A New threat has emerged for trade target Spurs should be after right now

The San Antonio Spurs are 13-13 to start the season and should push to make the playoffs. Victor Wembanyama is already a superstar, and they have several young building blocks. Stephon Castle has immense potential and Devin Vassell is a bucket, but it is not all sunshine. The Spurs have several players who must be better, including finding someone to fill the minutes behind Wemby.

Zach Collins has been the primary backup, but he averages just 5.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 14.2 minutes per game. There were dreams of him becoming a stretch five, but his jumper is inconsistent. Collins does not protect the rim, and the Spurs have a negative-6.9 net rating with him on the floor.

Collins has been the most frustrating, and the Spurs have the perfect trade target waiting on a rebuilding team in Jonas Valanciunas. The Wizards want a top draft pick and are willing to move on. This deal seemed like a no-brainer, but San Antonio may have some stiff competition if the latest rumors are true.

Nuggets rumored to be interested in Jonas Valanciunas

Tony Jones and Sam Amick linked the Denver Nuggets to several targets (subscription required) as they look to upgrade around Nikola Jokic. They desperately need some reinforcements after a 14-10 start and are rumored to be targeting scoring. LaVine appears to be their top choice, but JV was one of six names mentioned.

Valanciunas is in his 13th NBA season. He has long been a strong rebounder and scorer at the five. The 32-year-old would provide a contender with some instant offense and create some easier looks with his screening. The Nuggets are title contenders with the best player in the world. That could be a more attractive situation for a veteran still searching for his first championship.

This season, JV is playing off the bench in Washington. He averages 12.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 0.8 blocks in 19.7 minutes per game.

He would be the backup center in either place. JV would likely get more chances playing next to Wemby than Jokic, but the minutes will be limited. Valanciunas signed with the Wizards, so it would likely come down to which team offered more and where he wanted to end up.

The San Antonio Spurs will be an attractive option for years to come. Talent will want to play with Victor Wembanyama, and the franchise will quickly be back in contention. The best is still yet to come from this version of the Spurs.

Getting some playoff experience in 2025 would be a positive step. Trading for Jonas Valanciunas would help, but San Antonio must outbid Denver and others. It won’t be easy, but fans will soon find out how badly the Spurs want to push for the postseason.