|
Preseason Roster Moves
Spurs receive: Delon Wright
Wizards receive: Doug McDermott, 2024 LA Lakers 2nd round pick
Spurs receive: Gordon Hayward
Hornets receive: David Duke Jr, 2026 POR 2nd round pick
San Antonio closed out their offseason by adding two veterans to the roster for cheap. In Delon Wright, the Spurs acquired a veteran point guard that can keep the offense organized, play heady defense and get Wemby the ball in his spots. Wright was going to be an afterthought in Washington, and the Wizards obtain a 2nd rounder for their trouble from the Lakers as they continue their rebuild.
That trade also opened up another $5 million in cap room for San Antonio, which allowed them to absorb Gordon Hayward’s $31.5 million contract while sending out just $2 million in salary, in the form of David Duke Jr. The Spurs also included a 2026 Portland 2nd rounder. For the Hornets, they cleared more than $29 million off their payroll for this season and acquired a trade exception that may be useful to facilitate trades at the deadline.
San Antonio now has a pair of veterans that can provide stability during Wemby’s rookie year and perhaps beyond. Hayward’s next contract is expected to fall well below his current $31 million. San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich has a long history of squeezing every last bit of production out of veterans as they near retirement. Perhaps Hayward could sign a longer term deal next summer that would keep him as a vet rotation piece over the next 3-4 years.
|