The San Antonio Spurs may be planning to make a splash in free agency. San Antonio have interest in Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol and Detroit Pistons forward Greg Monroe, according to a report from Basketball Insiders' Steve Kyler.
San Antonio usually doesn't make a big splash in free agency, but that could change this season.
"The Spurs have a target list and it includes many of the same names other teams like - Gasol being the biggest of the bunch," Kyler wrote Tuesday. "The Spurs' plan to be at Gasol's doorstep at 12:01 on July 1, with the offer to be part of the future of the Spurs. The Spurs were also believed to be the team with the most interest in Monroe last summer."
Gasol is the hottest name this summer, and he'll have teams lining up to sign him. In addition to San Antonio, the Los Angeles Lakers, the New York Knicks, the Boston Celtics and the Pistons are all expected to toss their hat in for the two-time NBA All-Star. Although there're several big-name teams with the cap space to sign him, most NBA insiders believe Gasol will ultimately re-sign with Memphis after the season.
Two things working in San Antonio's favor, though, is having both coach Gregg Popovich and a history of winning. Popovich arguably helped turn center Tim Duncan into the player he is today, and the fact that San Antonio is the NBA's model franchise should at least catch Gasol's attention if they come knocking in July.
It's still uncertain whether Duncan will retire after the season. Even if he didn't, it's hard to believe the Spurs would pass up on signing the younger Gasol if given the opportunity. Whether San Antonio lands Gasol or Monroe will also likely determine what happens in the offseason with players like Danny Green and Marco Belinelli.
