Spurs' Keldon Johnson trade dilemma has an obvious answer

San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson may be the reigning Sixth Man of the Year, but his future with the Silver and Black is far from certain. He has long been seen as expendable despite being a fan favorite and the longest-tenured member of the Spurs.

Even after winning a major award, his future in San Antonio isn't clear. However, perhaps it should be. Johnson hasn't signed an extension with the Spurs and isn't likely to do so between now and the end of next season.

Johnson has a $17.5 million expiring contract, which makes him an ideal trade candidate. Especially with Carter Bryant waiting in the wings. If Bryant overtakes Johnson in the rotation between now and the trade deadline, he could very well be moved in a win-now trade. Otherwise, the Spurs will hold onto him rather than trading him.

Keldon Johnson may be traded, but only in a big win-now deal

If Bryant doesn't make that jump time, San Antonio will likely have Johnson finish out the season in San Antonio before letting him leave in free agency. Neither option is ideal, but San Antonio can't afford to bring him back beyond next season for what he's making now.

San Antonio can always agree to a sign-and-trade next summer. That would potentially let him find a new team and give San Antonio assets. It's possible, but the Spurs appear to have already made their decision on Johnson by not extending him.

They seem resigned to letting him leave. Frankly, I'd be surprised if they trade him at all. Instead, let him have one last season with the Spurs and hopefully win a championship. Things can change, and the opportunity for a big trade could arise, but Johnson can still fill a key role, even if his role is slowly decreasing.

The Spurs still need Keldon Johnson, just not as much as before

Increased depth has begun to eat into his role. It was only three years ago that he was a starter and leading the team in scoring. Now, he may only average around 20 minutes per game next season, coming off the bench.

Even as the reigning Sixth Man of the Year, many Spurs fans suspect he might lose the award to teammate Dylan Harper next season. All of that isn't great for Johnson, but it's not all bad.

His infectious energy is perfectly suited to playing around 20 minutes per game. If anything, he might play harder and would make him a highly useful player to have in the regular season.

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