If Leonard is not returning, I could see PATFO trading LMA and Gay and whatever other parts they can get rid of, making next year the tank year and Pop handing off to Messina. Problem is in today's NBA you need at least 2 all-stars and preferably 2+ HOFers to contend for a title, possibly more. Leonard was one, Parker is way past his prime, Ginobili is probably done after this year, LMA has been doing a pretty damn good job considering, but he's a high-volume shooter who is all about the mid-block ISO game, which has basically wrecked any beautiful-game era passing and sharing we had. That's also my theory on why Danny has sucked so much ass since that shift. We're one of the few half court grind-it-out teams left in an up-tempo era. Our Defense is the only reason it kinda sorta works. Our new point guard might be an all-star some day, but I see his ceiling as a step below Rajon Rondo - good but not a game changer. So where are you going to find 2 more HOFers who will come down to SA? In the draft?
I hate to say this, but I think we're on the slippery slope toward mediocrity. PATFO is going to keep us good enough to not get a decent draft placement, and as a result we're not going to get the Duncan or Robinson we need. It could be a many-years-in-the-wilderness situation we're looking at. Hopefully that means the Horns are due to not suck.