3 Stars the Spurs could trade their draft picks for this summer

2. Donovan Mitchell

It's no secret that the Spurs are in the market for a big-name guard to pair alongside Wembanyama. While Atlanta's surprising jump to the number 1 overall pick might have jeopardized San Antonio's chances of pursuing their star guard in Trae Young, there's another player in the East that could suit the Silver and Black's needs.

Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard Donovan Mitchell has solidified himself as one of the league's premier hoopers over the course of his career. In 2023–24, the 5-time All-Star averaged 26.6 points, 6.1 assists, and 1.8 steals per game while leading the Cavs to the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference in this year's playoffs. Mitchell would be a perfect all-around guard to pair with Wembanyama on pick-and-rolls or pick-and-pops, while also having a deep offensive skill set that can give San Antonio a reliable second (or even first) scoring option every night.

The only caveat that could dissuade the Spurs from swinging a trade for Spida is the fact that he only has two years left on his deal which includes a player option, meaning that whichever team Mitchell ends up on will likely have to give him a max extension. Despite this, getting a superstar guard like Mitchell would immediately open a championship window for the Spurs.

In this scenario, San Antonio gives up the fourth pick in this year's draft, their 2025 and 2027 first-round picks from Atlanta, as well as Keldon Johnson and Malaki Branham to Cleveland in exchange for Donovan Mitchell. This trade gives the Cavs a solid return to help them build around Darius Garland and Evan Mobley while providing the Silver and Black a chance to contend with a young core led by a 27-year-old Mitchell in the prime of his career.