As the NBA preseason progresses, the San Antonio Spurs find themselves with 20 players on their roster, but with opening night fast approaching, they’ll need to trim that down to 18 by October 22. Of those 18, three can be signed to two-way contracts, while the remaining 15 will be on standard NBA deals. After recently waiving Nathan Mensah, the Spurs must cut two more players to meet the regular season roster requirements.
The Spurs currently have David Duke Jr. and Harrison Ingram on two-way contracts, leaving one spot open for a player. Early signs point to Riley Minix as the favorite to secure that final two-way deal after his strong preseason showing.
Here are three players the Spurs could waive before the regular season tips off. While only two need to be cut, these three players are on the bubble.
1. Brandon Boston Jr.
The Spurs signed Brandon Boston Jr. in August, following his three-year stint with the Los Angeles Clippers. Boston, who was once compared to All-Star Brandon Ingram, has struggled to live up to that potential. Playing behind stars like Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, his opportunities in LA were limited. Over three seasons, he averaged 6.2 points and 1.8 rebounds in 12.9 minutes per game, while shooting just 31.3% from three.
Unfortunately, his lack of consistent production has continued in San Antonio. In three preseason games, Boston Jr. has averaged just 2.3 points, shooting 33.3% from beyond the arc. While the Spurs hoped for a more significant preseason impact that could have led to a standard contract, Boston’s struggles make him a likely candidate for a waiver.
2. Malachi Flynn
Malachi Flynn made headlines last season with a 50-point game against the Atlanta Hawks while playing for the Detroit Pistons. Known as a microwave scorer, Flynn has shown flashes of brilliance, but at 26 years old, he faces an uphill battle on a young Spurs roster.
In the preseason, Flynn has played sparingly, averaging 4.3 points per game but converting on half of his three-point attempts. Despite his efficient shooting, the Spurs may prefer to invest in a younger player for the final roster spot. Flynn has played for multiple teams, including the Pistons, Raptors, and Knicks, but his 33.4% career three-point shooting may not be enough to save him in San Antonio.
Coach Gregg Popovich has praised Flynn’s toughness, stating, “He shoots the heck out of the ball, he takes no prisoners, and he works very hard.” However, even with Popovich’s endorsement, Flynn’s future with the Spurs is uncertain as the team looks to build toward the future.
3. Malaki Branham
Malaki Branham, the Spurs’ first-round pick in 2022, is perhaps the most surprising name on this list. Drafted alongside Jeremy Sochan and Blake Wesley, Branham was expected to be a key part of San Antonio’s young core. While Sochan has emerged as a starter, and Wesley has made strides as a defender and playmaker, Branham’s development has lagged.
In two preseason games, Branham has averaged 11.5 points but has struggled with efficiency. His slow progression is becoming more apparent, especially when compared to Wesley’s growth over the past two seasons. Branham was also a notable DNP in the Spurs’ recent preseason win over the Utah Jazz, fueling speculation about his future.
Although cutting Branham would be a shock, the lack of visible improvement since his rookie season has raised concerns about his ceiling.
Conclusion
As the regular season looms, the Spurs have some tough decisions to make. Brandon Boston Jr., Malachi Flynn, and Malaki Branham are all in danger of being waived, though only two will need to go. Popovich and the Spurs front office remain tight-lipped about their plans, leaving fans and analysts to speculate on which players will make the final cut.
