The San Antonio Spurs are in an interesting spot with their roster following a play-in tournament appearance. San Antonio has been building up a young roster, but it may be time to speed it up.
Dejounte Murray emerged as a star this season with his all-around game. Murray averaged a career-high in points (21.1), rebounds (8.3), assists (9.2), and led the league in steals (2.0). He shot 46.2 percent from the field and 32.7 percent from behind the arc.
Murray earned his first All-Star nod in his breakout campaign.
The Spurs have been linked to Chicago Bulls star Zach LaVine in free agency, making it seem like they are ready to compete. They can be aggressive via trades to become a playoff contender in the Western Conference.
Holding the 9th overall pick in the draft gives them flexibility to pull off a solid trade. The Spurs could target an established player on the trading block.
With that said, here are the three best Spurs trades using the number nine overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Spurs Trades Using #9 in 2022 NBA Draft
3. Pacers receive: Jakob Poeltl, Romeo Langford, and the 9th overall pick
Spurs receive: Myles Turner
The Spurs seem ready to compete, and making an upgrade in the middle could be the way to go. While Jakob Poeltl had a great season, they could improve at their starting center spot, especially offensively.
Myles Turner is a center that could be traded if the Pacers get the right package. It is not a necessity for Indiana to move on from him after trading away Domantas Sabonis at the deadline.
However, getting Poeltl, who had a breakout campaign along with a young player in Romeo Langford, and the 9th overall pick is enticing. Turner would be a solid fit as a defensive monster in the middle while providing floor spacing as a big man.
He averaged 12.9 points and 7.1 rebounds per game while shooting 50.9 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from three. Turner protected the rim at an elite rate with 2.8 blocks per game. This trade would be beneficial to improving San Antonio's interior defense.
2. Pistons receive: Josh Richardson, Josh Primo, and the 9th overall pick
Spurs receive: Jerami Grant
Another route the Spurs could take is acquiring forward Jerami Grant from the Detroit Pistons. It's no secret that Grant has been in trade talks, as Detroit is focusing on their rebuild.
San Antonio could put a package of Josh Richardson, who has an expiring contract, Josh Primo, who is a young player, and the 9th overall pick to allow the Pistons to select another young piece for their roster.
Grant would be a solid player for the Spurs to add as a good defender and scorer. This season, he averaged 19.2 points and 4.1 rebounds while shooting 42.6 percent from the field and 35.8 percent from downtown.
Getting an established player like Grant would help San Antonio become a playoff team next season.
1. Hawks receive: Josh Richardson, Jakob Poeltl, and the 9th overall pick
Spurs receive: John Collins
One of the hottest names in trade talks has been Atlanta Hawks' power forward, John Collins. The Hawks are looking to build a new roster around Trae Young, with Collins being a potential trade chip.
A deal like this would give them a solid three-and-D wing along with an improving center and a high draft pick.
For the Spurs, they get a power forward that can score at all three levels, improving their offense. This season, Collins averaged 16.2 points and 7.8 rebounds. He shot 52.6 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from three.
Collins would be an excellent fit alongside Spurs' star guard Murray.
San Antonio has a ton of decisions to make this offseason. If they decide to contend for a playoff spot, one of these trades will help.
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