San Antonio Spurs roster: Who will likely be gone soon?

Tre Jones, 22 years old, under contract until 2023

I am a big believer in Tre Jones so I hope and think his time in the Silver and Black will go two ways. Either he’ll emerge as a phenomenal backup to Dejounte Murray who can defend and handle the ball just as well as the starter, or he’ll overplay his contract, prove he’s worth a starting role, and be re-signed only to be traded to a team who needs a guard by 2025.

Hopefully, he stays, although the return on investment for the second-rounder will be higher than initially thought.

Keita Bates-Diop, 26 years old, under contract until 2023

The Spurs are paying Keita Bates-Diop the minimum salary, and his halfway decent play off the bench or in place of injured Doug McDermott has been worth it, but not by much. Considering he is not a “fundamental piece” if he keeps playing well, he’ll get traded for younger pieces or a draft pick, and if he regresses back to his play from last season, well, then he won’t be signed again.

Hopefully, he’s gone before his contract is up in exchange for a late-first round pick, but realistically, he’ll sign elsewhere for the league minimum again. 

Drew Eubanks, 24 years old, under contract until 2023

With Jock Landale and Zach Collins getting more playing time soon, it might be time to move on from Drew. I don't think he’ll play out the remainder of his contract in San Antonio, but alone he is not worth trading for. I suspect he’ll be a part of a package with Thaddeus Young or Tre Jones in the near future, but if not, he’ll be gone sooner rather than later when his contract expires anyway. 

Keldon Johnson, 22 years old, under contract until 2023

Despite not playing as well as expected so far this season, Keldon Johnson is only getting paid about $6 million over his remaining seasons with the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs should definitely expend him for upwards of $25 million a season, maybe even more, if his play steps up.

As a top ten small forward in the Western Conference at this young age, Johnson is a fundamental piece that the Spurs should build around for a very long time. Let him retire in San Antonio and pay the man.