Spurs Bigs - who to target

[Chinook]

So I like finding a way to get back to the top of the second round to take Raynaud. Then trade for Portis and agree to give him a $38M/2 extension with the second year being a team option. Trade Vassell and Barnes for MPJ. I also have them signing Trendon Watford, who is a forward with size who has shown some things but had a horrible year last year.

Fox, Castle, Wesley
Harper, Champagnie, Branham
Porter, Johnson, Minix
Sochan, Bryant, Watford
Wembanyama, Portis, Raynaud

They retain Branham and Wesley for further trades, but ideally one of them is replaced by a vet PG who gets bought out during the year. For two-way contracts, I'd want another center, preferably a defensive prospect with size in case of injuries. I'd also want another guard considering they have three expiring players there right now. They actually have pretty good wing and forward depth after this, so maybe doubling up on guards would be a good strategy. I have Castle coming off the bench because I hate him -- or rather because despite both him and Harper being thought of as non-shooters, Harper shoots the ball well enough off the catch. If you aren't trying to run him as your star creator, he can come in and get minutes already.

I think some would like to run Fox, Castle, Bryant, Portis, Wembanyama to really key in on defense and rebounding. Maybe that could work well enough. That second unit would be Harper, Champagnie, Johnson, Porter and Sochan, which while not hopeless seems awkward to build around replacing Champ for Raynaud makes the positions work better, but Max isn't really a defender as far as I have seen, so it might not be the best move in practice If they were to trade in for Fleming instead, the second-unit defense probably wouldn't be an issue. But Harper not having an offensive big to work with in those units might end up not helping his growth.

[LeBowen]

Alright, let's go over our trade options.


Okongwu: Would be a great fit for the way we're trying to play if we can get him for Devin and '26 swap returned.

Claxton: Another high end backup on a declining contract, would require a FRP. Maybe expand the trade to include Cam Johnson.

Vucevic: Expiring, can be had for dirt cheap. The best option on offense out of all these guys and the worst defender, but a good rebounder.

Gafford: Is he even available? Would be a great option.

Robinson: Health concern, expiring contract, I don't think Knicks can afford to extend him.

Ayton: We can't really send enough expiring money for him. Losing Barnes for Ayton would be dumb.

Timelord: Can't stay healthy.

Poeltl: I thought he'd be available after the Raptors draft Maluach, but it didn't happen.

Kessler: Ainge would ask for 2 FRPs.


Fre agents are a bunch of washed players already mentioned, I'm not high on any of them.

[Chinook]

ive had a crush of Fleming throughout the draft process. his game is rudimentary and he only does a few things but he does those things well and all those things should translate.

including Harper and Bryant, we have 12 guys on our roster. that's also before any hypothetical re-signings whether they be Mamu, Biyombo, Bassey, etc

i would imagine the spurs want to at least make 2 free agent signings using the MLE and potentially BAE. they could still move up for a second rounder and do that. if they are willing to be active on the trade market, i dont think branham/wesley would be too difficult to move off of. i like wesley and would have liked to keep him, but that was before Harper fell into our laps

I like trading up for a center tonight and then trading Branham for Valanciunas. That gives them a stop-gap for the new guy to grow, and in the meantime someone who is still a load inside who could be a sneaky match-up wildcard to play him with Victor ala Adams and Sengun against Golden State.

[Dejounte]

Alright, let's go over our trade options.


Okongwu: Would be a great fit for the way we're trying to play if we can get him for Devin and '26 swap returned.

Claxton: Another high end backup on a declining contract, would require a FRP. Maybe expand the trade to include Cam Johnson.

Vucevic: Expiring, can be had for dirt cheap. The best option on offense out of all these guys and the worst defender, but a good rebounder.

Gafford: Is he even available? Would be a great option.

Robinson: Health concern, expiring contract, I don't think Knicks can afford to extend him.

Ayton: We can't really send enough expiring money for him. Losing Barnes for Ayton would be dumb.

Timelord: Can't stay healthy.

Poeltl: I thought he'd be available after the Raptors draft Maluach, but it didn't happen.

Kessler: Ainge would ask for 2 FRPs.


