The San Antonio Spurs are linked to Kevin Durant, a player Greg Popovich has long admired.
This summer, the San Antonio Spurs found themselves at the heart of NBA trade rumors, including Kevin Durant, Giannis Anteto Compo, Cameron Johnson and Laurimalkanen.
The Spurs’ most realistic target is Durant, and it appears to be focusing on finding a way to San Antonio. However, the Phoenix Suns reportedly rejected offers from both the Spurs and the Houston Rocket, and San Antonio may not be happy to meet the Sans’ asking price.
But in the not-so-distant past, legendary head coach Greg Popovich “pleaded” Durant to join his team.
In 2019, in his first year as Team USA head coach, Popovich and the Americans failed to win medals at the FIBA World Cup on an embarrassing show. Popovich’s 2019 roster didn’t lack the established NBA superstars, but they were still favorites in the tournament.
Their scar-ridden team USA has assembled a cast of far better players in time for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (which took place in 2021). Durant is a key player.
Durant played just 35 games in the season due to Achilles’ injury, but he was Team USA’s best player as he won Olympic Gold.
Durant quickly agreed to play under Popovich at the Olympics, and Pop didn’t hold back when he explained how important it was to his gold medal effort.
“If he said no, I would have pleaded, wept, and did whatever I could to change my mind,” Popovich said in 2021.
The Spurs have the assets to easily pull Durant’s deal this summer. This certainly would please a positive score.
At an emotional press conference where Popovich announced his retirement from coaching, he announced that he would transition to become boss “El Jeff” and continue to serve as president of the basketball business.
Between CEO RC Buford, general manager Brian Wright, manager Mitch Johnson and Popovich, the Spurs have a room full of qualified decision makers.
The choice to add Durant to Team USA was simple. Which players will help Americans win?
The Spurs’ choice is not as easy as looking at a longer timeline of competition far beyond a single summer.
In vacuum, the 2021 Durant is a great addition, and the 2025 Durant is also great. However, the Spurs are not operating in vacuum and have to sacrifice many promising future assets for the aging star.
Popovich has wanted Durant in the past, but he certainly has the leverage to take him to town, but his priorities are very different.