Category: Spurs Free Agency

San Antonio Spurs considered best free agency landing spot for DeMar DeRozan

We think the fit a great one as well.

Who doesn’t love a good reunion? That is not where the logic of a recent analysis by Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes on the best and worst landing spots for former Spurs and current Chicago Bulls veteran wing DeMar DeRozan stops, however.

We won’t spend time on the worst landing spot Hughes found for DeRozan (the Charlotte Hornets — is any time really needed?). But we do agree the fit for the USC alum makes plenty of sense with the San Antonio Spurs if a more traditional floor general does not become available. “DeRozan has averaged more than 5.0 assists in six of his last seven seasons, and he even posted a career-high 6.9 dimes per game back in 2020-21, the last of his three years with the Spurs,” writes the B/R league analyst.

“Though his facilitation wouldn’t come as a high-volume pick-and-roll orchestrator, DeRozan has shown an ability to distribute from the elbows and out of isolation sets when he draws a second defender,” adds Hughes.

“A little individual shot creation wouldn’t hurt either, considering San Antonio ranked 26th in offensive efficiency last season,” he suggests.

In our eyes, DeRozan is not a point guard substitute, but instead a veteran ball mover who can aid the growth of whatever younger talent the Spurs draft to play at the 1. Semantics aside, we think the fit a great one as well.

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Tyus Jones floated as dream free agency target for Spurs

Could the San Antonio Spurs target Tyus Jones in free agency?

The San Antonio Spurs need playmaking help. Tre Jones is solid, but if the Spurs want to take the next step, they should be looking to add at the point guard position. Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report listed Washington Wizards guard Tyus Jones as the “dream” free agency target for the Spurs.

“The San Antonio Spurs need a franchise point guard and figure to use either the No. 4 or No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft on one,” Swartz wrote. “However, it’s unclear whether that player will be able to run the team right away, so San Antonio should have a bridge plan in place. Signing Tyus Jones to play with his brother, Tre, would make a lot of sense. The older Jones was a solid starter with the Washington Wizards this past season and would be an upgrade over his brother in the Spurs’ starting lineup.

“San Antonio ranked 24th in turnover rate (14.8 percent) this past season. As the Wizards’ primary ball-handler, Jones had a turnover rate of only 8.8 percent, which was far below the Spurs’ mark as a team. With up to $21.3 million in cap space, the Spurs could offer Jones more than the $12.9 million non-taxpayer MLE. That might give them a leg up on most other suitors.”

Bringing in Tre’s brother would be a great addition for the Spurs.

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Spurs among teams floated as potential Tobias Harris suitors

Should the San Antonio Spurs go after Tobias Harris in free agency?

Tobias Harris and the Philadelphia 76ers are not going to be heading into next season together. The question is, where will Harris go? Which teams will throw him an offer in free agency. Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report name-dropped the San Antonio Spurs as a team that could potentially consider signing him.

“The Sixers won’t prioritize retaining Harris over going big-game hunting with their cap space, and it feels like a fresh start is in order anyway,” Hughes wrote. “The Thunder, Pistons, Hornets, Raptors, Spurs and even the Magic could justify tossing $15-20 million per season at Harris, and the options broaden substantially if we include non cap-space teams that could offer the full mid-level exception.

“With bigger names on the market and the “overpaid” label of the past dogging him, Harris feels like a forgotten man in 2024 free agency. Don’t be surprised if, when we reassess the offseason in a few months, the team that signs him rates as one of the big winners.”

Harris could bring a solid veteran presence to San Antonio, but he looked rough at the end of his time with the 76ers.

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Could the Spurs be a ‘surprise landing spot’ for Klay Thompson?

Could the San Antonio Spurs go after Klay Thompson in free agency?

This summer is shaping up to be a busy one for the San Antonio Spurs. Despite being one of the worst teams in the league this past season, they have a clear pathway to competitiveness, thanks to Victor Wembanyama. Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report believes they could even be a potential “surprise landing spot” for Klay Thompson in free agency.

