The San Antonio Spurs finished the 2023-2024 season with a 22-60 record, but there was a bright spot: Victor Wembanyama was the unanimous Rookie of the Year. As they head into the offseason, the Spurs hold the No. 4 and No. 8 overall picks in what is considered one of the weaker draft classes in recent years.
Instead of selecting prospects, the Spurs have a unique opportunity to accelerate their rebuild by trading these picks for a young star available on the market. Pairing such a star with Wembanyama could create a formidable duo and hasten the team’s return to contention. In this article, we analyze five stars the Spurs could target using these picks to jumpstart their journey back to the top.
1. Trae Young Is The Perfect Partner
San Antonio Spurs receive: Trae Young
Atlanta Hawks receive: Keldon Johnson, Devonte’ Graham, 2024 No. 4 draft pick, 2024 No. 8 draft pick
The Atlanta Hawks concluded the 2023-2024 season 10th in the Eastern Conference and secured the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft. With their eyes on a full-scale rebuild, acquiring two additional lottery picks could set them on the path to rejuvenation. By trading Trae Young, followed by potential moves involving Dejounte Murray and Clint Capela, the Hawks can start anew with a young, dynamic core.
For the Spurs, acquiring Trae Young would be a game-changer. Young averaged 25.7 points, 10.8 assists, and 2.8 rebounds in 54 games this season, showcasing his ability to be a dominant playmaker and scorer. Pairing him with Victor Wembanyama, who posted impressive rookie stats with 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in 71 games, creates a formidable duo capable of leading San Antonio back to playoff contention.
Young’s offensive prowess and Wembanyama’s versatility and defensive presence complement each other perfectly. Young’s playmaking will enhance Wembanyama’s scoring opportunities, while Wembanyama’s ability to stretch the floor and protect the rim will give Young more space to operate. This pairing could transform the Spurs into a competitive team in the 2025 playoffs, as they would possess a blend of youthful energy and star power.
Rumors have circulated throughout the season about Young’s potential departure from Atlanta, fueled by the team’s struggles and internal issues. A fresh start in San Antonio could reignite Young’s career and place the Spurs on a fast track to success, making this trade an attractive proposition for both teams.
2. Donovan Mitchell Would Dominate In The West Again
San Antonio Spurs receive: Donovan Mitchell
Cleveland Cavaliers receive: Keldon Johnson, Devonte’ Graham, 2024 No. 4 draft pick, 2024 No. 8 draft pick
The Cleveland Cavaliers have had a tumultuous season, finishing 8th in the Eastern Conference and currently trailing 3-1 in their Eastern Conference Semifinals series against the Boston Celtics. Despite Donovan Mitchell’s stellar performance, including a 33-point game in his latest game after being out for Game 5, the Cavaliers face the possibility of another disappointing playoff exit.
Mitchell, who averaged 26.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 6.1 assists this season, is under contract through the 2024-25 season but has a player option for 2025-26, which he is likely to decline. This makes the upcoming offseason a critical juncture for Cleveland, as they risk losing him for nothing if they cannot secure his long-term commitment. The Cavs are considering trading Mitchell to avoid such a scenario and to acquire valuable assets in return.
For the Spurs, trading for Donovan Mitchell would be a significant move. Mitchell’s scoring ability and experience would provide a perfect complement to Victor Wembanyama’s versatility and defensive prowess. With Wembanyama already making waves as the unanimous Rookie of the Year, adding Mitchell to the mix could transform San Antonio into a formidable playoff contender.
The fit between Mitchell and Wembanyama would be synergistic. Mitchell’s ability to penetrate and create plays would benefit from Wembanyama’s floor-spacing and rim protection. Conversely, Wembanyama would find ample scoring opportunities from Mitchell’s playmaking. This duo could potentially lead the Spurs back into playoff prominence as soon as the 2025 season.
3. LaMelo Ball Can Energize The Spurs’ Backcourt
San Antonio Spurs receive: LaMelo Ball
Charlotte Hornets receive: Keldon Johnson, Tre Jones, Justin Champagnie, 2024 No. 4 draft pick, 2024 No. 8 draft pick
The Charlotte Hornets have faced a challenging season, finishing with a 21-61 record, the third-worst in the Eastern Conference. LaMelo Ball, despite his talent, has struggled with injuries throughout his young career, limiting him to just 22 games this season. He averaged 23.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per game but hasn’t played since January due to recurring ankle issues that required surgery.
With the No. 6 overall pick in the upcoming draft and promising young talent like Brandon Miller, the Hornets are considering a rebuild. Trading Ball, who is entering the first year of a five-year max contract, could provide Charlotte with valuable assets to construct a more balanced and healthy roster. Moving Ball would allow the Hornets to accumulate additional lottery picks and young players, positioning them to build around Miller and their new draft acquisitions.
