3 Free Agent targets the Spurs should pursue this offseason

The San Antonio Spurs are in the middle of another early vacation after a fourth consecutive season of missing the playoffs. Although they slipped to the bottom of the league standings during the first year of their all-out rebuild, the front office could have over $40M in cap space this summer, so how about we explore three free agents they can spend that cash on?

1. Cam Johnson

The Spurs were one of the worst three-point shooting teams in the league this season, and the name Cam Johnson should be on their radar. The 27-year-old forward has fantastic off-ball shot versatility, nailing 40.4% of his triples as he spots up, relocates, and utilizes screens to create open looks for himself in transition and within the flow of the half-court offense.

Johnson may not have a reputation as a respected defender, but he holds his own versus frontcourt bruisers and contains smaller perimeter players. Though his steals and blocks numbers are fine, his impact stems from not committing fouls and being in the right place at the right time. The fourth-year contests shots well with his length and makes timely rotations.

Though he is a restricted free agent this summer, San Antonio has enough cap space to present Johnson with an offer sheet that may force the Nets to think twice before matching. He could command $20M annually, a lofty price tag for a non-star. With that said, Cam is starter material, and a late-season surge in Brooklyn suggests he might have untapped upside.

The six-eight marksman averaged 18.1 points on outlandish .568/.463/.947 shooting splits over his last eight games, showcasing an extended scoring repertoire as he experimented in the midrange. His flashes of craft around the rim and self-creation were encouraging for a player that mainly leaned on others to get him the ball during the first three years of his career.

2. Austin Reaves

San Antonio also failed to manufacture efficient offense because they had such a shortage of advantage creators on their roster. And signing players that can score off the dribble and set their up teammates could become a priority if the front office decides to expedite the rebuild this offseason. It might sound insane, but Austin Reaves meets those specific criteria.

The second-year guard has surpassed expectations after going undrafted in 2021, transforming from a sound role player into a full-fledged breakout star for the Lakers as they made a hectic playoff push over the last month of the regular season. Reaves rose to the challenge with LeBron James on the sidelines, keeping a severely shorthanded Los Angeles squad afloat.

Reaves averaged 18.1 points and 5.6 assists on exceptional .565/.426/.853 shooting splits in the 20 games leading up to the play-in tournament, with no problem adjusting to whatever role Darvin Ham asked him to play. That ability to function as a primary ballhandler or complementary scorer could earn him a massive pay raise from his current $1.6M two-way contract.

The 24-year-old swingman is a restricted free agent, but Los Angeles has numerous personnel decisions on their plate this summer. The Lakers can match any offer sheet he receives, though recent reports say things could get tricky if a deal nears the $60M-$70M threshold. Would PATFO roll the dice on Reaves for that much money? That's another question entirely.

3. Grant Williams

The final player on this list is the least exciting name, but Grant Williams is still someone San Antonio should court this offseason. The Spurs were an unmitigated catastrophe on defense and turnover-prone on the other end, leaving them scrambling to keep up in most matchups. Williams is solid on both sides of the ball, and finding two-way contributors is a must.

Williams is a quintessential 3&D forward. He has the muscle and length to provide resistance in the paint, the footspeed to switch onto most guards, and the know-how to execute his team responsibilities. While he is a non-threat to score off the bounce, Williams is a corner specialist who can get to the basket against closeouts and swing the rock around the horn.

One glimpse at his per-game numbers might not inspire much confidence in the 24-year-old, but it is critical to remember he often shares the court with Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, and Al Horford. Williams understands his position in the pecking order, and Boston utilizes him as a stationary shooter, connective passer, and do-it-all defender.

Like the other two players we examined, the fourth-year Swiss Army knife is a restricted free agent this offseason. Despite being a vital bench piece for the Celtics, they might let him walk since he reportedly expects $20M annually on his next contract. Is a sixth man worth that fee? Probably not, though San Antonio could offer him more touches and a starting role.