When it comes to the San Antonio Spurs, there's one superlative that describes the team perfectly: potential.
Sure, San Antonio signed Chris Paul, who will certainly raise the team's floor heading into Year 2 of the Victor Wembanyama era, but the “Point God” running the show doesn't mean the the Spurs are not locks to make it to the playoffs. Paul is simply a means to help the Spurs grow, especially 2024 fourth-overall pick Stephon Castle. The Spurs remain firmly out of the championship discussion in the Western Conference.
However, the goal heading into the future with Wemby is to build a title contender, similar to what they did with Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili.
The Spurs are in an intriguing spot as a franchise because while some are fine waiting around for the young talent on this roster to develop, the fans want the team to add threats around Wembanyama right now. It is very unlike the Spurs to miss the playoffs for five consecutive seasons, which is why it is time to get back to their roots. Winning is apart of the San Antonio culture. This is what the city was used to with Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili, which is why the Spurs have the chance to do the same with Wembanyama and Co.
Fortunately, there is a player being mentioned in trade rumors who the Spurs could trade for that would instantly raise their floor even higher than bringing in Paul. After loading up on assets through various trades, San Antonio just so happens to have enough assets to bring Lauri Markkanen to town.
Should the Spurs go all-in on the rebound-grabbing, three-point shooting power forward to build a team that's bigger than any other squad in the league other than the Minnesota Timberwolves? The idea of Wembanyama and Markkanen spreading the court and feeding the ball to one another is simply a dream for Spurs fans right now. As the offseason progresses, this dream could potentially become their reality, especially if the Spurs are willing to move Keldon Johnson, as he could be the key to getting a deal done with the Utah Jazz.
The San Antonio Spurs heard calls about Keldon Johnson this spring
Outside of Wemby, the Spurs have two very good wings that are widely appreciated by basketball fans and front offices around the NBA. Johnson, as well as Devin Vassell, are two players that the Jazz could take interest in should the Spurs look to pursue Markkanen in trade talks.
Johnson and Vassell are two recent first-round picks by the Spurs. Whereas Johnson was taken 29th out of Kentucky in 2019, Vassell was the 11th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft out of Florida State. This duo has been a bright spot for some pretty bad Spurs teams, and the development of both players allowed the organization to trade both Dejounte Murray and Derrick White for future assets. Due to Johnson moving to the bench and not necessarily fitting in the best next to Wembanyama, many began to wonder if he was on the clock in San Antonio.
Before the 2024 NBA Draft, ClutchPoints' own Brett Siegel reported that the Spurs were going to be hearing offers for Johnson and their draft picks. Ultimately, the Spurs did make some moves on draft night, but Johnson remains on their roster for now.
“Coming out of the NBA Draft Combine, the talk around the league is that the Spurs will be open for business with both of their draft picks. In addition to the team being open to discussing trade ideas with both the fourth and eighth overall picks, the Spurs will be willing to hear offers involving Keldon Johnson,” Siegel wrote. “However, the Spurs still view Johnson as a key building block next to Wembanyama, and have given teams no indication that he is currently on the trade block.”
While some of the teams looking to trade for Johnson might have found fits they like better in the draft, it's safe to say there are at least a few teams that would be willing to pay up for a versatile 24-year-old wing who is in Year 2 of a four-year, $74 million contract. The Jazz could be a team interested in his services, especially if they were to move on from Markkanen.
Spurs must keep Vassell in a Lauri Markkanen trade
So, what should the Spurs offer in a trade to the Jazz in order to potentially land Markkanen?
Considering it's been widely reported that Danny Ainge and the Jazz front office would like a package similar to what the Brooklyn Nets got for Mikal Bridges, the price for Markkanen should probably start at three or four first-round picks, Johnson, and any other minor maneuvers needed to get the deal agreed to from a financial perspective.
If Utah wants an extra draft pick, San Antonio has options they can offer in the form of second-round picks or first-round swaps.
The one player the Spurs shouldn't trade is Vassell, as he's quite possibly the only other player on the roster right now, excluding Wemby, who could remain a major contributor for the team once they become really good. If Vassell is the make-or-break player the Jazz want to acquire, then frankly, San Antonio should simply retain their assets and keep building for the future.
There is simply no reason to play anything but the long game at this point since the Spurs have Wembanyama, who is only 20 years old.
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