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Who in the league that is actually attainable checks all three of those boxes? imo at best you're going to get above average production in two of the three and below average in the third.
with 3 guards who can penetrate at will and Wemby it's obvious what we need at the forward spots:
- Elite 3-point shooting (38% and up)
- Defense
- Rebounding
We basically need 3 of those players when we want to talk about contending, so 2 of them are on the floor at all times.
Throw in any targets you can find. Preferably 27 and under, gettable for under 30 million per year. That includes draft prospects, players from Europe, etc.
Right now we have:
Keldon Johnson
No D, no 3 (31.8%)
Devin Vassell
supposedly a good team defender who's a terrible 1-on-1 defender, decent shooter (36.8%), but actually an SG who's undersized for the SF spot
Harrison Barnes
great shooter (43.3%), mediocre defender and rebounder (3.8 boards). Can be kept as a vet off the bench, but if we're talking les I'd rather have him as my 8th-9th man in the playoffs.
Jeremy Sochan
Good rebounder (6.5 boards) and 1-on-1 defender. Would fit the profile if he could shoot, but he can't (30.8% on 1.7 attempts). Even if he ever develops a shot, it's far fetched he'll ever be a knock down shooter. We can hope though.
Julien Champagnie
solid defender, 3-point shooter (37.1%) and rebounder (3.8 boards in 23 minutes). The definition of average, but can definitely be seen as a bench piece for a contender on a great contract.
So we basically have 2 bench guys and need to add 2 starting caliber forwards.
Who in the league that is actually attainable checks all three of those boxes? imo at best you're going to get above average production in two of the three and below average in the third.
I'm working on some research for a post on every PF in the NBA to try and identify some targets for that position. Will probably be coming later today. Just teasing that because it is relevant to this post.
The known 3nD players cost a fortune , just look at Bridges's trade last summer, so the Spurs should look for the unearthed gems, like Toumani Camara and such. Easier said than done of course, there aren't too many of these, but hopefully Spurs can get one via the 14th pick (Bryant, Coward) or trade.
That's what I've found as well. The guys who do check all three boxes (JJJ, for example) are max or near-max level players because they are rare and very good.
post them in this thread, cause we definitely need to find some sleepers. The market is thin. Brian Wright will need to pull a rabbit out the hat.
Barnes should definitely stay, I'd even give him another contract. Maybe 20/2.
I said he'd be this generation's Finley when he joined.
Champagnie also has to stay. He's an average bench player, but having a good 6'8 shooter who's not a negative on defense is a bargain.
Keldon should definitely go, he's outlived his purpose.
I'd also get rid of Devin, but he's PATFO's favorite.
The list of cheap (asset wise) 3-D wings is almost non-existant at this point, tbh.
My list from a month ago has been reduced to these names:
PJ Washington - Expiring $14M, redundant after the lottery, could get him by returning that Mavs swap. But idk if it would be worth it.
MPJ - Only as a salary dump, I still think he's a solid piece, just playing injured. His contract is done before Wemby's extension starts.
Aldama - Grizzlies cleared space to keep him.
McDaniels - No chance considering his rise in these playoffs.
Naz Reid - Timberwolves cleared space to keep him.
Murphy III - Untouchable in NOLA unless we decide to trade down from #2.
Herb Jones - Would cost one good FRP, maybe more.
Cam Johnson - Not worth it, imo. Overrated and can't rebound.
It's gonna be it's own thread... because I need that ST.com clout
John Collins
My favorite option for PF:
27 years old, 6'9'' PF, averages 19 PPG, 8.2 RB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK shooting 40% from 3 on 3.7 attempts. Can play inside and outside, mobile, good screener and roll man, has a midrange game, postgame, can play in transition. Athletic, plays above the rim, good cutter.
Not a great defender, but decent on that end. Metrics don't show the full picture because he only played with the Tre Young Hawks and the tanking Jazz. Was doing a good job on Giannis together with Capela when the Hawks were making their playoff run back in the day for example.
Has a 26.5 million player option this offseason. Trade or sign and trade should be easily possible by offering Keldon + Branham and second round picks. I don't think 14 has to be included to get him with how asset depleted the league is and I honestly wouldn't want to trade 14, so we can draft another 3-and-D forward.
Laurri may still be an option with those extra picks we have. At some point, they're going to have to make a decision on tanking or building and if they continue truly tanking, Laurri may be had for picks. He's the same age frame as fox and I think would fit great with the fox-harper-castle-Wemby line up. Run everyone into Laurri and Wemby and the defense will be just fine with a couple smaller guys.
Jabari Smith Jr.
timeline wise the best on the market I guess. Is only coming off the bench in Houston.
