Spurs must make gut-wrenching roster moves to transform into true contenders

Although they finished with the eighth-worst record in the NBA this season, the San Antonio Spurs appear to be on the brink of breaking out. Whether that happens next season will depend on the summer and what they do to improve the team, with them having two lottery picks and also the potential to land a star.

The latter could bring about significant roster changes. It could be much needed with the Spurs having several players they should consider moving on from.

Some are more useful than others, but may not fit the direction the team is heading. Therefore, let's see which Spurs players the team should move on from this summer.

3. Keldon Johnson

Barring an off-season trade, Keldon Johnson will return for his seventh season with the team. Johnson, despite being a favorite and having a strong second half of the year, is still far too enigmatic to be a part of the team's young core.

When his shot is falling from outside, he is a nightmare to try and stop. But he just finished his third straight season shooting below league average from deep, and he went from being considered a key piece of the Spurs' young core to more of a sixth man.

As a result, the Spurs should strongly consider flipping him for a better-fitting player, such as Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons. The team needs more of what Simons can provide: an efficient, high-volume three-point shooter who could thrive playing with either De'Aaron Fox or Stephon Castle in the backcourt.

That's not to say that Johnson can't be useful on the Spurs, but his flaw is part of a larger issue that has plagued the team. They need more shooting, and Johnson simply doesn't provide enough of it to help.

2. Malaki Branham

It's almost easy to forget that Spurs guard Malaki Branham was a first-round pick back in 2022, but he was. In his third year with the Spurs, Branham was largely chained to the bench, and when he did play, he did little to prove that he actually could play.

As a result, the Spurs should look to cut ties with him this summer. While he only has a $4.9 million salary for next season, it's clear that he isn't a part of the Spurs' plans going forward. Thus, they should free up a roster spot by either waiving him or including him in a larger trade.

After all, roster spots come at a premium for playoff teams, and they shouldn't have a player who has no hope of cracking the rotation or further developing. To that point, San Antonio has the eighth, 14th, and 38th picks, and they could roster all three selections, increasing the need for roster spots.

If the Spurs are serious about taking a step forward, they shouldn't look to bring Branham back, considering there are better players to fill the spot he currently occupies.

1. Devin Vassell

Of the three players on this list, Devin Vassell fits the Spurs' needs more closely, but he seems to be regressing. His shot simply didn't fall enough for him to be effective this season, and he doesn't do much else beyond that. His defense has steadily slipped, and he doesn't create much for others.

While there is still some hope that he can get it together and thrive as a fourth option with less pressure on him, the Spurs probably shouldn't count on it. If the Spurs found themselves in the mix to land Giannis Antetokounmpo, they shouldn't think twice about including Vassell. He simply hasn't made himself irreplaceable, and for someone owed $105.5 million, that's a problem.

Ultimately, Spurs fans should brace themselves for potentially big roster changes this summer. Especially with the Spurs being linked to multiple stars.