Spurs trade ideas

[cd98]

Don't know why Chicago would want that deal. White is one of their best players and just finished the season as the NBA Eastern Player of the Month winner. Nnaji is dead money and can't play, Westbrook would get released, and Keldon would have a hard time seeing the floor, for a Denver first and 2 seconds?

Chicago is more of a rebuild. They'd want the first round draft pick and all that salary would go away. The question is do they want more for getting rid of contracts.

[cd98]

MPJ is a very expensive, damaged version of Cam Johnson. Just go get the cheaper version.

If you want Cam Johnson, you are going to need to cough up a bunch of first round picks per the asking price he had last year. In this trade, you give up no first round picks.

[DPG21920]

I like to think of the BKN situation this way:

Take yourself back to the month before the 2022 draft, where we are picking #9. CHA is picking #15. They call up and offer #15 and 23 year old Miles Bridges (ignore any off-the-court related stuff for Bridges) for pick #9. Are you doing that deal? Bridges was CHA's leading scorer that season, averaging 20.2/7.0/3.8.

Dejounte was traded a week after that draft, but imagine we had traded him away before the draft. Would you do that hypothetical Bridges deal then? You've already committed to tanking... what does Bridges do for you? Doesn't he kind of just elevate you higher than you really want to be in your tank chase? And if doesn't, then why are you paying positive value for him?

I think Devin would actually be a great tank commander for BKN... but tanking teams aren't spending positive value, unless its for someone who's going to move them out of tanking and into serious contention. Is Devin that guy for BKN?

Now... if BKN gets Giannis, I think Devin makes a lot more sense for them (and for them to pay positive value for).

I've said this before, but I think the best case for us to move Devin for maximum value is to find a team who wants to compete and needs someone of Devin's profile. Find an equivalent scenario to when we traded DJM to ATL. Not in terms of the return (because DJM had a significantly higher value profile at the time of his trade), but in terms of the thought process that lead ATL to want to get him to begin with. We need to find a team with those common elements.

I can't think of a single scenario where a tanking team would want to give up positive value to get Devin and be locked into his contract (and I'm not even saying the contract is bad... just that a tanking team probably values flexibility more than a deal with 4/100 left on it). The only case I could maybe make is if that team thought they could showcase Devin to the point where they could flip him for more later.

I can see it in BKY due to their cap situation. If they strike out on Giannis etc….they still need to spend money so Devs contract is functionally not relevant in that case. It becomes a question of “do we like this player and can we acquire him at value”

Moving back 6 spots to get a player of Devs caliber makes sense on many levels both on court and preserving value (future trade? Piece that’s already there for when you aren’t tanking you know you have filled etc…)

I see your point and think it makes sense overall but I do think BKY could do it since there is a salary floor they need to meet anyways. They literally have to spend the money so in that regard Dev is “free”…the only trade off is the 6 draft spots.

But I would also do Dev for picks 19 + 27 from BKY. This allows BKY to keep their pick 8 but consolidate value since they have 4 first rounders this year.

Spurs now have 2, 14 + 19 + 27 to get who they want, trade away while accomplishing the same goal: clearing the logjam + salary

[RC_Drunkford]

Not exactly the most appropriate topic, but I feel like we need to find a couple more solid contributors like Champagnie out of nothing.
If we take a look at conference finalists, I won't say those players are the difference makers, but it would be nice if our scouting department pulled a couple more players out of their asses like they did during the glory days.

OKC
Luguentz Dort - undrafted.
Aaron Wiggins - 55th pick.
Isaiah Joe - 49th pick and then cut by the Sixers after two seasons, OKC took a flyer on him.
Jaylin Williams - 34th pick.

Minnesota
Jaden McDaniels - 28th pick.
Naz Reid - undrafted.
NAW - an afterthought in Conley trade, had no value.

Knicks
Jalen Brunson - 33rd pick, surplus to requirements in Dallas, Knicks got their franchise player for nothing before anyone else thought he has that kind of potential.
Miles McBride - 36th pick.
Mitc Robinson - 36th pick.

Pacers
Andrew Nembhard - 31st pick.
Obi Toppin - acquired for SRPs.

All of these players were acquired for next to nothing and are good enough to be in conference finalists rotations.
Obviously I don't expect Spurs to hit with the every SRP or a cheap trade, but it would be really nice if we could find another couple of players that are currently underappreciated.

this is the exact reason why I want them to sign the second round draft pick to an NBA contract and not play the "who signs for a 2-way?" game. Some of those guys should always be developed in the back end on the G-League squad. Riley Minix might be next up.