Fre agents are a bunch of washed players already mentioned, I'm not high on any of them.

Okongwu would help me get over not drafting Sorber so easily. Send them back their ty firsts tbh

[The Truth #6]

Maybe an overseas player. Any Aussies?

[Ice009]

Alright, let's go over our trade options.


Okongwu: Would be a great fit for the way we're trying to play if we can get him for Devin and '26 swap returned.

Claxton: Another high end backup on a declining contract, would require a FRP. Maybe expand the trade to include Cam Johnson.

Vucevic: Expiring, can be had for dirt cheap. The best option on offense out of all these guys and the worst defender, but a good rebounder.

Gafford: Is he even available? Would be a great option.

Robinson: Health concern, expiring contract, I don't think Knicks can afford to extend him.

Ayton: We can't really send enough expiring money for him. Losing Barnes for Ayton would be dumb.

Timelord: Can't stay healthy.

Poeltl: I thought he'd be available after the Raptors draft Maluach, but it didn't happen.

Kessler: Ainge would ask for 2 FRPs.


Fre agents are a bunch of washed players already mentioned, I'm not high on any of them.

Okongwu: I really like the Okongwu idea.

Claxton: I haven't watched him much (what are his strengths and weaknesses?), and also very interesting idea to expand the trade for Cam Johnson (is Cam a better or worse defender than Devin?)

Vucevic: Never been a fan of his due to his poor defender, but definitely a solid rebounder.

Gafford: He'd be really good, but no idea if Dallas wants to trade him, and/or trade him to the Spurs. I'd like to somehow expand the trade to get both PJ Washington and Gafford if the Spurs are looking to give back their pick swap.

Robinson: I think he misses games, so I wouldn't be interested.

Ayton: Yeah, DO NOT want to give up assets for rental, especially not Barnes for him. I also don't trust Ayton as he seems to be a contract year player. If he does well, Spurs might want to keep him and that would be too risky IMO.

RW III: I would definitely be interested if he were healthy as he was a really good defender for Boston a few years ago, but if his injuries aren't behind him, I have zero interest. Good option, though, if he were healthy.

Poeltl: I thought the Raptors were going to draft a center too, so probably not available anymore, and if he were, they probably want more than I'd be willing to pay to get him

Kessler: Not sure what it would cost, but if it's a lot, Ainge can go F himself.

Solid point about a lot of those free agents being washed, but if it's a choice between one of those guys and no-one, I'd take a Clint Capela or maybe even Brook Lopez if they can't get anyone else, as the Spurs do need help and having a few more veterans around would help IMO.

Chinooks Valanciunas idea is a good one too. I've wanted him on the Spurs for a while now. Would be good as a backup I think.

[spurraider21]

really not a fan of trading first round picks for a center already on their second contracts when their ceiling is backup

using a first round pick on a guy like sorber to be your cost controlled backup for a few years who you can later extend/flip makes sense. using a first round pick for somebody alreayd making a good amount of money like gafford with the intention of him being your backup seems like bad business

okongwu could potentially play some 4, so theres more intrigue there

id much rather just sign a cheaper FA and trade seconds for a 4 like collins. we currently have 4 second round picks next year. need to start moving them somehow.

or even sign yabusele. im not crazy about him, but he was playing out of position as a center for much of last year.

[CGD]

I’m on the Okongwu train. Problem is that Atlanta, like us here, now know that 26SWAP is super meh so they’d probably want their 2027 back.

I’d seriously consider it tbh. Keldon and a return the rest of the Murray trade picks for Okungwu. He’s 24, on a good deal, and would slot well next to Vic and eventually Bryant.

[Mr. Body]

Unless you can finesse a Gafford, we're looking at stopgaps. Tbh backup bigs will probably be stopgaps for us going forward like back in the day when we were in the Nazr and Rasho and Kevin Willis and Elson days.

[J_Paco]

really not a fan of trading first round picks for a center already on their second contracts when their ceiling is backup

using a first round pick on a guy like sorber to be your cost controlled backup for a few years who you can later extend/flip makes sense. using a first round pick for somebody alreayd making a good amount of money like gafford with the intention of him being your backup seems like bad business

okongwu could potentially play some 4, so theres more intrigue there

id much rather just sign a cheaper FA and trade seconds for a 4 like collins. we currently have 4 second round picks next year. need to start moving them somehow.

or even sign yabusele. im not crazy about him, but he was playing out of position as a center for much of last year.

