Grade the trade proposal: Spurs win Kevin Durant sweepstakes at great cost

The start of the offseason is just a few days away for the San Antonio Spurs. That will give them time to address their two biggest flaws: shooting and size, but one potential offseason target could address both issues.

Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant is likely to be traded this summer, and the Spurs were rumored to be among the teams he would be interested in playing for. San Antonio has plenty of assets needed to make another big trade, even after acquiring De'Aaron Fox this season. However, the question isn't if they can land Durant; it's whether they should.

That leads us to a spicy three-team trade proposed by Logan Struck of Sports Illustrated. But would the deal make sense for the Spurs? Let's grade the trade!

Spurs would have to give up a significant package for Durant

The three-team trade would see the Spurs trade Devin Vassell and a 2026 pick swap to the Brooklyn Nets. The Suns would land Keldon Johnson, Nic Claxton, Atlanta's 2025 first, and the Spurs' 2029 and 2031 firsts. Lastly, the Spurs would get Durant and a 2030 second-rounder from the Nets.

That would be a monster deal, with the Suns getting Johnson, Claxton, and three firsts for their best player, helping them restock their draft stockpile. The Nets would receive Vassell and a second-round pick for their troubles, although they would have to part with Claxton. However, that might not be a problem if they select a center in the upcoming NBA Draft.

Meanwhile, the Spurs would have to give up a major haul to land Durant, including three firsts, a pick swap, a second, Vassell, and Johnson. That's a lot to give up, but the upside would give the Spurs their most stacked roster since the 2015-16 team that won 67 games.

A starting lineup of De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Durant, Harrison Barnes, and Wembanyama would have enough size, shooting, and defense to make noise in the Western Conference.

Their bench would be weaker with Blake Wesley, Julian Champagnie, Sandro Mamukelashvili, and Jeremy Sochan. Even so, they would still have a top-10 pick and access to the full mid-level exception to help fill out the bench. Chris Paul might even be willing to return to the Spurs next season in a bench role.

Should the Spurs trade for Kevin Durant?

While it's tempting to land Durant, the proposed haul alone should give them pause in a potential deal. First, it's not clear who will have an interest in Durant this summer.

The Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets may be on that list, but the Warriors would have to get creative to match salaries to acquire him, while the Rockets seem hesitant to make a big trade given their terrific young core.

The Miami Heat and Memphis Grizzlies could be wildcards to land Durant, but that will depend on the Suns' asking price and Durant's willingness to play there. All that is to say, the Spurs don't know who they will be bidding against.

Trading Vassell and Johnson for Durant would be a no-brainer considering how much better he is than both players. That being said, adding in three first-round picks and a pick swap is where I tend to draw the line.

Giving up three draft assets for a 36-year-old, no matter how good he still is, is a bad idea. If the deal called for the Spurs to give up the Hawks' 2025 and 2027 unprotected first, then that may be a far more reasonable deal from the Spurs perspective.

Overall, Durant does make sense for the Spurs given his elite scoring and ability as a team defender. However, the proposed asking price is simply too much given his age. Moving Vassell and Johnson and a couple of firsts for Durant is more reasonable but perhaps not enough to land Durant this summer.

Trade grade: C+