5 Free Agents the Spurs should avoid at all costs this summer

Gregg Popovich
Gregg Popovich / Thearon W. Henderson/GettyImages
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5: Kyle Kuzma

Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma is coming off the best season of his career and will likely get paid. The 27-year-old averaged a career-best 21.2 points per game and may leave Washington to capitalize on his performance this season. Given his age and the fact that, according to Kuzma, the Spurs planned on drafting him back in 2017 before the Lakers traded up to select him, it seems possible the team could look to sign him in free agency.

They shouldn't, however. Kuzma will likely expect at least $20M per season, which could mean a four-year deal worth around $80M, and San Antonio doesn't need him with Jeremy Sochan establishing himself as their power forward of the future. Sochan is only 19, eight years younger than Kuzma, and will make only $17.3M combined over the next three seasons. Compare that number to Kuzma's probable next contract, and it is highway robbery.

Moreover, based on what we saw from Sochan this season, he may have a much higher ceiling than Kuzma, even if he never averages 21 points per game. San Antonio shouldn't sign another starting forward, especially not at Kuzma's price point. They should instead find more constructive ways of using their cap space this summer.