Second Unit
G Patty Mills (19-21), G Derrick White (22-24), G/F Manu Ginobili/Marco Belinelli (combined 33-35), F Davis Bertans (20-22), C Jakob Poeltl (19-21)
Mills will be the point guard of this group on defense, but White and Ginobili (if he returns) are better equipped to handle the ball-handling duties. Mills operates best off the ball — unfortunately, he had to handle the ball a lot last season.
White is a massive sleeper this year. He was the offensive hub for the Austin Spurs of the G-League last year throughout their championship-winning campaign. The 24-year-old Colorado alum is a three-level scorer who has scored at least 17 points in 22 of his last 23 G-League and Summer League games (not including the contest last week against the Wizards in which he injured his hamstring). He’s also a solid facilitator and a strong defensive playmaker at 6’5″.
If Ginobili returns, he and Belinelli will split time on the wing with this bench unit, depending on who’s playing well. If the future Hall of Famer retires, expect his minutes to be spread across rest of this unit and some of the deep reserves.
Bertans earned a two-year, $15 million deal this offseason. It may seem like an overpay, but the Latvian stretch forward was much better last season when he got rotation minutes.
Late to this, but I don't mind the Bertans contract. He was very good in 17-18 when his role was consistent, which it should be next year. When he got at least 10 minutes last season, these were his per-36 numbers:
16.3 pts, 5 reb, 2.4 ast, 1.1 tov, 46/39/83 shooting (61 TS%)
— Jared Johnson (@jaredtjohnson21) July 13, 2018
Poeltl is an intriguing prospect and will eventually be the Spurs’ starting center. His skill set is similar to that of former Spur Tiago Splitter. However, Poeltl is a bit more explosive. At 22 years old, he still needs to learn better how to avoid turnovers and fouls.
Next page: The Deep Bench