For the Spurs, acquiring LaMelo Ball would be a bold move to pair with Victor Wembanyama. Ball’s dynamic playmaking and scoring ability would complement Wembanyama’s versatile skill set, creating a formidable duo. Ball’s ability to push the tempo and facilitate the offense aligns perfectly with Wembanyama’s athleticism and court presence.
Acquiring LaMelo Ball, despite his injury history, could significantly accelerate the Spurs’ rebuild. His playmaking and scoring would be a perfect match with Wembanyama, potentially making San Antonio a playoff contender in the near future. This trade could rejuvenate both franchises, giving the Hornets a fresh start and the Spurs a dynamic backcourt duo to lead their resurgence.
In exchange for Ball, the Spurs would send Keldon Johnson, Tre Jones, Justin Champagnie, and their No. 4 and No. 8 draft picks. This package offers Charlotte a blend of young talent and high draft picks, providing flexibility to further enhance their roster and build a competitive team around Miller and their other young prospects.
4. Lauri Markkanen Is A Versatile Fit For The Spurs
San Antonio Spurs receive: Lauri Markkanen
Utah Jazz receive: Keldon Johnson, Jeremy Sochan, 2024 No. 4 draft pick, 2024 No. 8 draft pick
The Utah Jazz concluded the 2023-2024 season with a 31-51 record, landing the 10th overall pick in the upcoming draft. Despite a challenging season marked by injuries and inconsistent performance, Lauri Markkanen has continued to shine as the team’s centerpiece. He averaged 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists over 55 games, showcasing his scoring ability and versatility. However, with the Jazz’s ongoing rebuild and Markkanen’s value at an all-time high, trade discussions have become increasingly prevalent.
For the Spurs, acquiring Lauri Markkanen represents a strategic move to pair him with Victor Wembanyama. Markkanen’s ability to stretch the floor with his shooting and his versatility in playing both forward positions complements Wembanyama’s skill set. Markkanen’s shooting (48% from the field, 39.9% from three) adds a critical dimension to the Spurs’ offense, creating space for Wembanyama to operate inside and outside the paint.
Markkanen’s fit with Wembanyama would be exceptional due to their complementary skills. Markkanen’s shooting and ability to play off the ball would allow Wembanyama to handle the ball more and exploit mismatches. Defensively, both players offer length and versatility, making the Spurs a tougher team to score against.
The Spurs would send Keldon Johnson, Jeremy Sochan, and their 2024 No. 4 and No. 8 draft picks to Utah. Johnson, who averaged 20.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.9 assists this season, and Sochan, with 10.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists, provide young, dynamic talent to the Jazz’s roster for an all-out rebuild with three lottery picks this year.
Acquiring Lauri Markkanen could significantly enhance the Spurs’ roster, providing a perfect pairing for Wembanyama and pushing San Antonio towards playoff contention. For Utah, this trade accelerates their rebuild, giving them high-value draft picks and promising young talent to build around.
5. Tyler Herro Adds Scoring Punch To The Spurs
San Antonio Spurs receive: Tyler Herro
Miami Heat receive: Keldon Johnson, Devonte’ Graham, 2024 No. 4 draft pick, 2024 No. 8 draft pick
The Miami Heat’s season ended in disappointment, with a first-round playoff exit against the Boston Celtics. Jimmy Butler’s MCL sprain and the team’s struggles without him highlighted the need for changes. The Heat, who finished with a 46-36 record, are now facing critical decisions regarding their future. Tyler Herro, who averaged 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in 42 games, has been the subject of trade discussions due to his inconsistency and injury issues.
Herro’s $120 million contract extension has not lived up to expectations, and his performance, particularly in the playoffs, has been underwhelming. The Heat could benefit from trading Herro and acquiring two high lottery picks (No. 4 and No. 8) to accelerate their rebuild. This draft class is considered weaker than previous years, lacking clear star power and depth, which diminishes the value of these picks compared to other years.
By acquiring these picks, Miami could build around younger talents like Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Nikola Jovic, alongside Bam Adebayo. This would also provide the flexibility to explore trading Jimmy Butler if a maximum contract extension cannot be agreed upon, potentially netting additional valuable assets and fully committing to a youth movement.
For the Spurs, acquiring Tyler Herro would add a proven scorer and playmaker to their roster. Herro’s ability to create his own shot and his playmaking skills would complement Victor Wembanyama’s versatile game. Herro’s presence on the perimeter would give Wembanyama more space to operate inside, and his experience could help guide the young Spurs team toward competitiveness in the playoffs.
This trade would provide mutual benefits: the Heat gain high-value draft picks and young talent to rebuild around, while the Spurs acquire a dynamic guard to pair with Wembanyama, pushing them towards playoff contention. This strategic move addresses the needs of both teams, given the current draft class’s limited upside and each team’s respective goals.
