Spurs still have one last trade ace up their sleeve just waiting to be played

Despite coming up short in the NBA Finals, the San Antonio Spurs have been surprisingly quiet on the trade front. However, they did leave open the possibility to make a big trade in season.

Reigning Sixth Man of the Year Keldon Johnson struggled in the NBA playoffs last season. That leads to questions about his future with the team, including possibly being traded.

After the Spurs re-signed Julian Champagnie to a 3-year, $45 million deal, it seems the team has already made a choice. Johnson's role appears to be diminishing, and the Spurs' financial reality is that they probably wouldn't be able to re-sign him if they wanted to.

Then there is Harrison Barnes. He was brought back on a team-friendly one-year deal worth $8 million. It's a win-win for both sides. Barnes gets paid more than he otherwise would. Meanwhile, the Spurs could pair that salary with Johnson's $18.5 million salary and trade for a player making at least $25 million. They also own a first-round pick in each of the next seven drafts.

The Spurs are keeping their trade options open

The Silver and Black are only about $4.6 million under the luxury tax. That cushion would get cut in half if they sign David Jones-Garcia to a standard contract. The point is, they don't have a lot of breathing room under the tax line.

Fortunately, it may be just enough to make a two-for-one trade involving Johnson and Barnes if the right deal comes around. That likely won't happen until around the trade deadline, giving GM Brian Wright enough time to evaluate what this team needs.

They are deeper than last season and have more depth at power forward and center. That may lessen the need for a big trade, though either way, this may be the last season for Johnson and Barnes in San Antonio.

San Antonio has one last chance to make a big trade

Odds are, both players won't be back next season, but that doesn't necessarily mean they will be traded either. It's entirely possible that both players could last the entire season in San Antonio before leaving in free agency.

That might not be the best move from an asset standpoint, with Johnson being the reigning Sixth Man of the Year. Even still, trading him midway through what could be a championship season doesn't seem fair to him considering how long he's been with the Spurs.

Barring a trade for an impact player that could move the needle in the Spurs' favor, San Antonio may instead look to make smaller moves. Or, perhaps, none at all heading into and during next season.

What's important is that they have the option to make a move if needed, and Johnson and Barnes would be the most likely trade candidates were that to happen.

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