Spurs Expected to Take Step Back Next Season

DeMar DeRozan is now a Chicago Bull, and the San Antonio Spurs are lacking a star to lead them in the Western Conference. 

San Antonio, who had an underwhelming offseason by signing Doug McDermott and Zach Collins, is on the outside of the playoff picture at WynnBET heading into the 2021-22 season. 

The Spurs, despite finishing with the No. 10 seed last season and making the NBA’s Play-In Tournament, are -1500 to miss the postseason next season and just +800 to make the field. 

That’s a massive step back for a Spurs team that had a chance to earn the No. 8 seed last season. Losing DeRozan is a big reason why, but oddsmakers seem to be lacking confidence in the Spurs’ young core of Keldon Johnson, Devin Vassell, Derrick White, Dejounte Murray and Joshua Primo.

Primo, the No. 12 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, was looked at as a bit of a reach, but he proved in the Summer League that he can really score the ball and create his own shot.

That will go a long way for a Spurs team that is looking to replace DeRozan’s offense, but in a loaded Western Conference, oddsmakers don’t see a path for the Spurs to make the postseason. 

Most of last year’s playoff teams stayed intact, and the Golden State Warriors will be getting Klay Thompson back after losing both of their play-in games last season. 

That means the Spurs would likely have to jump one of the Memphis Grizzlies, Warriors, Dallas Mavericks or Portland Trail Blazers next season. Even if the Los Angeles Clippers struggle a bit without Kawhi Leonard, it’s hard to see this young Spurs team making its way into the final eight for the postseason. 

Gregg Popovich is an all-time coach, but there’s simply not enough proven talent to risk betting on the Spurs, even at +800 odds, until we see how this team operates in the regular season.

The odds listed in this breakdown are available over at WynnBET. Make your pick.