There is Markannen to Spurs Buzz

[scott]

My favorite element of any time the Spurs are rumored to go after an actual All-Star Caliber player is the folks who think we can just build a championship caliber team on a minor league budget. Too afraid to give up draft picks, too afraid to pay anyone. Waiting for some perfect scenario where we land an All-Star on a long-term, MLE-level deal. Keep on dreamin'.

[Guru of Nothing]

So we should trade two potential lottery picks in a supposedly loaded draft for a one year rental for LM, then a chance to sign him for $40M a year? Granted we can end up with Lebron and wade, or milocic and Mike sweetney, but this is a steep price to pay.

I would add the word could to your last thought - could pay a steep price. No matter how things unfold, all choices (including doing nothing) come with the risk of swinging and missing. I'm not really in love with my suggestion, and not having Markkanen already locked into a contract is a big problem for me no matter what kind of verbal agreements are in place. But the view through my rose-colored galsses sure looks good with a lineup of Wemby, Markannen, Sochan, Vassell, and Castle looks fantastic. Just having some fun throwing ideas out there.

[baseline bum]

Yeah, it'd defeat the purpose. The problem is, the Spurs lack an expendable "good, young player" for these star trades.

It's not impossible to pull off without it obviously, but it means even more draft capital.

Insofar as he ever had it, the sheen has worn off Johnson and it never was on Sochan.



George is 34, Markkanen is 27. With their mediocre draft capital, if those arrogant pricks won't put him on the table, then there isn't anything to discuss.

Their draft capital is elite when this will be Steph Curry's age 37 season coming up. That franchise is going right back in the dumpster in 3-4 years when Curry is either washed up or retired.

[DPG21920]

My favorite element of any time the Spurs are rumored to go after an actual All-Star Caliber player is the folks who think we can just build a championship caliber team on a minor league budget. Too afraid to give up draft picks, too afraid to pay anyone. Waiting for some perfect scenario where we land an All-Star on a long-term, MLE-level deal. Keep on dreamin'.

OKC did it lol - build through draft is best way for sure I think is the main point that shapes the views you’re talking about.

[Kevin]

My favorite element of any time the Spurs are rumored to go after an actual All-Star Caliber player is the folks who think we can just build a championship caliber team on a minor league budget. Too afraid to give up draft picks, too afraid to pay anyone. Waiting for some perfect scenario where we land an All-Star on a long-term, MLE-level deal. Keep on dreamin'.

Yup even if say Castle turned into a legit star he'll command 50M by the time he reaches free agency.

Not sure who needs to hear this but even if the Spurs draft a future star he's not on a lifetime rookie deal. You gotta pay him at some point and if he's a legit star Dev money wont cut it.

[Kevin]

OKC did it lol - build through draft is best way for sure I think is the main point that shapes the views you’re talking about.

With Brian Wright drafting the OKC plan looks dubious at best.

[vy65]

Yeah, it'd defeat the purpose. The problem is, the Spurs lack an expendable "good, young player" for these star trades.

It's not impossible to pull off without it obviously, but it means even more draft capital.

Insofar as he ever had it, the sheen has worn off Johnson and it never was on Sochan.



George is 34, Markkanen is 27. With their mediocre draft capital, if those arrogant pricks won't put him on the table, then there isn't anything to discuss.

What other good young players are available? GSW did not make Kuminga available for Paul George; it'd be crazy if they'd make him available for Markannen. I doubt they'd offer Podz since they were gonna bench Klay in favor of him starting. The report I posted earlier made it sound like GSW's offer is Wiggins + unprotected 2027. I don't think that beats Keldon + 2-3 FRPS.

Otherwise, SAC isn't offering Keegan Murray for him. I don't know what MIN would offer that Utah would take.

I don't think Keldon is amazing. But part of the answer to this question is also, what other good young players are being made available for this trade?

[Kevin]

My best and final offer would be the 26 ATL pick the 31 Minny pick and the Spurs 31 pick all unprotected.

Assuming the Spurs extend Lauri for five years after this season he would still be on the 31 team so even if Wemby were to bolt, god forbid, Lauri is still on the roster raising the floor of that pick.

[RC_Drunkford]

Yup even if say Castle turned into a legit star he'll command 50M by the time he reaches free agency.

Not sure who needs to hear this but even if the Spurs draft a future star he's not on a lifetime rookie deal. You gotta pay him at some point and if he's a legit star Dev money wont cut it.

which is why it makes sense to add one star player while all those guys including Wemby are still on rookie contracts. That's where you have the money to pay that guy. And ideally you don't give him the max, but something close to it and frontload it, so it becomes a reasonable deal once the cap goes up and extensions kick in.

[LeBowen]

Their draft capital is elite when this will be Steph Curry's age 37 season coming up. That franchise is going right back in the dumpster in 3-4 years when Curry is either washed up or retired.

They're already in the dumpster.
Do they really think Markkanen moves the needle from barely being a play-in team to being legit contenders?
Especially if they give up those few young players they have.

