Walker’s fate in S.A. at crossroads
With the draft behind them, the Spurs turn to their next important decision: Deciding guard Lonnie Walker’s future.
The club has until Wednesday to tender Walker and four other players (Devontae Cacok, D.J. Stewart, Robert Woodard II and Joe Wieskamp) qualifying offers that would make them restricted free agents. In Walker’s case, it would be $6.3 million.
The NBA hasn’t set a start date for free agency yet, but it is expected to begin Thursday.
If Walker is restricted, the Spurs would have 48 hours to match any offer sheets he would receive once the moratorium period ends July 6. One option is for all three parties to agree to a sign-and-trade similar to what the Spurs did last summer with Demar Derozan.
Walker finished last season, his fourth since the Spurs drafted him 18th overall in 2018, averaging a career-best 12.1 points over 70 games.
He found some longsought-after consistency in the final 19 games in a sixth
man role, averaging 15.7 points. During one sixgame stretch in that period, he averaged 22.5 points.
Those numbers came after the Spurs let the NBA deadline to extend rookie scale contracts for members of the 2018 draft class come and go last October without a deal for Walker.
“He has done a phenomenal job in his development over the years and we saw
the consistency he brought, especially in the second half of the season when he really hit his stride,” Spurs general manager Brian Wright said. “At the appropriate time, we will sit with (his representatives) and him and try to find out what’s next for him and the franchise.”
The Spurs drafting guards Malaki Branham (20th overall) and Wesley
Blake (25th overall) on Thursday sparked speculation those selections could signal the Spurs are leaning toward parting ways with Walker.
“I’m hopeful to be back,” he said in April. “At this point, it’s up to my agents.”
Letting the Miami-ex walk would free up more than $13 million in cap space, allowing the Spurs to take an aggressive approach in free agency.
Second-round pick is promptly dealt
The Spurs traded the rights to Kennedy Chandler to Memphis for a future second-round pick and cash after selecting the 6-foot Tennessee guard in the second round with the 38th overall pick.
With three picks in the first round, the Spurs entertained plenty of trade conversations, Wright said.
“We were on the phone a lot,” he said. “There were times we thought about moving up and moving back. And that’s the job, right? You explore every opportunity to get better, whether it’s now or in the future.”
Spurs guarantee big man’s pact
The Spurs have guaranteed center/forward Zach Collins’ $7.35 million contract, his agent, Mark Bartelstein, said.
Friday was the deadline for the Spurs to decide whether to guarantee Collins’ pact. He returned to the court last season after two years recovering from injuries.
“He is going to have an amazing summer and will take his game to another level next season,” Bartelstein said.
In 28 games last season after returning to action Feb. 4, Collins averaged 7.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists and connected on 34.1 percent of his 3point tries.
4 undrafted rookies agree to contracts
The Spurs reportedly have reached agreements with several undrafted players, including on a two-way deal with 6-foot-9 Overtime Elite forward Dominick Barlow.
Other players added include 6-7 LSU forward Darius Days, 6-4 Houston guard Kyler Edwards, and 6-7 St. Joseph’s guard Jordan Hall.
Barlow, 19, averaged 14.8 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game last season with Overtime Elite, a fledgling pro developmental league for players 16 to 20.
The signings become official after the new league year starts next week.