Yeah, I'd rather retain Mamu and go cheap with a backup 5 (plus an undrafted Two-Way unlike last year).

Getting a quality back up is a priority, but I'd rather not spend cap space & assets to acquire them. Get by with a better platoon over the Bassey - Biyombo - Mamu - Collins contingent of last year and draft a more 'future proof' prospect next season.

If they do go all out for a 4/5, then it should be a Naz Reid or a young, unproven guy like Vukcevic (like a prior poster said).

Trying to find a gem should be the priority if they don't want to wait until next year's draft.

[Mr. Body]

As a note, we haven't been getting clear intel on Wemby's health issue. The fact that the team isn't beelining to upgrading at the big spots suggests they know they need players there but not a super priority in the draft.

[J_Paco]

As a note, we haven't been getting clear intel on Wemby's health issue. The fact that the team isn't beelining to upgrading at the big spots suggests they know they need players there but not a super priority in the draft.

Yeah, good point.

I just like the cost-controlled nature of drafting a player over signing or trading for a backup.

If heathy Wemby will eat up a lot minutes anyway, but his stamina issues and overall health are still a concern. I just don't want the team to find itself in a similar situation to last season.

[poopbox]

I mean I don't even know what kind of big the spurs actually want

I think we all just assume it will be someone who is a rim protector because that is what they NEED but after listening to Brian Wright press conference after the draft I can't make heads or tails of what the Spurs are actually trying to do .

I think it's greater than a 0% chance that Bismack Biyombo picks up his phone in a week and has 3 missed calls from the Spurs

Not at all interested in the Spurs taking a big with a second round pick they NEVER play any of their second round picks not named Tre Jones

[poopbox]

I hope our plan isn’t Biyombo. Great dude and all but he is not good, he only looked good for us in limited action last year because we are so deprived of what decent backup C play looks like that anything resembling it looks good to us. Maybe as an energy third string option… but if he is our backup C, then I promise we’re all going to be complaining about him in no time.

I’m a huge Santi fan, and he’s tall enough to play some backup big minutes but he’s really not a C. He’s more of just a very tall 3/4 (which is part of why I like him). He can play some spot C minutes, but IMO he shouldn’t be counted on to be our backup C. He’s less of a C than Mamu, IMO. Would be a great option as our starting 4 though.

Also a huge LaRavia fan, he’s a 3 capable of playing the 4. He would be useful here, but we have a lot of 3s who are capable of playing the 4 (including just drafting one). If LaRavia is coming, some other guys gotta go.

Capela is slightly washed, but I think he’d be an upgrade over Biyombo.

Loving all the moves Brian is making, so I’m not complaining… but I do hope there is a plan here because that glaring need at backup C is becoming a blinking red light.

Did you watch Wrights press conference after the draft? Cause I walked away from that feeling like the spurs don't see backup center as some pressing need. More than a 0% chance you about to get some more Bi in your Yambo

[RC_Drunkford]

can we get Clingan from Portland? They got 5 centers now

[Dejounte]

can we get Clingan from Portland? They got 5 centers now

I think they’re a team that actually wants to build big/ go for the twin towers approach

[spurraider21]

I think they’re a team that actually wants to build big/ go for the twin towers approach

neither yang or clingan are mobile enough to even try to play the 4

[benefactor]

I mean I don't even know what kind of big the spurs actually want

I think we all just assume it will be someone who is a rim protector because that is what they NEED but after listening to Brian Wright press conference after the draft I can't make heads or tails of what the Spurs are actually trying to do .

I think it's greater than a 0% chance that Bismack Biyombo picks up his phone in a week and has 3 missed calls from the Spurs

Not at all interested in the Spurs taking a big with a second round pick they NEVER play any of their second round picks not named Tre Jones

It's kind of hard to say who they will and won't play at this moment. This coaching staff has never coached this team. I'm wondering if this is part of the reason they are not doing a real big shake up just yet. The first half of next season is going to tell us a lot.