22 years old, 6'11'', 12.2 PPG, 7 REB, 35.4 % from 3 on 5.1 attempts. Good defender with a lot of upside.
Would only be attainable if Houston makes a trade for an All-Star like KD/Booker. We could then try to trade assets to the Suns to get him if we're lucky.
He would be a great fit, but is on a max deal until 2028/29 with 53.5 million. By that time Wemby will be on the max, Fox as well and Castle's extension would kick in.
If Sochan starts hitting his shots, then he's a great option for starting SF. He's quick enough. He can defend the best opposing player. He crashes the boards. It REALLY comes down to making his shots... and ACTUALLY TAKING THEM.
Champ is already good as his backup SF.
Barnes is good(-ish) and I would start him for his shooting... but obviously look to upgrade the position if the opportunity arises.
Fleming is perfect as the backup PF behind Barnes if he is still there at #14.
Sochan / Champ
Barnes / Fleming
None of this requires trading with any teams. However, we would still have Vassell and Keldon available to trade if someone better becomes available.
This is a good thread as the Spurs are going to have to make some moves to address the roster deficiencies in the likely scenario they draft and keep Harper.
Which realistic trades/players can the Spurs trade for and which players can/will they trade that the other team will have interest in.
The issue is that even if Jeremy becomes that player, it's still not enough.
We need a volume shooter. Someone who's going to take 5 to 7 threes a game and make them at 38-40%.
We need someone who's going to create space by just standing in the corner, kind of how Barnes does now.
46,46, 49, and 53.
Definitely expensive but I think he fits the timeline of Fox as well if they move some money. At that point, you know whether you need fox past that point as well as Laurri. Contract is good timing to assess the core needs of Wemby with your young guards and be a legitimate compe ive team.
I'm a fan of Sochan but outside of that, the rest of the guys are good enough for the worse record in the league. Think it's worth cleaning house to clear the books. With a team like that, I'm sure they'd be able to attract bargain veterans as well.
I'm finished expecting Sochan to develop as a shooter and especially thinking he's going to be good enough as a SF who can knock down shots. He doesn't have the skills/shooter's coordination to be that type of player. It's not going to happen.
Just draft one at 14 and 38. Candidates:
Asa Newell, Johni Broome, Carter Bryant, Eric Dixon and others.
PJ Washington
26, 6'7'', 14.7 PPG, 7.8 REB, 1.1 STL, 1.1 BLK, 38.1% from 3 on 4.2 attempts. Fits like a glove tbh
Is under contract in Dallas for one more year at 14.1 million. They will probably try to trade him for a guard, so not sure how we could get him, but we should try our best to get in there on a 3-team deal somehow...
Should also be a major FA target in 2026
you literally quoted me as saying "It REALLY comes down to making his shots... and ACTUALLY TAKING THEM." (IE. taking more threes)
Cedric Coward- 3 and D They just interviewed him during the Combine game and he showed off his Kawhi sized hands. Has the same wingspan as Kawhi. On offense he reminds me of Klay Thompson. If you want 3 and D draft this guy at 14. Came across as well spoken high IQ / high character. Comes across as a dude that loves basketball. Humble and wants to put in the work. He is my favorite option at pick 14
with respect to first round picks, we dont have any "extra" picks left other than #14 this year. we own 1 first round pick every year going forward. 2026, 2028, 2030, and 2031 have swap rights built in, so theyre better than typical first round picks. 2027 we have no control over as thats the hawks natrual pick. and then 2029 is our one natural pick without protections
It would be an easy trade to make.
Keldon, '30 swap rights returned for Washington.
The question is if we'd be willing to give up that swap for Washington. It lost a lot of value after the lottery, but you never know what can happen with those idiots in charge. AD will be long gone.
Mavs would find a third team to take that swap and Keldon for a guard.
I'd do it only if Washington accepts to sign a reasonable extension right away.
I'd just rather split the money on 2 players who earn half of what Lauri earns. Gives you more flexibility and your team is less top heavy. If you compare Lauri's numbers to John Collins:
Lauri Markkanen 19 PPG, 5.9 REB, 1.5 AST, 0.7 STL , 0.4 BLK, 34.6 % from 3 on 8.5 attempts - 42 million with the salary going up
John Collins 19 PPG, 8.2 RB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK shooting 40% from 3 on 3.7 attempts - 26.5 million with the salary likely going down slightly
and don't get me started on Ainge wanting like 2-4 first round picks for Lauri, while Collins would cost a couple of second rounders
if that's all it takes they should get him. He's young just entering his prime and fits a need. The player profile we are looking for is very rare in the NBA at the moment. It's basically a handful of guys.
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