NBA Power Rankings: How Close to Last Are Rebuilding Spurs?

After trading Dejounte Murray, the Spurs are in position to be one of the league's worst teams.

The San Antonio Spurs could be prepping for a plethora of losses this season as one of the worst teams in the NBA. 

The last time the Spurs finished below 30 wins was in the 1996-1997 season, which resulted in the No. 1 draft selection of someone named Tim Duncan. The Spurs could have enough luck with lottery balls to be in contention for another top selection, but hoping for such events could be a waste of time.

Still, the team would be foolish not to at least try and acquire French superstar Victor Wembanyama, who is seemingly the unanimous choice to go No. 1 overall despite the 2023 NBA Draft being a little over 10 months away. 

In the meantime, the Spurs, still led by coach Gregg Popovich, are unlikely to intentionally tank games in order to be in the 25 percent range of landing the No. 1 pick in the draft lottery. 

But if The Athletic's latest power rankings are any indication, the Spurs may not have to tank on purpose to get close to such odds.

The site revealed its updated offseason power rankings Wednesday and has the Spurs ranked dead last at No. 30. 

Absolutely not, and that's the design. Ever since Kawhi Leonard was traded, the San Antonio Spurs have been struggling to find that next franchise guy. After a fairly brief dance with DeMar DeRozan, the Spurs have now sent Murray to Atlanta and gone full youth movement to embrace the tank. They added three intriguing rookies to the mix. This rebuild project will likely target Victor Wembanyama - the Tim Burton character from France. Develop the young guys this year and hope you're graced with lottery luck as we saw in 1997.

The Spurs are projected to be led by Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell next season, two talented players that have taken major strides since being drafted.

Overall, there isn't a lack of talent in San Antonio. But with so much youth and the absence of a true second or even third-rate star, the Spurs' home at the bottom of weekly power rankings could become a common residence this season.

The Spurs begin preseason play against the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center on Sunday, Oct. 2.

---

You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Spurs? Click Here.

Follow Inside the Spurs on Twitter.