“From San Antonio’s perspective, Thompson’s premium shooting and championship experience could be hugely valuable for cornerstone Victor Wembanyama,” Hughes wrote. “An offense that ranked 28th in three-point percentage can’t give Wemby the spacing he needs to thrive, and Thompson could help boost that hit rate.

“For Thompson, there would certainly be worse options than signing on to play alongside a younger generational superstar in Wemby after spending his career with Stephen Curry. Throw in head coach Gregg Popovich, an organization that historically treats its vets well and the opportunity to link up with a team on the rise, and the Spurs actually have quite a bit to offer.”

Adding Thompson’s three-point shooting, even at his age, would be a massive win for the Spurs’ offense, especially if they can get him on a good deal.

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Tyus Jones listed as potential impact free agency fit for Spurs

Could the San Antonio Spurs look to sign Tyus Jones in free agency?

As the San Antonio Spurs look to improve their roster around Victor Wembanyama this summer, one of their top priorities should be to add playmaking. Dan Favale of Bleacher Report listed Washington Wizards guard Tyus Jones as a potential free-agency fit for the Spurs this summer.

“Bringing in a game manager like Tyus Jones, the brother of Tre Jones, is a modest move that would go a long way,” Favale wrote. “Turnovers are a foreign concept to him, he knows how to bob and weave in and out of the lane, and he’s a good enough shooter to stretch defenses away from the ball. (He hit over 42 percent of his spot-up triples last year.)

“San Antonio can chisel out close to $20 million in cap space, so giving chase to Tyus isn’t an issue and neither is prying him from the Wizards. They’re in the infancy of a rebuild, and Tyus is an unrestricted free agent. His leaving for what profiles as a more competitive situation is hardly farfetched unless Washington is throwing gobs of money his way. None of this is to say Tyus plus two inbound lottery picks and some moves on the margins will transform the Spurs into an immediate playoff threat. But they did just decidedly win the minutes Wemby and Tre logged together. Upgrading and expanding that dynamic by signing Tyus renders them a more immediate menace in the Western Conference without crashing into their long-term plans or assets.”

Jones’ playmaking would seriously help the Spurs’ offense.

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Spurs free agency prediction would be to search for playmakers

Would the San Antonio Spurs look for playmaking help if free agency started today?

Should NBA free agency start today, the San Antonio Spurs would have a chance to get active. According to a prediction made by Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report, the Spurs would likely start to look for additional playmaking help, scouring the markets for point guards or other guys to help run the offense.

“Victor Wembanyama’s rise through the galaxy of NBA stars is already going full-throttle, meaning patience-practicing might already be a thing of the past in San Antonio,” Buckley wrote. “Even if the Spurs don’t go floor-to-pedal this offseason, they’ll look for ways to accelerate. Upgrading at point guard feels like the most sensible starting point. Tre Jones is the definition of mediocrity—15.1 career player efficiency rating; league-average is 15—and he essentially makes up the entire point guard rotation. Jeremy Sochan as a jumbo floor general sounded fun in theory, but it was decidedly less so when those super-sized lineups routinely malfunctioned on offense.”

“San Antonio has enough trade chips to give one of the Atlanta Hawks’ guards chase, but it might view free agency as a less expensive (albeit less exciting) alternative. The Spurs could target Jones’ brother, Tyus, or even try their hands at Immanuel Quickley (restricted) or Malik Monk. They have options.”

Adding some ball handlers to the mix would give the Spurs a much-needed boost on the offensive end.

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Spurs, Magic listed as potential suitors for D’Angelo Russell

The San Antonio Spurs and Orlando Magic could be the top suitors for D’Angelo Russell this offseason.

According to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, the San Antonio Spurs and Orlando Magic are potential suitors for Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell this summer. During an appearance on The Athletic NBA Show, Buha noted that they are the two biggest competitors for the Lakers in the race to land Russell. (H/t Tyler Conway of Bleacher Report)

Russell just wrapped up a solid regular season but, unfortunately, didn’t play up to that same level in the postseason. That said, the Spurs will undoubtedly be looking to add ball-handling next to Victor Wembanyama this summer. Whether or not Russell will be their top option is yet to be seen.

