Latest Intel as Spurs Head into the Victor Wembanyama Draft

[Mugen]

There are two shots at it, and Charlotte is getting the band back together from a 43 win team year before last, plus adding either the #2 pick or whatever they trade it for.

The #2 pick AND Mark Williams to that 43win team. That pick will convey for sure barring significant injuries.

[Ariel]

I wonder what this all says about this draft, if anything. That or maybe teams feel there is better value in the backend where salaries are cheaper for only slightly worse talent/production?

It does indeed (high uncertainty, for the most part), but it also speaks of tanking era coming to an end for most teams that exhausted that option and want to move on (Houston, Detroit, Portland, Orlando, Indiana, etc).

[Ariel]

imo that won't be enough. The CHA pick can't ever be any higher than #15. The CHI pick plus #33 gets it done, or maybe CHI + #44 and a couple of other future seconds if the Spurs want to be stingy.

If a team doesn't see anything they like or they don't want to take in another rookie, Chicago + #44 is a good offer: it's protected 10-8-8 (likely to convey), Chicago is likely to be mediocre so it should be in the lottery, and it's only a couple of years away. I'd say chances are good someone bites if their preferred choice is off the board. But I'd rather try the Charlotte pick + bad contract or a boatload of 2nds.
Anyway, the only problem I see with a 14+ pick is that Black & Bufkin are likely gone (IMO there's a very good chance they go 8, 9 or 13 at the latest), and I'm not as high on Cason Wallace.

[exstatic]

If a team doesn't see anything they like or they don't want to take in another rookie, Chicago + #44 is a good offer: it's protected 10-8-8 (likely to convey), Chicago is likely to be mediocre so it should be in the lottery, and it's only a couple of years away. I'd say chances are good someone bites if their preferred choice is off the board. But I'd rather try the Charlotte pick + bad contract or a boatload of 2nds.
Anyway, the only problem I see with a 14+ pick is that Black & Bufkin are likely gone (IMO there's a very good chance they go 8, 9 or 13 at the latest), and I'm not as high on Cason Wallace.

The problem with the CHI pick is that it doesn't break our logjam next summer. I'd almost rather offer the Toronto pick on it's own.

[mo7888]

The problem with the CHI pick is that it doesn't break our logjam next summer. I'd almost rather offer the Toronto pick on it's own.

Im not sure the Chicago pick is more valuable anyway since it most likely conveys later...time value of money principle..

[sfernald]

My sense is that Keldon would appeal to Orlando, perhaps well over a rookie at #6 they don't really need. (Kind of a no-man's land pick for them.)

Keldon to me is a fantastic 3rd option, although I think their starting unit gets as weird as ours does with him. He does hit 3s at a very high rate when he's not forced to do too much. He's near a 40%er at his best. And I don't think their defense is really excellent anyway.

If you feel like he was getting traded for picks this summer anyway... Then you're trying something like Keldon + CHA or more likely TOR and maybe need to be willing to go another pick if you have to. The Spurs are at a point where they can actually trade their own future picks, with some protections. Maybe one in 2025.

I don't know if Orlando can actually match salaries, though. Honestly fit and salary aren't clear.

Indiana is an outlier, although they'd likely prefer going for Jarace. Detroit seems unlikely?

I really like the idea of this trade, use six to draft Ausar or Black. And take a flyer on Issac who has 2 years at 17 million. it seems Orlando has had enough of his health issues and is ready to move on from him. He’s a fantastic player next to Wemby if the Spurs can some how get him healthy. I think this is a fair trade.

[buttsR4rebounding]

I really like the idea of this trade, use six to draft Ausar or Black. And take a flyer on Issac who has 2 years at 17 million. it seems Orlando has had enough of his health issues and is ready to move on from him. He’s a fantastic player next to Wemby if the Spurs can some how get him healthy. I think this is a fair trade.

I like the idea except Isaac only has something like 6 million guaranteed this year and nothing guaranteed next. Orlando can likely trade him for positive assets to a team looking to shed salary.

[exstatic]

I really like the idea of this trade, use six to draft Ausar or Black. And take a flyer on Issac who has 2 years at 17 million. it seems Orlando has had enough of his health issues and is ready to move on from him. He’s a fantastic player next to Wemby if the Spurs can some how get him healthy. I think this is a fair trade.

Yea, I’ll go without that pick rather than trade Keldon for that piece of Isaac.

[BatManu20]

Pop would never allow a Conservative like Isaac in his locker room tbh

[mo7888]

Yea, I’ll go without that pick rather than trade Keldon for that piece of Isaac.

Isaac is just filler. Most of his salary is non-guaranteed.

[Ariel]

I really like the idea of this trade, use six to draft Ausar or Black. And take a flyer on Issac who has 2 years at 17 million. it seems Orlando has had enough of his health issues and is ready to move on from him. He’s a fantastic player next to Wemby if the Spurs can some how get him healthy. I think this is a fair trade.

You're trading a 23 y.o. starter with growth potential signed long term on a bargain deal, PLUS the Toronto '24 first rounder that is likely to convey in the lottery, PLUS you're taking the bad salary of a player whose availability is among the worst in the league, for #6??? Who is there that would justify all of this? Personally, I would absolutely HATE this deal, it's extremely risky and doesn't seem to serve a clear purpose. In any case I'd rather trade the Toronto pick + some other pick/s (Charlotte's, a bunch of 2nds) for #11 if Bufkin is available, that's a more sensible approach IMO.

