San Antonio Spurs: 4 Goals for 2021 free agency

2. The San Antonio Spurs must pursue young players who fit with the core

There are a number of big-name free agents, such as Kyle Lowry, Kawhi Leonard, and Chris Paul, available later this summer. That said, San Antonio would be better served pursuing younger players in restricted free agency, particularly ones who fit with the likes of Dejounte Murray, Derrick White, Keldon Johnson, and Jakob Poeltl long-term.

Additionally, players such as John Collins, Lauri Markkanen, and Duncan Robinson should be targets in restricted free agent by the Spurs front office. However, there are some barriers that could prevent them from joining the Spurs.

Collins will likely be offered a max contract in restricted free agency, and the Atlanta Hawks appear certain to match unless a sign and trade can be negotiated between the Spurs and Hawks.

Lauri Markkanen and Duncan Robinson, on the other hand, could both receive offers that could prove costly enough to keep the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat from matching. San Antonio is among several teams that could pursue them, and they'll have the second highest amount of available cap space, increasing their chances of acquiring at least one of the three.

In regards to fit, Collins would make an immediate impact as a highly productive power-forward while Markkanen and Robinson would add some much-needed shooting at power forward and small forward respectively. Perhaps equally as important, however, is that each guy fits well with the Spurs young core.