4 Spurs that need monster second halves of the season to save their jobs

The regular season is more than two-thirds of the way done, and while most teams are battling for the playoffs, the San Antonio Spurs will probably be using that time to evaluate. San Antonio is on pace to win just 16 games, which would be the worst season in team history after setting it only last season.

As a result, the Spurs will have to figure out what to take away from this season, especially when it comes to their players. Most of them won't figure into the Spurs' next playoff team, but some will, and players will have to show and prove to stick around.

4) Tre Jones

Point guard Tre Jones has had an unusual path to starting this season. He was seen as the favorite to start entering the preseason but was surprisingly replaced by Jeremy Sochan, then Malaki Branham, in the starting lineup. Only after injuries and poor play from others did he finally start. The Spurs have been better for it, with the Jones starting lineup being +5.4 points per 100 possessions compared to -18.2 from the tall-ball lineup that started the season.

His playmaking has brought with it more consistency, though the Spurs could still use an upgrade at point guard. There are a few options in the draft, including Nikola Topic and Rob Dillingham, and in free agency, with Tyus Jones and D'Angelo Russell. San Antonio might use both one of their draft picks and some of their cap space to improve at point guard.

They also have Blake Wesley, who has begun to carve out a role and could accelerate the process by improving as a shooter this summer, something that Jones seemingly can't do. All of that leaves Jones' future up in the air, especially if the Spurs pursue Trae Young. Jones playing well to close the season might help his case; however, his ceiling as a player will always mean that he is capable of being upgraded.