3 questionable contracts the Spurs must shed during the offseason

As the second half of the season begins, it's clear that the San Antonio Spurs roster is still far from a complete product. While they landed De'Aaron Fox in a big trade ahead of the deadline, they still have several needs, including a backup center and a need for more shooting.

With no other way to address those issues in-season, they will have to do so this summer. But, with limited maneuverability, they will have to make some tough decisions regarding several key players.

That could mean opting not to bring back several rotation players, possibly even trading them to turn themselves into contenders. Let's take a quick look at three contracts the Spurs must reevaluate this summer.

3) Chris Paul

In short order, Chris Paul has gone from being praised by Spurs fans for helping guide a young roster to being criticized for holding back one of their young players. Paul doesn't make as much sense as a starter with Fox on the team, and Steph Castle's emergence makes CP3 possibly the third-best point guard on the Spurs.

Considering that last year, that role was held by Tre Jones, it's a good problem to have—assuming Paul agrees to come off the bench. CP will be a free agent after this season, but the Spurs could bring him back and even give him a raise. However, they shouldn't be willing to do that unless he is open to a smaller role.

Removing Paul's $11 million contract from the books doesn't necessarily mean that he won't return next season, but he would have to accept a reduced role. Paul has been far from bad this season. He ranks seventh in the NBA in assists and has yet to miss a game.

That said, it's clear that he shouldn't be starting when there are better options available for the Spurs. If he were to accept a bench role, it could prolong his career, help the Spurs, and give them a reason to bring him back next season. If not, then they should look elsewhere.

2) Keldon Johnson

Fan favorite Keldon Johnson is the longest-tenured Spur, having spent six seasons in San Antonio. Nevertheless, after acquiring Fox, his role has continued to decline. In fact, he has only averaged 15.6 minutes per game since the Spurs added Fox.

Johnson has embraced coming off the bench, but paying him around $20 million to be the seventh man doesn't make a lot of sense. Especially with him shooting poorly over his last 10 games, shooting 34.6% from the field and 27.3% from three.

As a result, keeping him just doesn't make sense, particularly when the Spurs need more shooting that he doesn't provide. Luckily, his big salary for next season would make him the ideal matching salary in a big trade that could help San Antonio add spacing. That means Johnson is expendable this summer.

1) Devin Vassell

Spurs guard Devin Vassell is an odd player. One game, he looks like a borderline all-star, knocking down highly difficult shots with ease and showing off surprising athleticism with eye-popping dunks. Next, he is clanking open threes and failing to make much of an impact on either end of the floor.

His contract once looked like a steal, but it's looking more and more like an overpay with him making nearly $30 million this season and under contract for the next four years. If he can develop a more consistent form of offense, then he'd be fine at that number with the cap jumping 10% each year for the foreseeable future, thanks to the new TV deal.

Particularly with his salary declining over the next three seasons, further helping take some of the risk out of his contract and making it look far better going forward. How much so depends on his level of play.

If he's averaging at least 18 points and shooting threes at a high volume and a good percentage, then he is a useful player to have as a third option. Or perhaps as a fourth option. Then again, if he continues to be as inconsistent as he's been this season, the Spurs should be open to seeing what his big contract and a first might get them on the trade market.