Gordon, KCP, and MPJ aren't stars, but they're a lot better than meh, too -- definitely not just riding coattails. Those are solid, above average players with complementary games.
Bullock and Payne aren't at the same level as White, obviously. And I'm not sure who the #14, #15 players are on their roster, so maybe I'm missing some hidden gem. But if I'm the Spurs I keep around decent vets who won't demand a ton of minutes to accompany Wembayana et al.. Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell are good players, but at 23 I'd assume are hardly ready to be full on leaders.
I guess. It just seems to me that sometimes teams at the bottom give up assets way too easily and forget that it's good to have some vets around to guide the kids. I know Pops is a great leader, but I would worry a bit about a Houston situation where there is little to no locker room leadership for the young kids. Another example is SA more or less giving away Derrick White a few years ago. He's now re-signable for $88 million/4 years. Seems to me he'd be a good companion to the Spurs' young talent. They don't all have to be the same age.I'm sure they kicked the tires, but the likely holdup is $. Lots of teams want them at the minimum, but those teams couldn't find a way to trade for them at $6M and 10.5M. Have to salary match, and SAS can't take on a 2-1 of minimum guys (who they would then cut) because of the full roster. So... yeah if MIL had a TPE maybe they trade a 2nd (maybe not) but otherwise tough fit. I do wonder if the timing is because SAS thought BOS might take Cam Payne into the Williams TPE, then they traded for a PG, removing one of the last teams who might throw them a 2nd.
Bullock and Payne aren't at the same level as White, obviously. And I'm not sure who the #14, #15 players are on their roster, so maybe I'm missing some hidden gem. But if I'm the Spurs I keep around decent vets who won't demand a ton of minutes to accompany Wembayana et al.. Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell are good players, but at 23 I'd assume are hardly ready to be full on leaders.