[Dejounte]

neither yang or clingan are mobile enough to even try to play the 4

yeah but maybe they dont care

[LeBowen]

Ayton is an expiring, I doubt they plan on keeping him.
Yang won't play much this season, Clingan will take over from Ayton.
Timelord is up for grabs, but I think he's done.

He played only 61 games over the past 3 years.
But then again, we managed to recover Collins, so who knows.
The issue is that he relied on his athleticism and now that's most likely gone.

[scott]

neither yang or clingan are mobile enough to even try to play the 4

Temu Jokic and Connecticut Arvydas Sabonis are about to start a revolution in the PacNW

[vy65]

So I like finding a way to get back to the top of the second round to take Raynaud. Then trade for Portis and agree to give him a $38M/2 extension with the second year being a team option. Trade Vassell and Barnes for MPJ. I also have them signing Trendon Watford, who is a forward with size who has shown some things but had a horrible year last year.

Fox, Castle, Wesley
Harper, Champagnie, Branham
Porter, Johnson, Minix
Sochan, Bryant, Watford
Wembanyama, Portis, Raynaud

They retain Branham and Wesley for further trades, but ideally one of them is replaced by a vet PG who gets bought out during the year. For two-way contracts, I'd want another center, preferably a defensive prospect with size in case of injuries. I'd also want another guard considering they have three expiring players there right now. They actually have pretty good wing and forward depth after this, so maybe doubling up on guards would be a good strategy. I have Castle coming off the bench because I hate him -- or rather because despite both him and Harper being thought of as non-shooters, Harper shoots the ball well enough off the catch. If you aren't trying to run him as your star creator, he can come in and get minutes already.

I think some would like to run Fox, Castle, Bryant, Portis, Wembanyama to really key in on defense and rebounding. Maybe that could work well enough. That second unit would be Harper, Champagnie, Johnson, Porter and Sochan, which while not hopeless seems awkward to build around replacing Champ for Raynaud makes the positions work better, but Max isn't really a defender as far as I have seen, so it might not be the best move in practice If they were to trade in for Fleming instead, the second-unit defense probably wouldn't be an issue. But Harper not having an offensive big to work with in those units might end up not helping his growth.

MIN has #31. You would think that with Gobert + Naz + Randle that they woudln't be in the market for another big (*Reynaud*). I'd love to spend several SRP to get #31 and take Reynaud but I honestly seriously doubt that that's even a remote possibility.

[LeBowen]

MIN has #31. You would think that with Gobert + Naz + Randle that they woudln't be in the market for another big (*Reynaud*). I'd love to spend several SRP to get #31 and take Reynaud but I honestly seriously doubt that that's even a remote possibility.

I don't see why not if Spurs rate him.
We need two bigs since Bassey and Biyombo are likely gone.

Raynaud or whoever else in the second round would be the third stringer.
We can't have just one big in games when Wemby sits.

I actually wouldn't mind getting one of overqualified backups with ~$20M a year salary because we don't want to overburden Wemby.
Claxton would be a great option, he'd enable us to keep playing at a high tempo when Wemby sits, we'd run most benches off the floor.

We get Raynaud or another young big to develop for a year or two and trade Claxton when he's up for an extension.

[scott]

This is pure copium... but depending on what conversations guys like Raynaud and Kalkbrenner have had with teams, they may be able to force their way to UDFA and sign with their preferred team. This is (rumored) essentially what Austin Reaves did. He told teams he wouldn't sign a two-way with them, so he just went to UDFA and signed a guaranteed deal with the Lakers.

Essentially at top the second round, every player picked is either 1) someone teams are willing to give a guaranteed deal to or 2) a guy who has agreed in advance to a two-way. In some ways, SRPs have more power to control their destiny. So if some of these guys are only being asked to take two-ways, they can say no and make it to UDFA.

[spurraider21]

MIN has #31. You would think that with Gobert + Naz + Randle that they woudln't be in the market for another big (*Reynaud*). I'd love to spend several SRP to get #31 and take Reynaud but I honestly seriously doubt that that's even a remote possibility.

they also just drafted Beringer