The San Antonio Spurs boast one of the most talented guard rotations in the league. With a newly signed All-Star in De’Aaron Fox and the No. 2 overall pick Dylan Harper, the Spurs’ rotation also includes ROTY Stephon Castle and a talented scorer in Devin Vassell.
Considering the depth of San Antonio’s guard rotation, Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley floated the idea that the Spurs could leverage two young players in a trade to acquire Bam Adebayo. He justified this by writing:
“The loss of Castle would sting in the moment, but it seems inevitable that one of him, Fox or Dylan Harper, will have to go. And since San Antonio just drafted Harper second overall and gave Fox a max extension this offseason, Castle looks like the odd man out. What do you say, Spurs fans?”
Proposed Trade Details
San Antonio Spurs Receive: Bam Adebayo
Miami Heat Receive: Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, 2028 first-round pick (via SAS or BOS), 2030 first-round pick (via SAS, DAL, or MIN)
A trade of this nature would be feasible, given San Antonio’s depth of draft and player assets. But there are some questions about how this would benefit either team in the long run.
For the Heat, parting ways with Adebayo would be a significant shift from their current timeline. Given that the franchise is currently led by the star big man, along with Tyler Herro, trading him would imply placing Herro as the sole franchise player, with Castle coming on board to support him.
The addition of Castle and Vassell could be viewed positively, all the same. The 20-year-old had a terrific rookie season. With an average of 14.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game, the guard showcased his ability to orchestrate the offense, even acting as a secondary facilitator.
Castle’s athleticism blends well with his offensive versatility. This would make him a solid running mate for Herro and a legitimate scoring threat as well.
Vassell has also positioned himself as a capable scoring force. Vassell saw a reduced role with the Spurs last season. Still, he was impressive, as he recorded an average of 16.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.9 assists, while shooting 44.3% from the field and 36.8% from three-point range.
In Miami’s lineup, the 25-year-old would find himself in the bench rotation, considering Norman Powell moves to the small forward position. Off the bench, Vassell could have value as a scoring option against second-unit defenses.
Apart from the player assets, Miami would mostly benefit from the two first-round picks to build up its draft pick reserves. However, the overall roster would see a massive downgrade without Adebayo’s defensive and rebounding prowess.
The star big man’s departure could signal an opportunity for Kel’el Ware and Nikola Jovic to embrace a more significant role. But this would also result in the team’s championship timeline being set back.
It is evident that this trade primarily caters to the Spurs, who would largely benefit from the pairing of Victor Wembanyama and Bam Adebayo in the frontcourt. With two defensive stalwarts anchoring the defense, the Spurs would instantly become title contenders.
Adebayo is an incredibly versatile player. While boasting tremendous two-way upside, he is also a capable offensive contributor. Last season, he recorded an average of 18.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, successfully supporting Miami’s efforts on both ends of the floor.
The potential for San Antonio with Adebayo on the team is limitless. However, losing two solid backcourt players may force the Spurs to rely heavily on Fox and Harper during the regular season, increasing the potential risk for injury.
The Spurs would theoretically stand to gain a lot more from this trade than the Heat. But overall, it is highly unlikely that this trade would go through.
The Spurs Are Committed To Their Core
The San Antonio Spurs are extremely committed to growing with their core. With some incredibly talented players on their roster, San Antonio has all the pieces needed to compete. It is simply a matter of time before they enter the title picture.
In this regard, the players have also shown a commitment to the franchise. With Wembanyama highlighting the need to retain their core rather than trading for a superstar, and even Harper showing an inclination to embrace a bench role early on, the Spurs’ players have bought into the project.
While the team does need to address some minor positional deficiencies at this stage, it is highly unlikely that the organization will make any drastic moves to shake up its core.
