LATEST UPDATE: 7 Free agents who should be on San Antonio Spurs’ wish list

The Spurs from San Antonio might move up the rankings rapidly. Every night, Victor Wembanyama appears like a movie star and performs an incredible feat. To surround the 20-year-old phenom, the Spurs simply need more talent. They should be seeking to upgrade their summer, but they have pieces.

Wemby is eager to get the job done, and the Spurs will have cap space. Without re-signing Cedi Osman and allowing Devonte Graham leave with only $2.9 million guaranteed of his $12.6 million salary, they are expected to have $22 million in room. While adding a star won’t be sufficient, the Spurs may be able to acquire several role players who have the ability to win.

The 2024 NBA free agent class figures to be light on top-end talent, but features plenty of difference-makers. These targets should be on San Antonio’s wish list.

1. OG Anunoby
The Knicks acquired Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa, and Malachi Flynn at the end of December via the deal of R.J. Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and a second-round draft selection. That cost the soon-to-be free agent a lot of money. Anunoby, 26, will become an unrestricted free agent this summer because he wants more than he can sign for in an extension. The Knicks are positive they will re-sign him, but in the NBA, stranger things have happened.

Should Anunoby become available, there will be a fierce bidding contest. Every team desires a 6’7 wing with outstanding defensive skills who can average over 15 points per game and make open 3-pointers. It’s an important position. Anunoby would generate a lot of attention because he is among the league’s finest at it.

This is a wish list, but the Spurs would probably have to overpay for it. Could San Antonio persuade him to play alongside Victor Wembanyama at his prime? Even if he swiftly signs back with the Knicks and chooses to pursue a title in the Big Apple rather than the Alamo, it’s still worth a try.

The San Antonio Spurs will upgrade their roster this summer. Wemby is too good and wants to win now. They cannot waste another year at the bottom of the standings, so stay tuned to see how aggressive the Spurs get.

2. Jones Tyus
If Jrue Holiday chooses to remain with the Celtics, Jones might be the best point guard available as a free agency this summer. Markelle Fultz is having a poor year and has struggled to stay healthy. Since January 2022, Lonzo Ball has not appeared on the field. Although D’Angelo Russell is more of a score-first guard, he can make a case. Jones is the Spurs’ best choice if they want a main ball handler.

He was a backup point guard for the first eight seasons he played in the NBA before taking the starting position for the Wizards this season. In 29.2 minutes per game, he is averaging 12.1 points, 7.3 assists, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.1 steals. Jones is an asset to any squad as a facilitator and plus shooter.

The 27-year-old’s goal is to start right away. He jumped at the chance to be the Wizards’ leader for this reason. Is he seen by the Spurs as a superior backup, similar to his brother Tre, or something more? With his current contract, Jones is making $14 million, but he probably wants more. The Spurs may sign him this summer if they believe he can make a significant impact.

Tyus Jones may not be the flashiest addition, but he would help San Antonio win games. Their offense is elite with a point guard flanking Victor Wembanyama. Adding the soon-to-be free agent would be an upgrade over his younger brother and one the Spurs should explore.

3. Kyle Lowry
The Spurs are in dire need of a point guard. Jeremy Sochan was supposed to open the season there, but that was an unsuccessful experiment. Tre Jones has helped San Antonio play better, but head coach Gregg Popovich does not believe he will be the team’s long-term solution.

Adding a seasoned point guard would not be the first time that San Antonio’s team saw a major improvement. Before being purchased outright, Lowry was dealt by Miami to the Hornets. He returned home and inked a one-year contract with the 76ers. The six-time All-Star, who turns 38 on March 25, assisted the Raptors in winning the championship in 2019. This summer, Lowry will have several suitors in free agency if he chooses to pursue his career.

In order to set up Wemby, could the Spurs persuade him to travel to San Antonio? At this point in his career, Lowry’s minutes must be restricted, but he can still have an influence on both ends of the court. The six-foot point guard has a high basketball IQ and is a skilled facilitator in addition to being a career 36.8% 3-point shooter.

Although there isn’t much of a point guard market in free agency, the San Antonio Spurs might try to pursue the brother of their current ball handler if they miss out on Kyle Lowry.

