The San Antonio Spurs were expected to create a splash in free agency but they came up empty-handed. They missed out on veteran point guard Chris Paul after he joined the Houston Rockets via trade. The Spurs tried to pursue free agent sixth Andre Iguodala but he opted to remain with the Golden State Warriors. Recently, they tried to pursue big man Andrew Bogut but he signed with the Los Angeles Lakers.
With training camp approaching, the Spurs still have some spots to fill, as they are thin at the power forward and center positions, based on the depth chart released by ESPN.
The Spurs signed Joffrey Lauvergne to a two-year deal to back up veteran big man Pau Gasol. After Lauvergne, Gregg Popovich has no other option at center. In the power forward spot, the Spurs will start Lamarcus Aldridge but they only have Rudy Gay listed as backup No. 4 man. However, Gay has played small forward throughout his career and at 6-foot-8, he is undersized compared to the other power forwards of other teams.
Spurs have solid backcourt cast
The Spurs are deep when it comes to the point guard spot – with Dejounte Murray and Patty Mills No. 1 and No. 2 on the depth chart as starter Tony Parker is still out with an injury. The Spurs also have five shooting guards in Danny Green, Manu Ginobili, Bryn Forbes, Derrick White, and Brandon Paul.
Kawhi Leonard will start in the small forward position with Kyle Anderson and Davis Bertans as backups. The 6-foot-10 Bertans could also serve as a backup big man but he’s known for his outside shooting and not for his defense.
Options for Spurs
The Spurs can take another look at the free agent market to fill their need before training camp begins next week.
There are a handful of veterans, whom they can sign to minimum deals. At the center spot, the Spurs can consider former Warriors and Portland Trail Blazers big man Festus Ezeli, former Los Angeles Lakers center Roy Hibbert, and Jordan Hill, who last played for the New York Knicks. Ezeli proved his worth as a backup center for the Warriors before he was released after the team signed Kevin Durant last season.
He joined the Blazers but he was sidelined for the season by a knee injury.
To fill up their power forward void, the Spurs can also acquire a familiar face in Tiago Splitter, who was a member of their championship team in 2014 before he was traded to the Atlanta Hawks. Splitter’s time with the Hawks was marred with injuries before he moved to the Philadelphia 76ers. Brandon Bass and Derrick Williams could also be additional options for the San Antonio Spurs.
