5 Trade scenarios Spurs must prepare for this offseason

The San Antonio Spurs have the best young player in the NBA but must figure out how to build a contending team around Victor Wembanyama. The 20-year-old big man looks like an all-time great. Fans never know what is next, and Wemby is just getting started.

No matter how many times the Spurs talk about building up slowly, there will be pressure to win next season. The French prodigy is ultracompetitive and is eager for his first taste of the NBA playoffs. The Spurs do not have the pieces yet. They have more draft picks than they can make, but how does San Antonio turn that into talent on the floor ready to win games?

They have a few pieces locked in around Victor Wembanyama and some clear needs. Will the front office be aggressive in upgrading their roster this summer? These trade scenarios will present themselves, but can the Spurs take advantage?

5. Shopping Keldon Johnson

San Antonio needs a point guard to run their offense and get things rolling. They tried the Jeremy Sochan experiment in part to fit Keldon Johnson into their mix, but it failed miserably. The Spurs' top priority should be adding a lead playmaker this summer.

Beyond that, they need shooting and defense around Victor Wembanyama. If they plan on contending, San Antonio must add a second star and shooters who can space the floor. Devin Vassell is a strong start even if his defense must improve, but the fits of Johnson and Jeremy Sochan are a bit more problematic.

Having two forwards who cannot shoot is tough. Sochan is 6’8 with more playmaking, rebounding, and defensive potential. Johnson is the superior scorer with an improving jumper. If he can become a 37 percent 3-point shooter, it works, but his consistency is not there. The 24-year-old is 6’5 and struggles on defense. It may be time to move on.

There will be plenty of interest if the San Antonio Spurs make Keldon Johnson available. If they plan to add a point guard, the front office should shop Keldon Johnson. Other teams will call, and the Spurs should look to maximize his value.

4. Trading multiple 1st-round draft picks and young talents

The Spurs have been in asset accumulation mode in recent years. Even last summer after drafting Victor Wembanyama, they used their cap space to take on unwanted contracts in exchange for more draft picks. It is time to take their stockpile and turn it into a competitive roster.

The Spurs have five future first-round draft picks from other teams plus all of their own and a massive collection of second-round selections to trade. Add in 12 players on their roster under 25 years old and San Antonio can make any deal, but will they get aggressive?

It goes against the Spurs Way. They have historically been against trading first-round picks. Their belief in drafting and developing plays a factor. The Spurs think they can turn those selections into more and get a cheap contract to boot.

Talent will be available this summer, and San Antonio must add some if they want to get anywhere near contention in the loaded Western Conference next season. To do so, they have to trade away draft capital and their young players. The Spurs cannot fall in love with talent they drafted. It is time to be bold and get Wemby a chance to compete in year two.

3. Overpaying for a 3-and-D wing

Every team wants size and shooting on the wing. Behind star players, it is the most valuable commodity in the NBA. The defending champion Nuggets took a step forward after adding Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins were key parts of the Warriors winning the championship in 2022. Having strong perimeter defenders who sink open shots is a must for contenders.

The Spurs have taken multiple bites at this apple in the draft, but are still searching for their answer. Vassell is a plus shooter with some playmaking ability but is far from a lockdown defender. Malaki Branham and Blake Wesley struggle to make shots. That young duo needs a few more years to develop.

If San Antonio plans on finding an impactful 3-and-D wing quickly, they will have to trade for him. It won’t be like acquiring a normal starter. No team wants to give up an impactful 3-and-D wing. The Spurs will be forced to use their draft capital and overpay, which is not something the franchise ever does.

Do not be surprised to see San Antonio draft another 6’5-plus wing, but the 2024 class projects as one of the worst in recent history. That young talent will be years away from contributing to an NBA contender, so the Spurs will be forced to get their checkbook out and overpay to fill a need.

2. Hawks trade Trae Young

The Spurs need a point guard and a second star to pair with Victor Wembanyama. They should be open to all ideas to cover those problems, and the three-time All-Star figures to be one of the best players available this summer.

Young is one of the world’s best playmakers. He couples that with elite scoring and shooting ability to be an unquestioned star. The 25-year-old is still improving, but the Hawks are not. They made a surprise run to the conference finals in 2021 and have not made it out of the first round since. Atlanta likely finishes under .500 this season and may not even advance beyond the Play-In Tournament.

Expect the Hawks to shake things up this summer. They would prefer to trade Dejounte Murray, but they won’t get a massive haul for him. The Spurs sold high, so trading Ice Trae could be what helps Atlanta jumpstart a rebuild.

The Spurs have been linked to Trae Young, and the fit is obvious. Victor Wembanyama’s elite rim protection mitigates the three-time All-Star’s biggest weakness. San Antonio needs a playmaker and if anyone can maximize Young’s skill set it is head coach Gregg Popovich. The Spurs must explore this idea, but trading for a different star puts them in a better position to contend.

1. Go all-in on Mitchell to pair with Wemby

The Spurs should be in on any star player who becomes available. It will cost them a massive price, but only the Thunder can offer more than San Antonio. They need another top-end talent to become title contenders, and drafting one could take years.

Mitchell and the Cavaliers have decisions to make. The five-time All-Star is extension-eligible this summer with one year plus a player option remaining on his contract. Cleveland will offer him a max extension. If Mitchell turns it down, the Cavs will be forced to trade him. They cannot let Mitchell walk in free agency. The franchise will get a hefty return, even if he refuses to sign long-term with the team acquiring him.

Can the Spurs convince Mitchell to stay? Stars will want to play with Victor Wembanyama, but the 27-year-old guard holds the power. If he commits to be in San Antonio, the Spurs should give up a massive haul to land the star. Mitchell is an elite scorer who raises his game in the playoffs. The Spurs can certainly win with him and would quickly become a feared team in the West.

The San Antonio Spurs have to be ready for anything this summer. There will be unexpected talents available, and their front office must explore every avenue. Stay tuned to see what the franchise can pull off.