It's in no way surprising that the Spurs will go into the season below the 15 player maximum. It's been years since they did, always preferring instead to keep a few spots open for cast offs and D-League try-outs. Anybody surprised by this just hasn't been paying attention.
The remaining portion from the MLE seems to be crying out for a Dejuan Blair or Gary Neal type situation to fill it. I wouldn't close the book on that possibility just yet. Of course, it may not happen until later in the season, but the Spurs obviously kept that door open.
There will obviously be camp invitees. There always are. And you never know when a guy like Desmon Farmer will pop up in camp and entice you to give him a shot. Now, of course, Farmer didn't stick long term. But then again, Summer League stud Gary Neal did. So who knows?
Byars seems to be a goner before the season starts. He adds some flexibility to potential trades as a non-guaranteed contract. But barring his inclusion in a trade to make numbers work, I think his end will come as a waiver victim the day before his contract goes guaranteed. Watch for a D-League stand-out to sign in his place within a few months of the their season going hot.
Lastly, the Spurs obviously haven't closed the door on trades either. Players like Matt Bonner, Gary Neal and Dejuan Blair seem like obvious choices to be moved. Maybe not now, maybe at the deadline, maybe before...but the Spurs will continue to entertain offers on these guys and hopefully sell high if possible.
The Spurs aren't done. They never really are. But they may be finished chasing down free agents.
