Spurs losing trade value due to hard-headed stance on veteran player

The San Antonio Spurs could be buyers ahead of the NBA trade deadline, which may result in a roster shakeup. One of the players that could potentially be moved in is Spurs veteran Keldon Johnson, who has been with the team for six years. Moving on from Johnson would be difficult since he is a fan favorite, but it may be the right time to do so.

While Johnson has put together some solid games of late, it doesn't change the fact that he doesn't fit the Spurs long-term. His shooting ranks as his biggest problem, and when his shot isn't falling, he is a far less effective offensive player.

Particularly when he isn't able to bully his way to the rim, he's an inconsistent sixth man at best, and the Spurs could and should look to move on from him if it means they can get an upgrade. Johnson's $20 million salary for this season would help to match salaries for players such as New Orleans Pelicans star Brandon Ingram or Sacramento Kings star De'Aaron Fox.

If a deal for either player were to materialize, the Spurs shouldn't hesitate to include Johnson. There may be sentimental reasons for keeping him, but that isn't enough anymore, and San Antonio needs to recognize that.

The Spurs need to trade Keldon Johnson to get to the next level

If the Spurs weren't so devoid of shooting, then Johnson might be easier to justify keeping. However, with Tre Jones, Stephon Castle, Jeremy Sochan, Johnson, and Zach Collins all in the rotation, five of the team's 10-man rotation are below-average shooters and/or low-volume shooters.

In today's NBA, that is far too many non-shooters. Most playoff-caliber teams only have a couple of rotation players with questionable range, at most.

Based on that, something has got to give, and Johnson, and perhaps one of the other players mentioned, could be moved in a potential trade. That might mean Johnson and Collins are moved to match salaries in a deal for Ingram or Castle, Jones, and Johnson as the framework of a trade for Fox.

Either deal would help San Antonio by swapping out non-shooters and adding a more consistent scoring option, giving Wembanyama a dependable number two. That probably wouldn't happen unless Johnson isn't moved. With the Spurs trying to make the playoffs but often taking one step forward and one step back, they need a shake-up, and that may mean trading Johnson.