Victor Wembanyama is making a Spurs trade deadline move more likely by the day

The San Antonio Spurs' recent toppling of the Oklahoma City Thunder handed a team on an historic pace a big loss. Still, even with the Spurs rotation now at full strength with the return of Victor Wembanyama, they could still use one last piece to solidify their championship aspirations.

When healthy, the Spurs are a top five defensive team, though they are short one defensive stopper. That is with Jeremy Sochan now out of the rotation. Him suddenly going from being a key contributor to being a bench warmer is a shocking development but not unwarranted.

To be clear, he's a good player but is a poor fit for this team. Instead, coach Mitch Johnson has ridden with Luke Kornet and Julian Champagnie, and the Spurs have been better on both ends for it. Even so, this team could use a lockdown defender, and the New Orleans Pelicans could provide the answer by trading Herb Jones.

Wembanyama is making a Spurs trade deadline move more likely

With the Pelicans appearing to be in a rebuild, they could entertain offers on Jones, and the Spurs should be among the teams interested. He is an impactful defender, even previously making an All-NBA First Team defensive first team.

Offensively, he's relatively limited but is a near career 40% three-point shooter on corner threes, meaning he fits the mold as a 3 and D wing on a contender. The potential framework of a trade could include the Spurs sending the Pelicans Sochan, Kelly Olynyk, the Atlanta Hawks' 2027 unprotected first, and a 2029 top-14 protected first.

In addition to Sochan and a first-round pick, the Spurs could sweeten the pot by offering the Pelicans back their three second-rounders that the Spurs own. Ironically, the Spurs previously acquired four seconds from the Pelicans in the Devonte Graham trade even though he only lasted about 25 games in New Orleans.

Herb Jones could be the missing piece for the Spurs

With the Pelicans rebuilding, they would probably want those second-rounders back, with them likely to be in the early 30s. Now that Sochan is seemingly no longer in the rotation, or at least a fringe rotation player, as is Olynyk, the Silver and Black wouldn't be losing much. Particularly when compared to what they'd be gaining.

Adding Jones to the mix would give the Spurs a second great perimeter defender alongside Stephon Castle, which will come in handy, especially during playoff time. Currently, the Spurs don't have any weak links defensively on the perimeter and have a game-changing shot blocker protecting the paint in Wembanyama.

But adding a wing stopper in Jones could help turn an already stingy defense into one that could rival the Thunder's without sacrificing offensive firepower. It will cost the Spurs picks, but if it increases their chances of winning a championship now, then they should strongly consider it.