3 Spurs who are franchise building blocks, 4 that should be cut loose

The San Antonio Spurs have the best young talent in the world in Victor Wembanyama, but work must be done to build around him. They won just 22 games and were over 25 behind making the playoffs. Wemby is only 20, but he won’t settle for being near the bottom of the standings for long. The Spurs should already feel the pressure to nail this offseason and put more talent around him.

It starts with two draft picks in the top eight this year. San Antonio could make the selections or try to trade them for win-now help. Do not expect the Spurs to deviate from their plan, but the best deals are made when an unexpected opportunity presents itself. San Antonio will always be listening and waiting to strike.

Their sole focus should be building around Wemby. It is already clear that some pieces do not fit and others should remain part of their core. Now, is the time for the Spurs to make moves.

Expendable: Tre Jones

The Spurs were significantly better with Jones running their offense this season, but it was clear that he is not their point guard of the future. Gregg Popovich began the campaign with Jeremy Sochan as their lead playmaker and Jones coming off the bench until the experiment failed miserably.

Jones did not burst into the starting five until January, and the team won 17 games with him leading their attack. Even as the only true point guard on their roster, he averaged just 27.8 minutes per game for the season and 30.3 as a starter. Jones is undersized and a defensive liability. The Spurs like him as a reserve, but do not view him as their long-term answer at point guard.

He is under contract for the 2024-25 season at $9.1 million before becoming an unrestricted free agent next summer. The Spurs should look to move on, especially if they can find a significant upgrade. San Antonio wants their starter playing significant minutes, which would leave just 13 to 18 minutes a night for Jones. If he wants more, the Spurs should get something in return now.