mollyfamwatThe Spurs’ path to the NBA Finals was anything but easy, and they have the luxury of having cap room to go after some of the best free agents on the market. Players like LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, Jimmy Butler, and Kyrie Irving are all some of the best players in the game.
When the Spurs lost Kawhi Leonard to the Raptors in a blockbuster trade, they lost one of the game’s best defenders and rebounders. A player they could’ve gotten by with, were it not for the emergence of Leonard in the Eastern Conference’s starting lineup.
The Spurs have already made a splash in free agency by signing Kawhi Leonard to a four-year, $141 million extension. The team has also been linked to several other stars including LeBron James, Paul George, Jimmy Butler, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. But which of these players would be the best addition to the Spurs’ roster?. Read more about spurs free agency 2021 and let us know what you think.
The San Antonio Spurs have now missed the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time in club history, after 22 seasons of playoff basketball.
To solve the problems that have been derailing them, the Spurs must assess who they sign in free agency. Last season, San Antonio lacked shooting from beyond the arc, and they need to retool their squad to suit today’s NBA, since having a glut of shooters is never a bad thing.
In Lonnie Walker IV, Keldon Johnson, and Dejounte Murray, among others, San Antonio boasts a strong group of young players capable of contributing right away. They need to put a premium on recruiting players who can contribute right away and fit into the youthful core’s schedule.
According to Spotrac, the Spurs will have about $50 million in salary space this summer, and they will need to spend it on high-quality players.
Here are the top five free agents the Spurs need to sign in order to reach the NBA Playoffs next season.
Spurs’ main objectives are:
Duncan Robinson is number one.
Duncan Robinson is a true knockdown shooter who has established himself as one of the greatest 3-point shooters in the game today. Robinson set a record by being the quickest player to achieve 500 three-pointers in just 152 games.
The marksman would definitely help the Spurs improve their spacing, which has been an issue lately. Robinson’s ability to go around screens and consistently hit 3-pointers is really remarkable. With the Heat, he tried 8.5 3-pointers a game and hit 40.8 percent of them. He shot 44.6 percent from distance on 8.3 tries per game the year prior.
San Antonio needs a shooter of such caliber to boost their dismal offense.
John Collins is number two.
Last season, John Collins was a key player for the Hawks, averaging 17.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.2 assists while shooting 55.6 percent on the field and 39.9 percent on 3-pointers to help them win the Eastern Conference’s fifth seed.
However, grabbing the 23-year-old from Atlanta would be difficult, since the Hawks have the ability to match any offer made to them.
Collins, who can run, dunk, and shoot, is the epitome of the modern-day NBA big man. The Hawks’ forward is multi-talented, as he can also play center. Collins is a big man who can stretch the floor, making 38% of his 3-point tries in his career.
Collins would certainly gain from this one, since he is a great complement for strong ball handlers and playmakers. With a flurry of guards in the Spurs’ rotation, Collins would absolutely profit from this one. When it comes to pick and roll, the athletic center is renowned for being a tough opponent.
Kelly Oubre Jr. is number three on the list.
Kelly Oubre Jr. is a plug-and-play kind of guy who might help the Spurs on both offensively and defense right away. Oubre is a hard-nosed defensive winger who is seen as a nuisance by opposition teams.
Oubre is a low-usage player who has a big effect on the game without having to hold the ball all the time. This is critical in order to help the Spurs’ other young players grow.
According to the San Antonio Express News, both sides are interested in one other because Oubre believes he can reach his full potential with the Spurs under Pop’s tutelage.
In 2020-21, the swingman averaged 15.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, and a steal a game for the Golden State Warriors.
He’s one of the finest free agents to sign this offseason since he can instantly influence the club and deliver.
Lauri Markkanen is number four on the list.
Lauri Markkanen has the size and shooting ability that the Spurs need. The 7-foot Finnish national is a one-of-a-kind player who can play both center and power forward while draining threes over opponents’ extended arms. He averaged 13.6 points and 5.3 rebounds last season, shooting 48% from the field and 40% from 3-point range. The big man’s excellent shooting will aid the Spurs’ spacing and give the guards ample space to operate and drive to the basket, forcing opposition big men to pursue Markkanen beyond the arc.
Josh Hart is number five.
Josh Hart is a jack of all trades who can also knock down 3-pointers, making him a low-risk and high-reward acquisition. Hart isn’t the greatest 3-point shooter on the market, but he’s a consistent performer who outperforms the majority of the Spurs’ current lineup.
San Antonio has a lot of rebounding guards, and Josh Hart happens to be one of the greatest rebounding guards in the NBA right now. Despite coming off the bench much of the time last season, he averaged eight rebounds per game. If he’s paired with Dejounte Murray, who is always pounding the boards, the Spurs will dominate the glass.
Pop may also use Josh Hart in his lineup as a strong defensive player. The 6-foot-5 guard possesses a 6-foot-8 wingspan, which has helped him tremendously when it comes to defending perimeter players.
This summer is usually when the Spurs make big moves. But the team is already set up for the future, with Kawhi Leonard locked up for the foreseeable future, and LaMarcus Aldridge and Pau Gasol locked in for one more year. If the Spurs want to keep their chances for a deep playoff run in 2021, they’ll need to make a splash at the trade deadline.. Read more about san antonio spurs trade rumors 2021 and let us know what you think.
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