Air Alamo Staff Grades 3 Proposed San Antonio Spurs Trades

The next proposed trade involved the Spurs and Jazz doing a straight swap of Tre Jones and Udoka Azubuike to each fill a need in their respective rosters. "Jones has fallen victim to the Spurs' depth at the position," says writer Greg Swartz. "San Antonio could use more frontcourt talent to build around, and Azubuike has been buried behind Rudy Gobert and Hassan Whiteside."

While the article argues both guys might get more of an opportunity on the other team, I'm not quite sure that would be the case. Tre's minutes have already increased up to nearly 10 per game and will likely keep going up in San Antonio as he continues to showcase his abilities. Meanwhile, the Spurs have plenty of big men on the roster as it stands, even if some might not be playing while others are underwhelming.

Here's what our staff had to say about this trade:

Roberto Araiza: "I’d kinda hate giving up Tre Jones but this makes sense for both teams long-term, especially if the Spurs want Primo playing point guard minutes."

Cal Durrett: "I'm fairly high on Jones and admittedly unfamiliar with Azubuike. I believe the Spurs should hold on to Jones given his defense and play-making ability, while giving him time for the rest of his offensive game to come around. If it can, he could be a long-term option at backup point guard."

Ethan Farina: "Trade Tre for who?"

Personally, while I could see a point in making more space for Joshua Primo, this doesn't seem like the best path for the Spurs to do that. Azubuike hasn't really made a mark in the NBA in his two years, just showing up in 19 total games, and San Antonio already has more big man talent in Zach Collins and Jock Landale waiting in the wings.

Individual Grades: D, D, D, B, D, D

Average Grade: D