The San Antonio Spurs have waived guard David Duke Jr., the team announced on Saturday. The move comes as the organization continues to refine its roster ahead of the upcoming NBA season. Duke, who appeared in four games for the Spurs during the 2023-2024 campaign, had been competing for a spot in the team’s backcourt rotation.
Roster Adjustments and Training Camp Competition
The decision to release Duke follows a period of evaluation during the team’s training camp. According to the official team announcement, the Spurs’ roster now stands at 20 players. NBA teams are permitted to carry up to 21 players during the offseason and training camp, but must trim their rosters to a maximum of 15 players on standard contracts and three players on two-way contracts by the start of the regular season.
Duke initially joined the Spurs organization on a two-way contract in December 2023. During his limited time in San Antonio, he provided depth at the guard position, though he spent the majority of his recent professional tenure developing in the G League with the Austin Spurs.
David Duke Jr.’s Professional Path
Before his stint in San Antonio, Duke played for the Brooklyn Nets, where he signed as an undrafted free agent out of Providence College in 2021. Over his three-year NBA career, he has appeared in 49 regular-season games, recording career averages of 4.2 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per contest.
His departure leaves the Spurs with fewer options in the backcourt as they look to build around a core that includes young talent and veteran leadership. The team is currently managed by General Manager Brian Wright, who has prioritized maintaining roster flexibility while balancing long-term developmental goals.
Next Steps for the Spurs
The Spurs are expected to make further roster cuts in the coming days to comply with league mandates. With the regular season approaching, head coach Gregg Popovich and the coaching staff are evaluating how to distribute minutes among the remaining guards, including players like Stephon Castle, Tre Jones, and Blake Wesley.
Players waived by NBA teams during the preseason often become eligible for the waiver wire, where other teams have 48 hours to claim their existing contracts. If Duke clears waivers, he will become an unrestricted free agent, allowing him to sign with any team or return to the G League for further development.
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