The San Antonio Spurs are in an intriguing position as they approach the 2026 free agency period. With a core of young, athletic players, the team has a unique opportunity to reshape its roster without being constrained by the need to retain key pieces. This is a refreshing change from the typical free agency scenario, where teams often have to make tough decisions about keeping or letting go of established stars. The Spurs' approach this offseason is particularly fascinating, as they seem poised to embrace a more fluid and experimental strategy, which could lead to some surprising moves. Here's a deep dive into the free agents the Spurs are considering and the potential implications of their decisions.
Harrison Barnes: The Generous Starter
Harrison Barnes, a 34-year-old forward, has been a stalwart of the San Antonio community, making multiple donations and participating in charitable events. His character and generosity are qualities the Spurs have always valued. Barnes' performance this season was a mixed bag. He started strong but then went ice-cold from beyond the arc and struggled to get to the bucket after closeouts. Despite his eventual return to form, he never seemed like a dangerous weapon. His lack of offensive presence and middling defense meant he fell out of the rotation as the playoffs progressed. Barnes' value lies in his versatility and ability to play without the ball, but his age and inconsistent performance may make him a tough sell. The Spurs might try to keep him, but it would likely require a pay cut and a willingness to accept limited but consistent minutes. Personally, I think Barnes' character and versatility could be a good fit for the Spurs, but his age and inconsistent performance may make him a risky investment.
Kelly Olynyk: The Unfit Big Man
Kelly Olynyk, a 35-year-old big man, was acquired in exchange for Malaki Branham and Blake Wesley. There was a moment of optimism around his addition, but it quickly became clear that Olynyk didn't fit the Spurs' guard-oriented, rim-pressure-heavy attack. His lack of athleticism and poor rim protection made him a sieve on defense, and his shooting woes didn't help matters. Olynyk played under 10 minutes a game and suited up for just 42 games. With a very limited market and a bad year as a shooter, his NBA career might be over unless some team wants a good locker room guy. The Spurs were smart to experiment with a big man with a different skill set, but it didn't pan out. In my opinion, Olynyk's time with the Spurs was a missed opportunity, and his departure is unlikely to be a major loss.
Jordan McLaughlin: The Journeyman Guard
Jordan McLaughlin, a 30-year-old guard, was a throw-in in the De'Aaron Fox trade. He managed to make a significant impact in his short time with the franchise, earning a fully guaranteed minimum deal. With a crowded backcourt, the Spurs seemed comfortable bringing in a journeyman who wouldn't cause issues if he didn't get minutes. McLaughlin delivered in his tiny role, handling the ball, guarding with intensity, and shooting the three when open. The Spurs will need a guard with McLaughlin's profile, so bringing him back makes sense. However, at age 30, he's likely a finished product and might regress. Plus, bringing in a more dynamic, multipositional option could be smarter. Personally, I think McLaughlin's reliability and versatility make him a good fit for the Spurs, but his age and potential regression may be a concern.
Lindy Waters III: The Shooting Specialist
Lindy Waters III, a shooting specialist, arrived with a partially guaranteed minimum contract. While he was rarely on the court for long enough to develop a rhythm, he shot a career-low from beyond the arc. Considering shooting is his one NBA skill, it's safe to say he wasn't good even for the small role the Spurs had in mind. Small-ish wings who can shoot decently are not hard to find in the NBA, and unless Waters was more important in the locker room, it seems unlikely he'll get another chance with the Spurs. In my opinion, Waters' lack of impact and the abundance of shooting specialists in the league make his return unlikely.
Mason Plumlee: The Declining Center
Mason Plumlee, a 36-year-old center, arrived late in the season and played just six games. He took a while to get into shape and ended up playing just 47 total minutes. The most memorable moment in his stint with the Spurs was probably a hard foul on Jared McCain. Plumlee has been declining for a while and might be done as an NBA player. It's hard to come up with any scenario in which a return to San Antonio makes sense. In my opinion, Plumlee's decline and the team's need for younger, more athletic players make his return highly unlikely.
Bismack Biyombo: The Veteran Leader
Bismack Biyombo, a 31-year-old center, sat in free agency for most of the last year before the Spurs added him when Victor Wembanyama was out. He played 19 minutes a game and, unsurprisingly, wasn't good. His agility and athleticism, which made him a solid defensive center with decent finishing ability, had disappeared. This year, he was even worse, but the difference is that he didn't actually play much and was mostly around to provide veteran leadership. Biyombo shouldn't be in the NBA at this point, and there are no basketball reasons for him to be on the Spurs next season. However, the Spurs will need to fill out the bottom of their roster with players who have no expectations to get playing time and who seem like good locker room presences. Wembanyama appears to like Biyombo, so he might get a spot. If it happens, hopefully, there will be quality depth ahead of him, because he should only see the floor in garbage time. In my opinion, Biyombo's age and lack of basketball skills make him a low priority, but his veteran presence could be useful if the Spurs are looking for a leader.
The Broader Implications
The Spurs' approach to free agency this offseason is a refreshing change from the typical strategy. By embracing a more fluid and experimental strategy, they could reshape their roster without being constrained by the need to retain key pieces. This approach could lead to some surprising moves and potentially create a more dynamic and versatile team. However, it also comes with risks. The Spurs will need to be smart in their decisions and ensure that any new additions fit the team's culture and philosophy. In my opinion, the Spurs' strategy is a bold move that could pay off if executed well. It raises a deeper question about the value of stability versus experimentation in team building. What makes this particularly fascinating is the potential for the Spurs to create a more balanced and competitive team by embracing a more fluid approach to free agency.
