San Antonio Spurs: 3 players the Spurs should offload this summer

The NBA offseason is finally here, and while the San Antonio Spurs are not known for making significant moves over the summer, this year could prove to be an exception. Over the past 12 months, the Spurs have lost Kawhi Leonard, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker - and Gregg Popovich's side has also failed to win a playoff series since the 2017 Western Conference Finals.

Under Popovich's expertise, the Spurs finished the 2018-19 season with a 48-34 record, although there is no doubting that the legendary coach managed to overachieve with a below-average roster.

The Spurs have a number of promising young players that look set to make a future impact, although the roster is also home to a number of veterans that look incapable of leading the Spurs into a new era. So, ahead of a pivotal summer, here are three individuals that the Spurs should consider offloading.

#3 Dante Cunningham

Dante Cunningham failed to make much of an impact during his season with the San Antonio Spurs

Dante Cunningham signed with the Spurs last summer following the expiration of his deal with the Brooklyn Nets, and the veteran's addition appeared to be a shrewd acquisition for the Spurs.

However, during his first season in San Antonio, Cunningham averaged just 14.4 minutes per game - the lowest tally since his rookie year. Cunningham also failed to make much of an impact during his time on the court, averaging just 3.0 points and 2.9 rebounds during the regular season.

The veteran may be willing to sign a new minimum deal this summer, although the Spurs have plenty of promising young options that need game time to develop further. Due to this, Cunningham should be allowed to move on, and the forward should have no problem finding a new team.

#2 Patty Mills

Patty Mills struggled to make his usual impact from the Spurs' bench during the 18-19 season

Patty Mills has spent the past seven seasons with the Spurs, and while he is among the NBA's better back-up point guards, his contract offers little value to Gregg Popovich's team. Mills is set to earn $25 million over the next two years, and his performances during the 18-19 campaign were mixed.

During the regular season, Mills averaged a respectable 9.9 points, 3.0 assists and 2.2 rebounds per game, although he was incredibly poor during the Spurs' first-round playoff defeat to the Nuggets. He averaged just 5.3 points and 2.1 rebounds in 21.7 minutes while shooting just 17% from beyond the arc.

The veteran guard will turn 31 later this summer, and he no-longer appears able to make an impact as he did from the bench during the Spurs' 2014 NBA Finals win over the Miami Heat. Ultimately, the Spurs should look to invest Mills' salary elsewhere.

#1 DeMar DeRozan

DeMar DeRozan performed well in San Antonio, although doubts persist over his ability to lead a franchise

DeMar DeRozan joined the Spurs last summer in the deal that sent Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green to Toronto. The 29-year-old performed well during his debut season in San Antonio, recording 36 points against both the Lakers and Trail Blazers, while also recorded his first career triple-double against his former team.

DeRozan finished the campaign averaging 21.2 points, 6.2 assists and 6.0 rebounds per game, although he shot just 16% from three-point range, and doubts persist over his ability to lead a franchise to a championship. The California native will also turn 30 later this month and is owed more than $55 million over the next two seasons.

The Raptors couldn't win with DeRozan as the focal point in Toronto, and there is no reason to think the Spurs can buck this trend. Due to this, the Spurs front office should go all-in with LaMarcus Aldridge as the team's focal point, while looking to offload DeRozan.