Why the Spurs are the ideal landing spot for the best-remaining free agent
By Cal Durrett
The San Antonio Spurs have done an impressive job this summer of adding veterans to their young roster and they may not be done adding players just yet. The Spurs have the $7.9 million room exception at their disposal and with few other teams having cap space, they could make a run for a capable player to further improve their roster.
That player could be Gary Trent Jr., who played for the Toronto Raptors last season and made $18.5 million but with the free agency money drying up, he appears likely to have to take a pay cut to try and raise his value. Normally, a player like him would rather go to a team with a chance to win a championship. After all, they can not only potentially get a ring but also get a chance to showcase themselves over a long season on a high-profile team.
Trent Jr., however, has reportedly already ruled out taking a minimum deal to play with the Denver Nuggets, which seemingly forecloses the possibility of him joining a contender. That could benefit the Spurs, who seem like a great landing spot compared to teams such as the Detroit Pistons, Washington Wizards, and Utah Jazz, who may not be interested in signing him to a bigger contract when they may be tanking.
Should the San Antonio Spurs consider signing Gary Trent Jr.?
The additions of Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes give the Spurs solid veterans who can help the team on and off the court and the team could continue that trend with Gary Trent Jr. He is an impressive shooter and a capable defender, and while the Spurs have a starting shooting guard in Devin Vassell, backup shooting guard Malaki Branham is upgradeable.
9 players who played for the Mavs, Rockets, and Spurs. dark. Next. Texas Triangle: 9 players who played for the Mavericks, Rockets, and Spurs
That might not seem to leave Trent Jr. with many minutes at first glance but the Spurs will likely play with four perimeter players around Victor Wembanyama and that could afford him more playing time, perhaps over 20 minutes a game. This late in the game, he probably isn't going to find a much bigger role on a team that figures to be good unless he reconsiders signing with Denver, which could use a Kentavious Caldwell-Pope replacement. If Trent Jr. doesn't, however, then the Spurs might be an option.
manual