7 Veteran trade candidates worth Spurs acquiring for multiple draft picks
The San Antonio Spurs had a bit more lottery luck. They moved up to fourth and watched the Raptors tumble to eighth, which forces them to convey their pick to San Antonio from the Jakob Poeltl trade. The Spurs have two top-eight selections, which will help them put talent around Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama.
Wemby is special. He wants to win immediately but needs help. The Spurs have some young talent, but the pieces currently do not fit. San Antonio may look to make a trade to accelerate their timeline, and it could involve their 2024 draft capital.
There is a ton of uncertainty in this draft class. Standouts will emerge, but there is little consensus at the top and even more questions down the board. Could that open the door for the Spurs to make a blockbuster move? These veterans are worth giving up multiple draft picks to land.
7. Anfernee Simons
The Blazers have a surprisingly expensive roster for a rebuilding team. They are just $9 million under the first tax apron with one open roster spot. Portland will likely make changes in hopes of building a more cohesive rotation, which could put Simons on the move.
The 24-year-old averaged 22.6 points, 5.5 assists, and 3.6 rebounds in 34.4 minutes per game in 2024. He is a career 38.6 percent 3-point shooter and an absolute bucket. San Antonio needs more playmaking and offensive punch.
Simons has two years left on his deal, but the Blazers cannot play Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, and Simons in the backcourt. They need more size and defense. Simons is the only one not on his rookie deal, which could put him on the trade block.
The Spurs would love to add a young 20-point-per-game scorer with room to grow. Victor Wembanyama could hide Simons’ defensive shortcomings, and San Antonio should be willing to give up multiple picks to land the talented 6’3 guard. He is not the only one worth targeting.
6. Josh Giddey
The Thunder have a decision to make on Giddey before the start of the 2024-25 season. He is extension-eligible, and OKC’s roster will get significantly more expensive as their young talent transitions off their rookie contracts. The 6’8 guard is the first of those, but his questionable fit and lack of shooting could have the Thunder exploring his trade market.
In his second NBA season, Giddey averaged 16.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 0.8 steals in 31.1 minutes. He needs the ball in his hands to be at his best, which won’t happen in Oklahoma City. Giddey gets that chance in San Antonio where he would create open looks for Wembanyama and the Spurs.
His lack of shooting could be an issue. The Spurs shot 34.7 percent from 3-point range this season, which ranked 28th in the NBA. Jeremy Sochan and Wemby made under 33 percent from long range. Giddey’s ability to create shots and get their offense rolling may outweigh his shooting, but it would be something to consider when building out their roster.
Josh Giddey is entering his fourth NBA season. He is a veteran, despite being just 21 years old. The Spurs would love to add a young talent at the point on the same timeline as Wembanyama. San Antonio should be willing to give up multiple picks if Josh Giddey is eager to play for Gregg Popovich in the Alamo.
5. Dejounte Murray
Spurs fans know what Murray can do. They drafted him at 29th overall in 2016 and helped him blossom into an All-Star. Murray averaged 21.1 points, 9.2 assists, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game in 2022. San Antonio traded him to the Hawks for three first-round picks plus a swap just after his All-Star campaign, but things did not go as planned in Atlanta.
The fit next to Trae Young was never perfect. Atlanta was bounced in the first round of the playoffs last year and never made it out of the Play-In Tournament in 2024. Murray has averaged over 20 points per game and improved his shooting, but never feels optimized on the Hawks.
Atlanta explored his market before the trade deadline and is expected to shop him again after winning the draft lottery. The Hawks cannot run it back with Murray and Young. If Atlanta decides to rebuild, trading Murray back to San Antonio to recoup their drat capital is the Hawks’ best bet.
The San Antonio Spurs should be willing to give them multiple picks to get Dejounte Murray. They desperately need a standout point guard, and the 27-year-old is in his prime. San Antonio would quickly vault up the standings, and Murray could help Victor Wembanyama take his game to the next level.
4. Brandon Ingram
The trade winds are swirling in New Orleans, and Ingram could be moved (subscription required) this summer. The Pelicans do not want to give him a max contract, and he is entering his final year before free agency. Now is the time to trade the All-Star forward to maximize his value.
