NBA Power Rankings: Spurs Jump After Free Agency?

The San Antonio Spurs are trending in the right direction after a productive offseason.

Jeremy Brener | Jul 23, 2023

NBA Power Rankings: Spurs Jump After Free Agency? /

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San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs' offseason has been defined by drafting Victor Wembanyama with the No. 1 pick, but the team has done more to continue its rebuild.

Wembanyama is the new focal point for the team, but adding veterans has been key for the Spurs to help steer them in the right direction.

Adding Cedi Osman, Reggie Bullock and Cam Payne through trades is why the Spurs moved up one spot in Bleacher Report's power rankings from 27 to 26.

"The changes that did happen, including the additions of Cedi Osman and Reggie Bullock, could bolster the rotation and add experience without derailing that development. But the biggest reason to think San Antonio might be better is the addition of Victor Wembanyama," Bleacher Report writes. "Although rookies typically don't boost a team's win percentage, Wembanyama is such a natural fit on this team. His most translatable skills are likely on defense, where the learning curve is usually longer for young players."

Not only do Osman, Bullock and Payne bring a veteran presence the Spurs desperately need, but all of these players fit with Wembanyama in different ways.

Osman and Bullock are players who can help space the floor and could pair with Wembanyama in the frontcourt as the team looks to make its rookie a forward.

Payne is someone who could do wonders in the pick-and-roll for Wembanyama and having a point guard who can organize the offense the way it needs to be could be invaluable.

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Published Jul 23, 2023

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.