The San Antonio Spurs opted to sign Tobias Harris over Rui Hachimura, inadvertently putting some pressure on Stephon Castle.
The San Antonio Spurs were quick to get busy this offseason, re-signing both Harrison Barnes and Julian Champagnie to new contracts and landing Tobias Harris on the open market.
Of course, Harris wasn't the only new player on their radar. The Spurs were linked to John Collins, Dean Wade, and Sandro Mamukelashvili before they all signed elsewhere. Rui Hachimura was also in the running, and he is yet to be picked up.
The Spurs were only willing to offer two-year contracts to those free agents instead of longer deals. They need to save money for when Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper are all owed new contracts, and would have rather landed a veteran like Harris than a younger player who can slot into a bigger role.
Spurs Made Definitive Stephon Castle Choice
Last season, Hachimura averaged a solid 11.5 points and 3.3 rebounds with the Los Angeles Lakers. He also shot well over 40 percent from 3-point range. By all metrics, he should have been the Spurs' top priority this summer.
However, both he and his representation understood that he could land a longer-term deal this summer, giving him a lot more stability.
The Spurs, with Wembanyama's max extension looming and Castle and Harper both still on rookie contracts, aren't in the business of dolling out longer deals.
"Although the San Antonio Spurs were brought up as a potential suitor for Hachimura earlier this offseason, he wasn't viewed as a realistic option for the franchise," reported ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel. “While the organization did speak with Hachimura's representation, the Spurs were targeting experience and veteran leadership on a short-term contract rather than a long-term commitment. That is why Tobias Harris was the Spurs' top target, and they didn't have much interest in Hachimura."
Harris is a perfectly reasonable target who can slot into the starting five or come off the bench behind Julian Champagnie. He gives the Spurs a bigger body and some added rebounding and defense.
For Castle, a clear message is sent: if you earn it next season, a maximum extension could be waiting for you.
Of course, Harper is expected to be the better player, but Castle's defensive dominance might get him paid. If the Spurs didn't have faith in his growth and development, they would have added a player without the long-term timeline in mind.
Instead, it's the first thing they thought about.
