The Spurs might be on the market for a guard. San Antonio is one of several teams interested in signing free agent Ryan Rollins, according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto. The Bucks, Suns, Lakers, and Trail Blazers are also pursuing him.
Rollins, 23, is not a household name in the NBA. He barely played as a rookie for the Warriors and then spent time with the Wizards and Bucks without making much of an impression as a sophomore. In his third season, however, the 6’3 guard showed promise. Rollins averaged 6.4 points, two rebounds, and two assists while shooting 40 percent on three-pointers in 14.6 minutes a game in Milwaukee. He even started 19 games, and in that role, his numbers improved across the board.
The Bucks are reportedly trying to retain him. They withdrew his qualifying offer to carve out cap space, but can use his Early Bird rights to go over the cap to sign him. The Spurs could either offer the around $4 million they have left in their non-taxpayer’s mid-level exception after signing Luke Kornet or the bi-annual exception, worth around $5 million. As Scotto points out, the Lakers also have the bi-annual exception at their disposal while the Trail Blazers have the full non-taxpayer’s mid-level worth around $14 million, and the Suns can only offer the minimum. As intriguing as Rollins was last season, he shouldn’t command a high salary, so it’s unlikely a bidding war will up his price past what San Antonio can afford.
It might seem curious for the Spurs to be interested in yet another small-ish guard, since they have a logjam already, but Rollins offers a completely different skillset. He was a killer on catch-and-shoot three-pointers, connecting on 43 percent of his 100 total attempts, and is a solid defensive player, possessing a 6’10 wingspan. Rollins can make plays for others and is smooth on drives, but he can also play an off-ball role as a secondary ball handler and floor spacer next to any of San Antonio’s other guards. He’s also young enough to be a long-term project that grows along with Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle in the backcourt. He doesn’t fill as big a need as another center or a stretch forward would, but he could be useful.
Nothing seems imminent, and there are other suitors, so Rollins might not end up wearing Silver and Black, but he’s a name to keep in mind as the Spurs round out their roster.