The Gary Neal roller coaster continues.
According to ESPN.com's Marc Stein, the San Antonio Spurs will withdraw Neal's $1.11 million qualifying offer, emboldening the 28-year-old gunner to entertain the unrestricted free agent market.
Stein also tweeted that Neal will likely be "snapped" up quick by another team, given his shooting outburst in last years NBA Finals. The Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets, despite their backcourt logjam, are reportedly interested in the undrafted combo guard.
Neal averaged 9.5 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game last season while shooting a career low 35.5 percent from beyond the arc. He hoists up a ton of shots, some decidedly terrible looks, but he is a cheap source of points — as long as teams are willing to stomach his fatal defensive lapses and caustic shot selection. An affordable secondary ball handler that doesn't cough up turnovers will always be compensated in the NBA, especially if they can knock down open 3-pointers. Neal accomplishes both objectives.
San Antonio, meanwhile, still has a vacant roster spot. Alleviating their books of Neal's $1.11 cap hold gives them the flexibility to either sign Greg Oden outright or another cheap wing forward to solidify the rotation. Neal is almost assuredly gone from San Antonio, but stranger things have happened.
