5 Unpopular trades the Spurs should consider this summer.

Despite having a young superstar in Victor Wembanyama, the San Antonio Spurs are last in the Western Conference. They won’t stay long, and pressure will increase to develop the record-breaking talent into a contender. If the Spurs want to move up the standings, they need to surround Wemby with more talent.

With choices, San Antonio will go into the offseason. They will probably have nine additional tradeable first-round picks in addition to two picks in the top ten of the 2024 NBA Draft. The Spurs have cap capacity to add players through free agency and can match any offer. The key is to identify the appropriate parts.

To make the most of their roster, their front management could have to make some unpopular decisions. Wembanyama is here to stay, but if the appropriate offer comes up, the other players can find themselves traded. Fans won’t be pleased with these offers, but they are still worth looking into this summer.

5. Devin Vassell is traded for a celebrity
Vassell inked a $135 million, five-year contract with the Spurs that would start the following season. As he keeps getting better, he might end up becoming an important member of the team in the future. Finding a 6’5 wing who can handle the ball and shoot 37 percent from three points is difficult. The 23-year-old still has time to get better.

Vassell isn’t really famous. In each of his four NBA seasons, he has been classified as a player below league average by win shares per 48 minutes and has had a negative defensive box score plus-minus for the past two years. To complement Wembanyama, the Spurs need a second star, and the team that trades one away will want young players and draft picks in exchange.

The San Antonio Spurs ought to make an effort to move other players before considering Vassell, but they have to give it some thought if that’s what the opposition demands. More often than not, they’ll request a young forward that the Spurs would prefer to keep.

4. Spurs exchange Sochan for a better player
In 2022, Jeremy Sochan was selected by San Antonio with the ninth overall pick. For the Spurs, he rapidly established himself as a starter and important player, but the team is still figuring out how to get the most out of him. To start the season, they attempted the point Sochan experiment, but it was a failure. Although he clearly has talent, Victor Wembanyama might not be a good fit for his particular skill set.

Recall that both of them are twenty years old. Although neither player is perfect, the Spurs have played 1,156 minutes this season with the pair on the court and have a negative-4.5 net rating. Their offensive rating would be the lowest in the NBA, while their defensive rating of 111.1 would tie for fourth place. This season, both players have a 32.7 percent 3-point shooting percentage, therefore there will be a problem with floor spacing because neither is the main creator.

It’s early. Jeremy Sochan might become a reliable jumper. As a rookie, his three-point percentage was 24.6 percent; now it is 32.7 percent. Is he able to reach 35 percent and earn the respect of his opponents?

The Spurs ought to investigate his trade market if not. The 20-year-old is really valuable. He is a multi-positional guard and playmaker. San Antonio might be able to upgrade to a star and get a better fit around Wemby. The most likely trade this summer is dealing for another forward, which is what the team would love to do.

3. Spurs send Keldon to the best offer.
A four-year, $74 million contract that Keldon Johnson is in the first season of is subject to decline. San Antonio cannot play numerous dubious shooters and defenders for more than thirty minutes a night and expect to be a contender; it only gets more team-friendly. Johnson has been inconsistent in his five NBA seasons, even though this year he is hitting 35.1 percent from three-point range.

His defense and stature are questionable. Although the Spurs lack talent surrounding Victor Wembanyama, he is already one of the finest defenders in the NBA. The 6’5 forward Johnson has performed below league average in win shares per 48 minutes since his rookie season and has recorded a negative box score plus-minus in four of his five seasons.

The Spurs should try to trade the 24-year-old for a point guard or a 3-and-D wing, even though he is still becoming better. To operate their offense, they need a primary ball handler and someone who can space the floor and play strong perimeter defense. In order to improve their roster, San Antonio should strive to combine their large amount of draft capital with a sizable contract.

This summer, the Spurs will be looking to add a star. Although it is the easiest route for them to enter the race, it won’t be inexpensive. San Antonio never overspends, but while constructing near Wemby, they might have to.

2. Spurs persuade Cavs to trade Darius Garland to them
In an effort to steady their offense, San Antonio might be persuaded to sign a seasoned point guard. They would be much improved, but Victor Wembanyama is a top player. The best players in the league desire more than just to qualify for the playoffs and lose in the first round. The Spurs should be compelled to shift their goals to star point guard if they are to pursue a title.

If the Cavaliers exit the playoffs quickly once more, they will have a difficult summer. Donovan Mitchell’s contract only allows him to play for one season plus one player option. The Cavaliers may attempt to move him if he rejects an extension. If Spider decides to stay, they may have to separate their two little guards and restructure their roster.

Darius Garland is the lone player Cleveland is moving for a sizable haul. The 24-year-old is an established difference-maker and an All-Star. This deal was posted on Fanspo, where it received negative feedback from both parties.

While giving up six draft selections and Keldon Johnson is a significant trade-off, San Antonio can afford it. Next to Wemby, Garland is an improvement and a better fit. Six tradeable first-round picks would still be available to the Spurs to bolster their squad. Even though some fans are upset about the price, this decision makes sense.

Although Darius Garland is unlikely to be available, there are whispers of a contentious point guard.

1. Spurs forfeit huge sum for Trae Young
This season, the Hawks have been among the NBA’s worst letdowns. They are just about in the Play-In Tournament with eight games below.500. After their third consecutive swift postseason exit, Atlanta will be looking for a way to duplicate their 2021 success, barring a miraculous comeback. This summer, everything will be up for grabs, including the trade of Trae Young.

Before the deadline, there were rumors involving the three-time All-Star, but no deal was completed. Young is a superb creator and scorer, but he has defensive shortcomings. It’s not simple to surround him with a winner, but San Antonio might be able to fit the pieces.

To get Ice Trae, the Spurs would need to make a sizable payment. In addition to some youthful talent, it probably costs at least three first-round draft selections. Although the package won’t please fans, it’s never simple to get a 25-year-old All-Star. With Young, the Spurs have a talented point guard leading their offense, which might push them into the playoffs.

This summer and going forward, the San Antonio Spurs front management will have to make tough choices. They are unable to develop feelings for their players. All that remains is to assemble a championship team around Wemby, which will require making some audacious and unpleasant choices. Put your trust in the Spurs. If any group can pull it off, they have the best chance.