As the NBA preseason progresses, the San Antonio Spurs currently have 20 players on their roster. By opening night on October 22, they must finalize their roster to 18 players. Of these, three can be on two-way contracts, while the remaining 15 will hold standard contracts. Recently, the Spurs waived Nathan Mensah and need to let go of two additional players before the regular season begins. With David Duke Jr. and Harrison Ingram already on two-way deals, they have space for one more player. Riley Minix is currently the frontrunner for that final spot after an impressive preseason performance. Before the season starts, here are three players the Spurs might consider cutting, keeping in mind they only need to waive two.
1. Brandon Boston Jr.
The Spurs acquired Brandon Boston Jr. in August after he spent his first three seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers. Initially compared to Brandon Ingram, his growth was limited, in part because the Clippers had him buried in the depth chart behind players like Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Terance Mann, and Norman Powell.
In his first three seasons in the NBA, Boston Jr. averaged just 12.9 minutes per game, recording 6.2 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 0.4 steals. He hit only 31.3 percent of his three-point attempts, which contributed to the Clippers’ decision not to re-sign him. During the Spurs’ first three preseason games, his playing time has been limited, leading to an average of 2.3 points and a 33.3 percent shooting rate from beyond the arc. If he had developed a more consistent outside shot during the preseason, the Spurs might have converted him to a standard contract, but his lack of production puts him at risk of being waived.
2. Malachi Flynn
is best known for his impressive 50-point game last season against the Atlanta Hawks while with the Detroit Pistons. He has the potential to be a high-scoring spark off the bench, but like Boston Jr., he hasn’t seen much playing time this preseason. He has averaged 4.3 points in limited minutes, making half his three-point attempts. At 26 years old, the Spurs may prefer a younger player for their final roster spot. Flynn has a career three-point shooting percentage of 33.4 and has had positive spells as a bench player for the Pistons, New York Knicks, and Toronto Raptors. He has participated in six playoff games but didn’t score in any of them. Still, his experience on successful teams might enhance his standing with coach Gregg Popovich, who remarked, “He’s a tough nut. He shoots the heck out of the ball, takes no prisoners, and works very hard.” Although Flynn could contribute offensively off the bench, he might end up being the odd one out on a team aiming to focus on younger talent.
3.Malaki Branham
was drafted in the first round alongside Jeremy Sochan and Blake Wesley in 2022. Sochan has quickly established himself as a key starter, while Branham and Wesley have faced scrutiny over their slower development. Wesley has become a rotation player, gaining recognition for his on-ball defense and secondary playmaking, despite struggling with his shooting. In contrast, Branham appears to be lagging behind in his progress.
Branham was spotted in casual attire during the Spurs’ 126-120 preseason victory against the Utah Jazz, which sparked a social media buzz as fans noted his DNP (Did Not Play) status. However, it’s common for players to sit out during preseason games, and it was likely just Branham’s time to rest. In his two games, he has performed below expectations, averaging only 11.5 points with inefficient shooting. Unlike Boston Jr. and Flynn, he has logged a significant number of minutes during the preseason.
Just spitballing here, but part of me wonders whether the Spurs cut ties with Malaki Branham to make room for a standard deal.
Brandon Boston Jr. or Riley Minix will get their last two-way, but Malachi Flynn provides San Antonio a little bit of depth insurance.
— Noah Magaro-George (@N_Magaro) October 10, 2024
Branham would be the most unexpected player to be cut by the Spurs out of the three, but it appears he may have already reached his potential. His on-court performance has been disappointing in his brief career, and the lack of progress is concerning, particularly when compared to Wesley’s recent growth.
True to form, the Spurs are keeping things under wraps. Popovich and Brian Wright haven’t indicated any possible roster moves, leaving fans and the media to speculate.
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