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What Spurs Need Headed Into 2023 Offseason

San Antonio Officially Begins Rebuild

The plan for the San Antonio Spurs in the 2022-23 season was not to win many games, and that happened. They ended up tied for the worst record in the Western Conference, 22-60, putting them in an excellent position for the first overall pick in the upcoming draft.

At the start of the season, the Spurs thrived in NBA betting, going 5-2, but then proceeded to lose 16 of the next 17. That pattern would continue, with San Antonio showing some life, only to go on a massive losing streak.

What Spurs Need Headed Into 2023 Offseason
Keldon Johnson #3 of the San Antonio Spurs | Kevin c. Cox/getty images/afp

There is talent on the roster between Keldon Johnson, Devin Vassell, Tre Jones, and rookie Jeremy Sochan, which made the team solid for NBA picks when faced with a massive spread. However, there were very few occasions where all four players were healthy and on the court.

There is little knowledge on the Spurs’ future to make NBA predictions heading into the 2023 offseason. Head coach Gregg Popovich seems to be thinking about retiring, and if he does, how will it affect the Spurs’ ability to bring in free agents and the current trajectory of the franchise?

2022-23 Season Record: 22-60

Status of Coach: Gregg Popovich – Uncertain (Possible retirement)

Positions of Need

  • Star Player
  • Defensive/Starting Big
  • Starting point guard
  • Reliable Shooting

Possible Free Agency Plan

This Spurs roster needs a lot. The sportsbooks nearly predicted the team’s record with their preseason wins over/under set at 22.5 last season. It does not seem like one offseason will be able to rebuild this team, so going after a big free agent is not in the cards for San Antonio.

The team’s most extensive needs almost match the likely first-overall pick in the upcoming draft, Victor Wembanyama. Having the ability to draft him could have a massive effect on the team, possibly becoming a free-agent destination and maybe making Popovich hold off retirement.

Another significant need is an efficient 3-point shooting starting point guard. While Jones is solid, he has struggled from behind the arc. However, the issue is there are no high-upside potential free agents. The Spurs could go after a big name like D’Angelo Russell but would be without a supporting cast for success. Coby White could be interesting, but getting him could be problematic because he is a restricted free agent.

The same could be said about a defensive big, another position of need, with no clear-cut starter for 2023-24. A player with a high upside, fitting the Spur’s rebuild timeline, is Jaxson Hayes, but he is also a restricted free agent. With the seemingly small pool in free agency, the Spurs won’t improve their NBA playoff odds without some luck on draft lottery night.

First-Round Lottery Odds

  • Odds for First Overall Pick – 14%
  • Odds for Top Four Pick – 52.1%

Possible Draft Plan

The prize of the 2023 draft is Wembanyama. Whoever wins the lottery will break NBA news with the ability to draft a likely franchise-changing player. Standing well over 7 feet tall, Wembanyama will be an immediate rim protector on the defensive end. Offensively, he has the skills of a guard, able to shoot easily over defenders from any angle, along with crafty handles.

However, the Spurs might still be happy if they did not get the first overall pick. Scoot Henderson, from the G-League Ignite team, would be available and is often seen as the second-best player in the draft. He would be an immediate upgrade over Jones at the point guard position, but there would be a drop-off in playmaking and still a lack of shooting. Still, Henderson would be an elite talent and a great second option.

The Final top prospect is Brandon Miller, but he likely fits the Spurs the least. He would be another wing/forward alongside Johnson, Vassell, and Sochan. While Miller has the skill to succeed, the roster construction would be off, with too many young talented wings and not enough minutes.

After the top three, the chances of the Spurs getting a franchise-altering player drop slightly, but San Antonio in an excellent position to grab one of those players.

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