Spurs are paying for a massive mistake made during free agency

Despite sitting at the two seed in the Western Conference, the Spurs have witnessed a few major problems pop up. Last night's win over the Bucks was a step in the right direction, but San Antonio has ruthlessly struggled to shoot the basketball in the middle of a skid. The evidence has been abundantly clear over the past few weeks.

With the issue continuing to grow, many have speculated that the Spurs should go after a shooter before the trade deadline. Although that is a splendid idea, this problem could have been solved earlier in the offseason. With their last remaining minimum contract ready to be dished out, General Manager Brian Wright should have gone after Tim Hardaway Jr.

Tim Hardaway Jr. would have solved the Spurs' biggest issue

If there's one thing Tim Hardaway Jr. knows well, it is shooting the ball. The 13-year journeyman has shot 36.4% from deep over the course of his extended career and is converting 41.4% of his long bombs this season. While many have counted him out because of his age, it is clear that the 33-year-old still has it.

The veteran shooting guard has been vastly underrated as an NBA scorer. Many are surprised to learn that THJ has consistently scored in double digits throughout his career. This season, on the decimated Denver Nuggets, Hardaway is averaging 13.8 points per game and is playing a valuable role for the championship-ready squad.

Signing Hardaway to a one-year minimum contract was an absolute steal for the Nuggets. With that, the Spurs could have had the opportunity to sign the explosive shooter. Instead, they went with Lindy Waters III. In the minutes that could have been Tim's, Lindy hasn't been very effective.

The Spurs hoped that Lindy would be able to provide exactly what Tim Hardaway Jr. is doing in Denver. But the results have not been the same. Waters is averaging a weak 2.1 points per game and is struggling to find a role in San Antonio.

Hardaway could have provided the necessary spark during the Spurs' scoring droughts this season. Currently, San Antonio lacks a player who can step in and generate instant scoring. The veteran sniper would have been the perfect addition to the hopeless three-point shooting squad.

Now, the San Antonio front office will need to part with assets to acquire a player like Tim Hardaway Jr. Brian Wright will definitely be kicking himself for not going after the veteran this offseason. While he has done an excellent job constructing this roster, signing Lindy Waters III over Tim was a massive mistake.