Spurs: Grading 8 free agent point guard options from 'no thanks' to 'sign now'

San Antonio Spurs, Fred VanVleet
San Antonio Spurs, Fred VanVleet / Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
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D'Angelo Russell
Los Angeles Lakers v Memphis Grizzlies - Game Five / Justin Ford/GettyImages

6. D’Angelo Russell

Russell is an unrestricted free agent this summer, and he will be looking for a massive contract. The only teams with cap space are rebuilding. Will he re-sign with the Lakers? If not, the Spurs could certainly be in the play for the 6-foot-4 guard.

Russell is an unquestioned starter in thie middle of his prime. The 27-year-old has averaged 18.2 points and 6.4 assists in 31.4 minutes per game over his last three seasons combined. He is not the most efficient shooter, but D-Lo has connected on 37.2% of his threes since 2020.

Russell was part of Team USA Select ahead of the 2016 Olympics and there are varying accounts of how things went with coach Popovich. The Spurs legend only had good things to say to the media, but there were rumors of Popovich yelling at him during workouts. Ultimately, San Antonio needs talent, but will they target D-Lo?

Verdict: No thanks

This just does not feel like the right fit. The 6-foot-4 guard struggles on the defensive end of the floor, and he will be expensive. The San Antonio Spurs want to build around Victor Wembanyama, and they should be searching for someone that complements the generational rookie on both ends.