Kevin Garnett to San Antonio More Dream Than Reality for Spurs

by abournenesn

Jun 11, 2012

Kevin Garnett to San Antonio More Dream Than Reality for SpursA lot of things could happen in free agency this offseason.

Kevin Garnett joining, or even replacing, Tim Duncan with the San Antonio Spurs does not seem likely to be one of them.

Because offhand remarks often set off the most absurd speculation, the report that a person within the San Antonio Spurs had "tossed out" Garnett as a free agent possibility drew a lot of attention. Apparently the Spurs, who handle aging players as well as anyone in the NBA, feel they could have some success with another 36-year-old big man.

The problems with such a team-up are legion, of course, starting with the players' relationship with each other. Unlike Paul Pierce, who relishes playing with Garnett, Duncan is not known for his affection for The Big Ticket. In fact, according to a recent Sports Illustrated article, Duncan despises Garnett "the way liberals hate Sean Hannity." Asked in that same article if the years have endeared Garnett to Duncan the way Larry Bird and Magic Johnson eventually developed a kinship, Duncan paused before responding, "Define 'kinship.'"

In other words, Duncan probably will not be busting down the door of general manager R.C. Buford's office clamoring for the Spurs to sign Garnett.

For the right price, almost any players can be convinced to set aside their differences, but in this case the financial considerations may be no less problematic than the personal ones. Duncan and Garnett, both free agents, are surely due to make less next season than their current $21 million deals, if they choose not to retire. Yet the Spurs will hardly be swimming in free cash. Manu Ginobili, 34, Tony Parker, 30, and Stephen Jackson, 34, are guaranteed about $36.6 million next season.

Even if Duncan and Garnett are each signed at, say, half their current earnings, it would put the Spurs in a payroll bind that could necessitate shipping out one of their key perimeter players or cutting into their deep bench. The Spurs are well aware of this, of course, which is why the story did not outline the extent to which the front office would go to try to sign Garnett.

Granted, the money gets more manageable if Duncan retires, but that was not the crux of the San Antonio Express-News' story — headlined "Duncan and Garnett — together at last?" — and it seems doubtful Garnett would leave Doc Rivers, Pierce and the comfort of Boston for an unfamiliar, Duncan-less setting on the Paseo del Rio.

Above all, though, Garnett simply does not seem to fit with the Spurs' style of play. The last two years have seen the Spurs transform from a plodding, defense-oriented halfcourt juggernaut into a fast-paced, high-scoring unit led by Parker, Ginobili and free-shooting reserves like George Hill and Gary Neal. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich could presumably readjust his system to accommodate two twin towers, but would it really make sense to ditch a system built around an MVP candidate in Parker for one built around two big men in their mid-30s?

So there it is. From personal, financial and basketball standpoints, Garnett and the Spurs do not appear to be realistic partners. On this count, at least, Celtics fans who want to see Garnett back in green can probably rest assured.

Then again, crazier things have happened.

Have a question for Ben Watanabe? Send it to him via Twitter at @BenjeeBallgame  or send it here.

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