Spurs with Popovich
Jun 8, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich talks to forward Tim Duncan (21) guard Tony Parker (9) and forward Kawhi Leonard (2) against the Miami Heat in game two of the 2014 NBA Finals at AT&T Center. The Heat won 98-96. Reuters/Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Even before the 2015-2016 NBA Season starts, the San Antonio Spurs were already declared runaway winners—at least during the summer when they acquired the top free agent in the market, LaMarcus Aldridge. Along with veteran big man Tim Duncan plus rising young star Kawhi Leonard, the Texas team is pegged as one of the favourites not only to win the Western Conference but the NBA championship for the upcoming season.

Chasing Aldridge was the number one priority for this aging squad and they were successful in netting the former franchise player for the Portland Trail Blazers who was also courted by the likes of the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns and Toronto Raptors, among other NBA teams.

Aldridge vs. Duncan in 2014
May 14, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) is defended by Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (left) in game five of the second round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Reuters/Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

The arrival of Aldridge in Texas is expected to give the Spurs additional offensive firepower to help out 39-year-old Duncan and 33-year-old Boris Diaw down low. San Antonio also acquired veteran power forward David West, who took a major discount in this offseason, as he chose to join a Spurs team that has a legit chance of winning an NBA championship.

Aldridge averaged 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.0 blocked shots in his final year with the Trail Blazers, a team he has played for the last nine seasons. West logged in 11.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists for the Indiana Pacers last season.

West vs. Duncan in 2014
Mar 31, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward David West (21) shoots the ball over San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Reuters/Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports

While Aldridge and West are good additions, the Spurs’ chances in the upcoming season will rely on Leonard’s continued growth towards stardom. In four years in the league, the versatile 24-year-old forward, who can effectively play on both ends of the floor, has increased his averages in all categories since joining the Spurs as a mid-first round pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.

In the 2014-2015 NBA Season, Leonard averaged 16.5 points (team-high), 7.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.3 steals in the regular season. He upped some of those averages in the postseason, logging in 20.3 points (team-high) and 7.4 rebounds.

The Spurs in 2013
(L-R) San Antonio Spurs' Manu Ginobili, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard react against the Golden State Warriors during Game 4 of their NBA Western Conference semi-final playoff basketball game in Oakland, California May 12, 2013. Reuters/Robert Galbraith

The old guys in the team, Duncan (13.9 points, 9.1 rebounds and 1.9 blocked shots per game), 33-year-old Tony Parker, 38-year-old Manu Ginobili, 33-year-old Diaw are expected to have lesser roles offensively in the upcoming season but the new acquisitions, plus Leonard, are pegged to assume some of the offensive load for San Antonio.

2015-2016 San Antonio Spurs Projected Depth Chart:

Point Guards: Tony Parker/Patty Mills
Shooting Guards: Danny Green/Manu Ginobili/ Jonathon Simmons/Jimmer Fredette
Small Forwards: Kawhi Leonard/Kyle Anderson/Reggie Williams
Power Forwards: LaMarcus Aldridge/David West/Matt Bonner
Centre: Tim Duncan/Boris Diaw/Boban Marjanovic

More 2015-2016 NBA Previews:
Memphis Grizzlies to continue ‘Grit N’ Grind’ style in new season

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