The 2003–04 NBA season was the Spurs' 28th season in the National Basketball Association, the 31st in San Antonio, and 37th season as a franchise. The Spurs entered the season as defending NBA champions, having defeated the New Jersey Nets in the 2003 NBA Finals in six games to win their second NBA championship. During the offseason, David Robinson, Danny Ferry, and Steve Kerr retired, Speedy Claxton signed with the Golden State Warriors, Stephen Jackson signed with the Atlanta Hawks, and Steve Smith signed with the New Orleans Hornets; in addition, the Spurs acquired Hedo Türkoğlu and Ron Mercer in a three-team trade, signed free agent Robert Horry (who had won championships with the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers) and signed other free agents such as center Radoslav Nesterovi