Spurs’ decision to skip past these impactful free agents could bite them

Following a few days of free agency mayhem, the signings have died down, and the major free agents have found their new homes. Several teams made franchise-altering moves that will significantly impact their outlook for the 2025-26 season. The Spurs, on the other hand, did not.

The Spurs trotted out of the frenzy with only one addition, signing Luke Kornet from the Boston Celtics on a 4-year deal worth $41 million. While the big man fills a necessary role on the Spurs bench, it tied their hands from bringing in talent that fills a greater need.

To be specific, it would have been advisable to bring in a sharpshooter to assist the Spurs in addressing their below-league-average threat from beyond the arc. Instead of offloading their resources onto Kornet, general manager Brian Wright should have considered bringing in these prime targets.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker's versatility would have been perfect

Thriving with the Timberwolves, the versatile combo guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker was thrust out of Minnesota due to the ever-growing expenses for the franchise. Coming off a massive year as a complementary role player, Alexander-Walker was one of the hottest names on the market.

Shooting 38.1% from beyond the arc in the 2024-25 season, the flamethrower also displayed the ability to take over games and fill a variety of roles. He showcased his talents in the NBA playoffs and helped propel the Timberwolves to the Western Conference Finals with a handful of hugely impactful games off the bench. This is the type of production that Spurs need.

The Spurs currently await the answers to questions regarding Devin Vassell and don't have much in the way of shooting on the bench outside of him. Alexander-Walker would have instantly stepped in as a steady shooter and someone the Spurs could, without a doubt, count on. Additionally, he brings a high level of perimeter defense that is not readily available on the Spurs bench.

A proven playoff difference maker, Alexander-Walker is precisely what the Spurs need to fill out their star-studded roster. Instead, he will be headed to Atlanta, where his services will be greatly appreciated.

Breakout forward Guerschon Yabusele could have been had for cheap

Next on the list of missed opportunities is the breakout forward Guerschon Yabusele. Coming out of the woodwork, Yabusele rejoined the NBA following an impressive Olympic campaign next to Wembanyama in France and played exceptionally well for the Philadelphia 76ers.

The 6'8" stretch four would have been the perfect complement to the Spurs' current foundation. Yabsuele was an impressive shooter in the 2024-25 season, finishing 38% of his three-point attempts. Along with that, the forward is a strong defender and would help bolster the Spurs' weaker defense.

Only costing the New York Knicks $12 million over two seasons, the Spurs could have easily brought him in and paired him back up with his France national team teammate. Needing additional size in a squad full of guards, Yabusele would be a quick insertion into the Spurs rotation for next to nothing.

Spurs missed out on these sharpshooters

With three-point shooting in mind, there was a plethora of bench sharpshooters that the Spurs could have brought in on a cheap deal. While these guys wouldn't make a huge impact on a night-to-night basis, their ability to get hot and take over a game from deep can not be overstated.

Among the group are Tim Hardaway Jr, Luke Kennard, and Duncan Robinson. All of these guys can make it rain from deep and could have provided a significant beyond-the-arc spark for the Spurs off the bench.

In an era of three-point importance, each of these players was heavily sought after on the free agent market. Despite that, the Spurs could have at least attempted to snag one of them away for cheap. Who wouldn't want to play next to a load of playmakers and future MVP Victor Wembanyama?