Ranking all 17 Spurs from least to most trade value

The San Antonio Spurs drafted Victor Wembanyama, but they have taken a cautious approach to building around the rookie. San Antonio has acquired more draft capital and used their cap space to trade for veterans. The Spurs do not plan on contending in 2024. They want to slowly build around their generational prospect to become a title challenger for the next 15 years.

The latest move gives San Antonio 17 players under contract, so there is more work to be done. The Spurs must get down to 15 by the start of the regular season. They could make another trade or just waive two players. Expect the franchise to continue exploring its options and looking for ways to maximize its assets.

If the Spurs decide to make a trade, what players would they be looking to move? Who do other teams want? Here is a look at the trade value of all 17 players currently on their roster.

Rankings San Antonio Spurs from least to most trade value

Negative value

The Spurs have three players under contract that would have to pay extra to dump. They just took on Cameron Payne and got a second-round pick in exchange for a heavily protected second. The other two players were on their roster last season.

17. Devonte Graham

Graham is a backup point guard that has struggled since signing a four-year $47 million deal as part of a sign-and-trade in 2021. The 6’1 guard still has two years and $24.7 million left on that contract, and his defensive issues can make him unplayable. The only way San Antonio gets his deal off their books this season is by making it a throw-in during a blockbuster or giving up draft capital to trade it.

16. Khem Birch

Birch played just 20 games last season and he did not suit up after being traded to San Antonio. The 6’9 big man is on a $6.9 million expiring deal, but teams won’t have interest unless he proves he is healthy and ready to take a step forward.

15. Cameron Payne

The Suns tried to trade Payne since the season ended, but the only available deal was shipping him to San Antonio with a second-round draft pick. The 28-year-old is on a $6.5 million expiring contract and could be moved as part of a larger deal at the deadline.

Young but need playing time

The Spurs have three players at the end of their bench that are hungry for playing time, but they have been unable to get an extended opportunity. These three would be trade throw-ins but could have surprising potential in a larger role as they reach their primes.

14. Sandro Mamukelashvili

Mamukelsashvili was the 54th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, and he played in 65 games with the Bucks before being waived in March 2023. The Spurs signed him for the stretch run, and the 6’11 big man averaged 10.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 23.3 minutes per game. The 24-year-old has potential, but he is not ready for a significant nightly role.

13. Charles Bassey

Bassey was the 53rd pick in 2021, and he ended up on the Spurs after being waived in Oct. 2022. The 6’11 big man averaged 5.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks in 14.5 minutes per game as a 22-year-old. He is set to make $2.5 million next season and has two non-guaranteed years left on his deal.

12. Julian Champagnie

Champagnie went undrafted in 2022, but he averaged 11.0 points and 4.0 rebounds in 20.9 minutes per game during his 15 contests with the Spurs last season. It was enough to earn him a new four-year deal, and the 6’8 wing is hoping to take another step forward in year two.

Veterans with flaws

The Spurs could trade the rest of their roster for positive value. Even these two veterans would draw at least one second-round draft pick if they are placed on the trade block.

11. Doug McDermott

McDermott is an elite 3-point shooter that plays 20 minutes per game. The 6’7 forward struggles on the defensive end of the floor, and his $13.7 million salary for this season is hefty. He could be traded as a salary-matcher, but teams will be hesitant to acquire an overpaid sharpshooter.

The Spurs would be forced to dangle Doug McDermott if they decide to make a massive splash, but that seems unlikely after the other moves they have made this offseason.

10. Cedi Osman

Osman’s playing time has decreased in each of the last five years, but he still played 18.0 minutes per game in the Cavaliers' playoff series against the Knicks. Cleveland had to create room to sign Max Strus, and trading Osman’s $6.7 million expiring salary was the cleanest move.

Osman’s production does not jump off the screen, but the 6’7 wing is a plus shooter that can defend multiple positions. Do not be surprised to see San Antonio flip him at the deadline if they are out of contention.

Showed promise but needs time to develop

The Spurs had three first-round draft picks in 2022. All showed flashes as rookies, but two are still fighting for a nightly place in the rotation. San Antonio could get draft capital in return for both, but the smart play is to let them develop and continue improving.

9. Blake Wesley

Wesley was the 25th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, but he did not crack the Spurs rotation until late January. There were flashes of his playmaking and rebounding, and Wesley scored over 20 points per game in the G League over an 11-game stint, but the teenager had some struggles.

