4 tantalizing Keldon Johnson trade scenarios that may net the Spurs a star

After an ugly start to the season, the San Antonio Spurs have played much better as of late, giving them momentum as they head into the offseason. With a star in Victor Wembanyama to build around, they could look to make a big trade to try and get him immediate help.

Despite that, the Spurs don't have much in the way of players with big contracts who are expendable. As a result, were they to make a big trade, the Spurs may have to include fan favorite Keldon Johnson. Johnson has mostly played well this season and is San Antonio's longest-tenured player but the Spurs need an upgrade at point guard.

Therefore, Johnson might be key to the team getting a star to pair with Victor Wembanyama. Let's take a look at four possible offseason trade scenarios for Keldon Johnson this summer.

4) Trae Young

There are several ways that the Spurs can look to match salary in a potential deal for Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young, including using Johnson's contract to do so. They could guarantee Devonte Graham and his $12.3 million for next season and package him with Tre Jones and possibly another player to help offset Young's $43 million salary while absorbing the rest into cap space.

Or, they may package Johnson and Zach Collins in a deal for Young. That would allow them to offset Young's monster contract not only for next season but for the two seasons after that. It would also allow them to preserve around $20 million in cap space plus the room exception to make additional moves to build around Young and Wembanyama.

Losing Johnson as a fourth option off the bench might not be something that the Spurs would want to do but a lot depends on whether they will have one or two first-round picks in the NBA draft. Two top-10 picks increase the chances that they address their two positional needs: point guard and small forward; doing so would potentially make Johnson expendable.