The San Antonio Spurs’ offseason business is essentially finished, but there’s one intriguing decision still hanging in the balance — and their own financial constraints have quietly narrowed the field down to just two realistic candidates.
A Roster Nearly Locked In
Following Victor Wembanyama’s blockbuster extension and Jordan McLaughlin’s re-signing, San Antonio’s summer moves are largely complete barring any surprise trades. The catch? The Spurs are now hovering right near the luxury tax line, severely limiting their financial wiggle room to add any more experienced free agents, even though they technically still have one open roster spot to fill.
The Loophole That Changes Everything
Here’s where it gets interesting. There’s still one path for San Antonio to fill out their 15-man roster without crossing the tax threshold: signing a player with zero years of NBA experience. That specific financial loophole means a rookie — and only a rookie — realistically fits the bill for that final spot.
Enter Maliq Brown and Ja’Kobi Gillespie, the Spurs’ two second-round selections from June’s draft. Both currently sit on two-way contracts, but the financial math strongly suggests one of them could soon be converted to a full standard deal.
Why Filling the Spot Actually Matters
It’s entirely possible the Spurs could simply roll into next season with 14 standard-contract players and call it a day. But having a 15th man on the roster carries real value — whether it’s insurance against injuries and foul trouble, or simply an extra body to raise the intensity in practice. Given San Antonio’s limited options elsewhere, promoting from within suddenly looks like the smartest and most cost-effective solution available.
Gillespie’s Case: Instant Backcourt Scoring
Drafted 42nd overall, Gillespie brings a specific skill set that directly addresses a weakness the Spurs exposed during their 2026 playoff run. Undersized but an elite shooter and capable ball handler, Gillespie profiles as a legitimate backup guard option. San Antonio’s biggest offensive struggles last postseason came in stretches when De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle couldn’t create easy looks — exactly the kind of perimeter scoring and shot creation Gillespie could inject off the bench.
Brown’s Case: A Future Fan Favorite
Selected 44th overall, Brown brings a completely different but equally valuable skill set. A versatile, high-effort defender who plays with a clear winning mentality, Brown has the look of a player fans could quickly rally behind — and potentially a future rotation piece capable of holding his own in high-stakes moments down the line.
The Verdict
Both players have made strong cases through Summer League play, showing a clear understanding of their roles and genuine chemistry within San Antonio’s system. Whichever one ultimately earns the standard deal, it represents a low-cost, high-upside move for a Spurs team already stacked with young talent around Wembanyama — and potentially outstanding value if either player continues to develop at his current trajectory.
Spurs fans, who gets your vote for the final roster spot — Gillespie’s scoring punch, or Brown’s defensive toughness? Let us know your thoughts below.
