Three early prospects for the Spurs in the 2024 NBA free agency class.
NBA free agency offers an additional path, even if many anticipate the San Antonio Spurs to develop around Victor Wembanyama through the draft and possible trades. The Silver and Black could have between $19 and a half million and $21 and a half million in salary cap space when you factor in the financial allocations that will come with the fourth and eighth picks in the draft, depending on the choices they make with their own free agents and players on non-guaranteed contracts.
The club’s free agents are Dominick Barlow, Sandro Mamukelashvili, and Cedi Osman. Barlow is unrestricted, while the other two are. The team has contract options for Devonte’ Graham, Julian Champagnie, and Charles Bassey in addition to David Duke, Jr.’s two-way deal. Jamaree Bouyea, together with RaiQuan Gray are also on two-way deals with the affiliated G League Club in Austin.
Considering these specifics, here are three free agents the Spurs could target this summer.
DeMar DeRozan.
Recently, DeMar DeRozan told a story about how Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich comforted him after spending a few hours sobbing with the player the night his father passed away. It brings to mind how unique the relationship between the most successful coach in NBA history and the seasoned free agent is. Though they were among his lowest scoring seasons, the six-time All-Star’s biggest sin as a San Antonio native is that he wasn’t Kawhi Leonard during three of his fifteen seasons in the Alamo City. DeRozan was excellent enough to keep the Spurs afloat after joining them in that deal, and they made it to the playoffs as a seven-seed before earning a few of play-in tournament berths.Thing is, the summer before DeRozan arrived the Spurs had advanced to the Western Conference Finals in a season that’s been their last as a force in the league.
The Chicago Bulls guard would have a very different role if he went back to San Antonio. He wouldn’t have to shoulder the burden. Wemby taking on the role of Leonard means that, in addition to Wembanyama and Devin Vassell, who recently set a career best with an average of 19.5 points per game, DeRozan might pose a danger to score 20 points each game.
According to estimates, DeRozan’s next contract may bring in more than $30 million a season. The Spurs would be able to use the $8 million room exemption if they choose to go after cap space this summer, which is something they very well could do. They would be in the ballpark with a contract offer that could be made if they added that to the $21 million they might already have available depending on prior decisions.
Obi Toppin and Buddy Hield.
Buddy Hield is a free agent without restrictions. Obi Toppin has limitations. Considering what the Spurs can provide, both are worth a look.
Despite shooting 43.6% from the field and 38.6% from three-point range in 84 games, Hield finished the season outside of the Philadelphia 76ers rotation. The eight-year guard brought in $23.5 million for a team that has a number of free agents up for grabs.
Toppin, who has excelled in fill-in roles against Wemby this season, may be the odd man out for the Indiana Pacers, who are hoping to hold onto newly acquired Pascal Siakam until free agency. After spending less than $7 million on a rookie contract, Toppin averaged almost ten and a half points and four rebounds during the previous season, which included a run to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Given that free agency will formally begin next month, it wouldn’t be shocking if any of these players choose to join San Antonio.