Three underwhelming Spurs who have no business on the roster this season

The Spurs had a productive offseason. They added some quality veterans, some big-name players, and filled voids on the roster. They sped up the rebuild and gave Victor Wembanyama reasons to stay in San Antonio far longer than for just his rookie contract.

With that production comes an excess of players, and some of the current roster won’t be there come the first game of the regular season. The pre-season competition will be fierce, and players will set themselves apart from each other in the pecking order of the roster.

Several players will show they have no business being on this roster. These current Spurs, for various reasons, will show why they should be elsewhere sooner rather than later.

3) Brandon Boston Jr

Brandon Boston Jr won’t be on this roster at some point. He signed an exhibit 10 contract with the Spurs in August and has had a bit of success in very limited action with the Clippers over the last three seasons.

As Boston’s on an exhibit 10 deal, the team can convert his contract into a two-way contract and send him to the G-League team. Unfortunately, in Boston Jr’s case, the team just has too many options on the wing.

Boston would fill out the roster nicely if he made the team, but the odds are stacked against him. If the contract doesn’t work out, the Spurs can terminate it and waive Boston Jr. with no cap hit. This all must happen before the regular season begins.

Boston Jr. has a massive hill to climb, and it’s not likely he’ll reach the summit. Because of that, he won’t be a Spur for long.

2) Keldon Johnson

The most polarizing player on the team, Keldon Johnson, has far more value as an asset to the team than a member of the roster. As perceived second option Devin Vassell is currently hurt, this roster needs KJ, so any potential move would likely happen later, but he is a team piece with an under-control, team-friendly contract, is still young, and can slot into a lineup either off the bench or as a starter.

As one of the leaders of the team, it’d be a big blow to the Silver and Black to see Keldon go, but a return for him in a deal would net the Spurs assets to vault to the top. However, although plenty of fans would love to see Keldon go, the Spurs will have a void to fill when this does happen, so don't be surprised if they initially stumble after any moves.

1) Malaki Branham

Malaki Branham needs to produce this season. He’s on thin ice with Coach Pop and seemingly finds his way into the doghouse every season. It’s his last opportunity to prove that he’s got what it takes to succeed at the NBA level.

Although young, Branham is on the lower end of the logjam at the wing position for the Spurs. He won't outplay guys like Vassell, Jeremy Sochan, Johnson, Harrison Barnes or Julian Champagnie. That leaves him as the fifth option in some eyes, as well as having to battle newcomers like Stephon Castle or incumbents like Blake Wesley and Sidy Cissoko for playing time.

With Branham’s track record of mediocre play when he does get in the lineup, as well as his apparent negative track record with Coach Pop, he won’t be on the roster for much longer, and it's clear at this point that he shouldn't be.