[scott]

I can see it in BKY due to their cap situation. If they strike out on Giannis etc….they still need to spend money so Devs contract is functionally not relevant in that case. It becomes a question of “do we like this player and can we acquire him at value”

Moving back 6 spots to get a player of Devs caliber makes sense on many levels both on court and preserving value (future trade? Piece that’s already there for when you aren’t tanking you know you have filled etc…)

I see your point and think it makes sense overall but I do think BKY could do it since there is a salary floor they need to meet anyways. They literally have to spend the money so in that regard Dev is “free”…the only trade off is the 6 draft spots.

But I would also do Dev for picks 19 + 27 from BKY. This allows BKY to keep their pick 8 but consolidate value since they have 4 first rounders this year.

Spurs now have 2, 14 + 19 + 27 to get who they want, trade away while accomplishing the same goal: clearing the logjam + salary

The salary floor is definitely an interesting wrinkle, but they do have a couple of RFAs who they are likely to extend (Cam Thomas, Zaire Williams, Dayron Sharpe) and my guess is that if they don't get free agents they'll look to rent out their cap space (much like we did) which means getting assets, not sending them out.

I think a more realistic trade would be Devin + 14 for Cam Johnson... but I don't think I do that if I'm the Spurs. I rate Devin and Cam about equally and while Cam is a better fit for us, I'm not paying a FRP for a better fit.

If Dev for 19 + 27 were on the table, I'd do it and then look to flip those picks for future assets, but I'm thinking it might be hard to do so. I think we wouldn't have much leverage in trying to get out of the excess picks because opposing teams know we aren't taking 4 FRPs (and they probably know we might not even want to make 2). I think the same is going to be true with BKN, so in that case a team might be able to get one of those last two picks for pretty cheap, relatively speaking... and BKN still has #36 after that as well.

In trying to think of ways to use BKN to offload Devin and get some decent value back... what about:

BKN gets Devin, PG13, #3
PHI gets #8, Cam Johnson
SAS gets #19, Noah Clowney

This fails the trade machine... but I thought BKN could take these guys back into cap space so I'm not sure what's going on there.

I'm also not sure that we are needed for this deal... BKN and PHI could just do this without us

[Ocotillo]

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/w...y-on-the-move/

Derrick White to Dallas
Celtics get: P.J. Washington, Caleb Martin, Dwight Powell, 2029 first-round pick (via Lakers), 2032 first-round pick
Mavericks get: Derrick White

Some writer named Sam Quinn, I don't know him from the man on the moon, coming up with trades the Celtics should make. Probably wouldn't happen but I would really hate Derrick on the Mavs.

[exstatic]

If you want Cam Johnson, you are going to need to cough up a bunch of first round picks per the asking price he had last year. In this trade, you give up no first round picks.

I’m not saying I want him, I just want him more than MPJ,

[DPG21920]

The salary floor is definitely an interesting wrinkle, but they do have a couple of RFAs who they are likely to extend (Cam Thomas, Zaire Williams, Dayron Sharpe) and my guess is that if they don't get free agents they'll look to rent out their cap space (much like we did) which means getting assets, not sending them out.

I think a more realistic trade would be Devin + 14 for Cam Johnson... but I don't think I do that if I'm the Spurs. I rate Devin and Cam about equally and while Cam is a better fit for us, I'm not paying a FRP for a better fit.

If Dev for 19 + 27 were on the table, I'd do it and then look to flip those picks for future assets, but I'm thinking it might be hard to do so. I think we wouldn't have much leverage in trying to get out of the excess picks because opposing teams know we aren't taking 4 FRPs (and they probably know we might not even want to make 2). I think the same is going to be true with BKN, so in that case a team might be able to get one of those last two picks for pretty cheap, relatively speaking... and BKN still has #36 after that as well.

In trying to think of ways to use BKN to offload Devin and get some decent value back... what about:

BKN gets Devin, PG13, #3
PHI gets #8, Cam Johnson
SAS gets #19, Noah Clowney

This fails the trade machine... but I thought BKN could take these guys back into cap space so I'm not sure what's going on there.

I'm also not sure that we are needed for this deal... BKN and PHI could just do this without us

Ya it’s tough - I do think that if SA included Branham + Blake in the deal that Spurs now opened up 3 roster spots. I dont see an issue with SA drafting (if they have to) 3 firsts this draft since now Dev + Branham + Blake are gone and you are simply replacing them with better bets/fits at this point.

I don’t think it’s a big deal having 3 rookies in this draft in that context.

[RC_Drunkford]

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/w...y-on-the-move/



Some writer named Sam Quinn, I don't know him from the man on the moon, coming up with trades the Celtics should make. Probably wouldn't happen but I would really hate Derrick on the Mavs.

I don't think Boston trades White. But since defense wins championship, Dallas might go for Jrue Holiday.

