4 Spurs who are most likely to get traded before training camp

The San Antonio Spurs will soon have to make some tough decisions to whittle down their roster after a busy offseason. The Spurs have made a total of four trades thus far since the NBA draft, allowing the team to add to their impressive draft pick total while picking up some good players along the way. Unfortunately, San Antonio is currently over the NBA's 15-man roster limit.

That means that they will have to take further action in an effort to reduce the team's size before the start of the regular season. Between now and then, other deals are all but guaranteed, giving Spurs fans something to look forward to during the dog days of free agency.

With 18 players under contract, expect the Spurs to ship out several players on the team in roster-clearing moves. In fact, with the teams' training camp set for late September, we probably won't have to wait long to see San Antonio make more deals, but which players will be on the move? Let's dive in and take a closer look at the four Spurs who are most likely to be traded before training camp in September.

1.) Cedi Osman

Small forward Cedi Osman was acquired by the Spurs in a three-team deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat a few weeks ago. And if the Spurs weren't so pressed for roster spots, they might keep Osman. After all, he is a good shooter, something any team can use, and proved to be a capable defender last season, but he would be buried in the depth chart with better options.

Based on that, the Spurs will probably look to package him in a trade or even just release him if it comes to that. Osman is owed just $6.7 million for next season, making him an affordable depth piece and a likely throw-in in a bigger trade. Or perhaps a good team would be willing to trade a second and a non-essential player to the Spurs, whom the team could later waive.

That would be the best-case scenario since it would probably mean that San Antonio wouldn't take back salary that goes beyond next season. Plus, they would clear out a roster spot and pick up yet another draft pick for their efforts. One way or another, it seems like a safe bet that Osman won't be on the team next season.

2.) Doug McDermott

With a fairly large expiring contract, Doug McDermott seems like a no-brainer inclusion on a list of Spurs players likely to be traded. Aside from his contract, he doesn't have a clear role on the team, with players such as Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, and Malaki Branham set to eat up most of the perimeter minutes next season.

The same could be said for San Antonio's front court, with Wembanyama and Jeremy Sochan primarily playing there, taking away the potential of McDermott playing the four in small lineups. He can still shoot, so there's that, and another team in need of that skill could be interested. But with a roster crunch, the Spurs can't afford to take back multiple players unless they can be easily waived.

Or, the Spurs can take back a player making roughly the same amount as McDermott but whose contract runs longer if the other team makes it worth their while. That's possible, but so is his being included in a three-team deal. That's because the Spurs are a likely third team thanks to having plenty of picks and expendable players on mid-range contracts that can be combined. Barring something unexpected, McDermott will be wearing a different jersey next season.

3.) Devonte' Graham

Spurs guard Devonte' Graham was acquired by the team at last season's trade deadline and played reasonably well in Silver and Black. But after an offseason roster overhaul, there doesn't appear to be a significant role for him. Ironically, his unusual contract, which includes $12.1 million for next season and just $2.8 million guaranteed for 2024–25, makes him both a useful trade chip and harder to move.

If he were packaged with McDermott, the Spurs could take back a player on a big expiring contract like Kyle Lowry. That would be nice for both the Spurs and the Heat. Of course, there aren't that many players on big expiring contracts, leaving players on contracts similar to his. There are few obvious options, especially since San Antonio probably isn't willing to take on players with more than one year remaining unless they get a first-round pick or a player they like. They can't also waive that player to make roster room.

It is possible that the Spurs will keep Graham into next season if they waive Khem Birch, trade McDermott, and either trade or cut Osman. That would give them more time and options. If worst comes to worst, they could technically waive him and only be on the hook for this year's salary and his small guarantee for 24–25.

4.) Reggie Bullock

Of the players that the Spurs acquired this summer, small forward Reggie Bullock is arguably the most likely to play a role on the team next season. Even then, he could just as easily be dealt, either before the start of next season or near the trade deadline. After all, he holds more value as a three-and-d wing than any of the aforementioned trade candidates on the Spurs.

In fact, San Antonio could seek a haul of four second-round picks in exchange for Bullock, similar to what they got for Josh Richardson by taking back Graham's contract. However, the team may not be in a rush to move him if they are able to reach the 15-man roster limit by cutting or trading other players.

One reason is that Bullock can play well enough to help the Spurs and could increase his trade value as a result. If that is the case and San Antonio is willing to take back his long-term salary, they may even get a first-round pick for him come the trade deadline.

Overall, Osman, McDermott, Graham, and Bullock are the four Spurs likely to be traded. And with training camp scheduled to start on September 27th, there are still a lot of moves to be made between now and then.