Spurs News: Trio of subtle roster moves, Wembanyama finally gets a break

Some fans expected the San Antonio Spurs to push all their chips into the center of the table to sign a marquee free agent or trade for a disgruntled star after drafting Victor Wembanyama, but patience has defined their summer. The front office continued their measured approach, carrying out a trio of subtle moves that have them positioned to round out the roster before the start of next season.

There have been numerous rumors and reports about the Spurs looking to address their point guard situation, and they knocked that task off their to-do list with a trade that netted them Cam Payne and a 2025 second-round pick. While the 28-year-old may not factor into San Antonio's long-term vision, he offers them a reliable floor general who can run the second-unit offense or fill in as a spot starter.

The other transactions the Silver and Black completed were not as notable, but they cleared room for the organization to finalize other signings and save cap space. San Antonio waived Lamar Stevens on Monday and renounced the free agent rights to Gorgui Dieng on Tuesday, cutting their roster down to 20 players with approximately two months left before training camp commences around the NBA.

More Spurs News

• Victor Wembanyama stole the show at Las Vegas Summer League, selling out Thomas & Mack Center in his debut and scoring 27 points in a dominant encore performance. The rookie spent a game supporting his teammates from the sidelines after the franchise shut him down, and he left Vegas a few days early for a well-earned vacation from basketball and the media spotlight.

• The San Antonio Spurs closed out their Las Vegas Summer League schedule with a nail-biting victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Though Victor Wembanyama, Malaki Branham, Julian Champagnie, Blake Wesley, and Dominick Barlow sat out this matchup, Sir'Jabari Rice showed fans why the front office signed him to a two-way contract moments after the 2023 NBA Draft.

• According to the San Antonio Express-News, the Spurs are exploring the possibility of building a new basketball arena in downtown San Antonio. While their lease on the AT&T Center doesn't expire until 2032, this construction project would also include a baseball stadium, restaurants, bars, and shops to create a bustling sports district to attract business from locals and tourists.

• The Raptors waived Joe Wieskamp on Monday despite scoring 27 points on 8-of-11 shooting in his Las Vegas Summer League finale. San Antonio selected the 6-foot-6 guard with the 41st overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, but he has yet to find a permanent home in the league. With spacing being a staple of the game, there is still a chance another team signs the former Spur.