4. Bruce Brown Jr.
When the Pacers signed Brown to a two-year, $45 million contract in the summer of 2023, they pulled off a daring maneuver. The 6’4 guard was surprised to receive such a large salary even though he had just assisted the Nuggets in winning the championship. As part of the Pascal Siakam trade, Indiana traded him to Toronto, and the Raptors had a $23 million team option for the 2024–2025 season.

When dealing Siakam and OG Anunoby, Toronto put skill acquisition ahead of draft picks. The Raptors want to get back into the hunt as soon as possible, but should they really be paying Brown so much money to play only 25 minutes a night?

Bruce Brown will pique the interest of all contenders should he become available. The 6’4 guard is a powerful defender with mobility and the ability to create plays. Brown can handle the offense, set screens, and make open shots. He goes above and above for his team to succeed.

The 27-year-old would be a fantastic fit next to Victor Wembanyama in San Antonio. They could run inverted pick and rolls and create havoc defensively. The Spurs would need him to become a free agent and be willing to take a pay cut. They are not significantly overpaying for Brown, but they could sign him if everything comes together.

5. Kyle Anderson
Anderson played his first four seasons in San Antonio before being selected by the Spurs with the final choice in the first round of the 2014 NBA Draft. With the team, the 6’9 forward progressed from rookie to role player to starter. After the Grizzlies signed him to a four-year offer sheet that the Spurs declined to match, he left in free agency in 2018.

After spending four years in Memphis and the last two in Minnesota, Anderson is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent once more this summer. Despite being close to the top of the Western Conference, the Timberwolves are struggling to make deals for Anderson, Monte Morris, and Jordan McLaughlin. Before the penalties, is Minnesota willing to invest more than $200 million on their team?

If the Spurs are going to be competitive, Anderson would be happy to return to San Antonio. His playmaking, rebounding, and defensive prowess would be beneficial to the team. Slo Mo may help the Spurs return to the postseason and would be a great fit next to Victor Wembanyama.

Assume that Kyle Anderson will pique the curiosity of numerous organizations. Having made $9.2 million this season, he will be looking to increase his pay. For about $10 million a year, the Spurs might be able to get him and still have money left over to add a couple more important rotation players.

6. Anthony Melton
In order to pursue yet another elite player this summer, the Sixers are holding onto their cap space. The lone player on their roster who has a guaranteed contract for the 2024–25 campaign is Joel Embiid. Tyrese Maxey is a free agent under restriction. Philadelphia won’t let him go, but in an effort to add a third star, they might have to cut some players.

Melton has had trouble staying healthy this season and is presently sidelined due to a back ailment. Still, a lot of things are appealing. The 6’2 guard is a powerful defender with the ability to handle the ball, create opportunities, and score points. Melton has played an important part in each of his teams’ four consecutive postseason appearances, which they are on track to achieve.

Melton resolves a few of the Spurs’ most pressing problems. His career 3-point shooting percentage is 36.9 percent, and he keeps getting better. The 25-year-old is a good playmaker, defender, and shooter already. If San Antonio hopes to contend, they need guys of that caliber surrounding Wemby.

De’Anthony Melton, who is now making $8 million, will be an unrestricted free agency this summer and is anticipated to sign for a contract that would pay roughly the mid-level exception. With two more players, the San Antonio Spurs may greatly enhance their roster surrounding their soon-to-be superstar.

7. Royce O’Neale
If the Spurs hope to compete, they must resolve two major problems. Wembanyama is a superb rim protector, but the team’s defensive rating is only 24th. They require a few perimeter stoppers with floor-spacing capabilities. With a mere 34.7 team 3-point percentage this season, San Antonio ranks lowest in the league.

O’Neale is the ideal addition to the 3-and-D wing. A lifetime 38.2 percent 3-point shooter, he is set to play in the playoffs for the seventh time in a row. The 6’4 wing has a secondary capacity to create plays and can defend several spots. He may assist the Spurs in getting back into the hunt fast and would be a good compliment to Wemby on both ends of the court.

Royce O’Neale is in the final year of his contract and is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. The Suns would love to re-sign him, but the Spurs can outbid them. Getting a strong 3-and-D wing should be a priority, but won’t be easy.

The San Antonio Spurs have multiple options, including one who is unlikely to re-sign with the Philadelphia 76ers.