The San Antonio Spurs need to put talent around Victor Wembanyama. The reigning Rookie of the Year is already elite and keeps improving. Expect him to be a top ten player in the NBA next season, but San Antonio must give him more help to become contenders.

The Spurs signed Chris Paul and traded for Harrison Barnes to bring leadership. CP3 wants to play and is eager to help Wemby reach his ceiling. Barnes is the ultimate professional and brings much-needed floor spacing to the Alamo.

The Spurs still have the room mid-level exception available in free agency after exceeding the salary cap. It has a maximum value of $7.9 million in year one and can be for three seasons. San Antonio should add another piece, and these are the best names still on the market.

3. Tyus Jones

Signing him does not make a ton of sense after adding Chris Paul, but it is San Antonio’s shot to get him for a bargain.

Jones was arguably the best backup point guard in the NBA during his time in Memphis, and his game expanded as a starter in the nation’s capital last season. He averaged 12.0 points, 7.3 assists, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 29.3 minutes per game while shooting 48.9 percent from the field and over 41 percent on his threes.

Jones is arguably the best available player, but he is unlikely to sign in San Antonio to steal minutes from his younger brother. The 28-year-old hopes to work out a sign-and-trade to get more dollars next season. Finding the deal won’t be easy with so many franchises facing spending restrictions, but Jones still has hope.

Tyus Jones is one of the best available candidates for the Spurs exception, regardless of fit. The 6’1 point guard may struggle to find a long-term deal, but San Antonio should try to get him at a discount. They have just $7.9 million to offer, but it might be his best available deal.

Expect Tyus Jones to land with another franchise, but the Spurs would love to add more shooting to their current mix.

2. Luke Kennard

The Spurs desperately need shooting around Victor Wembanyama. They finished 28th in 3-point percentage last season but were 11th in attempts. San Antonio wants to shoot and needs the floor spacers to knock them down.

Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes should provide a significant boost. The 6’8 forward shot 38.7 percent on 4.4 attempts per game during his five-plus seasons in Sacramento. Only 62 players took more threes last season, and Barnes still made them at an elite rate. CP3 is a historic shot-creator and will find his open teammates. The Spurs lacked a true point guard for significant stretches, but those boosts are not enough.

Kennard is one of the league’s best marksmen. He is a career 43.9 percent 3-point shooter and has twice led the NBA. The 28-year-old took over six attempts per game last season and made 45.0 percent of them. He was limited to 39 games because of injury, but Kennard is healthy and eager to join a contender.

Can the San Antonio Spurs convince Luke Kennard to sign with them for the room exception? Many expect him to return to the Grizzlies, but they have been unable to work out a new contract. It still may happen. The door is open for some team to swoop in, and the Spurs have the best young talent in the world. It was enough to convince CP3 and may get Kennard too.

1. Gary Trent Jr.

Trent is the best wing available and appears destined to take a discount in free agency. The Raptors reportedly offered $15 million per year to keep him, but the 25-year-old thought he could get more in free agency. With the money virtually dried up, Trent Jr. will have to settle for the best offer he gets.

The 6’5 wing is a career 38.6 percent 3-point shooter coming off a season where he averaged 13.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.1 steals in 28.1 minutes per game. Trent Jr. can get buckets, and the Spurs finished 26th in offensive rating last season.

There are defensive and efficiency concerns, but the free agency pool is drying up. Trent Jr. can score, stretch the floor, and get buckets. He has size and athletic ability to hold his own defensively. There is plenty to like, and Trent Jr. will provide excess value if he signs for the room exception.

The San Antonio Spurs should try to land the best player available at this point. The transaction cycle is cooling down and most teams have their rosters set. Gary Trent Jr. is the best wing available and would certainly help. Can the Spurs make it happen? Stay tuned to find out.