San Antonio Spurs: Best Frontcourt in the NBA by Ivan Mora

The San Antonio Spurs list 18 players on the roster heading into training camp, and Air Alamo will break down each of the current players, their strengths, weaknesses, chances to make the roster and expectations for the 2015-16 NBA season.

Reggie Williams caps a week of profiles that included Cady Lalanne, Nikola Milutinov, Jonathan Simmons and Boban Marjanovic.

Who Is He?

February 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Reggie Williams (55) and Golden State Warriors center Festus Ezeli (31, right) fight for a rebound during the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Spurs 110-99. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Williams is a 6’6″, 205-pound small forward who starred at Virginia Military Institute, averaging more than 27.5 points per outing during his junior and senior campaigns. He went undrafted in 2008 and decided to played overseas for one year.

After Williams returned to the United States, he joined the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA Development League before the Golden State Warriors reached out. He appeared in 104 games with the Warriors and was a key part of their rotation in 2010-11.

The NBA lockout temporarily sent Williams back overseas, but the left-hander eventually caught on with the Charlotte Bobcats, where he played 73 games. From 2013 to 2015, Williams shuffled between the D-League and Oklahoma City Thunder.

In January, the Spurs signed him to a pair of 10-day contracts and ultimately kept Williams for the remainder of the season. He entered 20 games, totaling 37 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Williams is a fearless shooter. And that’s about it. He’s not a great defender. And that should just about complete the in-depth scouting report on Williams.

Let’s put it this way: The veteran journeyman knows what it takes to preserve his place on a roster. After the team initially signed Williams to a 10-day contract, per the Spurs official site, he said:

Being an older guy, it makes you more hungry. I want to stay in the NBA and I’ll keep that hunger to do it. Whether it’s 10 days, 20 days or one day, I’m going to be the best that I can be for the Spurs.

San Antonio isn’t relying on Williams to develop into a regular piece for the second unit. That ship has sailed. But if he practices hard and pushes teammates, San Antonio isn’t wasting a roster spot on someone who doesn’t play and doesn’t care to improve because of limited playing time.

He was the No. 15 player on the roster last year for a reason. Williams keeps receiving opportunities to round out a bench for a reason, too, and that could be his work ethic.

What to Expect in 2015-16

Williams won’t be a major factor in the rotation, but he might survive final cuts after training camp anyway.

According to Basketball Insiders, Williams’ $1.2 million contract is non-guaranteed. The Spurs must trim their roster to 15, and there will be a legitimate competition for the final spot.

As of this moment—barring a surprising move concerning Marjanovic or Matt Bonner—13 players are safe. However, unlike Williams, shooting guard Jonathan Simmons has a guaranteed deal. If San Antonio is committed to Simmons, that leaves one place for Williams or Jimmer Fredette.

Williams’ biggest advantage is that he spent a portion of 2014-15 on the roster. But without Simmons’ potential or an elite skill like Fredette’s three-point shooting, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Spurs waived Williams.