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Entering the 2018/19 season, many expected the San Antonio Spurs to fall short in the race for the playoffs. After all, both Kawhi Leonard and Tony Parker had left the team, while the Western Conference was brimming with talented teams, including LeBron James and the Lakers.
Nevertheless, against expectations, Gregg Popovich has guided the Spurs to a 42-29 record, and the Spurs are currently in the hunt to secure home court advantage for the postseason. However, despite another successful season, San Antonio's roster remains in need of a refresh, and here are three of the players that the team should consider moving on.
#3 Patty Mills
After a short stint playing in China with the Flying Tigers back in 2012, Patty Mills returned to the NBA with the Spurs, and the Australian has remained with the team ever since, mostly contributing from the bench as Gregg Popovich's backup point guard. Nevertheless, despite his bench role, Mills is currently one of the team's highest earners, and the guard is set to earn $25 million over the next two seasons.
Mills is this season averaging 10.0 points and 3.0 assists in 23.6 minutes per game, which are respectable numbers, although it is fair to say that the 30-year-old's performances do not warrant his status as one of the organizations highest earners. The Spurs also have plenty of depth at point guard, with the promising trio of Derrick White, Bryn Forbes, and Dejounte Murray all impressing when given the opportunity.
Evidently, the Spurs have enough cover to move Mills on, and there is no doubting that that his salary could be better used in improving other areas of the roster such as at center.
#2 Dante Cunningham
Dante Cunningham was drafted 33rd overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2009 NBA Draft, although the 31-year-old has never established himself as a regular starter since entering the league. Ahead of his summer move to the Spurs, Cunningham found himself on six different teams in as many years, and his period in San Antonio hasn't particularly worked out.
While Cunningham started the season well, he has fallen out of favor since the turn of the year, and the power forward has played just 14 minutes over the Spurs' last seven games. Gregg Popovich has looked towards younger players in this period, and it looks unlikely that the veteran will feature much during San Antonio's upcoming playoff run. Cunningham's current deal expire in the summer, and the Spurs should look at other options on veteran minimum deals.
#1 Marco Belinelli
Marco Belinelli first turned out for the Spurs between 2013 and 2015, and after spending three years away from the franchise, he returned for a second stint last year. The Italian has performed well since returning, although he will turn 33 later this month, and he is currently among the Spurs' most overpaid players.
Belinelli stands to earn $6 million for the 19/20 season, and with the Spurs short on cap space, it makes little sense to pay the veteran this amount of money. After all, the 32-year-old has started just once this season, and he is currently shooting just 42% from the field. Notably, Belinelli offers a threat from beyond the arc, however, San Antonio should be able to get an adequate replacement for less than what they are currently paying to the veteran.
