After falling to the Grizzlies in the play-in tournament, the Spurs face important decisions on their veteran players. DeMar DeRozan will be one of the biggest names on the free agent market this summer, and San Antonio must decide whether to make a long-term investment in the 31-year-old guard on a team filled with young talent.
The Spurs will have an exclusive window to reach a new deal with DeRozan before free agency begins August 1, according to Bobby Marks of ESPN (Insider article). DeRozan is eligible for an extension that could pay him up to $149.1MM over the next four seasons, including a $33.3MM starting salary for 2021/22.
If DeRozan reaches the open market, Marks identifies the Hornets, Mavericks, Heat and Knicks as teams that would have cap space and interest in signing the high-scoring guard. He suggests New York, which will have $55MM available, could be tempted to reunite DeRozan with his long-time friend and former Raptors backcourt partner, Kyle Lowry.
There’s more from San Antonio:
- Similar decisions will have to be made on Patty Mills and Rudy Gay, who are both headed to free agency, Marks adds in the same piece. Mills, who will turn 33 this summer, has spent most of his career with the Spurs and was considered a Sixth Man of the Year candidate during the first half of the season. Gay, who turns 35 in August, is a dependable three-point shooter and an effective weapon off the bench.
- After spending much of his rookie year in the G League, Keldon Johnson made significant progress during his second NBA season, writes Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News. The 21-year-old small forward started 67 games this year and appears to be part of the Spurs’ foundation heading forward. “I’ve learned a lot,” Johnson said. “I’ve grown a lot — on and off the court — from just observing (coach Gregg Popovich) and how he goes about things. … He’s taught me so many things.”
- Popovich is encouraged by the progress his team made this season, but he cautions that becoming a title contender won’t happen right away, Orsborn tweets. “That takes time,” Popovich said. “… The more these guys get to practice together, the more they develop, hopefully the record will bend in the correct direction.”
DeChoke
His historical playoff stats say he has played subpar in the playoffs, but this season he’s one of the top clutch scorers so it looks like he improved.
The Spurs just had the most important night of their season, a win-or-go-home game against the Grizzlies… and DeRozan shot 5/21 from the field. Improvement it ain’t.
If DeRozan does leave, it will be interesting to see what San Antonio does with their new cap room. They have a lot of good young pieces, proving that you don’t have to tank to collect talent.
If they part ways with DeRozan, Gay, & Mills, they could have almost $40 million in cap space AND have a good young player at every position. Murray, White, Johnson, Samanic, and Poeltl is a pretty good base. A veteran SG like Fournier would fit very well. They could also pick up a vet like Elfrid Payton or Dante Exum as a backup PG. Perhaps they could even make a play at a restricted FA PF like John Collins or Lauri Markkanen and they would be set up as a pretty decent challenger in the West. Maybe not a title contender, but definitely a playoff team with a lot of future upside.
Yes! With all due respect to DeRozan, Mills & Gay, it is time to move on and upgrade. I have Fournier on my 2K Spurs team. It would make me cry if they just re-up those guys and not snap out of it to try and get back on top. The NBA needs the Spurs back in the title hunt. If you look at the past champions, the Spurs were always there in the mix, deadly and disciplined, taking a title here and there between other dynasties.
Out of respect for his contributions, I would give Mills a vet minimum deal but please DO NOT re-sign DDR or Gay (unless Gay takes vet minimum). It’s time to win again. I’m not sure if MURRAY can be the #1 option. On my 2K universe, he’s become a bonafide balla. But with that much money in play and potential with Poetl/Murray/other young bucks, there’s no reason to cash out on DeRozan. Only take him if they lose out on anyone else.
It’s been sorry times since Manu/Tony/Timmy and especially since they took the poison pill that was Aldridge and then the Kawhi-ghtmare. PLEASE try to contend again.
I doubt DeRozan will go to NYK. I’m done getting any hopes up about any FAs thinking about NY.
As a Knicks fan, I sure hope he doesn’t. RJ Barrett will be better than him, and RJ can actually hit 3s. Derozan is a 2 that can’t shoot 3s. He belongs on a lottery team.
I don’t see why not, DeRoze is a veteran and the Knicks are a veteran team with a winning Coach. He wasn’t impressive last night but he seems like a great fit with Randle DRose and RJ, I hope the Knicks at least make an offer.
DeMar is best suited for Miami…
I doubt either Gay or Mills is willing to take a $10M pay cut to stay in SA.
Right! I’m totally against paying either guy more than vet minimum. Spurs should take a chance on a player that is freed up who has been misused, has potential in a larger role, etc.
Whether or not Murray will be a #1 option. SA is basically committed to at least giving him a shot as the #1 PG option. You don’t sign a guy for 5 years to be the back up. That’s why getting a vet like Payton or bringing back Mills or finding an older vet like Teague or Rondo is more important. Have a back up capable of starting if pressed, but not so good that starting would be a “have to” thing.
I’m willing to wait on Dejounte. I love his defense and his toughness. Definitely needs to have that Jamal Murray type year soon, though.
I think Jamal Murray might be a little beyond his reach. I do think he could turn into maybe a step or two below Jamal Murray though, which would still be an impressive player. I am thinking maybe similar to a Tyreke Evans type peak. Not necessarily the same type player, but the same peak value.
People Derozan is a forward, has been for years. Shoots mostly from inside 15ft.
Gay is a 4, though DDR can be too. Granted, the team looked excessively small in their loss.
Per Bas.Ref.”play-by-play” positions:
1. Murray, Mills, TreJones (not bro Tyus)
2. White, Walker (and now w/a dragon! GoT:D)
3. Keldon, Vassell (some Derozan)
4. Derozan, Gay, Lyles, Samanic
5. Poeltl, Eubanks, Dieng(MIN)
For NYK, I doubt Derozan or Gay would interfere with RJ Barrett. Maybe Bullock, fine.
Derozen to Miami…