Free company gained’t begin till June thirtieth, however as quickly because the Finals ended, groups have been in a position to negotiate with their very own free brokers. It’s an unique window that, on paper, permits incumbent franchises the chance to lock up guys they wish to preserve round earlier than they get available on the market.
In some years, the interval is extraordinarily necessary, as a crew might need key items whose contracts expire. It’s not the case for the Spurs this offseason. In truth, it wouldn’t be a significant shock in the event that they don’t really deliver anybody again.
Let’s check out San Antonio’s free brokers, how they carried out within the common season, and whether or not it appears seemingly that they’ll return.
Harrison Barnes | Unrestricted free agent
2025/26 stats: 9.9 factors, 2.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 39 % from past the arc
Barnes was a starter for a part of the season, and he appeared like a strong placeholder. He didn’t make many errors, might play with out the ball, and hit sufficient threes that the truth that opponents typically left him open or parked their facilities on him wasn’t a significant drawback. He ended the season as a bench piece, and the numbers counsel that he may very well be a strong backup who does somewhat little bit of every thing with out compromising the crew in any means. However the splits present a unique image.
The veteran ahead began the season effectively earlier than going ice-cold from past the arc and never having the ability to get to the bucket after closeouts. Simply because the Spurs had been discovering their identification as a younger, athletic crew that utilized rim strain, Barnes appeared like he had aged 5 years in a month. He misplaced his beginning spot, and whereas he regained his contact from deep finally, he by no means appeared like a harmful weapon. Mix his lack of offensive presence with middling protection, and it’s no shock he fell out of the rotation because the playoffs progressed.
Chance of returning: Medium
Barnes didn’t play in a number of playoff video games and bought negligible minutes in others. He’s nonetheless simply 34 and a ok shooter to probably get a proposal with assured taking part in time from another person. There are two explanation why the Spurs may attempt to preserve him.
First, he has been extremely beneficiant with the San Antonio group, with a number of donations and appearances in charitable occasions, which suggests he has the character the franchise has all the time coveted. And second, changing a nonetheless helpful participant gained’t be straightforward with the instruments the entrance workplace can have obtainable to them.
If he takes a pay reduce and is okay with restricted however constant minutes within the common season, a compromise appears potential.
Kelly Olynyk | Unrestricted free agent
2025/26 stats: 3.2 factors, 1.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists on 8.6 minutes a recreation.
There was a second in the summertime, proper after Olynyk was acquired in change for Malaki Branham and Blake Wesley, when there have been causes to be optimistic about his addition. The veteran massive man had clear weaknesses, primarily as a rim protector, however his passing and first rate outdoors capturing made him a great match to share the ground with Jeremy Sochan.
As Sochan misplaced favor with the teaching workers, nevertheless, it was unclear how Olynyk match. He wasn’t nimble sufficient to be an influence ahead subsequent to Wembanyama or Kornet, and as a sole massive man, his lack of athleticism made him a sieve on protection.
In the long run, Olynyk performed underneath 10 minutes a recreation and suited up for simply 42 video games. The Spurs didn’t use his expiring contract on the commerce deadline, and now he’ll enter unrestricted free company with a really restricted market.
Chance of returning: Low
The Spurs had been good to kick the tires on a giant man with a talent set the others lacked, however it grew to become clear Olynyk didn’t match their guard-oriented, rim-pressure-heavy assault and had a foul yr as a shooter, which was the weapon which may have stored him helpful. At age 35, his NBA profession is likely to be over until some crew needs a great locker room man to fill their roster. It appears unlikely that the crew can be San Antonio.
Jordan McLaughlin | Unrestricted free agent
2025/26 stats: 2 factors, 0.9 assists, 42 % three-point capturing on 6.4 minutes a recreation.
McLaughlin was a throw-in within the De’Aaron Fox commerce who by some means managed to make a large enough impression in his quick time with the franchise in 2024/25 to earn a totally assured minimal cope with the crew the next offseason. With a crowded backcourt, San Antonio appeared comfy bringing in a journeyman who wouldn’t trigger points if he didn’t get minutes and who, in case of emergency, might deal with the ball, guard with depth, and shoot the three when open.
In that tiny position, he delivered. The Spurs didn’t depend on him closely in any respect, however when he was on the ground, he did what was anticipated of him.
Chance of returning: Medium
The Spurs will want a guard with McLaughlin’s profile, so why not simply deliver the veteran again? At age 30, he’s seemingly a completed product and may regress, however since he’ll solely play within the common season when another person is damage, or the sport is out of attain, it gained’t matter.
On the similar time, perhaps bringing in a extra dynamic, multipositional choice may very well be a better transfer. Plus, perhaps there’s really somebody prepared to play McLaughlin, which is one thing the Spurs can’t promise to do.
Lindy Waters III | Unrestricted free agent
2025/26 stats: 2.4 factors, 0.7 rebounds, 34 % on three-pointers in 6.4 minutes a recreation.
Can you actually be upset with a man on {a partially} assured minimal contract that caught round? If it’s potential, Lindy Waters III would match the invoice. Waters arrived as a capturing specialist, and whereas he was hardly ever on the court docket for lengthy sufficient to develop a rhythm, he shot a career-low from past the arc. Contemplating capturing is his one NBA talent, it’s protected to say he wasn’t good even for the small position the Spurs had in thoughts for him.
Chance of returning: Low
Small-ish wings who can shoot decently usually are not laborious to search out within the NBA. Except Waters was extra necessary within the locker room than anybody has reported, it appears unlikely he’ll get one other likelihood with the Spurs.
Mason Plumlee | Unrestricted free agent
2025/26 stats (solely with Spurs): 0.8 factors, 2.2 rebounds, 0.6 assists in simply six video games.
Plumlee arrived late within the season to occupy the roster spot left vacant after Sochan was waived. He took some time to get into form and ended up taking part in simply 47 whole minutes sporting Silver and Black within the common season. Essentially the most memorable second in his stint with the Spurs was most likely a tough foul on Jared McCain, as Mitch Johnson most well-liked to go small somewhat than play Plumlee when the crew wanted a backup heart.
Chance of returning: Low
Plumlee, 36, has been declining for some time and is likely to be executed as an NBA participant. It’s laborious to provide you with any state of affairs wherein a return to San Antonio is smart.
Bismack Biyombo | Unrestricted free agent
2025/26 stats: 0.9 factors, one rebound, 0.3 shares in 5.6 minutes a recreation.
Biyombo sat in free company for the higher a part of the final yr earlier than the Spurs added him when Victor Wembanyama was out. They performed him 19 minutes a recreation and, unsurprisingly, he wasn’t good, because the agility and athleticism that made him a strong defensive heart with first rate ending means had disappeared by then.
This yr, he was even worse, however the distinction is that he didn’t really play a lot and was principally round to offer veteran management.
Chance of returning: Medium (however must be low)
Biyombo shouldn’t be within the NBA at this level. He can’t transfer effectively sufficient to defend the choose and roll, and his shot-blocking is gone. He was by no means a great offensive participant, however his lack of vary and horrendous free-throw capturing make him a legal responsibility. There are not any basketball causes for him to be on the Spurs subsequent season.
That stated, the Spurs might want to fill out the underside of their roster with gamers who haven’t any expectations to get taking part in time and who seem to be good locker room presences. Wembanyama seems to love Biyombo, so he may get a spot. If it occurs, hopefully, there can be high quality depth forward of him, as a result of he ought to solely see the ground in rubbish time.
