So a few folks have been reaching out checking if I'm okay. I am fine, and I appreciate you checking. I've just had limited time lately and have been into some other things. I've watched basically every Spurs game with varying degrees of attention.
This season is going about how I would expect it to go. The Spurs are mediocre, and I'm fine with that. This season is like watching plants grow. It's not exciting while it's happening, but it's a necessary part of the process. I think the Spurs are getting some answers for how they can build the team moving forward. Some of those answers are disappointing, but it was important that they are taking the time to verify that. Some are exciting.
My overall stance hasn't changed: The Spurs should be looking at acquiring players for the roles they currently want them to fill and not acquire them for the roles they hope they'll be able to fill in the future. If the Spurs want a second option who can step up in the playoffs, they need to go for older vets who have already shown they're good at that. If they want a guy who can grow with Wemby for the next five years, they should be looking at high draft picks. What I don't think they should do is try to split that difference by paying a premium for young vets who haven't proven anything but who also want max contracts.
As a result, a Fox trade doesn't really appeal right now. I think in any major trade, you have to ask yourself: What is the path to true contention going forward? I don't think Wemby and Fox get you there. I think you're still chasing that star wing, and while the Spurs may still have the assets and flexibility to get them there, I don't think they have the window to take advantage of it. I believe Wemby still needs at the very least another year after this one for seasoning, and so you end up with basically three max contracts and a lot fewer assets to play around that in a league where bloated salaries are getting harder to collect.
So for me, I think the team should be planning for 2026. Hopefully, they have a third year of draft luck and Castle continues to develop. The bigger thing is maintaining a clean cap going into that summer and combining that, the trade assets and the progression of the key youngsters into a roster with an actual window. Yes, that means there is more pain or at least mediocrity ahead, but it's necessary. The Spurs CANNOT afford to mess up the timing of this push. That is how you end up losing stars.
In terms of what kind of opportunities would cause me to want the Spurs to break off the 2026 path, there are only a handful of players. I still think that Curry, Lebron and Durant would be worth it in terms of old vets who can still get it done if put into ideal conditions. I'm excluding obvious prime MVP candidates like Jokic, SGA and Giannis (and yes, I'm glad people are realizing that he's actually a POS -- he's been that since before he got into the NBA). When talking about young PGs who I think could form a real championship foundation with Wemby, the list basically begins and ends with Morant. If you have Ja and Vic, you can go into "fill in the pieces" mode. Short of him, the surrounding team needs a lot more growth to make it work.
So we'll see what happens. If there is a Fox trade, I don't personally expect it to have the results folks want it to. If it happens in the off-season in conjunction with some good moves, then I might end up feeling differently. In terms of other deadline moves, I kind of think the team should just stand pat. They've lost a few too many games for me to think a win-now move makes sense. But I also wouldn't want them to sell off Paul or Barnes and forgo the growth their presence facilitates. IF some team is willing to offer something great for Vassell or Johnson, it might make sense to listen. I'm sure it would be a task to sell taking a step back to Vic, but depending on how that deal goes, 2025 cap space might be an option.
As for me, I'll try to be around a bit more often. I still think SpursTalk is really the only forum to go for Spurs discussion. I'm glad to see Teeds is back and that folks seem to be doing well. That said, we're kind of at a point of the year where we're just spinning our wheels. When things actually change, there will be more to talk about outside of the cycle of frustration some folks seem to be in right now.
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. Pretty much my sentiments tbh.
@ his athleticism is declining at 27. Your IQ never disappoints
