Potential holdup on Sochan/Yabusele deal revealed and the Spurs are wrong

When the Spurs traded for De'Aaron Fox, it was a sign that they were okay with speeding up their process to compete. Swipa isn't the kind of player you add to your roster to kick the can and take things slow, and drafting Dylan Harper doesn't change that when Victor Wembanyama is already this good, when the team is so elite. But this new report reads like they're still being a little too patient.

$5.78 million is too much to be concerned with when you're paying Kelly Olynyk $13 million? That doesn't make much sense to me. I understand they could clear money off the books entirely this offseason by making sure they only trade for someone on an expiring deal, but I don't really love the upcoming free agency group.

There's speculation that their stance is due to a desire for flexibility to make moves during next year's trade season, but again, that feels like kicking the can on a "we'll see who's available" option that still may not produce a desirable deal. I think they're looking at the potential addition of Guerschon Yabusele the wrong way.

This would be a nearly risk-free move with potentially huge benefits

There aren't many players expected to be available this summer who stick out as being game-changers, and Yabusele would be a cheap addition who could potentially pay off in a significant way.

I just recently detailed all the similarities between Boris Diaw and Yabu in a recent article, so I won't rehash all of that, but if he doesn't work out, they could let him walk next offseason and clear that measly $5 million. However, I do acknowledge that San Antonio would probably be stuck with him for the entire year in that scenario.

He was out of the league once already. If the physical Frenchman can't make it work in San Antonio after falling out of rotation in New York, that could be it for his NBA career. Trading him would be very difficult, as his value would be in the dirt. The only thing he'd have to offer a team is the expiring money, but it's such a small amount that I doubt it would move the needle for most general managers.

But that's also why it's not a huge deal for the Silver and Black to take the risk. If Yabusele can recapture the magic of the Paris Olympics or regain the form he showed in Philly, he can be a fantastic contributor, and the 210 would love him. This team is already a contender.

With another year to get ready for the rigors of a postseason and more experience together, San Antonio could be a real force next April, May, and June. I could see Wemby's Team France compatriot as a crucial contributor in that journey. They just have to give him a chance.