After countless fierce wars with the Memphis Grizzlies, the Spurs had their eye on arguably the most accurate point guard in the NBA for six years and running, Tyus Jones, the Duke guard, on an expiring contract as Marcus Smart joins Memphis in his stead. Tyus is just 26 years old, the last of a dying breed of "small" point guards in a league that is getting taller every season, but brings a clever savvy to playmaking that San Antonio has long coveted as the league's least-turnover team throughout its dynastic reign atop the hardwood. Jones also boasted a stat-line during the Ja Morant drama of last season that saw his contributions literally double when he plays starter-length minutes on a basketball court, which bodes well for the Spurs as the rigors of a long upcoming season rear their ugly head.
They've searched long and hard for a backup point guard and while Fred VanVleet could certainly do that job well, he's more than earned the starting SG spot next to Murray over the years, so Tyus will slot in nicely as San Antonio inherits his Bird rights, with their desire being clear to keep him in Texas for the foreseeable future next summer. This is Tyus' big moment to showcase his starting point guard potential and own the second unit. In exchange for Jones, the Spurs are dealing TJ McConnell and Blake Wesley to the Wizards. Coming in with a similar swagger is veteran swingman, Gordon Hayward, whose career has taken a dip since a gruesome foot injury spoiled his departure from Utah to Boston several years ago, and he's dealt with injury woes since during his tenure in Charlotte, which has now concluded. In return, the Hornets acquire the draft rights to French phenom, Victor Wembenyama, along with Keldon Johnson who should more than replace Hayward's contributions and better fit their timeline, having secured the point guard sensation, LaMelo Ball to a five-year extension. For taking on Hayward's contract, the Spurs got draft capital.
For San Antonio, Hayward brings with him a scorer's mentality and the bold fact that he is a plus player throughout his career with a solid defensive rating. He's long, shrewd and more than capable of splashing in the long ball out on the perimeter, freeing up Evan Fournier to probe inside, and hopefully able to show Brandon Ingram a third eye's view of the league, given his lengthy experience in the league. Hayward slides back into his natural SF position, but also brings with him the ability to play the PF spot if needed, after doing such for Charlotte last season. For Charlotte, they secure their team's future and get a bonafide starting PF in Wemby, rather than him join a crowded frontcourt in San Antonio with Andre Drummond still beasting and feasting on the glass every night. Hayward's contract is by no means light, but the Spurs were able to absorb it due to Wenbenyama's #1 pick salary (roughly 12 million) and Johnson's extension (20 million), along with the recently acquired John Konchar from Memphis (6 million)'s extension filling in the rest of the financial gap. The Spurs are hoping for a similar stay in Hayward as they got from Kevin Love, a veteran on a pricy contract in the downturn of his career, but still capable of contributing in a different role, with San Antonio's trusted coaches and medical staff at Gordon's disposal to stay on the court. Hayward, unable to wear #20 (retired for Manu Ginobili, who once praised Gordon's game as he came into the league), will don #2 for the Spurs, with Tyus Jones wearing #1 as he did in his pre-Memphis days with Minnesota. Welcome to the Silver and Black, Gordon & Tyus.
