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

The San Antonio Spurs won the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery and the right to draft Victor Wembanyama on June 22. It was a massive night for the franchise as they will get the most hyped prospect since LeBron James. The Spurs were destined to win, but the 7-foot-5 big man will certainly alter things in San Antonio.

Wembanyama made it clear he is “trying to win a ring ASAP” during the lottery broadcast on ESPN. He is a generational talent, but the French teenager cannot do it alone. The Spurs have some intriguing young players and a new centerpiece, but they are going to need more talent if they want to jump into contention next season.

The Spurs generate up to $43 million in cap space if they renounce their cap holds. They will have the opportunity to improve their roster around Wembanyama. San Antonio has the financial resources to bring back Tre Jones, but could they upgrade at point guard? Here are some options the Spurs could target in free agency.

8. Reggie Jackson

Jackson is a 12-year NBA veteran that played a key role in the Clippers reaching the conference finals in 2021. The 6-foot-2 guard has primarily been a starter over the last eight years, but he was traded and bought out in February before signing with the Nuggets. Jackson has been out of Denver’s rotation in the playoffs, but he is a proven scorer and playmaker.

Head Coach Gregg Popovich once called Jackson “the Spurs killer”. Could the 33-year-old translate that praise into a contract in San Antonio? Jackson will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, and the Spurs have plenty of cap space to pursue him if they beleive he fits their vision for buidling a roster around Wembanyama.

Verdict: Worth a glance

The San Antonio Spurs need veterans to round out their roster if they plan on taking a step forward in 2024. Reggie Jackson has played in the conference finals twice along with being a steady NBA contributor and suiting up next to some of the league’s best players. He would certainly give San Antonio a veteran presence that could run an offense coming off the bench.

7. Patrick Beverley

Beverley is another veteran option the Spurs could look at this offseason. The 34-year-old is known as a defensive pest that brings a ton of energy to his team. He is not a traditional point guard, but Pat Bev can space the floor and make some plays.

The veteran is not for everyone. He Lakers traded him to the Magic in February, where he was waived immediately before signing with the Bulls to close the season. The 6-foot-1 guard wanted out of LA, and he joined hometown team. Beverley made an impact in Chicago, but he wants more money than the Bulls can offer in free agency.

The 34-year-old does not feel like a Spurs guy, despite Gregg Popovich coaching him in November 2021.

Verdict: Worth a look if he ditches the antics

Patrick Beverley would need to tone down the antics and trash talk to sign in San Antonio. Would the veteran guard do that to get a chance to play under Pop? The feisty guard has been in the playoffs eight times in his 11 years in the NBA, and his energy and effort could make a massive impact. Could he give the young Spurs a defensive boost? It Beverley worth a look if he agrees to fit into the Spurs' culture?

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.

5. Dennis Schroder

Schroder has struggled to find a long-term deal since turning down an $84 million extension from the Lakers in 2021. He played on the taxpayer mid-level exception last season before accepting a minimum deal to return to LA last summer. Schroder has helped the Lakers reach the conference finals this season as a role player that complements LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Could the Spurs convince him to come to San Antonio this offseason to be their point guard? Schroder has blazing speed, and he is a strong secondary creator with a penchant for scoring and underrated on-ball defense. Could coach Pop get the best out of the 29-year-old German?

His biggest drawback is his three-point shooting. Schroder is a career 33.7% shotmaker from downtown, but he had a breakout year playing with Chris Paul where he shot 38.5%. Can the Spurs unlock Schroder’s outside shooting?

Verdict: Worth a look

The options on the free agent market are not bountiful. Dennis Schroder could be a mid-tier option for the Spurs that could shift into a sixth man role if they can acquire a true starting point guard. Would the 6-foot-3 guard be interested in San Antonio? Do the Spurs have to overpay to get him? Those are important questions to consider before offering Schroder a contract this summer.

4. Russell Westbrook

Westbrook is one of the most interesting free-agent point guards this summer. He struggled mightily with the Lakers as his team went just 56-74 with him in the lineup. The nine-time All-Star was traded to Utah at the deadline before getting bought out and ending up with the Clippers.

