5 Centers the Spurs should trade for ASAP before weakness turns fatal

The San Antonio Spurs are not a bottom-feeder anymore, they’re a serious threat to make the playoffs in a loaded Western Conference. Even if they don’t make it that far, they certainly will be in the Play-In mix by season’s end. But if they want to take this year seriously, there could be some moves to be made.

Above everything else, there is one clear issue with the roster—the backup center minutes. Victor Wembanyama is already one of the best players in the league, but when he’s not on the floor, the Spurs have a center problem. Just look at Saturday night: Zach Collins shot 2-of-8 in just over 10 minutes, and Charles Bassey was only able to be on the floor for 3:38.

If the Spurs want to remain a serious playoff contender, they need to seriously consider resolving the issue, and doing it as soon as possible would be ideal.

With that in mind, here are three backup center options the Spurs should target ASAP.

1. Kelly Olynyk

Similar to Vucevic, Kelly Olynyk would give the Spurs a nice change of pace at the center position, as he would be able to space the floor better than Collins or Bassey.

Olynyk recently returned from injury and has been playing well for the Toronto Raptors. He’s shooting 47.8% from behind the arc on 1.9 three-point attempts per game.

Adding another veteran to the mix would be nice for the Spurs, too, and Olynyk’s versatility and passing at the center spot would be useful.

2. Walker Kessler

The Utah Jazz are firmly in the race to land Cooper Flagg. They should be open for business regarding almost every single player on their roster, including Walker Kessler.

Kessler has been one of the better rebounders in basketball, and he’s also one of the best shot-blockers. Going from Wembanyama in the starting lineup to Kessler off the bench would make the Spurs the most feared shot-blocking team in basketball.

It would probably cost a first-round pick to acquire him, but since Kessler doesn’t make a ton of money, a deal is a realistic possibility. Having his rebounding and defense off the pine would be a massive upgrade for San Antonio.

3. Nick Richards

The Charlotte Hornets are going nowhere fast this season, and they have no reason to make anyone on their team untouchable ahead of this year’s deadline.

Nick Richards is a quality backup big man. He’s not an awe-inspiring name, but he would definitely get the job done off the bench in San Antonio.

The 27-year-old is a big body, an above-average rebounder, and an underrated shot-blocker who the Spurs would likely love to have backing up Wembanyama.

4. Jakob Poeltl

Back to the Raptors here, this would be an extremely weird deal, considering the Spurs traded Jakob Poeltl away just a few years ago, but it would make plenty of sense.

This is encroaching upon the territory of “too good to be a backup” (as is the next guy), but Poeltl’s defense and rebounding would give San Antonio’s bench a huge boost.

Bringing him back on board would vastly improve the Spurs’ center room, especially considering they could probably snag him for matching salary and picks.

5. Nikola Vucevic

Perhaps this idea is a bit too aggressive, but Nikola Vucevic is having an incredible season this year and would be a very high-level bench player the Spurs could employ behind Wembanyama.

His three-point shooting would give San Antonio a very different look at the center position, and he’s also a great rebounder.

Vucevic is already 34 years old, and he’s under contract this year and next year, so it would only be a short-term solution, but Vucevic would definitely raise the ceiling of this team for the time being.