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.

3) Dejounte Murray

If the Hawks decide to hold on to star guard Trae Young, the Spurs could and should pivot to re-acquiring Dejounte Murray. San Antonio was reportedly interested in Murray ahead of the trade deadline but no deal materialized. However, after the season, the Spurs could revisit the idea of bringing Murray back and pairing him with Wembanyama.

After all, the Spurs are in need of a starting point guard, and Murray would fit the bill. Not only that but he is under contract for four more years and has experience playing for Coach Gregg Popovich, with whom he is still close after being traded from San Antonio. Those are all benefits, plus he'd likely cost less to acquire than Young.

A package of Johnson, Atlanta's 2025 first, and Charlotte's 2027 first for Murray would be a competitive offer. Moving Johnson for Murray might be unpopular but swapping them for one another would allow the Spurs to effectively offset most of Murray's salary over the next three seasons. It may also save the Spurs from having to give up another future first by including Johnson. 

Adding Murray back to the fold would give the Spurs a true pick-and-roll point guard who can help get their best player, Wembanyama, the ball. While his defense has slipped, he has the size and length needed to still be good on that end of the floor, and Wembanyama can help him by shutting down the paint.

Offensively, Murray is still a good shooter from mid-range but has upped his number of 3-point attempts to more than seven per game while shooting above league average. That has improved his efficiency, resulting in him having his best offensive season. If available, the Spurs should look to bring Murray home.

2) Donovan Mitchell

With rumors that Cleveland Cavaliers all-star Donovan Mitchell may soon become available, the Spurs should consider making an offer if and when that happens. If the Cavs are forced to trade Mitchell, they probably won't be able to get anywhere near the same caliber of player. However, acquiring a couple of rotation players and a couple of picks might be the best they can hope for in that scenario.

The Spurs could offer Johnson, Zach Collins, Toronto's top-six protected pick (assuming it doesn't convey this year), Chicago's 2025 first-round pick, and a 2025 first via the Hawks or Spurs for Mitchell. Three firsts, in addition to Johnson, might seem steep for a player who can become a free agent after next season, but the Spurs could take a page out of the Indiana Pacers' book.

The Pacers traded three firsts to acquire Pascal Siakam from the Toronto Raptors, despite him having less than a season remaining on his contract. Had they not, he might not have agreed to sign there this summer, and now they are in a great position to re-sign him. The Spurs could do the same with Mitchell to make sure they land him and give Wembanyama a legit offensive star to play alongside.

1) Darius Garland

If the Cavaliers are confident that Mitchell will stay put in Cleveland, then they might be open to trading point guard Darius Garland. Garland and Mitchell share the backcourt in Cleveland but an extended absence from Garland showed what the Cavs could look like with Mitchell running the show.

They were one of the hottest teams in the league without Garland, which suggests that he might not be needed. Were the Cavs to come to that conclusion, then the Spurs would seem like an obvious potential trade partner with their need at point guard and their draft assets.

A hypothetical offer of Johnson, Graham, Malaki Branham, Chicago's top-10 protected 2025 first, Toronto's top-six protected pick (if it doesn't convey this year), and Charlotte's 2025 lottery-protected first for Garland might be a good starting point.

Cleveland would be able to reallocate Garland's salary by adding a cheap shooter in Branham and a small forward in Johnson. They'd also get two likely lottery selections and possibly another first, including Charlotte's pick, which would otherwise convert into two seconds.

Garland is under contract for four more seasons and is only 23, and his shooting and passing would be a fantastic addition to the Spurs. If he becomes available, then San Antonio should be interested.