Inside The Spurs

Spurs Starter, Friday, August 9, 2024: Spurs' New Downtown Arena Plans Become Clearer

Your daily briefing on what's going on with the San Antonio Spurs, including news, draft & more.

Matt Guzman

Jan 13, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; The San Antonio Spurs Coyote performs in the second half against the Chicago Bulls at Frost Bank Center.
Jan 13, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; The San Antonio Spurs Coyote performs in the second half against the Chicago Bulls at Frost Bank Center. / Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
In this story:

Happy Friday, Por Vida fans! Welcome to your morning Spurs Starter.

It's no secret that the San Antonio Spurs remain at the heart of the South Texas city. As culture-driven as San Antonio is, the Spurs fit right in. That's how it's always been.

And it seems that's how it will continue to be, if all goes according to plan.

Amid rumors of a new arena for the storied franchise, an open records request was made for access to city emails dating back 18 months, and what was revealed was not only news about a new arena for the Spurs, but something much larger.

Across the highway from the Alamodome — where currently, the Institute of Texan Cultures stands — would be a full-scale entertainment district.

READ MORE: 'Roca & Martillo' Oficially Open At Spurs' La Cantera Campus

“We are in the feasibility phase for a $3-4 billion Sports and Entertainment District,” Assistant City Manager Lori Houston wrote in one email obtained.

While such a monumental proposal would certainly feature far beyond just a new arena, the new home of the Spurs would undoubtedly be at the center of said district. Not only would it draw bigger crowds, but it would put a team on the up in a place nobody could miss.

Mar 26, 2021; San Antonio, Texas, USA; A general overall of the Tower of the Americas and downtown San Antonio skyline.
Mar 26, 2021; San Antonio, Texas, USA; A general overall of the Tower of the Americas and downtown San Antonio skyline. / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

That was something San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg made clear.

"Suffice it to say, we are going to continue to nurture the relationship with the Spurs," he said. "The city is interested in every opportunity, and as much flexibility as possible, in realizing the future of downtown San Antonio.

"The property where the ITC is located could prove to be a central piece of our larger plans to deliver one of the most unique downtown experiences in the nation.”

Now, on to the headlines:

THE NEWS

1. READ: KELDON JOHNSON ADAPTS TO NEWFOUND BENCH ROLE

Keldon Johnson had to endure one of the bigger changes in the San Antonio Spurs' lineup last season, settling for what became predominately a bench role with lessened offensive workload.

Read the full story at the link above.

2. READ: SPURS SIGN FREE AGENT MALACHI FLYNN TO NON-GUARANTEED DEAL

The former Detroit Pistons guard agreed to a one-year, non-guaranteed deal with the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday, Aug. 7.

Read the full story at the link above.

Detroit Pistons guard Malachi Flynn (14) before the game against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena.
Apr 3, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Malachi Flynn (14) before the game against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena. / Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

3. READ: SPURS EARN CHRISTMAS DAY MATCHUP, END 8-YEAR DROUGHT

The San Antonio Spurs will travel to New York for a highly anticipated matchup in Madison Square Garden against the red-hot New York Knicks.

Read the full story above.

THE DRAFT

Now that the 2024 NBA Draft is over, you can check out the newest Spurs and what they might bring to the team next season and down the road. Below are the some stories about the rookies selected:

Round 1, Pick No. 4: Stephon Castle

Round 2, Pick No. 36: Juan Núñez

Round 2, Pick No. 48: Harrison Ingram

THE SCHEDULE

There are 76 days until opening night of the 2024-25 NBA season, but the San Antonio Spurs have more to look forward to prior to that. The regular season schedule has yet to be released, but the entire preseason schedule — also still a ways away — has.

There, the team will get its first chance to hit the floor with a complete roster. Also of note, Victor Wembanyama and Team France are competing at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.

Below is a list of dates and start times (all in CST) for both sets of games:

San Antonio Spurs Preseason

Oct. 7: Home vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (Tipoff at 7 p.m.)
Oct. 9: Home vs. Orlando Magic (Tipoff at 7 p.m.)
Oct. 12: Home vs. Utah Jazz (Tipoff at 7 p.m.)

Oct. 15: Away at Miami Heat (Tipoff at 6:30 p.m.)
Oct. 17: Away at Houston Rockets (Tipoff at 7 p.m.)

Team France Olympic Slate

Preliminary Games:
July 27: France vs. Brazil (W 78-66)
July 30: France vs. Japan (W 94-90)
Aug. 2: France vs. Germany (L 85-71)

Men's Quarterfinal:
Aug 6: France vs. Canada (W 82-73)

Men's Semifinal:
Aug. 8: France vs. Germany (W 73-69)

Men's Final (Gold Medal Game):
Aug. 10: France vs. USA (Tipoff 2:30 p.m.)

AROUND THE NBA

Catch up on some of the league-wide headlines below:

Also, be sure to follow along with Spurs On SI's NBA tracker, with more detailed breakdowns of major league news and updates.

THE CLOSER

Check out our homepage for more news and follow us on the platforms below. Thank you for tuning in and enjoy the rest of your Friday.

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Matt Guzman
MATT GUZMAN

Matt Guzman is a sports journalist and storyteller from Austin, Texas. He serves as a credentialed reporter and site manager for San Antonio Spurs On SI and a staff writer for multiple collegiate sites in the same network. In the world of professional sports, he is a firm believer that athletes are people, too, and intends to tell stories of players and teams’ true, behind-the-scenes character that otherwise would not be seen through strong narrative writing, hooking ledes and passionate words.

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