The Spurs have washed away what looked like a genius plan with 2 befuddling contracts worth $120 million

On Monday, three months later, the Spurs came to an agreement on a contract extension with LaMarcus Aldridge worth three years, $72 million, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Now the Spurs’ path to cap space will be much trickier.

There are explanations to the deals. Gasol had turned down a $16 million player option at the start of free agency this July with the intention to re-sign with the Spurs. The decision may have been to help the Spurs create cap space to go after Paul. When the Spurs missed out on Paul, they may have felt compelled to reward Gasol for initially leaving money on the table.

Aldridge, meanwhile, could still turn down his $22 million player option next season to become a free agent. It would be risky, however, as at 33, Aldridge may not find a better deal in free agency, especially after struggling at times with the Spurs. ESPN’s Michael C. Wright suggested that the Spurs may have also worried about their chances at replacing Aldridge if he left in free agency. The extension gives both sides options.

The moves are still a little confusing, nonetheless. Gasol is an aging big man who is ill-suited to keep up with the likes of the Warriors or new-look Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder. He still has value, but finding playing time for a slow-footed big man who struggles defending may be tough in the elite Western Conference.

Rumors have been buzzing about a possible separation between the Spurs and Aldridge for some time. According to reports, the Spurs shopped Aldridge in the offseason, but didn’t find any deals. ESPN reported that Aldridge later had a conversation with Popovich about his unhappiness, which led to Popovich saying the team can find ways to better use Aldridge.

As Wright noted, the Spurs are a better team with Aldridge, particularly with Kawhi Leonard currently hung up with a quadriceps injury. Any trade including him would likely not return better or equal value to the Spurs.

The Spurs’ future only becomes murkier with these contracts. They could have max cap space if Aldridge, Danny Green ($10 million for 2018-19), and Rudy Gay ($8 million for ’18-19) all opt out of their deals. Aldridge and Gay may struggle to make more on an open market, while Green could likely field a bigger contract, depending on how his 2017-18 season plays out. If Aldridge and Gay do opt in, however, it will require some big moves for the Spurs to clear out max cap space in a summer when LeBron James, Paul George, and Paul can all become free agents.

The Spurs, as usual, have opted for continuity and cohesion. But with several teams appearing to close the gap or perhaps even surpass them in the Western Conference power rankings, the Spurs’ path to improving becomes tougher to figure out.