5 Trades that get Spurs another 1st round pick in 2023 NBA Draft

The San Antonio Spurs won the lottery and will select Victor Wembanyama with the first overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft on June 22. The 7’4 big man is a generational prospect that everyone expects to become a superstar, but the Spurs need more talent around him to jump back into contention.

Rafael Barlowe of NBA Big Board reported the Spurs plan on making moves (subscription required) this summer. He noted their interest in acquiring a second first-round pick in this year’s draft and getting veterans around Wemby. San Antonio’s aggression should be noted, but can they pull off those moves?

The Spurs have stockpiled a ton of draft capital if they want to speed up their rebuild. Several veterans will be able, but what should the Spurs offer to get a second pick in the top 30 of this draft?

Trades that get San Antonio Spurs another 1st round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft

5. Spurs get 29th overall from the Pacers

The Pacers have three first-round and five total picks in this year’s draft and 12 players already under contract. Indiana has cap space and does not plan of sitting out of free agency altogether. They could try to dump a couple of contracts or take a draft and stash prospect, but the most likely scenario is the Pacers trade one of their three first-rounders.

It cost the Rockets two second-round picks to move up from 29 to 26 in last year’s draft, and that appears to be the price for a late first-rounder. There is a ton of upside in this deal for Indiana. They are going to have to wait two years, but the Hawks' pick will likely be higher than 29th overall, and they get two second-rounders in the package.

The Indiana Pacers could be interested just to accumulate the asset for a future trade, but they will not be the only team with a shot at dealing with the San Antonio Spurs.

4. Spurs go after 28th overall from Jazz

The Utah Jazz are in the early stages of a rebuild and have three first-round picks of their own in the 2023 NBA Draft. With 13 players under contract, Utah is unlikely to make all three picks. There has been buzz about them packaging 16 and 28 to move up, but what if they cannot find a deal?

Jazz president Danny Ainge would push for two first-round picks, but the San Antonio Spurs won’t give in. The Hawks are selecting in the middle of the first round in 2023 and will likely be in a similar or worse position two years from now. The Jazz would get a higher pick than 28th overall and only have to move down five spots.

Utah has more draft selections than they can make after trading Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert last summer, but so do the Spurs. With Victor Wembanyama on the way, San Antonio should be looking to add more talent to their roster by any means necessary.

Would the Jazz accept this offer? If not, they are not the only team in the late first-round that is willing to trade their selection. Would the team selecting right before Utah have interest in this deal?

3. Spurs go for 27th overall from Hornets

The Hornets have five of the first 41 picks in the 2023 NBA Draft. They are looking to add a superstar with the number two pick to form a dynamic duo with LaMelo Ball. Charlotte can control the contracts of their second-round picks, which could make 27th overall the selection on the market.

The Spurs' offer is familiar, but it could land them another talented prospect to pair with Victor Wembanyama, Devin Vassell, and Keldon Johnson.

The Hornets may be the most active team before the draft. They are weighing their option at two and cannot make all five selections on June 22. Charlotte must figure out how to get back into contention. Grabbing an extra first-round pick to let the Spurs move up a handful of spots seems wise. It lets San Antonio get the player they desire, and the Hornets stockpile another asset for the future.

Is this high enough for San Antonio? That depends on who the Spurs are targeting. Could they jump up into the middle of the first round with the right package? There seems to be at least one team that would be willing to trade out of the first round to acquire additional assets.

2. Spurs get 18 from Heat for additional cap

The Miami Heat lost in the NBA Finals for the second time in four years, and they are not satisfied. The franchise wants another ring, and they will go star hunting this summer, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. They cannot acquire one from San Antonio, but the Spurs could play a role in that blockbuster.

The Heat can only offer three first-round picks and Tyler Herro at the moment. That is not enough to land Damian Lillard or another superstar that becomes available, but a fourth first-rounder might sway the deal. The Spurs would likely be willing to offer two firsts to get a talented prospect right now.

Miami likely jumps at this chance. It took four firsts and swaps to get Donovan Mitchell last year, and multiple teams are loaded with draft picks. The Heat may need more capital and trading the 18th pick to the Spurs could be the perfect opportunity to acquire it.

The Miami Heat are not the only team in the middle of the first round that could be looking to sell their pick. Could the San Antonio Spurs move up even higher than 18 in the 2023 NBA Draft?

1. Spurs give Lakers assets from 17th overall pick

The Lakers were just in the conference finals and are focused on winning right now. LeBron James is 38 years old and only has a few years left at the top of the mountain. Los Angeles could trade this pick for additional assets that they could use to ensure King James has more help next season.

The Lakers are searching for a backup center, and Khem Birch is on a $6.9 million expiring contract. Los Angeles could move him to a rebuilding team for an additional asset at the deadline if things are not working out. The Lakers also pick up two future first-round picks, which gives them three to trade moving forward.

The Spurs get back into the middle of the round where plenty of talent will be available. Can San Antonio get a talented young guard to help them build around Victor Wembanyama? There is expected to a be strong group available in that range that could all interest the Spurs.

Will the San Antonio Spurs be able to trade for a second first-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft? There appear to be plenty of options, but agreeing to a deal is easier said than done. Stay tuned to see how it all plays out on June 22.