[DPG21920]

It ultimately comes down to how much BKY likes Dev as a player. Renting out cap space is an option but that doesnt mean they dont value Dev more than getting some additional 2nds for example.

Just saying I can see a path for sure and BKY both has a salary floor to possibly meet and they have 4 firsts round picks this draft….so there is opportunities

[scott]

Ya it’s tough - I do think that if SA included Branham + Blake in the deal that Spurs now opened up 3 roster spots. I dont see an issue with SA drafting (if they have to) 3 firsts this draft since now Dev + Branham + Blake are gone and you are simply replacing them with better bets/fits at this point.

I don’t think it’s a big deal having 3 rookies in this draft in that context.

I'm starting to really like the 14-25 or so range of this draft (Bryant, Coward, Sober, Fleming, Essengue, Riley, McNeely, Yaxel, Penda, Powell, maybe even Beringer are the guys I like in that range... some might go earlier, so might go a little later)... so I personally wouldn't mind 3 draft picks, I just have a hard time thinking the Spurs will go that route. We shall see!

[mo7888]

Not exactly the most appropriate topic, but I feel like we need to find a couple more solid contributors like Champagnie out of nothing.
If we take a look at conference finalists, I won't say those players are the difference makers, but it would be nice if our scouting department pulled a couple more players out of their asses like they did during the glory days.

OKC
Luguentz Dort - undrafted.
Aaron Wiggins - 55th pick.
Isaiah Joe - 49th pick and then cut by the Sixers after two seasons, OKC took a flyer on him.
Jaylin Williams - 34th pick.

Minnesota
Jaden McDaniels - 28th pick.
Naz Reid - undrafted.
NAW - an afterthought in Conley trade, had no value.

Knicks
Jalen Brunson - 33rd pick, surplus to requirements in Dallas, Knicks got their franchise player for nothing before anyone else thought he has that kind of potential.
Miles McBride - 36th pick.
Mitc Robinson - 36th pick.

Pacers
Andrew Nembhard - 31st pick.
Obi Toppin - acquired for SRPs.

All of these players were acquired for next to nothing and are good enough to be in conference finalists rotations.
Obviously I don't expect Spurs to hit with the every SRP or a cheap trade, but it would be really nice if we could find another couple of players that are currently underappreciated.

Maybe we can get Jarace Walker reasonable..

[scott]

Maybe we can get Jarace Walker reasonable..

Would you do #14 for Walker? We could take him into our TPE and that might give them the space they need to retain Tuner and stay under the 1st apron (if they care about such things).

Edit: meant to say MLE, not TPE (we don't have one of those that I'm aware of)

[mo7888]

Would you do #14 for Walker? We could take him into our TPE and that might give them the space they need to retain Tuner and stay under the 1st apron (if they care about such things).

I would, but I doubt SA would do that because his 2nd contract comes up sooner than a draft pick that they might project to give similar value.

[DPG21920]

It wont happen, but would love something like:

SA Gets: Cam Johnson + Wendell Carter + Pick 19 + Pick 27

ORL Gets: Fox + Branham

BKY Gets: KCP + Pick 16 (ORL has this year) + ORL 27 + ORL 31 + multiple 2nds

ORL gets their lead guard they really need but it cost them Carter Jr + 3 firsts

BKY gives up Cam + pick 19 + pick 27 to take on KCP, but they move up from pick 19 to 16 this year and get 2 unprotected additional firsts and multiple 2nds for giving up pick 27 + Cam + eating KCP

Spurs give up Fox get two solid players to help while clearing a logjam of Fox/Castle/Harper and recoup 2 of the 3 firsts they lost in Fox deal (rest of value is recouped via Wendel + Cam)

[Trueblood]

Just saw an interesting proposal:

Spurs send #2, #14, and younger talent (Vassell, Sochan, Keldon, etc) for salary matching purposes to the Bucks

The Bucks send Giannis to the Mavs

The Mavs send #1 to the Spurs and a future first to the Bucks

The Bucks would get three first rounders (two in this lottery and one of them which would land them the second best player in this draft) as well as some young talent.

The Mavs would get a player that could help them contend next year and for the next few years. A core of Irving, Giannis, and AD (provided they can stay healthy) would be an immediate contender.

The Spurs get Flagg to join Castle, Fox, and Wemby.

I don't think it would happen for several reasons (there is no indication the Giannis would want to go to Dallas and I think the Bucks try to do right by him) and even if they do get him there the salaries for those three players would cripple their ability to get anyone else to fill the bench. The Bucks could also just work directly with Dallas and cut us out completely. Finally, the Spurs would have to agree to break up friendship which we all know won't happen. But it's a fun scenario to consider.

