3 Best candidates for the Spurs to target with their mid-level exception

The San Antonio Spurs need to put talent around Victor Wembanyama. The reigning Rookie of the Year is already elite and keeps improving. Expect him to be a top ten player in the NBA next season, but San Antonio must give him more help to become contenders.

The Spurs signed Chris Paul and traded for Harrison Barnes to bring leadership. CP3 wants to play and is eager to help Wemby reach his ceiling. Barnes is the ultimate professional and brings much-needed floor spacing to the Alamo.

The Spurs still have the room mid-level exception available in free agency after exceeding the salary cap. It has a maximum value of $7.9 million in year one and can be for three seasons. San Antonio should add another piece, and these are the best names still on the market.

3. Tyus Jones

Signing him does not make a ton of sense after adding Chris Paul, but it is San Antonio’s shot to get him for a bargain.

Jones was arguably the best backup point guard in the NBA during his time in Memphis, and his game expanded as a starter in the nation’s capital last season. He averaged 12.0 points, 7.3 assists, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 29.3 minutes per game while shooting 48.9 percent from the field and over 41 percent on his threes.

Jones is arguably the best available player, but he is unlikely to sign in San Antonio to steal minutes from his younger brother. The 28-year-old hopes to work out a sign-and-trade to get more dollars next season. Finding the deal won’t be easy with so many franchises facing spending restrictions, but Jones still has hope.

Tyus Jones is one of the best available candidates for the Spurs exception, regardless of fit. The 6’1 point guard may struggle to find a long-term deal, but San Antonio should try to get him at a discount. They have just $7.9 million to offer, but it might be his best available deal.

Expect Tyus Jones to land with another franchise, but the Spurs would love to add more shooting to their current mix.