As the San Antonio Spurs look to bounce back from last season's disappointment, the Spurs have made their off season decisions with a return trip to the NBA Finals as their main focus. While the goal of this season is clear, the Spurs are still keeping an eye on the big picture as well.
With that in mind, the Spurs, via the team website, have made it official that the team will exercise the fourth year option on both Kawhi Leonard and Cory Joseph.
With Leonard, the Spurs have guaranteed that two members of “the Big Three” version 2.0 will be in place after Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili decide to ride off in to the sunset.
“In two seasons with the Spurs, Leonard has appeared in 122 games, averaging 9.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.49 steals in 32.8 minutes. In 35 career playoff games, the California native has averaged 11.6 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.54 steals in 33.0 minutes. “
He showed during the playoffs and the Finals he is not afraid of the big moment. After last June Leonard is ready to step in to the role of being a core player for the Spurs this season and beyond. Expect an extension to be worked out before the playoffs start and the Spurs make their annual post season run.
With Joseph, the team has given him another year to show that he can take control of the back up point guard spot. Currently the Spurs fall in the category of if you have to potential back up guards, you don’t really any back up point guards. Both have shown flashes that make you think they are ready to take control but then they follow up with a couple of games that make Coach Gregg Popovich feel that they can use some time reflecting on things at the end of the bench, especially during the playoffs.
Joseph was given another year and needs to show that the back up point guard position is his position. Averaging 3.2 points, 1.5 assists and 1.4 boards in 57 games is not going to cut it this season or going in to the future.
So Spurs’ fans, what do you think bout the Spurs exercising the team options for both players?