[mo7888]

Just saw an interesting proposal:

Spurs send #2, #14, and younger talent (Vassell, Sochan, Keldon, etc) for salary matching purposes to the Bucks

The Bucks send Giannis to the Mavs

The Mavs send #1 to the Spurs and a future first to the Bucks

The Bucks would get three first rounders (two in this lottery and one of them which would land them the second best player in this draft) as well as some young talent.

The Mavs would get a player that could help them contend next year and for the next few years. A core of Irving, Giannis, and AD (provided they can stay healthy) would be an immediate contender.

The Spurs get Flagg to join Castle, Fox, and Wemby.

I don't think it would happen for several reasons (there is no indication the Giannis would want to go to Dallas and I think the Bucks try to do right by him) and even if they do get him there the salaries for those three players would cripple their ability to get anyone else to fill the bench. The Bucks could also just work directly with Dallas and cut us out completely. Finally, the Spurs would have to agree to break up friendship which we all know won't happen. But it's a fun scenario to consider.

I doubt that happens for similar reasons, but from our perspective, we'd have to do that..

[scott]

^^^The Mavs would still need to send out salary to make room for Giannis, at which point why wouldn't MIL just prefer the #1 pick overall? I suppose in this hypothetical the Bucks may theoretically value Vassell and Sochan along with another (late) lotto pick coming from the Spurs... but I'd imagine MIL would just prefer the higher rated prospect.

Something like this (picks can be adjusted... I haven't given enough thought as to how to value the picks in a Flagg for Giannis scenario)

[scott]

I doubt that happens for similar reasons, but from our perspective, we'd have to do that..

Yeah, it wouldn't be possible to accept this from the Spurs POV any faster, I'd imagine. If I'm adding up right, this would give us Fox/Castle/Flagg/Wemby and almost $50MM of cap space if we renounced all our holds. We could have our pick of Naz or Santi at that point... heck, even add em both if you want!

[Trueblood]

^^^The Mavs would still need to send out salary to make room for Giannis, at which point why wouldn't MIL just prefer the #1 pick overall? I suppose in this hypothetical the Bucks may theoretically value Vassell and Sochan along with another (late) lotto pick coming from the Spurs... but I'd imagine MIL would just prefer the higher rated prospect.

Something like this (picks can be adjusted... I haven't given enough thought as to how to value the picks in a Flagg for Giannis scenario)

I don't disagree at all. I think in the end they would prefer Flagg and would just work directly with Dallas. But we do have a deeper war chest and we could offer sweeteners that they can't get from the Mavs. We still hold the ATL first and several swaps in addition to all our second rounders (which we could try to package with an additional team to get another first or two into the deal). The question really becomes would they rather get less draft capital and Flagg or get Harper, #14, and whatever else we could throw at them along with our young guys? If I'm the Bucks I take Flagg all day, but they may see a clearer path to rebuilding through the draft which might make our proposal more appealing.

[scott]

Here you go for scott's fantasy land trade of the day. I'll try to post something equally as absurd each day since Spotrac's trade machine has 2025-26 mode open now.



Sorry it's so small, only way I could make a screenshot work because Spotrac's snapshot tool doesn't work that well.

Here is a text version:

Nets get:

Vassell
Branham
#2 Overall

Bucks get:

Cam Johnson
Klay Thompson
Keldon Johnson
Jeremy Sochan
#8 Overall
#14 Overall
2026 DAL Swap
2028 DAL Swap
2029 LAL FRP

Mavs Get:

Noah Clowney
Dariq Whitehead
Giannis

Spurs Get

Daniel Gafford
PJ Washington
Naji Marshall
#1 Overall

everyone but the Spurs says no tbh.

Need to play around with absurd Giannis scenarios that involve Portland or NOP for MIL to get some of their own picks back so that they can tank.

DAL swaps don't actually do MIL any good in this stupid scenario, since DAL will be competing and MIL will be terrible.

[mo7888]

Here you go for scott's fantasy land trade of the day. I'll try to post something equally as absurd each day since Spotrac's trade machine has 2025-26 mode open now.

It's blurry... did we get Flagg in that scenario? If so, I'm in...

[scott]

It's blurry... did we get Flagg in that scenario? If so, I'm in...

Sorry, edited to add a text version

[mo7888]

Sorry, edited to add a text version

Thanks.... i think we and Brooklyn would do it...Dallas maybe...Milwaukee, not so much...

[baseline bum]

Ah the dude is a floor spreader. You aren't giving up anything that hurts you. And it's hard to get shooters on the cheap. I think this is a more realistic trade then some of the other things I see that are suggested.

You're giving up the best shooter on a team desperate for shooting. I don't know why everyone is so eager to trade Barnes.