The San Antonio Spurs’ biggest problem must get worse before it gets better

Despite high hopes entering the season, the San Antonio Spurs are again poised to pick in the lottery for the fourth straight year. Aside from a major injury to Victor Wembanyama and the season-long absence of Coach Gregg Popovich, their biggest issue has revolved around the backup center.

The Spurs never found a reliable backup to Victor Wembanyama, and that hurt them even when he was active before being shut down for the season due to deep vein thrombosis. That is definitely something the team will need to address this summer if they want to get back in contention.

The Spurs desperately need to solve their backup center problem

Having a player who can help anchor their team when their best player sits is a must. That can be tricky with most teams often struggling with their best player off the court. Even so, it's not impossible with the Spurs having several ways to try and bolster the position this summer.

Ironically, the Spurs have gotten better center play from free agent signing Bismack Biyombo. That has led to questions about whether the Spurs should keep him this summer or whether they should look to upgrade the position behind Wembanyama.

With two picks in this year's draft, they have a golden opportunity to do the latter. They will also have access to their full mid-level exception (MLE), which could allow them to sign a key free agent.

With only three roster spots available for next season, San Antonio would have to make maneuvers to keep Biyombo, Charles Bassey, and Sandro Mamukelashvili while also using their MLE. More likely, San Antonio opts against re-signing Bassey and Biyombo and looks to the draft and free agency for frontcourt help.

This year's draft isn't as deep in terms of frontcourt options for the Spurs to choose from, but there are a few prospects that could make sense. Duke's Khaman Maluach is expected to be the first center taken, and he could fall to the Spurs at eight or nine depending on where they pick.

Additionally, other big-man prospects include Derrick Queen, Colin Murray-Boyles, and Rasheer Fleming. Of those four, Maluach has the highest ceiling. He's projected to be a terrific starting center and possibly even a borderline All-Star.

Meanwhile, Fleming has the most versatility, with him being able to defend the paint, guard out on the perimeter, and also knock down threes on offense. He would be able to play both alongside and behind Wembanyama, giving them the ideal player to pair with him long term.

The Spurs can't afford to not to address their depth behind Wembanyama

San Antonio shouldn't stop there if they were to choose Maluach or Fleming. They should also look to use all or part of their mid-level exception on a free agent big such as Guerschon Yabusele or Clint Capela.

That would give them a big man core of Harrison Barnes, Wembanyama, Jeremy Sochan, Yabusele or Capela, and Maluach or Fleming. It would be far better than what they had this season and give San Antonio plenty of versatility.

They can play Barnes and Wembanyama and Sochan with Yabusele or Capela or mix and match as needed. Better still, if Wembanyama goes down with another injury, they wouldn't have to rely on several mediocre centers to replace him.

Ultimately, to bolster their weakest positions, San Antonio will have to clean house by not bringing back Bassey, Biyombo, and possibly even Mamukelashvili. That would give them the flexibility to add better players to surround Wembanyama with.