Should San Antonio Spurs Have Signed Houston Rockets Free Agents This Offseason?
The San Antonio Spurs are in the midst of a 15-game losing streak, one shy of the team's franchise-worst 16-game skid suffered last season.
While the Spurs drafted Victor Wembanyama this offseason, they didn't change too much of their 22-win roster from a year ago. It's a far different approach than what their Lone Star State rival Houston Rockets did, signing several veterans to help support their young core.
Like the Rockets, the Spurs had a lot of cap space and could have operated under this notion. Therefore, Bleacher Report has given them some criticism for their early-season free agency grade.
Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) dries to the basket past San Antonio Spurs center Zach Collins (23) during the second half at Frost Bank Center.
Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
"The Spurs aren't gunning for a quick turnaround, so there was no reason to throw cash at the likes of Dillon Brooks, Fred VanVleet or any of the other high-dollar choices," Bleacher Report writes.
Perhaps the Spurs will take a similar approach a year or two from now once they realize exactly which players will fit next to Wembanyama. And even though the Spurs weren't necessarily wrong in not signing Brooks or VanVleet in free agency, they could use both of those guys right now.
Two of the Spurs' biggest grievances during this losing streak has been point guard play and defense.
VanVleet would have given the Spurs a true point guard to run the offense around, putting their players in position for success. Meanwhile, Brooks would have given a true perimeter stopper on the defensive end. The Spurs rank 27th in the league in defensive rating; the Rockets are in 4th after being one of the worst defenses a year ago.
All the Spurs can do is play the "what if?" game and hope that the players on the roster can develop into true NBA options down the line.