I'd also say Markkanen isn't that good of a fit there.
Draymond simply can't play at C now that most contenders have legit bigs.
Doesn't work against Nuggets, Timberwolves, Lakers, Kings, even current Spurs would be a tough matchup for them.
Then you have Mavs with great rebounders and OKC which requires you to have rim protection or SGA/Williams just relentlessly attack the rim.

But then if you're playing Draymond and a center together, Markkanen has to go to SF, we already saw how that went.
He's not a perfect fit for every team, but is perfect for Wemby.

Current Warriors are a stage 4 cancer patient that refuses to accept they're going to die, but are trying to waste family's fortune on alternative medicine.
As amazing as Steph was, he won't be good enough to be a #1 option on an underwhelming roster at 37.
Not when there are better first options and way more stacked teams in the conference.

[Wilt Chamberlain]

Only teams with lottery picks on offer in the race are the Spurs and OKC.

GS has none, OKC has 3 max players already, and someone is telling anyone who will listen about all the interest in the trade.

[Wilt Chamberlain]

which is why it makes sense to add one star player while all those guys including Wemby are still on rookie contracts. That's where you have the money to pay that guy. And ideally you don't give him the max, but something close to it and frontload it, so it becomes a reasonable deal once the cap goes up and extensions kick in.

When does the NBC deal hit the NBA books?

[TD 21]

Their draft capital is elite when this will be Steph Curry's age 37 season coming up. That franchise is going right back in the dumpster in 3-4 years when Curry is either washed up or retired.

They're now regarded as a glamor franchise/market with ownership that has shown a willingness to spend in the past and has claimed they're opposed to tanking.

They have a much better chance of attracting a star power than most.

What other good young players are available? GSW did not make Kuminga available for Paul George; it'd be crazy if they'd make him available for Markannen. I doubt they'd offer Podz since they were gonna bench Klay in favor of him starting. The report I posted earlier made it sound like GSW's offer is Wiggins + unprotected 2027. I don't think that beats Keldon + 2-3 FRPS.

Otherwise, SAC isn't offering Keegan Murray for him. I don't know what MIN would offer that Utah would take.

I don't think Keldon is amazing. But part of the answer to this question is also, what other good young players are being made available for this trade?

George is 34, Markkanen is 27.

They're so arrogant that they probably won't offer Kuminga or Podziemski though and think Wiggins, Moody and draft capital for Markkanen and salary ballast will get it done.

The Timberwolves longshot plan would probably be a 3 team trade, where Towns goes to some team and they reroute those assets for a cheaper, younger version. Obviously not happening since Towns would have to be half salary dump at this point.

As I said, it's not impossible on the Spurs part, it'd just require draft capital similar to the Bridges trade.

[CGD]

They should open a convo with Utah with the full intention of not dealing until February (if at all). This is negotiations 101 guys. Spurs dont need this deal; Utah does. No need to do anything dumb bc of some manufactured urgency or deadline they are clearly trying to create.

If they get it that mega deal elsewhere, godspeed to them. No skin off the Spurs' back tbh.

[Kevin]

which is why it makes sense to add one star player while all those guys including Wemby are still on rookie contracts. That's where you have the money to pay that guy. And ideally you don't give him the max, but something close to it and frontload it, so it becomes a reasonable deal once the cap goes up and extensions kick in.

I've been saying this since the Trae Young rumors started at last years deadline. Time is of the essence because the surplus value of Wemby's rookie deal is a once in a lifetime windfall. But some people would rather waste it on another tryout season.

[Kindergarten Cop]

OKC did it lol - build through draft is best way for sure I think is the main point that shapes the views you’re talking about.

Sort of ... the best player on their team was acquired via draft with the Clippers using trade chips (where the top piece in that, PG, was also acquired via trade). You are correct that they didn't just resort to going big game hunting and recruiting a bunch of mercenaries though - and the depth of their team was built through the draft.

[baseline bum]

They're already in the dumpster.
Do they really think Markkanen moves the needle from barely being a play-in team to being legit contenders?
Especially if they give up those few young players they have.

I'd also say Markkanen isn't that good of a fit there.
Draymond simply can't play at C now that most contenders have legit bigs.
Doesn't work against Nuggets, Timberwolves, Lakers, Kings, even current Spurs would be a tough matchup for them.
Then you have Mavs with great rebounders and OKC which requires you to have rim protection or SGA/Williams just relentlessly attack the rim.

But then if you're playing Draymond and a center together, Markkanen has to go to SF, we already saw how that went.
He's not a perfect fit for every team, but is perfect for Wemby.

Current Warriors are a stage 4 cancer patient that refuses to accept they're going to die, but are trying to waste family's fortune on alternative medicine.
As amazing as Steph was, he won't be good enough to be a #1 option on an underwhelming roster at 37.
Not when there are better first options and way more stacked teams in the conference.

All the more reason their draft capital is elite.

