However, after being grossly out-rebounded by the Los Angeles Lakers last season in a grueling seven-game war, Coach Popovich & R.C. Buford knew they needed to shore up the paint and make sure every rebound has a chance of falling to the Spurs. With Andre Drummond on board, the Spurs now have the league's leading rebounder of last season, who's already tallied 8,000 rebounds for his career in just eight NBA seasons. Drummond is known as Big Penguin, and now it's only more fitting as he'll don the silver-and-black, wearing #1 for the Spurs, as reigning king of the glass and more than ready to challenge Lakers superstar (fresh off signing a new 5-year max contract) Anthony Davis for each possession: A.D. vs A.D.
Acquiring Drummond meant renouncing free agency rights to Taurean Prince, a move that most Spurs fans anticipated given his up-and-down play since joining the Spurs last season. Once-upon-a-time prospect, Dragan Bender, also was let go due to his 6m team option, but the Spurs were able to absorb the team option on Jarrett Allen, the shot-blockingly athletic, albeit raw center. San Antone will have another season to develop Allen's talents, but with Drummond aboard, they can focus more on Allen's growth with their search for a star center now over."He's going to do great for us. I can't speak enough about his hustle for the ball. His passing skill reminds me a lot of Timmy, and I'm sure the two of them will have fun in training camp," Coach Popovich said at the introductory press conference. Also returning is Joe Harris, whose clutch performance in the playoffs offset streaky shooting in the regular season. He will provide nice contrast to VanVleet, with more playing time now open at the SF spot, with J.R. Smith & Nik Stauskas also moving on from the Spurs. Financial flexibility came in the form of the league granting the Spurs an exception for the remaining 10m salary of Timofey Mozgov, who despite strong play last season, underwent knee surgery, bowing out of the league on his own terms. "We were glad to have Moz. He was outstanding for us down the stretch," Popovich said.
