurs need a SF type player like Caron Butler or Gerald Wallace that can take a game over with his defense and then convert it into offense.

Also, Duncan, Parker nor Manu are gonna get traded. All 3 will retire Spurs'. The Spurs Organization is just so loyal that wouldn't happen. Maybe Manu is the only one that has like a 5% chance of getting traded but Parker/Duncan are clearly untouchable. Put Duncan on any team in the NBA and they are clearly title contenders.

i see manu and duncan retiring as a spur not parker, timmy D is 33 and manu is turning 32 so they dont have a lot of time left playing , but on the other hand parker is only 26 years old, i think people forget how young this kid really is, he still has a hell of alot more time playing