3 Trades to put Spurs one step from contention after adding Victor Wembanyama

The San Antonio Spurs won the draft lottery and for the third time in 36 years will select a generationally talented big man. Victor Wembanyama could be the best of the bunch. Yes, that sounds like hyperbole, but he is one of the most hyped prospects the NBA has ever seen. The 7’4 big man can space the floor, handle the ball, protect the rim, and just flat-out get buckets.

Wembanyama alone cannot lift the Spurs out of their rebuild. He is a fantastic start and foundational piece, but San Antonio needs to get him some help They have cap space and roster flexibility this summer. How hard will the Spurs push to be a playoff contender in Wemby’s first season? The teenage prodigy wants to win now, but fans should expect the Spurs to take their time.

San Antonio may not be able to jump fully into contention, but they could make a splash that gets them on the doorstep by using their cap space and draft capital to pull off a trade.

Trades that put Spurs one step from contention after adding Victor Wembanyama

3. Spurs add two role players to give Victor Wembanyama a chance

The Spurs could jump at the chance to add two key role players on reasonable contracts as the Nets tear down their roster and look to rebuild. Brooklyn needs a superstar to become true contenders, so they add some necessary draft capital for two players they acquired midseason.

Dinwiddie immediately slots in as the Spurs starting point guard just one year after he averaged 17.3 points, 6.5 assists, 3.4 rebounds, and 0.8 steals in 34.5 minutes. He and Finney-Smith both played key roles in the Mavericks reaching the conference finals in 2022. Doe-Doe would give San Antonio a versatile 3-and-D wing to use next to Wembanyama.

The Spurs have acquired seven future first-round picks from other teams, and they cannot select all of those players. Why not deal two picks and the swap rights to another to get two key role players? This also sets the Spurs up to make a blockbuster deal as they will have five players on their roster making between $12 and $20 million per season.

If the Brooklyn Nets are not sold on a rebuild, the Celtics could be looking to shred some salary and trade a disgruntled point guard away this summer.

2. Celtics shed salary as Spurs add talent

The NBA’s new second tax apron (subscription required) will have significant implications across the league. It will keep the highest-spending teams from upgrading their rosters which will force them to curtail their payroll. It is still unknown what penalties teams will face this summer, but Boston could look to keep Grant Williams and prepare for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown’s extensions.

Pritchard wants to be traded (subscription required), and moving Brogdon allows the Celtics to use their mid-level exception and pay Grant Williams while staying under the second apron. Boston wants to contend for a championship next season, but they will have to prioritize their spending moving forward.

Brogdon is the reigning Sixth Man of the Year. He is a smart player that should thrive as a scorer, floor spacer, and playmaker in Pop’s system.

Pritchard’s opportunities were inconsistent in Boston, but the 6’1 guard has shown flashes of being an elite shooter. The Spurs need a point guard, so the 25-year-old should get plenty of chances to prove himself. Can he shine in a larger role and add to his value?

This move is not perfect for the Spurs, but it brings more talent to San Antonio and puts them one key move away from becoming contenders with Victor Wembanyama.

1. Warriors shed salary as Spurs look to capitalize

Golden State will have to do some serious roster shuffling to get under the second tax apron. They have over $209 million committed in salaries for next season, assuming Draymond Green returns. Both he and Klay Thompson are hoping for extensions this offseason, but at some point, the Dubs must shed salaries, and it could begin this summer.

Poole averaged over 20 points per game during the regular season, but his minutes and production dropped off in the playoffs. The 23-year-old is about to begin a four-year $128 million extension, and he is the most likely Warrior to be moved this summer.

This trade knocks $33.6 million off the Warriors' salary and puts them within $1 million of dropping below the second tax apron. Yes, losing Poole and Payton II will hurt their depth and overall talent, but it gives the Warriors some flexibility and draft capital to improve their roster.

The Spurs get two quality rotation players out of the deal, and they start the season with two young 20-point-per-game scorers flanking Victor Wembanyama. Payton II upgrades their perimeter defense and Poole could be just the scorer they need to get close to contention in year one of Wemby.

How will the San Antonio Spurs use their cap space this summer? Fans know they have a plan in place on how to build around Wembanyama, but what will they do? Stay tuned to find out.