NBA Free Agency: 5 ways the Leonard-DeRozan trade will change the dynamics of the 2018-19 season

#2 The Spurs are well-placed for a top-4 finish in the Western Conference

San Antonio Spurs v Golden State Warriors - Game Two

Gregg Popovich is still the best coach in basketball, and this move reiterates his desire to finish his head coaching career with a bang. Instead of looking for young players and high draft picks, the Spurs obtained an All-Star Game starter and a starting-caliber center in this trade, which is possibly the best return they could've expected in a trade like this.

Even without Kawhi, the Spurs relied on their impressive wing depth to finish with a healthy 47-win season and *gasp* the 7th seed in the Conference. Adding DeRozan and Poetl - two really good players in specific roles - to the mix will help them out even more.

They already have a 6'7" point guard in Dejounte Murray to take the tougher guard matchup defensively, while obtaining DeRozan adds another true playmaking scorer to their lineup - although Deebo's efficiency from downtown needs to improve for him to truly replace Kawhi offensively.

Any team with 2 All-Stars always has a chance to finish as a high seed. If the Spurs are able to figure things out as they usually do, they could end up as high as the second seed in the West.