Spurs can’t ignore this proven blueprint to unleash Wembanyama’s inner beast

Look at those Detroit Pistons go. Just last season, they had a worse record than San Antonio, and now they're in the playoffs, winning games in Madison Square Garden. The Pistons' victory over the Knicks in game two of their first-round series was the first playoff win for the franchise since 2008. Sure, they made it to the postseason three times, but they were swept on each occasion.

What changed for them? Plenty. But the main change they made to their roster was the cast surrounding Cade Cunningham. He's a big guard who likes to get downhill and make plays in the paint, so he needed space. Sound familiar? They gave him shooters to open the floor. That, combined with his evolution as a player, has led to a different Pistons team this year.

Spurs must acquire several proven shooters this offseason

There's no reason San Antonio should enter the 2025-26 season devoid of shooters. The team has been without that asset for too long, knowing the type of game that must be played to win at a high level these days. As ESPN's Zach Kram points out, Pistons added Malik Beasley, Tobias Harris, and Tim Hardaway Jr., giving Cade what he needed to thrive.

Hardaway Jr. was just above league average in three-point shooting this season (36.8), Malik Beasley was a certified sniper (41.6%), and Tobias Harris shot below league average from deep but is a proven scorer in this league. You have to respect his presence on the floor or he'll drop 20 on you, easy.

The Spurs have had a tendency to go for defenders who they hope can develop into shooters. That hasn't worked nearly as fast as you'd hope, so that strategy needs some tweaking. It's a good thing this offseason will have plenty of options for the Silver and Black to go after.

Possible offseason shooters the Spurs could add

Free agents

Guerschon Yabusele-forward/center
Luke Kennard-wing
Malik Beasley-guard

2024 Draft prospects

Tre Johnson-guard
Kon Knueppel-wing
Liam McNeeley-wing

Trade targets

Cam Johnson-wing
Lauri Markkanen-forward
Kevin Durant-wing/forward

There are some great options here that have a real chance of working out. Others, not so much. I don't think Danny Ainge wants to trade Markkanen unless he's getting back a king's ransom. There's no way a savvy dealmaker like Ainge does a deal with San Antonio for his franchise player without getting Stephon Castle in return. So, that one is probably not happening.

The Phoenix Suns are in desperate need of first-round picks to reset their timetable, and believe Durant should net them those assets. It seems like they've forgotten that he's 37 years old, but the rest of the league hasn't, so that's probably not happening either. Every other player listed has a legitimate shot of joining the Silver and Black based on the assets the Spurs have, draft positioning, or rumored interest.

The best part is that they can all knock down open shots, and that's the kind of talent San Antonio needs. If they go out and grab a few of these guys, or players of similar ilk who can knock down open shots, Wembanyama will be poised for the true breakout season we're all ready for.