Aldridge signing opens flow of talent

SAN ANTONIO — The first reason behind Manu Ginobili’s decision to return for a 14th NBA season was the simplest.

“The fire is still burning,” Ginobili wrote Tuesday in La Nacion, the preeminent newspaper in his native Argentina.

There were other reasons as well. The San Antonio Spurs actually wanting him back at age 38, albeit at a discount, also helped.

Then there was another factor, and this helped explain the timing of Ginobili’s announcement.

“I could wait and see what happened with Aldridge, if he was coming or not,” Ginobli said.

Aldridge refers to LaMarcus Aldridge, the 6-11, 240-pound prize of this summer’s free-agent derby.

Since reaching an agreement Saturday to come to San Antonio, Aldridge — a four-time All-Star and former Portland Trail Blazer — has become the Spurs’ gift that keeps on giving.

His impending arrival has helped transform the Spurs into

the latest NBA super team.

As such, they have no shortage of players ready to line up and ride the “LTrain” toward a title.

Ginobili, perhaps, is one example of this phenomenon. David West, so far, is the best. West opted out of $12.6 million with Indiana to accept a minimum deal of $1.5 million to join the Spurs as a free agent.

“He was going to make his decision based on the best opportunity to win and the best fit for him,” said Jeff Austin, West’s agent. “It was never about money.”

It is not certain West, a 34-year-old two-time former All-Star, would have agreed with the Spurs had they not first hooked Aldridge.

Two of West’s other potential suitors — Cleveland and Golden State — faced each other in the NBA Finals last month.

“He wanted to see where all the pieces fell around the league before he made his choice,” Austin said.

There is a good chance West’s decision to leave more than $11 million on the table to come to San Antonio could open the floodgates for more ring-seeking veterans to do the same.

The LeBron effect

That’s what happened in Miami in 2010, when LeBron James and Chris Bosh teamed up to make the Heat the big winners of that summer. Proven role players like Mike Miller, Shane Battier and James Jones soon followed, playing at a discount to partner with James.

When James went back to Cleveland last summer, some of those same role players followed him there.

Players — and perhaps as important, player agents — have now begun to look at San Antonio as the same kind of prime free-agency destination.

“That is quite a group they’re putting together,” said Herb Rudoy, Ginobili’s longtime agent. “It’s not going to be a walkover in the West, but this is a very interesting group. It looks like the most loaded team they’ve ever had.”

The Spurs have 10 players committed to next season and are still in need of a true backup center, a bench shooter, and a third point guard.

Once players’ new contracts are signed, starting Thursday, the Spurs are likely to have only minimum deals left to offer.

In their search for bench fillers, the Spurs have been linked to veteran wings Caron Butler, Rasual Butler and Tayshaun Prince. They are also believed to have interest in Kevin Seraphin, the 25-year-old Washington center who shares a spot on the French national team with Tony Parker and Boris Diaw.

Another potential option, should he prove healthy: Emeka Okafor.

The 32-year-old journeyman center hasn’t played in two seasons while recovering from a herniated disk in his neck.

At 6-10, with a shotblocking prowess that once made him one of the most feared rim protectors in the league, the Bellaire product embodies the kind of player the Spurs are likely to tab to plug remaining holes.

He fits a need. And, given his medical chart, is likely to come cheap.

Then there are players like Ginobili and West, who could have garnered more to play elsewhere.

Ginobili’s deal is expected to be for two years, beginning at the $2.8 million “room exception” next season. He made $7 million a season ago.

“Manu is taking a big cut in pay to come back so the team can sign Aldridge,” Rudoy said. “That’s because Manu gets winning, really gets it.”

Let the good times roll

Ginobili framed his decision in similar terms in Tuesday’s La Nacion.

“If you win, you have more fun,” Ginobili wrote. “I didn’t want to miss the fun.”

Thanks to Aldridge, the Spurs can make now make the same pitch to other free agents.