Spurs believe Ray McCallum can be key player this year
The San Antonio Spurs splashed themselves across headlines this summer after signing LaMarcus Aldridge and Kawhi Leonard to max contracts, then bringing Danny Green and Tim Duncan back below their market value and adding David West for the price of a tuna salad sandwich.
But one of the more important deals they made might be a trade. San Antonio sent a second-round pick to the Sacramento Kings for Ray McCallum, a young point guard who hasn't had the most individual success in his first two years.
The Spurs clearly saw something in him as a replacement for Cory Joseph, though. Here's what it is, per San Antonio Express-News writer Buck Harvey:
"While they don’t think McCallum will be the defender Cory Joseph is, they see him as someone who can run a team. If Tony Parker suffers injuries again, McCallum could be a key to the season. McCallum had bursts with Sacramento, notably when he started the final 30 games last season and averaged 11.2 points and 4.3 assists. Among his few flaws is a 3-point shooting average that flattened out at around 30 percent last season. The Spurs’ reaction: Shortly after the trade, McCallum worked with Chip Engelland both in Las Vegas and in San Antonio.
If McCallum can improve his three-point shot it changes everything. He's already a sound ball handler who can play a little defense and make smart decisions with the basketball. But an outside shot will open up San Antonio's spacing and give them another threat from the perimeter.
Until then, it's hard to see how McCallum takes minutes from Patty Mills, unless the Australian or Tony Parker get injured.
(h/t: San Antonio Express-News)
