The Spurs added some players this summer through trade that will compete in the rotation next season. They also bring back some of young players that still need to develop. Head coach Gregg Popovich has some tough decisions to make on the 2023-24 Spurs’ rotation.
With Tre Jones more than likely being the starter, newly acquired Cameron Payne will slot in in the backup point guard spot. Payne was acquired earlier in the offseason from the Phoenix Suns.
Payne averaged 10.3 points and 4.5 assists last season in just 48 games in Phoenix. He is arguably one of the best backup point guards in the league and should fit right in with the Spurs.
Other players that may see playing time as the third string point guard will be Devonte’ Graham, unless he ends up being traded before the end of the summer. Another player is Blake Wesley. Wesley is more likely to start the season in the G-League after his struggles in the Summer League.
Malaki Branham will start the season as the backup shooting guard to Devin Vassell. Branham impressed last season, especially at the end of the season when he filled in for both Tre Jones and Devin Vassell as they were dealing with injuries.
He averaged 10.2 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists last season. Branham has a chance to take over the starting point guard position from Tre Jones if he can improve his assist numbers and his court vision.
Branham was one of the Spurs’ best players during the Summer League and the former first round pick has a chance to be the best player off of the Spurs’ bench next season.
Other players that would be the third string shooting guard includes Blake Wesley and this year’s second round pick Sidy Cissoko.
Julian Champagnie signed a four year contract to return to San Antonio this offseason and should be the backup small forward to Keldon Johnson. Champagnie was dominant in the Summer League, leading the Spurs in scoring.
Last season he averaged 11.0 points per game on 40.7 percent shooting from deep in his 15 games with the Spurs last season. He impressed at the end of last season and should see an increase in minutes this upcoming season. He is arguably the best three-point shooter on the team and will bring some scoring off of the bench.
Other players that will compete for the third string small forward position will be Reggie Bullock and Cedi Osman. Expect one of these players to be dealt before the start of the 2023-24 season and whoever is left will be the third small forward.
Doug McDermott will be the backup power forward if Victor Wembanyama plays the center position and Jeremy Sochan starts at power forward. McDermott has been in trade rumors the last few seasons and it would not be surprising if the Spurs trade him. If not, he will fit in nicely behind Sochan.
McDermott averaged 10.2 points last season. He provides a reliable three-point shooter off the bench and is a great leader in San Antonio.
Other players that may be in the running for the backup power forward position is Dominick Barlow, despite being on a two-way contract, and also Sandro Mamukelashvili.
Zach Collins will be the backup center to Victor Wembanyama unless they move Wemby to the power forward position, then Collins will start at center. Collins was impressive last season and Gregg Popovich praised him at the end of last season.
Collins averaged 11.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists. He also shot a career high 51.8 percent from the field and 37.4 percent from three. He does have an injury history, but if the former first round pick is able to stay healthy like last season, he has a chance to compete for a starting spot.
Other players that could see time as a reserve center in Sandro Mamukelashvili and Charles Bassey.
The Spurs still have some decisions to make for the final roster as they are over the maximum amount of players. These are who are more than likely going to be in the 2023-24 Spurs’ rotation.
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Featured image courtesy of NBA.com.
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