The Spurs lost their top big in LaMarcus Aldridge.
Now, they’ll lose Trey Lyles, who often started at power forward next to Aldridge and also played behind Aldridge at center.
Spurs release:
San Antonio’s last seeding game is scheduled for Aug. 13 – nearly a month away. Theoretically, Lyles could have tried to return by then.
The NBA dodges a complication with the Spurs ruling him out for the rest of the season.
Lyles left the NBA’s campus for his surgery. (Disney World is in Lake Buena Vista. He underwent surgery in Orlando.) That means he faced exposure in Florida, where coronavirus cases are surging. It would have been tricky bringing him back into the bubble safely while not punishing him for requiring medical attention.
The NBA will probably face this conundrum with someone else later. But the league avoids that situation for now.
San Antonio’s problems are more pressing.
Jakob Poeltl is now the Spurs’ top center, but he fits poorly with DeMar DeRozan because they’re both non-shooters from 3-point range. Rudy Gay should see plenty of time at power forward.
Behind them, options – newly signed Tyler Zeller, Drew Eubanks, Chimezie Metu and Luka Samanic – are uninspiring.
Gregg Popovich truly must muster some magic for San Antonio to extend its record playoff streak.
