Perfect Spurs trade deadline target would instantly solve massive flaw

Despite battling injury after injury, the San Antonio Spurs are still flying high. Even so, they have had to contend with a sagging defense without Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle. Once they return, the Spurs defense will receive a much-needed shot in the arm.

Even so, they still have concerns on that end of the floor, and they may not be able to solve it with those two players. San Antonio has struggled giving up open threes this season, resulting in teams shooting a ridiculously high percentage from outside.

Giving up open threes negates the Spurs' elite rim protection, which could negatively affect their playoff chances. As a result, they should scour the trade market in hopes of landing a perimeter defender who can help them shore up their biggest weakness.

New Orleans Pelicans wing Herb Jones may fit the bill. With the Pelicans in a downward spiral, he could potentially be had for less than first thought. Jones struggled to stay healthy last season, missing 62 games, and has gotten off to a slow start this season. Therefore, he could be more affordable now and could be worth revisiting as a trade target.

The Spurs could bolster their title hopes by adding Herb Jones

What's intriguing about Jones as a trade target is that he is only making $13.9 million this season, making it easier to acquire him, in theory at least. The Spurs' potential trade package could include Jeremy Sochan, the Atlanta Hawks' 2027 first, and their 2029 first.

That's a lot for Jones, but his potential fit could be great for the Spurs. His offensive numbers aren't anything to write home about. However, he is a textbook 3-and-D wing who can more than effectively defend guards and forwards alike—even having previously made an All-Defensive First Team. Equally as impressive is the fact that he is a respectable shooter.

He is a career 36.5% 3-point shooter, though on relatively low volume. To his credit, he is reliable from the corners, hitting close to 40% of his attempts, with nearly half of his threes coming from there.

All that is to say that he wouldn't crimp the Spurs' spacing or at least make teams pay for leaving him open.

Herb Jones is the perfect all-in trade target for the Spurs

A potential starting lineup of De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, Jones, and Victor Wembanyama would bolster their defense. That would make them better able to defend on the perimeter and more switchable too, which could potentially end the parade of open threes.

The tradeoff would mean moving Barnes to the bench, but he'd essentially be replacing Sochan in his role. Meanwhile, Jones would be an upgraded version of Sochan as well.

A bench of Dylan Harper, Keldon Johnson, Julian Champagnie, Barnes, and Luke Kornet would give the Spurs a legit 10-man rotation with improved spacing.

All told, Jones' potential addition would help the Spurs shore up their biggest weakness, with them often giving up open threes, compromising their defense. If Jones becomes available, he could solve that problem and give them a wing stopper who can knock down open shots. That would make him worth his weight in gold to a team with championship hopes.