The San Antonio Spurs have one roster spot open as they prepare for training camp, and the team has hinted at which player will get the final contract.
The San Antonio Spurs got busy this offseason. In the NBA Draft, they traded up into the first round to nab Tarris Reed Jr. from UConn. In free agency, they signed Tobias Harris, extended Julian Champagnie and Victor Wembanyama, and re-signed Harrison Barnes and Jordan McLaughlin.
With Maliq Brown, Ja'Kobi Gillespie, and David Jones Garcia signed to two-way contracts, the Spurs have one roster spot open for the 2026-27 season. In an end-of-the-bench role, whoever they sign won't exactly set any jersey sales records, but maintaining a capable bench is all-important to the team's title hopes.
Flashy names like DeMar DeRozan have been linked to the Spurs, and even if he's willing to take a minimum contract, that seems far-fetched. As San Antonio looks to build chemistry, expect them to bring back a familiar face.
As the Spurs head to France to train with Wemby, one free agent went along for the ride.
Spurs Expected to Re-Sign Kelly Olynyk
Last summer, the Spurs sent Malaki Branham and Blake Wesley to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Kelly Olynyk. The veteran only appeared in 42 games for the Spurs, not starting in a single contest. Between Olynyk, Mason Plumlee, and Bismack Biyombo, the Spurs had plenty of "old man" center depth.
Of course, Wembanyama and Luke Kornet got the vast majority of playing time, but having a veteran leader in the frontcourt can go a long way. Next season, Tobias Harris is expected to be the leader on and off the court, although Olynyk clearly remains close with the team.
As Wembanyama took several Spurs to France to train this summer, Olynyk was spotted enjoying the workouts and culture.
Olynyk averaged 3.2 points and 1.8 rebounds for the Silver and Black. Now 35 years old, he played a small part in ushering in the "stretch five" era of NBA basketball. Brook Lopez, Karl-Anthony Towns, Kristaps Porzingis, and Myles Turner all get their credit for being big men who could shoot, but Olynyk is a career 36.9 percent from behind the arc.
He was last a full-time starter on the 2022-23 Utah Jazz and has bounced around the league, playing for eight teams. He is perhaps best-known for his playoff battles against Kevin Love while he was on the Boston Celtics and has made the Finals with both the Spurs and Miami Heat, although he is searching for his first ring.
Alongside Barnes and De'Aaron Fox, Olynyk might be the "veteran chaperone" on the Spurs' trip to France. Wembanyama likely invited everyone on the roster to attend his workouts, and everyone who could make it did make it. Olynyk, meanwhile, seems to have been an "extra" invitee.
That points to the Spurs having plenty of interest in bringing him back, and they are just waiting until the season gets closer before making it official.
