With Victor Wembanyama, De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Jeremy Sochan, Devin Vassell, and other key players on the roster, the Spurs have also been linked to superstars like Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo, although, looking ahead to the offseason, Johnson is not concerned about the moves the front office could make.

"It was an easy decision and felt super confident in the human being that he is," says Spurs GM Brian Wright of taking interim tag off.

While no one expected Popovich to announce his retirement plans early and accept a year-long retirement tour, his departure from the sidelines was far more abrupt than he or anyone would've intended.