Ingram is an elite scorer who is just entering his prime. The 6’8 forward averaged 20.8 points, 5.7 assists, 5.1 rebounds, and 0.8 steals in 32.9 minutes per game as he shot 49.2 percent from the field. Ingram is a plus-shooter and creator. He would give the Spurs a significant boost after finishing 26th in offensive rating.
There are defensive questions, and Ingram has never advanced beyond the first round of the playoffs. He has all the talent, but putting it together to lead a winner has not happened yet. It would give San Antonio size and scoring next to Wemby, but the Spurs would still need a point guard.
It would cost multiple draft picks to trade for Brandon Ingram. He is best suited as the third or fourth-best player on a contender. San Antonio has their number one but would need another star to maximize this fit. BI likely finds a new home this summer. The Spurs seem unlikely, but stranger things have happened.
3. Trae Young
The three-time All-Star has been linked to the Spurs since his name began popping up in trade rumors. ESPN’s Tim MacMahon made it clear that Wembanyama is intrigued by the idea of adding Young on the Hoop Collective podcast. The Hawks just won the lottery and have the number one pick. They will get a building block and are ready to explore trading Murray and Young.
Ice Trae is one of the best creators in the NBA. He averaged 25.7 points, 10.8 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.3 steals in 36.0 minutes per game last season. Young will find open teammates and should boost any offense, but can his team make up for his defensive issues?
The Spurs are in a unique position with the best defender in the world. Wemby will protect the rim, rebound, and clean up a ton of mistakes. Playing in San Antonio gives both stars a chance to maximize their games. Young will get Wembanyama open looks as the big man shuts off ball-handlers who go passed the undersized guard.
The Spurs would have to part with multiple draft picks and young talent to get Trae Young. Building a contender around him won’t be easy, but San Antonio is the best bet of any franchise to accomplish it.
2. Lauri Markkanen
The Spurs should focus on maximizing their roster around Victor Wembanyama. What pieces fit best? Who gives them the best chance of contending? Aside from a star point guard, floor spacing, versatility, and offensive firepower should be atop their wish list. Getting a stretch four capable of scoring 20 every night could help them quickly vault into contention.
The Jazz appear stuck in the middle. They have missed the playoffs two straight years, but are not picking at the top of the lottery. Lauri Markkanen has been mentioned in trade rumors and a crucial decision awaits. He has just one year left on his contract and is unlikely to sign an extension because he can get significantly more money if he waits for free agency.
If Utah decides to move on, the Spurs should be ready with a massive offer. The 26-year-old just averaged 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 0.9 steals in 33.1 minutes per game. He is in his prime and has shot over 39 percent from 3-point range since joining the Jazz. The Spurs would still need a playmaker, but Markkanen would solve their scoring woes and give San Antonio a dominant frontcourt.
It would cost multiple draft picks, but the Spurs should explore a trade. Lauri Markkanen gives them size and rebounding to go with his offensive punch. It could make San Antonio a contender, but he is not the best player available.
1. Donovan Mitchell
The Cavaliers will offer Mitchell an extension this summer, which will determine his future. If he declines, Cleveland must explore his trade market. Mitchell has one year plus a player option remaining on his contract. He wants a max deal, but may not accept it from the Cavaliers.
Mitchell is an elite scorer and shot creator, who raises his game in the playoffs. There is no stopping him. Teams just try to contain the 6’3 guard. The 27-year-old is in his prime and would bring the best out of Victor Wembanyama.
The Spurs can only trade for Donovan Mitchell if they know he is part of their long-term future. It will take a max extension, multiple draft picks, and young talent. It is the price to land a star, and one San Antonio would be happy to pay if they get all of Mitchell’s prime.
The San Antonio Spurs are in an envious position. They have a budding superstar in Wemby, and the draft capital to add significant talent. Do they trade picks four and eight in the 2024 draft to land a star? Is San Antonio willing to deal future selections? Expect the Spurs front office to be aggressive as they attempt to build a contender around the French big man, and stay tuned to see who they land.
