The San Antonio Spurs have the means to add one more player in free agency this summer and have been linked to their fair share of stars.
The San Antonio Spurs have one roster spot open and have been linked to several star players. LeBron James is still on their radar, but after adding Tobias Harris, it seems less likely.
Other potential players include second-round picks Ja'Kobi Gillespie and Maliq Brown, veterans Lindy Waters and Kelly Olynyk, or star wing De'Mar DeRozan.
"San Antonio showed this year that they are ready to contend," wrote NBA Analysis' Eoin Morris. "One of the biggest reasons they fell short against the New York Knicks was a lack of experience. The veteran leadership of DeRozan could be exactly what they need."
DeRozan is one of the league's all-time great scorers and averaged 18.4 points on 49.7 percent shooting for the Sacramento Kings last season. Still, despite those numbers, a second stint in San Antonio is in no one's interests.
Why DeMar DeRozan Is a Poor Fit for Spurs
DeRozan is best-known for his time with the Toronto Raptors, but his stint with the Spurs has prolonged his NBA career. Gregg Popovich was unable to unlock any defensive or shooting prowess, but did manage to turn DeRozan into an excellent passer and playmaker.
That extra dimension to his offensive arsenal got him two All-Star nods in a row while he was with the Chicago Bulls.
DeRozan was traded to the Spurs in 2018 for Kawhi Leonard. He made it clear that he never wanted to leave the Raptors, and heading to San Antonio wasn't his choice. Still, in three seasons with the Silver and Black, he posted 21.6 points and 6.2 assists per game.
Since leaving the Spurs, DeRozan has gone on to speak only highly of the organization. Even with Harris and Julian Champagnie on the roster, DeRozan would be a welcome injection of talent. However, the main reason he would return is no longer on the sidelines.
In his three seasons in Texas, DeRozan grew close with Popovich, who wrote the foreword of his memoir, "Above the Noise: My Story of Chasing Calm." DeRozan would likely want to play for Popovich, not for the Spurs, and that chapter is closed.
On the other side of the coin, does San Antonio really need a ball-dominant, offensive-focused player? The Spurs have made it clear that they take pride in defense, and DeRozan doesn't really bring either.
While he's one of the best free agents still on the market, both player and team would be better suited if he found a different squad to play for.
