Despite missing the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season, the San Antonio Spurs find themselves in a terrific spot to immediately contend in 2025.
Victor Wembanyama is set to return after dealing with blood clots which caused him to miss the final three months of the regular season, locked in with the #2 overall pick in this summer’s NBA Draft, and tradable contracts ready to package if the club decides to get aggressive and attempt to acquire a superstar talent, the possibilities are endless for the Spurs’ front office.
With the clear-cut #2 pick in this year’s draft set to be Rutgers guard, Dylan Harper, the Spurs find themselves in an intriguing position as the just traded for De’Aaron Fox and have the league’s reigning Rookie of The Year in former Connecticut guard, Stephon Castle.
A crowded back-court with Harper being the obvious selection at #2, coupled with the franchise’s desire to not waste anytime in the Wembanyama-era, the Spurs have been linked as potential suitors for disgruntled Milwaukee Bucks superstar, Giannis Antetokounmpo.
However, there may be another former league MVP that will likely come cheaper in a trade, and may even be a better fit next to Wembanyama on the market…
In a deal proposed by Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley, the Spurs decide to part ways with their #2 overall selection and one of their young wings to bring in Wembanyama’s new running mate.
San Antonio Spurs Receive: Kevin Durant
Phoenix Suns Receive: Devin Vassell, Harrison Barnes, 2025 First-Round Pick (#2 overall)
Some may argue that the Suns would rather have reigning Rookie of The Year, Stephon Castle over Vassell, however the Suns would undoubtedly be selecting Rutgers guard, Dylan Harper with their newly acquired #2 overall pick, which would block Castle from starting alongside he and franchise player, Devin Booker.
For the Suns, if they can find a starting-caliber center over Nick Richards, Booker, Harper, and Vassell would allow the club to remain in playoff contention while also setting themselves up to add a bonafide star next to Harper and Booker once Barnes’ deal comes off the books, next summer, while potentially dumping Beal’s-then expiring contract in a cost-saving deal, which is why the Suns would like prefer Barnes’ $19 million over Keldon Johnson’s $17 million in the deal as Johnson remains under contract until 2027.
On the Spurs’ side of the deal, the club would be adding a bonafide go-to scorer next to Wembanyama, allowing the 2023 first-overall pick to ease back into action after missing the second-half of this past season due to blood clots. De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Kevin Durant, Jeremy Sochan, and Wembanyama would be an immediate threat in the Western Conference and would provide several intriguing matchups with the likes of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Lakers, and Denver Nuggets at the top of the conference.
