1 player at each position that the Spurs should have kept around

Small Forward - Lonnie Walker IV (2018-2022)

Lonnie Walker IV came onto the scene with the wildest draft-day hairstyle one could have. When he came out of Miami in 2018, his athleticism and how quickly he moved on the court excited coaches. While his development was somewhat slower than you would want, when Walker IV was at his best, he showed hints of stardom. Walker IV could jump out of the gym, especially on the fast break, and hit the big jump shot when the Spurs needed it.

Walker IV's last season in San Antonio (2021-2022) was his career best, as he averaged over 12 points and 3 assists per game. However, he rarely topped 25 minutes a night, and that had to be because of his frequent inconsistency in his Spur days. That unreliability must have been the real motive for the Spurs to let him walk.

Still, the Spurs could have benefited from keeping Walker IV around. His shot could have improved with a little more work, making his release look like a huge mistake. To add salt to the wound, Walker IV was a fan favorite, a great teammate, and showed a ton of support for the Spurs organization. In a 2021 interview with Laker Nation (his next team from 2021–2022), Walker IV had high praise for San Antonio.

"The professionalism within the organization is something I will always appreciate," Walker said. "Coach Popovich in particular was simply a good man, basketball aside. The Spurs are one of the best organizations for a reason, and I would always be thankful for my time there."

Walker is currently trying to stay in the league after his contract ended with the Brooklyn Nets, making him an unrestricted free agent.