Why Spurs Have 'Math Problem' with Roster

The San Antonio Spurs might have Victor Wembanyama, but who else will join him?

At the moment, the San Antonio Spurs lineup sits at 18 players, and with just a month and a half left until the opening day rosters are finalized, the team is close to having to make some tough decisions. 

"Right now, the roster is a math problem," The Athletic's John Hollinger writes. "The Spurs have 18 players with partial or fully guaranteed roster deals for the coming season, meaning that at least three cuts or trades must be made. I would humbly suggest that none of the four players they signed by their own volition this past summer (as opposed to contacts they were paid to take) will be among the cuts, nor will any of their recent first-round picks."

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By Hollinger's assertion, Tre Jones, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Julian Champagnie, Sidy Cissoko, Victor Wembanyama, Devin Vassell, Blake Wesley, Jeremy Sochan and Malaki Branham would all be safe, as they all signed deals this offseason, with Keldon Johnson and Zach Collins most likely also being added to that group as well.

That leaves just Cameron Payne, Khem Birch, Charles Bassey, Doug McDermott, Reggie Bullock, Devonte' Graham and Cedi Osman to compete for the final four roster spots.

"Graham, by virtue of guaranteed money that goes beyond this season, is probably the safest of the bunch," Hollinger writes. "Birch, who was marginal even before Victor Wembanyama showed up, is probably the least secure. Bassey feels fungible as well, especially with Dom Barlow’s development."

McDermott, Osman and Bullock's big contracts almost guarantee that there will be a battle at training camp amongst the trio, with their similarity and large contracts forcing the Spurs to have to choose. Hollinger suggests the player that gets axed will most likely be the one most available for a buyout.

All that is left is for the guards to be decided, and with Payne's lack of interest in being a member of the team, he looks to be a potential buyout candidate, which will leave Graham with the third-string duties.

The Spurs roster fill-out will ultimately be decided by the results of training camp, and with coach Gregg Popovich at the helm for his 27th season, a suitable lineup will almost inevitably be found to complement the talent of their 7-3 rookie phenom.