2 Positive, 1 negative ripple effects of Spurs' minor trade with Pacers

Positive - Frees up roster spot

Perhaps the best aspect of this seemingly minor move from the Spurs is that a roster spot appears to be open with the team reportedly aiming to pursue a buyout for Marcus Morris. (As a side note, Morris joining the Spurs twice in his career without ever playing a game for them is objectively funny).

There will be a few candidates for this open full-time roster spot, but the prime candidate to land it has to be Dominick Barlow. After going undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft, Barlow joined San Antonio for Summer League before signing two-way contracts with the team in July 2022 and July 2023.

As most two-way players do, he has split time between the G League and the NBA team for the past season and a half. It is safe to say Barlow has been waiting for an opportunity to arise where he might find his way onto the full-time roster, and this could be it.

For his career, Barlow has averaged 25.1 points and 7.8 rebounds in 20 games with the Austin Spurs. Much like Jonathon Simmons nearly a decade ago, Barlow could be the next shining example of a player who put in the work to eventually stake his claim with the big league club.