NBA Power Rankings: Lakers, Bucks remain the favorites as restart approaches

20. San Antonio Spurs (27-36)

Without LaMarcus Aldridge, who will miss the NBA’s restart as he recovers after undergoing right shoulder surgery, the San Antonio Spurs are another team that will likely struggle to emerge as any type of threat to make the playoffs in the Western Conference. The Spurs will enter the bubble four games back of the 8th seed.

It’s quite clear what needs to happen for the Spurs to make noise in the West, even if they manage to make it into the play-in playoff tournament. That’s either DeMar DeRozan needs to have an exceptional run in the restart, or another player is going to have to set up in a big way in the absence of Aldridge.

While that doesn’t seem entirely implausible with Gregg Popovich leading the way in the bubble, considering what the Spurs are up against, it does seem unlikely. The Spurs will be entering an offseason where big decisions need to be made regarding the future, and the restart will only echo it.