San Antonio Spurs Rumors: 2 Players Not Expected Back Next Season

With one of the three best chances at landing the No. 1 pick in the draft lottery (aka The Wembanyama Sweepstakes) the San Antonio Spurs are well on their way to adding a premier player in this June's NBA Draft. 

With a solid young core that already includes Keldon Johnson, Jeremy Sochan and Devin Vassell, the Spurs are looking to take a big step at upgrading the roster this offseason. And whether or not they land the 7'4" unicorn Victor Wembanyama, it's safe to say that the days of these two big men in Spurs country are numbered, as we have a look at players who are not expected back next season.

Gorgui Dieng

The Spurs couldn't really make up their minds on the well-liked Dieng this season, releasing him in January after playing in just two of the previous 15 games, then immediately re-signing him to a pair of 10-day contracts, before inking him to another standard deal through the rest of the year. But still, the DNP-CDs far outweighed the actual games played for Dieng as the backup center, and although he'd been known as a rim protector in his earlier days in the league, the last couple of seasons saw him rack up four times as many fouls as blocked shots. 

The 33-year-old is once again without a contract, and it's unlikely he'll be back as the Spurs take their next step toward respectability.

Keita Bates-Diop

Another free agent, Bates-Diop performed admirably this season in San Antonio, posting 9.7 points while shooting 39.4% from long distance off the bench. 

But with Johnson and Vassell set to hopefully play full seasons at the wings, and last year's lottery pick Sochan emerging as a force at the four, there'll be far less use for Bates-Diop next season, making a free agent offer from the Spurs a long shot.

Photo: Aaron Meullion-USA TODAY Sports