[mo7888]

You're trading a 23 y.o. starter with growth potential signed long term on a bargain deal, PLUS the Toronto '24 first rounder that is likely to convey in the lottery, PLUS you're taking the bad salary of a player whose availability is among the worst in the league, for #6??? Who is there that would justify all of this? Personally, I would absolutely HATE this deal, it's extremely risky and doesn't seem to serve a clear purpose. In any case I'd rather trade the Toronto pick + some other pick/s (Charlotte's, a bunch of 2nds) for #11 if Bufkin is available, that's a more sensible approach IMO.

You're not taking on much salary... only $7+M guaranteed this year and non guaranteed the following..

[Ariel]

You're not taking on much salary... only $7+M guaranteed this year and non guaranteed the following..

Still you're using your cap space to rehab him, plus losing Keldon and a future lottery pick. I wouldn't do that for anyone at 6, honestly.

[Tyronn Lue]

Never understood the CP3 hate. Wouldn't be opposed to a short term deal.

The issue isn't his fit but whether he would even consider the Spurs, imo.

Paul's reputation for exiting the playoffs with injury is well established (reinforced this season). He seems to do well until it matters at which time he does something creative and turns the situation into a tragedy. He's one who hasn't gotten over himself but maybe that's no longer a prerequisite.

[mo7888]

Still you're using your cap space to rehab him, plus losing Keldon and a future lottery pick. I wouldn't do that for anyone at 6, honestly.

You're only rehabbing him if your doctors feels like its viable, if not you just waive him and eat $7M and open a roster spot.

As for the rest (Keldon + a 'possible' future lottery pick), I might do it, but it just depends on who's there that I like. I dont believe I'd do it for Black or Bufkin. It would have to be a higher upside player for me to give up Keldon.

[BacktoBasics]

You're trading a 23 y.o. starter with growth potential signed long term on a bargain deal, PLUS the Toronto '24 first rounder that is likely to convey in the lottery, PLUS you're taking the bad salary of a player whose availability is among the worst in the league, for #6??? Who is there that would justify all of this? Personally, I would absolutely HATE this deal, it's extremely risky and doesn't seem to serve a clear purpose. In any case I'd rather trade the Toronto pick + some other pick/s (Charlotte's, a bunch of 2nds) for #11 if Bufkin is available, that's a more sensible approach IMO.

The trade Keldon crowd is delusional.

[EricB]

Yea, I’ll go without that pick rather than trade Keldon for that piece of Isaac.

bit extreme to call the guy a piece of ….


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[EricB]

Still you're using your cap space to rehab him, plus losing Keldon and a future lottery pick. I wouldn't do that for anyone at 6, honestly.

the ability to get a Black, Bufkin etc etc and raise the floor of this team, just for a guy who’s curling isn’t reached but isn’t that far off and a lottery pick that literally will be higher and in a worst draft?

that’s a no brainer imo

[TD 21]

You've got to evaluate trades from the perspective of all teams involved . . .

Nah, they (Magic) need guards, shooting, experience and have cap space, which is why the likes of Van Vleet and Trent Jr. have been mentioned as targets.

You're trading a 23 y.o. starter with growth potential signed long term on a bargain deal, PLUS the Toronto '24 first rounder that is likely to convey in the lottery, PLUS you're taking the bad salary of a player whose availability is among the worst in the league, for #6??? Who is there that would justify all of this? Personally, I would absolutely HATE this deal, it's extremely risky and doesn't seem to serve a clear purpose. In any case I'd rather trade the Toronto pick + some other pick/s (Charlotte's, a bunch of 2nds) for #11 if Bufkin is available, that's a more sensible approach IMO.

Agreed. People don't seem to realize that if they trade Johnson for a likely role playing combo guard like the ones mentioned, they not only probably don't fill the gaping hole at PG, but they'd be creating one on the wing/forward, which is more difficult to fill.

[sfernald]

You've got to evaluate trades from the perspective of all teams involved . . .

Agreed. People don't seem to realize that if they trade Johnson for a likely role playing combo guard like the ones mentioned, they not only probably don't fill the gaping hole at PG, but they'd be creating one on the wing/forward, which is more difficult to fill.

I think there’s a decent chance there’s a very high upside player like Amen or worst case Ausar there at #6. It just depends on what the teams ahead decide to do. You obviously don’t make this trade until Orlando is on the clock.

[JPB]

Spurs are not trading up in the top 10, and Keldon isn't going anywhere. Way too expensive for way too much risks and uncertainty.

[Degoat]

Someone @ 33 will be available for us that will be really intriguing. We’re getting the prospect among all prospects with #1.

[BacktoBasics]

bit extreme to call the guy a piece of ….


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He’s a borderline flat earther. The only reason people don’t listen to him like they did Kyrie is because Issac is a nobody.

[Mr. Body]

I don't see how Keldon would even fit with Orlando. They have Franz and Paolo as their forwards already.

[JR3]

With the league starting to penalize flopping, we better hope we don’t get Chris Paul…