[vy65]

They're so arrogant that they probably won't offer Kuminga or Podziemski though and think Wiggins, Moody and draft capital for Markkanen and salary ballast will get it done.

The Timberwolves longshot plan would probably be a 3 team trade, where Towns goes to some team and they reroute those assets for a cheaper, younger version. Obviously not happening since Towns would have to be half salary dump at this point.

As I said, it's not impossible on the Spurs part, it'd just require draft capital similar to the Bridges trade.[/FONT]

I think I mostly agree with you, particularly on the GSW part. My only point was, in comparison to all of that, I do think Keldon qualifies as "young talent," even though I'm really low on him.

[LeBowen]

They should open a convo with Utah with the full intention of not dealing until February (if at all). This is negotiations 101 guys. Spurs dont need this deal; Utah does. No need to do anything dumb bc of some manufactured urgency or deadline they are clearly trying to create.

If they get it that mega deal elsewhere, godspeed to them. No skin off the Spurs' back tbh.

Jazz owns 14 FRPs in the upcoming 5 drafts.
Losing Markkanen for cheap wouldn't be a great look, but they still have the most assets in the league after OKC.
The own both Cleveland and Minnesota long-term.

'25 picks: own, MIN, CLE.
'26 picks: own, better of MIN/CLE.
'27 picks: own, MIN, CLE, LAL (top4 protected).
'28 picks: own, CLE.
'29 picks: own, CLE, MIN (top5 protected).

With Wemby becoming an MVP-level player as soon as 25-26 season, our picks won't be that good. Mid to late teens unless we're lucky to move up.
The only good thing we'll have after '25 draft are those two Hawks picks and a completely unknown quan y in those Minnesota picks.

While it looks like we're in a great situation, we don't actually have that many great picks. Especially if Chicago blows it up completely.
We'll have Mavs and Celtics swaps, but they'll still be competing.

[scott]

OKC did it lol - build through draft is best way for sure I think is the main point that shapes the views you’re talking about.

I've said this before... but to build through the draft, you actually have to use the draft picks. Pushing them out 7 years doesn't help you get better through the draft in the meantime.

[Wilt Chamberlain]

Jazz owns 14 FRPs in the upcoming 5 drafts.
Losing Markkanen for cheap wouldn't be a great look, but they still have the most assets in the league after OKC.
The own both Cleveland and Minnesota long-term.

'25 picks: own, MIN, CLE.
'26 picks: own, better of MIN/CLE.
'27 picks: own, MIN, CLE, LAL (top4 protected).
'28 picks: own, CLE.
'29 picks: own, CLE, MIN (top5 protected).

With Wemby becoming an MVP-level player as soon as 25-26 season, our picks won't be that good. Mid to late teens unless we're lucky to move up.
The only good thing we'll have after '25 draft are those two Hawks picks and a completely unknown quan y in those Minnesota picks.

While it looks like we're in a great situation, we don't actually have that many great picks. Especially if Chicago blows it up completely.
We'll have Mavs and Celtics swaps, but they'll still be competing.

The Spurs have their own picks and the ATL picks the next 3 years.

All of those are equal or better than all those picks. Chicago pick is on par.

[baseline bum]

They're now regarded as a glamor franchise/market with ownership that has shown a willingness to spend in the past and has claimed they're opposed to tanking.

Curry is the glamor in that franchise. How glamorous have the Bulls been since Jordan left?

[TD 21]

I think I mostly agree with you, particularly on the GSW part. My only point was, in comparison to all of that, I do think Keldon qualifies as "young talent," even though I'm really low on him.

I suspect Johnson's value is neutral, in that a team like the Jazz, essentially taking it down to the studs, wouldn't have any problem taking him, but wouldn't regard him as the equivalent of a "good" 1st either.

[LeBowen]

The Spurs have their own picks and the ATL picks the next 3 years.

All of those are equal or better than all those picks. Chicago pick is on par.

Spurs own picks should drop in value from '26 onwards and be well into 20s from '27 onwards.
With Trae staying and Hawks retooling, Hawks '25 pick looks to be in late lottery, then it's up to draft luck.
Their '27 could be really valuable if Trae opts out and Risacher flops, that's the highest value pick Spurs have right now, imo.

While Mitc did sign an extension, it's just for two extra years. Then he'll ask for a supermax at the age of 30 and Cavs will trend downwards.
Minnesota will be over the second apron next season with just 8 players on the roster, two of them being current rookies and one being 38 year old Conley on a cheap deal.
That's with NAW gone and them having to trade someone to extend Naz.
Gobert is 32 already, KAT will be getting $60M a year at 35 and they don't have a single tradeable pick after Dillingham trade. If that kid doesn't become a legit 20ppg scorer, they're also ed. Sooner than you'd think.
And who knows what's going to happen with the Lakers in three years from now.

[Chinook]

Keldon is far more valuable on the Spurs than he is in a trade. He really shouldn't be the guy folks think of when they're looking to Mark ballast.