San Antonio Spurs: Top three free agents to replace injured point guards

SAN ANTONIO, TX – OCTOBER 7: Derrick White #4 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball against the Houston Rockets during a pre-season game on October 7, 2018 at AT&T Center, in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The San Antonio Spurs are absolutely decimated with injuries at the point guard position which may cause them to take a look at some available free agents.

The past week has been absolutely miserable for the San Antonio Spurs.

First, rookie guard Lonnie Walker went down with a knee injury that will keep him on the sidelines for the next six-to-eight weeks.

Then Dejounte Murray suffered a season-ending ACL injury as he was getting ready for a potential breakout year.

With Murray and Walker down, second-year guard Derrick White was expected to step up into a starting role. White put in a promising performance against the Hawks on Wednesday with 15 points, six rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and one steal as the starting point guard.

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However, he started suffering some pain in his heel and now we’ve learned he will also be out for the next six-to-eight weeks with that heel injury.

With three guards sidelined due to injury, it may be time for the Spurs to sign a free agent to step in until Walker and White come back.

Here are the three best point guards available on the open market.

Next: Tim Frazier

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – OCTOBER 9: Tim Frazier #12 of the Milwaukee Bucks handles the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder during a pre-season game on October 9, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Tim Frazier

Tim Frazier is currently on a preseason contract with the Bucks, but the Spurs can offer him a regular season deal to steal him away from Milwaukee.

Frazier played a minimal role with the Wizards last season scoring 3 points and dishing 3.3 assists in 14.2 minutes per game. However, he’s only one year removed from playing 23.5 minutes per game where he scored 7.1 points per night with 5.2 assists and 0.9 steals in New Orleans.

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Frazier’s tendency to distribute the ball well and play solid defense would fit in well in San Antonio.

The four-year veteran has bounced around the league early on in his career, so he has experience learning NBA systems very quickly and stepping in right away.

The Spurs would need Frazier to do that again as they are suddenly very thin at point guard.

Next: Jameer Nelson

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – MARCH 13: Jameer Nelson #41 of the Detroit Pistons brings the ball up court against the Utah Jazz in the second half of a game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 13, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Utah Jazz beat the Detroit Pistons 110-79. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

Jameer Nelson

Jameer Nelson is pretty ancient by point guard standards at 36 years old, but he’s continued to be a reliable player as he enters season number 15.

We all know how much Gregg Popovich loves veterans that many believe are over the hill, and he’s had success squeezing some solid production out of those players over the years.

Nelson’s extensive experience in the league should help him pick up the offense quickly and become a contributor immediately if the Spurs choose to sign him.

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Nelson scored 4.9 points with 3.6 assists in just over 20 minutes per game last season in a year split between New Orleans and Detroit, and San Antonio could use those type of numbers now that Murray, White and Walker will all miss significant time with their various injuries.

Next: Mario Chalmers

MEMPHIS, TN – MARCH 24: Mario Chalmers #6 of the Memphis Grizzlies drives to the basket against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 24, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Mario Chalmers

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Mario Chalmers is not the same player that the Spurs faced in their NBA Finals matchups with the Heat back in the day, but he’s continued to be a pretty good point guard when healthy.

Chalmers played in 66 games for the Grizzlies last season where he averaged 7.7 points, 3 assists, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game in 21.5 minutes.

He wasn’t extremely efficient offensively with a true shooting percentage of just over 50%, but he has the potential to be better this season as he’s one more year removed from an Achilles injury that kept him on the sidelines in 2016-17.

At 32 years old, he could still have a good run of 20 or so games in him which is all San Antonio would need before their young guards get healthy.

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If Pop could convince Chalmers to have better shot selection, he could provide 15-20 minutes of solid play for the Spurs as they wait for White and Walker to recover from their current injuries.

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