Orlando could also use some extra guard help, as their perimeter shot creation around Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner could use a significant boost.

In 76 appearances for the Lakers this season (including 69 starts), Russell averaged 18.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 6.3 assists while shooting 45.6% from the field and 41.5% from behind the three-point line.

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Should the Spurs choose to have cap space this offseason?

Should the San Antonio Spurs look to have cap space for free agency this summer?

The San Antonio Spurs are going to get active this summer as they look to build their team around Victor Wembanyama. However, they have to decide whether or not they want to bring players back to create some cap space to make moves. Dan Favale of Bleacher Report listed this as their toughest decision in free agency.

“Peddling sub-max money may not get San Antonio very far. And in some ways, this is just as well,” Favale wrote. “The floor-general market is rough. Tyrese Maxey (restricted) isn’t going anywhere, and the Spurs aren’t getting in the James Harden business. But what about Immanuel Quickley (restricted)? Or even Malik Monk? Both would elevate San Antonio’s offense. Both may also cost more money than the Spurs have available. Would they consider waiving Julian Champagnie (non-guaranteed) to increase the number? Or more meaningfully, would they grease the wheels of a Zach Collins salary dump?

“Far-fetched? Possibly inconsequential? Would the team be content to sign Tyus Jones and move on? Yes, yes and probably. But if San Antonio doesn’t have big plans for its cap space, should it keep Graham and re-sign Osman as human trade exceptions and operate as an over-the-cap team? The individual stakes here are relatively low (unless you’re prepared to lose sleep over the fate of Dominick Barlow…which I might be). The overall stakes, though, are astronomically high. And so long as Wemby exists, they’ll only soar higher.”

If the Spurs re-signed their players, they could run it back. At the same time, they could look to go after some free agents this year.

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Why the San Antonio Spurs should keep Sandro Mamukelashvili

Should the San Antonio Spurs re-sign Sandro Mamukelashvili this offseason?

Heading into the offseason, the San Antonio Spurs will have some tough decisions to make. Victor Wembanyama was incredible in his rookie year, leading the league in blocks and consistently improving his game throughout the season. Now, the Spurs need to focus on putting the best possible team around him.

In addition to free agency and the NBA Draft, the Spurs need to decide which players they want to bring back from this year’s roster. One of those guys is Sandro Mamukelashvili, who will be a free agent this summer. He had a fairly solid season but will need a new contract.

KENS 5 recently discussed the case for San Antonio re-signing Mamukelashvili.

Mamukelashvili averaged 4.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists while shooting 47.1% from the field and 29.7% from behind the three-point line.

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San Antonio Spurs urged to consider Lonnie Walker IV reunion

Should the San Antonio Spurs consider a reunion with Lonnie Walker IV?

This summer will be an important one for the San Antonio Spurs, who have a chance to take a huge leap next season. Despite being the worst team in the Western Conference this year, the talent of Victor Wembanyama alone should be enough to carry them far, but they should be focused on putting a great team around him.

Not only will they have a chance to add another high lottery pick to the mix in the 2024 NBA Draft, but they should have some room to work with in free agency this offseason. Adding solid pieces around Wembanyama will be crucial.

Cal Durrett of Air Alamo recently wrote a list of former Spurs who San Antonio should consider bringing back. One of them was Lonnie Walker IV.

“Stranger things have happened and San Antonio could use more scoring off the bench next season,” Durrett wrote. “With Walker having yet to sign a long-term deal, he may want multiple years on his next contract, which wouldn’t necessarily be a deal breaker. But the Spurs would have to weigh his fit with his potential contract demands and they may instead look at more short-term options.”

Walker has enjoyed a great season with the Brooklyn Nets this year, and a reunion in San Antonio would certainly help the Spurs’ bench.

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