6 Star players who should want to join the Spurs next season

The San Antonio Spurs changed their trajectory by winning the draft lottery for the third time in franchise history. The reward was Victor Wembanyama, a legendary prospect with all-time great upside. San Antonio did not make a massive splash around the rookie. They are still stockpiling assets, but the Spurs will be ready when Wemby breaks out.

It could happen quickly and force the front office to act fast. The Spurs have more draft picks than they can make over the next seven years, but San Antonio will take its time. There is no rush to acquire a co-star or try to become a contender. It will happen when the Spurs and Wembanyama are ready.

San Antonio could be in the market for a star next summer. It takes a few months for the best prospects to get acclimated to the NBA, but they are showing signs of stardom by the end of their rookie campaign and ready to lead their team to the playoffs in year two. If Wemby is ready to be an All-Star in 2025, the Spurs will get him a co-star.

Star players who should want to join the San Antonio Spurs next season

6. Mikal Bridges

Bridges broke out after being traded to the Nets in the Kevin Durant deal and the franchise believes he can make his first All-Star appearance in 2024. The 6’6 wing averaged 26.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.0 steal in 34.2 minutes per game over his final 27 contests. Brooklyn was swept by the 76ers in the first round of the playoffs, but it did nothing to take away from Bridges’ breakout.

The Nets have shown zero interest in trading the 27-year-old wing, but that could change if they are near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings this season. Brooklyn should be fighting for a Play-In Tournament berth, but is that enough to continue building around Bridges?

He is in the middle of his prime and could be eager to join a contender with two years left on his contract next summer. If Mikal Bridges becomes an All-Star, the Nets could get some significant offers. The San Antonio Spurs might step up as Bridges is a Popovich player, and the 6’6 wing could be eager to join Victor Wembanyama in the Alamo.

5. Pascal Siakam

Things in Toronto could look extremely different one year from now. Fred VanVleet departed for Houston in free agency after the Raptors missed the playoffs. Was that the first in a series of moves that leads to a total rebuild? Siakam is entering the final year of his contract. Despite expressing his desire to stay, there have been more trade rumors than extension rumblings so far.

Toronto has set a massive asking price for the two-time All-Star, but what if he is unwilling to sign an extension? Siakam can become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2024. If the Raptors do not want him, the 6’9 forward will be free to sign with any team.

Spicy P averaged 24.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 0.9 steals in 37.5 minutes per game last season. Imagine his versatile skill set next to Victor Wembanyama in San Antonio. Siakam defends well on the perimeter and solves the Spurs' playmaking needs. Wemby can protect the rim and help him form an unstoppable dual big-man pick-and-roll combination.

Pascal Siakam helped the Raptors win the title in 2019. He values the franchise and wants to be part of their organization. If Toronto moves on, there is no better place to go than the San Antonio Spurs, especially as they build around Wemby for the next 15 years.

4. Damian Lillard

Lillard has requested a trade and wants to join the Miami Heat. The Blazers have not shown interest in their best package, and things could get complicated quickly. Dame has a player option in the summer of 2026 for $63.2 million. The seven-time All-Star is locked up long-term, which limits his leverage. If Portland cannot find a deal, Lillard will have to stay with the team, expand his list of destinations, or hold out.

The 6’2 guard likely reports to camp and helps the Trail Blazers until they can find a suitable package closer to the deadline. It may not be the desired outcome for either party, but it appears most likely if no deal is in place before the start of training camp.

Lillard wants to leave Portland after 11 years to play for a contender. The Trail Blazers have missed the playoffs two straight years and figure to be back in the lottery in 2024. If Dame expands his list of teams expect it to feature teams ready to make deep playoff runs.

Ramona Shelburne reported he had “deep respect” for the Spurs back in July. If Victor Wembanyama can quickly become a star, Lillard could be interested in coming to San Antonio. The Spurs need a point guard and have a mountain of draft capital to flip to help them jump into contention. Do not rule it out.

3. Joel Embiid

Embiid has not requested a trade, but he could be the next superstar to ask out. The 76ers turmoil is just beginning. James Harden requested a trade, but president Daryl Morey is holding out for a superstar return. The ten-time All-Star opted into his contract because there were no suitors in free agency. Philadelphia is not getting a massive haul for Harden. If they trade him, the roster around Embiid may not be strong enough to contend.

The Sixers have prioritized keeping cap space open for next summer, but how will it sit with the reigning MVP? Is he willing to take a step back in the middle of his prime? Beyond that, who can Philadelphia sign in free agency next summer? Without a massive haul, Embiid could leave the City of Brotherly Love.

The Spurs have five first-round draft picks from other teams to go with all of their selections and a couple of swaps. They could offer a monster package for Joel Embiid that would be tough to beat. The reigning MVP may not be eager to come to the Alamo right now, but the Spurs would not trade for him without a contention plan in place.

They would try to recreate the success of the Twin Towers in San Antonio and just might be able to do it. Embiid wants to play with another star, and Wemby has all-time great potential. The big man duo could take the league by storm, and The Process could be excited to join the next legend.

2. Luka Doncic

Is trouble brewing in Dallas? The Mavericks crashed out of the playoffs in 2023 after trading for Kyrie Irving. It was a disappointing season that saw Dallas tank their final two regular season games in hopes of holding onto their lottery pick. The Mavs were successful, but can they bounce back? Kyrie is back on a new three-year deal. Dallas improved their roster around their two stars, but was it enough?

Doncic could request a trade after another disappointing campaign. The 24-year-old is already a four-time All-Star and four-time first-team All-NBA selection. He led the Mavericks to the conference finals in 2022 and is unquestionably one of the best players in the world right now. Luka is unstoppable with the ball in his hands, but does he decide to search for a better supporting cast next summer?

The San Antonio Spurs will be waiting with the latest prized prospect. Imagine Victor Wembanyama and Doncic as a pick-and-roll duo. The Slovenian point guard would get the Spurs big man a ton of wide-open looks, and Wemby’s rim protection could cover for Luka’s biggest weakness.

Acquiring Luka Doncic from the in-state rival Mavericks would be a franchise-altering moment for the San Antonio Spurs. They would be instant title contenders and one of the most feared teams in the league. Luka Doncic will be interested if Victor Wembanyama lives up to the hype.

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo

Giannis opened the door to speculation about his future with his recent comments. The two-time MVP is extension-eligible, but no new deal is coming unless everyone is on the same page about competing for a championship. The Bucks re-signed Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez this summer to keep Milwaukee in contention, but their future is cloudy with an aging roster.

Antetokounmpo is one of the best players in the world right now. The unstoppable two-way force has led the Bucks to one championship and the best regular season record three times in the last five years. Milwaukee has been an annual contender, and the Greek Freak wants to stay there.

The Spurs should be recruiting him hard. They would instantly have an elite defense. Victor Wembanyama will quickly become one of the league’s best rim protectors and Antetokounmpo has made five All-Defensive teams in his decade in the NBA. Good luck scoring on that combo, and both are unstoppable offensive forces too. If Wemby proves to be a star, what better place to contend than playing next to the youngest premier talent in the game?

There will be no shortage of superstars available over the next year plus in the NBA. Can the San Antonio Spurs land one and instantly vault into title contention? They should begin the prep work now. Helping Victor Wembanyama blossom into a superstar is the key. With that, talent will want to come to San Antonio to chase a championship.