San Antonio Spurs: Re-evaluating 9 Offseason Moves

3. Spurs draft Joshua Primo 12th overall

Josh Primo was a surprise selection by the Spurs in the 2021 NBA Draft, but after strong Summer League and preseason performances, he quickly showed that he was worth the gamble. Despite that, he's been limited to spot minutes and garbage time this season and has even spent time in the NBA G League. While that's frustrating for Spurs fans, I believe he'll still get plenty of minutes this season.

Why? Looking back at Dejounte Murray and Keldon Johnson's rookie seasons, neither played much early on, but both went on to play significant roles later in their rookie seasons. That could very well happen with Primo this season. If it does, then he'll be able to show why San Antonio drafting him was one of their best offseason moves.

2. The Doug McDermott sign and trade

Previously, I was critical of the method in which Doug McDermott was acquired, but I was high on his fit with the team. The sign and trade route is still an odd decision on San Antonio's part, but McDermott has definitely lived up to expectations this season.

In fact, he's been the team's best shooter thus far and has provided the team with a highly efficient scorer. All in all, McDermott has been well worth his contract and marks another smart move by the Spurs.

1. The DeMar DeRozan sign and trade

Despite DeMar DeRozan tearing it up in Chicago this season, the sign and trade that sent him to the Bulls remain the Spurs' best off-season decision. In fact, it looks even better in retrospect. San Antonio received Thaddeus Young, Chicago's 2025 first-round pick, a Lakers 2022 2nd, and a Bulls 2023 2nd-round pick.

Young has been productive in limited minutes and could still get traded for more assets around the trade deadline while the Bulls' 2025 first-rounder remains a great future asset. Perhaps most surprisingly, however, is the Lakers' 2022 second-round pick, which looks a lot better now than it did in August.

As of now, that pick would be in the mid-40s as opposed to the late 50s, potentially giving San Antonio another solid asset from this trade. Factor in another incoming second from the Bulls in the 2023 draft, and this trade looks like the gift that keeps giving for the Spurs.

All in all, many of the team’s offseason moves have held up surprisingly well, which bodes well for the Spurs' rebuild. Particularly, the acquisition of multiple draft assets and clearing out playing time for their young core could help San Antonio eventually return to the playoffs. With that in mind, I believe the Spurs' offseason is worthy of a B grade overall.