10 Random Thoughts

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

The Spurs will have to walk a very fine line between being conservative (signing Plumlee-like FAs or trading for Paul/Lowry type vet) and reckless (like Mavs trading for Porzingis) and this is more difficult than it appears to be but ultimately it is where you want to be. We know that they have a ready made plan for it all.

Also, we shouldn't disregard the notion that some teams will be very reluctant to deal with the Spurs unless it's an obvious overpay, which is something they may need to do in order to get some of their targets.

Personally, I'd hold onto the Atlanta picks for now, as their value could dramatically increase if they implode and trade Trae, which is a real possibility. But all of Toronto's, Charlotte's, Chicago's, any seconds are up for sale immediately if they could bring someone they really like. They'd also have a window to try keeping all of their picks with the idea to use them in the next major star trade, as they could offer something that usually teams don't have - picks that aren't their own's. Normally in superstar trades the team giving up the picks expect them to be in the 20s, so their perceived value isn't great, however, all of Toronto's, Chicago's and Atlanta's picks, ( even possibly Charlotte's if it conveys ) would likely be better.

Basically, we're in a really good and exciting place fellas. So lucky!

[kht]

Johnson is on a decent contract... can be moved to the bench... and gets along with the other young guys. Can't get into the habit of just shipping off guys.

[TD 21]

If you mean immediately to be right this second, then I agree.

While their potential foundation piece just got here, the pieces they have to put around him need new deals, and they have to make the choice about giving those out or finding replacements. They simply aren't going to be able to churn through roster spots with so many rotation slots taken up on guys they've invested in.

I meant more so in regards to Johnson. As I said, I'd be more open to a lesser trade that gets them a late 1st in this draft as opposed to trying to force a decision on the former now.

Agreed.

Sure, but also not sure? but between another top-10 pick, cap space and fliers on other guys, they'll have chances.

It does depend on how the Spurs see Branham, Wesley and the other rookies from last year progressing. If they think those guys are going to play solid minutes, the 2023 Spurs may not need to overreact to losing an undersized forward like Keldon.

Top 10 pick? I didn't see whatever proposal(s) you seem to be referencing.

Branham and Wesley aren't wings though. The only other young, notable wing they have besides Johnson is Vassell.

Again, I'm not saying Johnson is necessarily the long term answer at SF, but knee jerk trade him for some combo guard (Black, Wallace, Smith Jr., Bufkin, etc.) who's probably not the answer at PG and they're right back to having a gaping hole on the wing.

I disagree, especially on Bassey. They should make it their mission to never force Wemby to play the five this year, and those guys aren't going to keep him from doing that. They'll get beat out by perimeter players for minutes. They need to bump up the quality there to make it a position that deserves minutes, not one that has to be force fed minutes.

That's crazy. Wembanyama should absolutely play some C immediately, it should just be matchup dependent. If he didn't, there'd be no way to play Sochan the minutes he needs without having some awkward lineup that wouldn't have a chance to function offensively.

There's no reason Collins and Bassey can't be perfectly fine 2.5 and 4.5 on the big depth chart, especially for a re-building team.

[DAF86]

There's no reason Collins and Bassey can't be perfectly fine 2.5 and 4.5 on the big depth chart, especially for a re-building team.

Yeah, I don't get this fear of playing Wemby at his position.

Be real now, how many centers do we have in the league that play like actual centers? Jokic, Embiid, who else? In 90% of the games you can pair Wemby vs the other's team center just fine. Also, you don't want to take him too much out of the paint. The kid is probably the biggest shot altering force in the World and guys here want to have him standing around on the perimeter doing nothing? It makes no sense.

[Mr. Body]

There are definitely sets where the Spurs will play Wembanyama as the 5. That's essentially your perfect small ball lineup in the modern NBA. I mean, your center is freakin' 7'5", is incredibly rangy as a shotblocker, and can shoot threes. That's nuts.

He still needs someone to take the physical load in other matchups. You don't want Draymond Green trying to hurt him. You don't want him banging with Embiid or Zion too much, if Zion ever puts down the sticks of butter.

I do think it'll be Collins-Wemby as starters. You have a good, young center and then a near freebie at the PF slot. Building the lineup from there is the question, whether the SF is KJ or Sochan.

Btw, Tim Duncan supposedly won a large number of opening tips. Can you imagine how many opening tips Wembanyama is going to get?

[RC_Drunkford]

Yeah, I don't get this fear of playing Wemby at his position.

Be real now, how many centers do we have in the league that play like actual centers? Jokic, Embiid, who else? In 90% of the games you can pair Wemby vs the other's team center just fine. Also, you don't want to take him too much out of the paint. The kid is probably the biggest shot altering force in the World and guys here want to have him standing around on the perimeter doing nothing? It makes no sense.

Wembanyama can actually guard the perimeter and the rim at the same time. He can easily just take two steps from the 3-point line and block a shot at the rim

[DAF86]

Wembanyama can actually guard the perimeter and the rim at the same time. He can easily just take two steps from the 3-point line and block a shot at the rim

Yeah, but starting from inside out, not the other way around. The more time close to the basket Wemby spends, the better. On both sides.