3 San Antonio Spurs who definitely won’t be back next season

Dec 17, 2022; Mexico City, MEX; San Antonio Spurs forward Keita Bates-Diop (31) enters the court in the second half of the NBA Mexico City Game 2022 against the Miami Heat at the Arena de Ciudad de Mexico. The Heat won 111-101. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2022; Mexico City, MEX; San Antonio Spurs forward Keita Bates-Diop (31) enters the court in the second half of the NBA Mexico City Game 2022 against the Miami Heat at the Arena de Ciudad de Mexico. The Heat won 111-101. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 2, 2023; Brooklyn, New York, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Gorgui Dieng (41) warms up before the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2023; Brooklyn, New York, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Gorgui Dieng (41) warms up before the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Gorgui Dieng

Has been on and off the Spurs roster all season, signing with them in the offseason, getting released in January, churning through two 10-day contracts before finally signing a new deal for the rest of the season. The 33-year-old big man has become a beloved teammate in his last few stops and clearly has some value for San Antonio as a veteran mentor for this young team.

But he doesn’t appear to have much left to offer on the court. Over the past two seasons, he’s played just over 500 minutes, shot under 50 percent from the field and has racked up nearly four fouls for every shot he’s blocked.

Dieng doesn’t have a lengthy history with the Spurs like some other long-time role players who transitioned into non-playing roles within the organization. But if the Spurs really want to keep him around to help with their young players it might make more sense to create a basketball operations role for him than to use a roster spot.