While we are one-day fresh off the end of our season, I thought it might be fun to post your ideal off-season (that is within reason, not "Trade for Luka and Giannis), based on the information you have now. I imagine there will be some takes that will age quite poorly and be fun to look back on later.
I'll start (speaking of things that will likely age poorly).
Draft:
- Toronto pick conveys at 7 or 8
- Spurs select Risacher and Buzelis in the first, double dipping on wing prospects in the Lauri/MPJ archetype, with switchability between the 3 and 4.
- With our natural SRP, we select Juan Nunez as a PG prospect (I'd also be very happy with Comeche guy). The Lakers SRP is traded or used on a draft-and-stash or someone who will take a two-way.
Current Roster:
- Graham waived.
- Bassey also released. I think it is well known that I am a huge Bassey stan and love the elite rebounding and rim protection numbers he puts up... but homie can't stay healthy and I'm afraid his knees might be done
- Mamu not retained. Mamu is one of those perfect fan-favorite 15th man kind of guys, but
Free Agency
- Sign Malik Monk, right now I'd say 3/65 might be a fair estimate, maybe 4/83 as the 4th year might be what gets something done. He would be signed explicitly in a high-end 6th man role (as in, perennial 6OTY contender kind of role)
- Sign Gordon Hayward. This one is harder to pin down, but I think 2/20 might be sufficient. He was putting up good numbers this season before being traded to OKC but hasn't done much since. Coming off a $30MM/yr deal it's hard to pin down what his real market value is.
Trades
- I would love if the Spurs put something together for a high end starting PG, but I don't think they will, and that's okay for now
- The Spurs trade some SRPs for Malcom Brogdon
- Keldon will need to be moved, either this offseason or during the season. For now I'm going to assume he stays in the off-season but is moved at/by the deadline
- Blake Wesley shipped off for some protected future SRP to get him a chance to make it somewhere else. If not, cut as a simple casualty of a 15-man roster
Opening Day Roster
PG: Brogdon/Tre/Nunez
SG: Vassell/Monk/Branham
SF: Risacher/Hayward/Johnson/Champagnie
PF: Sochan/Buzelis
C: Wembanyama/Collins/Barlow
Why I like this:
- Major upgrade to the guard rotation, especially in solidifying the bench guard/wing scorer roles currently occupied by Johnson and Branham
- Stopgap starting PG upgrade. Maybe Nunez is a developmental gem, otherwise you're still in a position to find the long-term piece later
- All draft assets preserved for a potential big move down the line (though that clock is ticking as those picks begin to convey)
- Still emphasizes organic/internal growth. Monk is a huge addition in terms of on the court impact but is still relatively minor as far a "big FA splashes" go. This is still a very "Spurs Way" kind of approach. Vassell and Sochan are still major parts of the core, and you have two new draft picks put in a good position to contribute and grow as well.
- Flexibility if Risacher or Buzelis hit a wall or need some time on the bench/G-league to refine things. Especially early in the season before you trade Keldon, but even then Champagnie at least provides someone with starting experience who can fill in (I'm assuming Risacher can slide down to the 4 if Buzelis is the one who struggles).
What I don't like:
- PG is still below league average, though considerably better than this year. Still just a stopgap, but we can't solve all our problems at once
- PF depth. You basically will have Sochan, Buzelis, and Risacher - all young guys who will go through slumps (hopefully not all at the same time). You might be able to slide Hayward down to the 4 from time to time the way the Spurs played Cedi at the 4, but in that case you get forced into needing to keep Keldon on the team (which long term cuts into the PT and development of your two top-10 picks)
- Still heavily relies on Zach Collins. Hopefully dude puts this season behind him and returns to the form that earned him that extension... but who knows.
- Maybe some confusion around your closing lineup. Can Monk be the PG in your closing lineup?