Can he break out in year two and crack the rotation? Wesley struggled to score efficiently and take care of the ball in summer league. The 20-year-old needs time to develop, but he has plenty of potential that would make him an intriguing target for a rebuilding team.

8. Malachi Branham

Branham was taken five picks ahead of Wesley in the 2022 draft, and the 6’5 wing cracked the Spurs rotation in November. Over his final 29 games, Branham averaged 14.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 28.3 minutes per contest. The 20-year-old averaged 21.0 points per game during summer league, and he looks ready to leap in year two.

The San Antonio Spurs won't trade Malachi Branham or Blake Wesley unless a blockbuster falls into their lap because of their potential.

Solid role players

If the Spurs look to make a significant trade before February’s deadline, they will need to throw in at least one solid role players to make the math work. San Antonio just acquired one and had two already on their roster.

7. Reggie Bullock

The 6’6 wing is a no-frills player. He defends well on the perimeter and sinks open shots. Bullock is not going to command the ball or more playing time. The 32-year-old is a morale booster in the locker room that plays his role and makes his team better.

The Mavericks had to give him up to make the Grant Williams sign-and-trade a reality. The Spurs parted with two second-rounders and got a first-round pick swap in return, but they can flip Bullock at the deadline for additional draft capital if they choose.

6. Zach Collins

Collins has struggled to stay healthy, but he played in 63 games last season and averaged 11.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 0.8 blocks in 22.9 minutes per game. It was a strong comeback after playing just 39 games in the previous three years combined.

The Spurs like Zach Collins, but the 25-year-old’s potential and $7.7 million expiring contract would have teams interested if he hit the trade block.

5. Tre Jones

The Spurs re-signed Jones to a two-year $20 million deal this offseason, and he will likely be the team’s starting point guard this season. Jones struggles with his jumper, but there was plenty of growth last season. Can the 24-year-old take another step forward, while setting up Victor Wembanyama?

The San Antonio Spurs could trade these players, but the names from here sound locked in as the team’s core.

Intriguing potential makes trade unlikely

The San Antonio Spurs have drafted well in recent years, which has given them a young core to build around. They need to extend Devin Vassell to have all four signed long-term and ready to be the foundation of the franchise’s next run.

4. Keldon Johnson

Johnson just keeps getting better. He averaged 22.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 32.7 minutes per game last season. The presence of Victor Wembanyama should take attention away from Johnson and could help his 3-point percentage bounce back.

Johnson is the oldest of the group at 24, and the only member that was not selected in the lottery. He cannot become a free agent until 2027, and his deal should only get more team-friendly as the salary cap rises with the coming television deal.

3. Jeremy Sochan

The 6’9 forward showed plenty of potential as a rookie and quickly became a fan favorite. He was second-team All-Rookie last season and the best is still yet to come from the 20-year-old. His versatile skill set fits any team, and fans should be excited to see what he can do in year two.

2. Devin Vassell

Vassell is the 6’5 wing that every team desires. He is a career 36.7 percent 3-point shooter, who can score, handle the ball, make plays, rebound, and defend multiple positions. The 22-year-old still has room to grow, but he is already a valuable commodity. Last season’s knee injury is concerning, but he is the type of player every contending team needs.

These four would be difficult to get from the Spurs, but only one player is completely untouchable.

Untouchable

Call the Spurs and ask about the number one overall pick. Make your best offer, but expect a quick hang-up and no return call. San Antonio was ecstatic to win the draft lottery, and they are not parting with the most-hyped prospect since LeBron James anytime soon.

1. Victor Wembanyama

The 7’4 big man can do a bit of everything on the court. He is already an elite defender and rim protector, but how quickly will his offensive game translate to the NBA? Wemby is the Rookie of the Year frontrunner, but he will not instantly turn the Spurs into a title contender.

San Antonio is willing to wait. They believe Wembanyama will be one of the best players in the league by his third season, and the front office has time to fill out their roster. The Spurs want to see who fits and what pieces are still needed. Expect them to be aggressive when the time is right.

How will the San Antonio Spurs trim their roster down to 15 players before the start of the regular season? Do not rule out another trade, but the easiest way would be waiving a few cheap or expiring contracts. Stay tuned to see how it all shakes out.