The San Antonio Spurs say the drama is behind them, and they are ready for a productive 2018-2019 season, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
Spur LaMarcus Aldridge met with reporters on the Spurs annual media day today. The team's first pre season game is this Sunday night, and the regular season begins on Ocober 17.
The NBA is stretching out the regular season this year amid complaints that too many teams were 'resting' their key players during away games, depriving fans of the opportunity to see the superstars.
Aldridge joked that he 'didn't want to talk about' the whole off season drama surrounding Kawhi Leonard, but he is pleased with the team the Spurs will put on the floor.
"We're happy to turn the page," he said. "DeMar (DeRozen) is here, and he is happy and he is motivated. I have played open gym with us, and he is motivated, and he's going to make us better."
DeRozen was acquired from Toronto in exchange for Leonard in one of the biggest trades of the NBA off season.
Aldridge also commented on the departure of veterans Manu Ginobili (retirement) and Tony Parker (signed as a free agent by the Charlotte Hornets).
"When you come to an organization with three or four guys who have been here for a hundred years, basically, you don't think that things that turn over that quick, but you see things changing, I welcome new challenges, and this is just one of them."
Aldridge praised the young players will be filling out the roster that was announced today by the Spurs. He said under the direction of veteran Coach Gregg Popovich, he is confident the Spurs will field a quality team.
Just how young is this Spurs team? The player on the Training Camp Roster who has been with the Spurs the longest--is Paddy Mills.
SPURS TRAINING CAMP ROSTER COURTESY OF SAN ANTONIO SPURS