Signing free agent LaMarcus Aldridge was one of several smart moves that should help the Spurs remain a contender for years, writes Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe. San Antonio also added David West to strengthen its bench and reached long-term deals with Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green. General manager R.C. Buford said the franchise took advantage of a unique opportunity. “The free agent market had some people that may consider San Antonio, which is closer to their home,” Buford said. “That won’t happen every year and this was our chance to see if we could make it work, and fortunately for us it did.”
There’s more this afternoon from San Antonio:
- West’s contract includes a player option for a second season, tweets Shams Charania of RealGM. Because West signed for the veteran’s minimum, he is almost certain to opt out.
- Cady Lalanne doesn’t expect to spend next season with the Spurs, but overseas trips are nothing new for him, writes Mike Monroe of The Express News. The late second-round pick came to the United States with his family from Haiti in an overcrowded boat at age 6. He went on to star at the University of Massachusetts and caught the eyes of Spurs brass in a private workout two days before the draft. “He came in and had a really good workout,” Buford said. “He’s an athletic big guy that has a really good shooting form.”
- Serbian center Boban Marjanovic’s contract with the Spurs is for one year at a guaranteed $1.2MM, tweets Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders. The 7’3″ center has been a professional since 2006 and made the All-Euroleague First Team for 2015, according to Monroe.
- Even though he had to wait for his contract, Matt Bonner is excited to be returning to the Spurs for another season, writes Dan McCarney of The Express News. The veteran sharpshooter re-signed Wednesday for the veteran’s minimum. “I’m not naive enough to think I’m a top priority at this point in my career,” he said. “I knew I just had to be patient and let the process take its course.”