The Spurs have made their stance on David Jones-Garcia crystal clear

The San Antonio Spurs had a breakout star at Las Vegas Summer League -- but they have made it crystal clear that they are not convinced that David Jones Garcia deserves to be in the NBA.

The Spurs are certainly no strangers to finding diamonds in the rough. From plucking Manu Ginobili out of the second round to scooping up discarded players such as Danny Green or Boris Diaw and giving them new life, this is an organization that prides itself on its scouting and development.

One such diamond broke through in a dazzling way at Las Vegas Summer League. While Spurs fans tuned in to see No. 2 pick Dylan Harper suit up and No. 14 pick Carter Bryant destroy hopes and dreams defensively, unknown and unheralded player David Jones Garcia became the star of the show.

Jones Garcia went undrafted in last year's draft and spent the last year playing in the G League, briefly signing temporary deals with the Philadelphia 76ers and Utah Jazz but never making it into an NBA game. The Dominican wing averaged 24.5 points per game last season, mostly for the Mexico City Capitanes, and middling 3-point numbers were counterbalanced by elite free-throw shooting.

In Summer League, Jones Garcia lit up everyone who tried to defend him. In Las Vegas, he put up 21.6 points per game in just 24.9 minutes, shooting 52.9 percent from deep on 6.8 attempts per game. At 6'6" tall he is hardly a small guard just lighting up a format who can't survive in the NBA; Jones Garcia has NBA size and an NBA shot.

Named to the All-Summer League First Team, Jones Garcia seemed destined for a roster spot with the Spurs. Perhaps in a savvy move, they signed him to a G League deal instead of a full contract. That wasn't a red flag that they were not yet ready to commit; he had precious little leverage even with his breakout performance and the Spurs could keep more team control over him.

Then, however, came the Spurs' latest free agent signing: Lindy Waters III. And suddenly their lack of faith in Jones Garcia was put under the spotlight.

The Spurs aren't ready to commit to Jones Garcia

Lindy Waters III hung around the Oklahoma City Thunder organization for a few seasons, showing potential but unable to crack the full long-term roster. The Golden State Warriors stepped in and scooped him up at the 2024 NBA Draft; while Jones Garcia was not being drafted, Waters was being sent to a new home.

It turned out to be a beautiful opportunity for Waters, who had a few breakout games for the Warriors including a 21-point explosion in his fourth game where he became a steady part of the rotation. His role fluctuated over the course of the season, as with all Warriors not named Stephen Curry, but he proved himself an NBA player.

He was then a part of the Jimmy Butler trade and ended up on the Detroit Pistons, who did not seem to want to give Waters a shot. He played only a handful of games down the stretch and was not brought back this summer.

Enter the Spurs, who added the 6'6" wing a few weeks into free agency. If there is one thing that Waters can do, it's get up 3-point shots; he averaged 8.6 attempts per 3-point range last season. He is an underrated rebounder and has decent hands in passing lanes.

In short, he's somewhat similar to what Jones Garcia would bring a team in a support role; he's obviously not going to ever step in next to De'Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama and start chucking. For the role he would grow into, Waters is a very similar comparison. And the Spurs just added Waters to a deal for the full roster after seeing what Jones Garcia did in Summer League.

Nothing has been written in stone, and if Jones Garcia can prove himself in Training Camp, he could climb the ladder above Waters quickly. For now, however, the Spurs appear unconvinced; they have only minimally committed to him, they signed a more proven option above him, and they have plans to rise quickly in the Western Conference.

If Jones Garcia thought that his Summer League breakout bought him a place in the rotation, he was mistaken. Now it's time to prove he at least deserves a place in the NBA.