The San Antonio Spurs are in a position to be one of the scariest teams in the NBA for the foreseeable future. Victor Wembanyama made his maiden All-Star appearance this season and is also a shoo-in to win Defensive Player of the Year and make an All-NBA team. They’ve added De’Aaron Fox to be the point guard of the future in the winter, with the team poised to compete for years.
The team is 23-29 this season, the 12th seed in the West right now. While they could make a Playoff push, it seems they will struggle to find the continuity needed to succeed in a cutthroat West. There is also a fit issue with Chris Paul and Fox right now, which might not be resolved midseason. If the team does end up missing the Playoffs, they could move towards making a blockbuster summer move.
If Kevin Durant is expected to be moved by the Phoenix Suns, the Spurs would be a great destination.
Trade Details
San Antonio Spurs Receive: Kevin Durant
Phoenix Suns Receive: Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, Malaki Branham, 2025 First-Round Pick (SAS/ATL), 2027 First-Round Pick (ATL), 2029 First-Round Pick (SAS)
This deal gets the Suns three rotational players along with three first-round picks, including one lottery pick in the stacked 2025 Draft. While it doesn’t replenish the assets they sent out to land him, it does bring back two high-quality picks and one potentially valuable Spurs pick in 2029, potentially after Durant has retired.
Spurs Kickstart A Championship Era
The Spurs are already looking well-placed for next season with the Fox-Wembanyama duo getting an offseason to gel together. If they want to make any major additions to their core, they have to do it in the offseason and ensure they have continuity throughout training camp. Considering Durant is widely expected to be traded in the summer, the Suns could land a great return before the 2025 NBA Draft.
Durant is averaging 27.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists this season. He’s still an elite scorer while aging very well defensively. He’s likely going to make an All-NBA team even if the Suns miss the Playoffs, that’s how well he’s played this season. Surprisingly, Phoenix wants to move on from him, so this return of three players and three picks is fair for the Spurs to send out given the quality of players they’re getting.
The Spurs can run out a dynamic starting five with Fox, Stephon Castle, Kevin Durant, Jeremy Sochan, and Victor Wembanyama. While Fox and Durant have contract extensions in line for 2026, Castle and Sochan will be cost-controlled until then, giving the Spurs a window to compete at their absolute maximum before Durant begins regressing due to age.
The Suns Get Required Assets To Rebuild
Trading Durant is admitting defeat of their current era, with the acquisition of the former MVP headlined by new owner Mat Ishbia. But Durant might be the only way to get sizeable assets in return, especially if Devin Booker is expected to stay a one-team man. This deal brings them back three quality rotational players who’d fit instantly into their playing rotation and make them competitive.
Devin Vassell is averaging 15.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists this season. He’s an excellent 3-and-D forward who plays well both on and off the ball. He would be a great partner for Booker with his shooting ability. Keldon Johnson is averaging 11.5 points and 4.5 rebounds and would be a great multi-positional forward to add hustle and defense to the Suns.
Malaki Branham is averaging 4.4 points, likely finding a role for himself in the Suns’ rotation next season as their third guard. Their roster will likely be turned over in the summer, so it’s hard to imagine how these pieces would fit long-term.
The real prize is the likely lottery picks in the 2025 Draft, the favorable pick between the Spurs and Hawks, both presumed late-lottery teams. If Phoenix lands a top-10 pick, it might allow them to re-tool around Booker by adding a potential cost-controlled star to last beyond the Bradley Beal contract.
A Deal Phoenix Can’t Refuse
There is a clear issue Phoenix will run into if they try shopping Durant on the open market. The Luka Doncic trade has set an unfavorable expectation of what star player’s value is, especially when they’re a year away from free agency. Durant already has had public drama with the Suns with his recent trade rumors, so teams won’t be willing to pay a high price for him.
Getting three picks, with one being in the 2025 Draft lottery, is a massive return for the Suns. The players they’re getting are also great, with one potential star in the mix with Vassell. It sets the Suns up for a new chapter in their franchise, something most teams might not be able to offer them.
Wembanyama, Fox, and Durant might be an unstoppable trio. Durant’s age puts a clock on how quickly they have to achieve, but a prime Wemby and Fox might put them over the edge with Durant’s silky scoring ability.
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