Spurs championship hopes depend on adding crucial piece after De'Aaron Fox trade

No matter what happens between now and Thursday afternoon, the San Antonio Spurs are coming away from the NBA trade deadline as one of the league's undisputed winners. By trading for De'Aaron Fox the Spurs have filled their biggest gap. But there are still upgrades that San Antonio needs to make if they want to move their ceiling from 'playoff team' to 'title contender'.

It's a virtual certainty that you have to be a top-ten three-point shooting team to win an NBA title. Almost every championship team from the last ten years has been in the top ten in both three's attempted and three-point percentages. The lone exception was the 2020 Los Angeles Lakers.

Title-contending teams take and make a lot of threes. And while the Spurs are comfortably in the top ten in three-point attempts they're also 22nd in three-point percentage. You can't find a clearer example of the gap between where they are today and where they need to be to contend.

To their credit, the Spurs have leaned in and encouraged their guys to keep firing. But for as helpful as Julian Champagnie has been and as exciting as it is to see Vic let it fly from almost half-court, the Spurs' recent moves could indicate that those days are in the past.

Spurs should explore every option to trade for a proven shooter

San Antonio has made it abundantly clear that they're ready to win now. Franchise cornerstone Victor Wembanyama hasn't been shy about his desire to win soon, and his comments shortly after the Fox trade show that he sees what the front office is doing to make that happen. It sounds like he's ready for what comes next.

"They're willing to take the next step on time...I think it's a good step in building our future." It sounds like Vic recognizes this move for what it is—a step in the process. And he doesn't strike me as someone satisfied with half-measures. The next domino to fall could be a deadline trade move for much-needed three-point shooting help.

The Spurs have options if they want to go trade shopping. The Brooklyn Nets seem to be open to trading Cam Johnson. The Chicago Bulls are taking calls on Nikola Vucevic. Would a package of Keldon Johnson, Chris Paul, and a few picks be enough to pry Jerami Grant away from Portland?

And then there is the elephant-sized Slim Reaper in the room, Kevin Durant. Sam Amick from The Athletic has reported that the Phoenix Suns are continuing to "gauge the market for the 15-time All-Star" ahead of Thursday's trade deadline. Brian Wright, pick up the phone!

Amick did note that teams like the Mavericks, Heat, and Mavericks have all been connected in one shape or another and he made no mention of the Spurs. But San Antonio has as much ammo as anyone if they want to enter a bidding war.

I'm not explicitly calling for the Spurs to trade for Kevin Durant but these are the kinds of moves they should be considering and vetting at this point.

Their superstar says he's ready to win now, they traded for a star point guard because they believe they're ready to win now. If San Antonio believes they're close to contending, they should go for it and embrace any potential move that can help get them there.