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San Antonio Spurs: Kyle Anderson is gone, and the roster still has holes

By Rob Wolkenbrod
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 11: Kyle Anderson #1 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts after a timeout during the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on January 11, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 11: Kyle Anderson #1 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts after a timeout during the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on January 11, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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The San Antonio Spurs, who still have roster concerns, just lost Kyle Anderson to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Kyle Anderson’s four-year, $37.2 million offer sheet from the Memphis Grizzlies was unlikely to be matched by the San Antonio Spurs. That became the case Sunday, when ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Silver and Black decided to not match Anderson’s new contract, ending his four-year stay in the Alamo City.

Removing “Slo-Mo” from the equation still leaves the Spurs with plenty of roster concerns while sitting above the salary cap. That’s even with multiple players still in the balance.

  • It starts with the remaining restricted free agents, Davis Bertans and Bryn Forbes. Both received qualifying offers from the Spurs but neither has signed offer sheets with other teams. Bertans received interest from the Brooklyn Nets and Utah Jazz.
  • Manu Ginobili’s status remains in doubt for the 2018-19 season. He’s under contract but has yet to officially decide on playing.
  • Chimezie Metu is the only true backup big man on the roster. Rudy Gay can play a stretch four role, but he’s hardly a bruiser inside to play behind LaMarcus Aldridge and Pau Gasol.
  • Who backs up Dejounte Murray? That might not be the team’s biggest question, as Patty Mills and Derrick White can fill this role. Will the Spurs want a veteran that’s position-specific, though?
  • Taking out Ginobili, Metu (a possible G League candidate) and Brandon Paul (his contract is not guaranteed yet and could become a waiver candidate), the Spurs may have just 10 players for the season.
  • Kawhi Leonard is the wild card. Trading him may bring back multiple players, filling out the roster and plugging in the spots that Bertans, Forbes and Ginobili may leave behind.

If Leonard stays, Ginobili retires and Paul is released, the Spurs may have to hand out veteran’s minimum deals, especially at center/power forward. It’s reminiscent of what Joffrey Lauvergne received in 2017, although that did not lead to much on the court.

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The offseason remains young, though, as it’s only July 8. San Antonio can still scour the free agent market or pluck someone out of Summer League and make them an offer they can’t refuse. Either way, this roster is hardly a finished product.

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