Prospects, transitions, mentorship.

The Spurs drafted French slasher Malcolm Cazalon.

With the big names having signed on the dotted line, the Spurs filled out the new roster satisfyingly. Malcolm Cazalon will slide in behind Dejounte Murray, a slashing rookie prospect out of France to wear #7, under Murray's tutelage. P.J. Tucker, one of his idols, will work closely with Kent Bazemore this season to cement a defensive identity on his new team and Andre Drummond will guide Jarrett Allen most likely toward a big contract extension of his own, soon.

Team identity and warm culture is big in Spurs territory, as Coach Popovich and Assistant Coach Tim Duncan exemplify the bond and symbiosis between two winners. Allen Crabbe will back up Bazemore on the wing, signing a minimum deal after running through a lucrative contract of his own (with some detractors having questioned the performance/salary ratio over the years).

Sliding in behind Andre Drummond & Jarrett Allen is Johnathan Williams out of Gonzaga on a two-way contract, somewhat of a journeyman thus far in his pro career (Lakers, Maccabi, Wizards) but still just 24 years of age. His college coach at Gonzaga, Mark Few, spoke highly of Williams: ''Johnathan is a very high character young man." Despite being only 6'9", Williams is very athletic and has thrown down hammer-jams early in his career and has averaged 6 rebounds per game.


Making the money work is one way to sum up the re-signing of Joe Harris, who came up big in the playoffs, especially when Brandon Ingram went down with an injury against the hungry Utah Jazz. The Spurs will certainly not lack shooting, as Bazemore plans to shore up Harris' already-solid perimeter defense. Leading the way are Dejounte Murray & Brandon Ingram, but it is most relieving to have a third star on the team now, especially a fierce post presence like Andre Drummond.

"I can't wait," Murray spoke at Media Day about the addition of the Big Penguin. Drummond has a knack for second-chance dunks and alley-oop smashes, so the home crowd will be thrilled. The first challenge of the season? Taking on a healthy Brooklyn Nets team led by a resurgent Kevin Durant (after a torn achilles) & Kyrie Irving (fresh off shoulder surgery this past summer). The Warriors, meanwhile, will also have rookie Memphis stud James Wiseman in the middle and especially a healthy Klay Thompson, starting at small forward as trade rumors still surrounds D'Angelo Russell.

In other big moves, LaMarcus Aldridge signed with the Atlanta Hawks, who drafted Anthony Edwards at #1 overall in this year's NBA Draft; Marc Gasol joined the Lakers and DeMarr DeRozan left the Raptors for the Orlando Magic, who'd been pursuing him last season.

The Lakers signed the player the Spurs chose against, in favor of Drummond, despite the desired contract financial difference, and also joining LeBron & Anthony Davis is JaVale McGee in the middle, but also former Cavaliers stand-out point guard Matthew Dellavedova and hybrid forward Jeff Green, not signed back by Utah, who LeBron's played with in the past along with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope & Troy Daniels. Carmelo Anthony, after a resurrection of a season, has re-upped with the Trail Blazers and LaMelo Ball is a Knickerbocker, having gone #3 overall in the NBA Draft.