Back in LA, he changed the narrative a bit. Westbrook helped the Clippers win 11 of their final 16 regular season games to finish fifth in the Western Conference. They were knocked out in the first round of the playoffs, but the 34-year-old proved he can still provide a spark in the right situation.

Westbrook is not a Spurs player. He needs to dominate the ball and still wants to be the focal point of the offense. San Antonio is about to draft their franchise player, and they certainly do not want to see Westbrook monopolize all the shots and touches on their rebuilding roster.

Verdict: No thanks

San Antonio needs someone who is looking to set up Victor Wembanyama and enhance the franchise’s young roster. Russell Westbrook is past his prime and still struggling to accept he is best as a sixth man at this point in his career. These two sides just do not match up. 

3. James Harden

Harden may have a wandering eye this offseason. The 10-time All-Star is expected to decline his $35.6 million player option to become an unrestricted free agent. There are rumors about him returning to Houston, and their lottery outcome is not expected to alter those plans. With Victor Wembanyama headed to San Antonio, could the Spurs pry Harden away from Philadelphia?

Chris Haynes reported the 6-foot-5 guard desires “a competitive roster and basketball freedom” for his next home. San Antonio may not fit that bill, but playing next to Wemby could be attractive to an aging star searching for his first ring as he enters the twilights of his prime.

If he wants to play next to a star big man, why not just stay in Philadelphia with reigning MVP Joel Embiid? Could this all be a leverage play to get Harden more money from the 76ers?

Verdict: Worth a glance if he looks back

Harden just led the league in assists and has averaged over 10 assists per game for four straight seasons. He is unquestionably one of the best facilitators in the NBA, and he could be a fantastic option to organize the offense for Victor Wembanyama.

Could the 6-foot-5 guard be interested in San Antonio? Just last year, Gregg Popovich had high praise for the former MVP. Could the two link up? It is worth the Spurs poking around.

2. Kyrie Irving

The Spurs' culture is clearly defined after more than two decades under Gregg Popovich, and they are only going to search for players that fit that mold.

Drama has followed Kyrie throughout his NBA career. It started in Cleveland when he asked out. Irving vowed to stay in Boston before departing for Brooklyn in free agency. His tenure with the Nets was a circus. Kyrie missed time after refusing to get vaccinated and was later suspended by the team for an antisemetic social media post before requesting a trade. Irving is an exceptional talent, but he does not fit in San Antonio.

The eight-time All-Star is an unrestricted free agent this summer. Dallas acquired him at the trade deadline, but will he stay with the Mavericks? If not, only a handful of teams have cap space. Could the Spurs be in play for Kyrie?

Verdict: Not even if he plays for free

San Antonio may be the most drama-free team in the NBA, so they will have zero interest in Kyrie Irving, despite his talent. Look no further than coach Pop’s thoughts on Irving being a part-time player during the pandemic. It is safe to say that the eight-time All-Star will not be playing in San Antonio.

1. Fred VanVleet

The Spurs desperately need a point guard, and the closest one to fitting their culture is VanVleet. The 29-year-old averaged 19.3 points, 7.2 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.8 steals in 36.7 minutes per game for Toronto this season. He was an All-Star in 2022, and the undersized guard can space the floor and run an offense. VanVleet competes hard on the defensive end and played a key role in Toronto winning a championship in 2019.

After the Raptors title, he may have cursed out Gregg Popovich. There is a video of VanVleet talking to an assistant coach where someone says “F--- Pop”. It is unclear who besmirched the legendary play caller, but it angered plenty of Spurs fans.

Would San Antonio target VanVleet after the video? He is expected to decline a $22.8 million player option for next season, which would make him an unrestricted free agent. Where will he end up?

Verdict: Sign now if he’ll apologize

Fred VanVleet is a hard-working player who is committed to helping his community. The 29-year-old puts the team first, and he ultimately wants to win. He would be a fantastic fit in San Antonio playing for coach Pop if he is willing to apologize for the video.