The Spurs might be in the market for a guard. According to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, the Spurs are among numerous teams interested in signing free agent Ryan Rollins. The Bucks, Suns, Lakers, and Trail Blazers are also after him.
Rollins, 23, is not a well-known name in the NBA. He played sparingly for the Warriors as a rookie 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 demonstrated promise. Rollins averaged 6.4 points, two rebounds, and two assists in 14.6 minutes a game in Milwaukee, hitting 40 percent from three. He even started 19 games, and his statistics improved overall.
The Bucks are apparently attempting to retain him. They rescinded his qualifying offer to free up cap space, but they can use his Early Bird rights to go over the cap and sign him. The Spurs could offer the about $4 million remaining in their non-taxpayer mid-level exception after signing Luke Kornet, or the bi-annual exception, which is worth approximately $5 million. As Scotto points out, the Lakers also have the bi-annual exception at their disposal, but the Trail Blazers have the full non-taxpayer mid-level valued approximately $14 million and the Suns can only give the minimum. As exciting as Rollins was last season, he shouldn’t command a huge contract, so a bidding war will unlikely raise his price beyond what San Antonio can afford.
The Spurs’ interest in yet another small-ish guard may seem odd given their current roster, but Rollins brings a whole different skill set. He was an expert at catch-and-shoot three-pointers, connecting on 43 percent of his 100 total tries, and he is a decent defensive player with a wingspan of 6’10. Rollins can make plays for others and drive smoothly, but he can also serve as a secondary ball handler and floor spacer alongside San Antonio’s other guards. He’s also young enough to be a long-term project, growing with Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle in the backcourt.
He doesn’t fill the same role as another center or stretch forward, but he could be valuable.
Nothing appears imminent, and there are other suitors, so Rollins may not end up wearing Silver and Black, but he’s a name to remember as the Spurs fill out their roster.
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