The San Antonio Spurs find themselves in an enviable position. With Victor Wembanyama now firmly established as the cornerstone and fresh off being named Rookie of the Year, the franchise possesses a treasure trove of assets – including two lottery picks (No. 2 and No. 14) in the upcoming 2025 NBA draft, plus a healthy stash of future first-rounders. This capital presents a fascinating dilemma: continue the deliberate, “brick-by-brick” rebuild that landed them Wembanyama, or leverage these assets to fast-track their return to contention by trading for an established star?
For six seasons, the Spurs have been outside the playoff picture, a relative eternity for a franchise built on sustained excellence. Now, with Wembanyama entering his third year and promising young guard Stephon Castle heading into his second, the timeline naturally feels like it could be accelerated. The whispers around the league are audible: San Antonio has the pieces to make a splash. But history, and their recent strategy, suggest caution may still win the day.
The Allure of the Superstar Swap
When teams with significant assets eye the trade market, particularly around draft time, the biggest names inevitably surface in speculation. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant, two future Hall of Famers, are names that conjure immediate dreams of a Wembanyama-led super team. Imagine the sheer defensive and offensive force! However, as intriguing as these hypotheticals are, reality often requires a colder calculation.
Acquiring a player of Giannis`s caliber would require a massive haul, likely stripping the Spurs of not just the No. 2 pick but a significant portion of their carefully accumulated future draft capital and promising young players. Discussions haven`t reportedly advanced beyond hypothetical scenarios, suggesting Milwaukee isn`t actively looking to move their superstar. And honestly, completely gutting the roster to acquire one player, even one as dominant as Giannis, might contradict the very philosophy that built this asset base: sustainability.
Kevin Durant presents a slightly more realistic, albeit still complex, target. While his offensive prowess remains elite, his age (he`ll be 36 by next season`s opener) and expiring contract introduce significant risk. Giving up valuable assets – potentially the No. 14 pick, Devin Vassell (a key component for spacing), or Keldon Johnson and Harrison Barnes – for potentially just one year of Durant feels like a gamble San Antonio might be hesitant to take. Yes, Wembanyama openly admires Durant and wants to learn from him (who wouldn`t?), and his championship experience and legendary work ethic could undoubtedly benefit the young Spurs. As Coach Popovich himself once noted about Durant, “The way he works on his game is more impressive [than his talent].” But integrating an aging, ball-dominant superstar could potentially disrupt the organic development of the young core, including Wemby and Castle, which appears to be the franchise`s priority.
Sources suggest the Spurs are unlikely to part with the No. 2 pick in any deal for either of these stars. This single fact speaks volumes about their perceived value of adding another top-tier young talent via the draft compared to the immediate, but potentially short-lived, boost from a superstar trade.
Patience, Pragmatism, and the No. 2 Pick
All signs point to the San Antonio Spurs leaning into patience. The No. 2 pick is widely expected to be used on Dylan Harper, a highly-rated guard who would join Wembanyama and Castle in forming a formidable young core. The fit alongside existing guards like Fox and Castle is a puzzle, but one the team seems willing to solve. Adding Harper on a cost-controlled rookie contract provides valuable financial flexibility and aligns perfectly with the “build it brick by brick” mantra. It`s less flashy than a superstar trade, certainly, but arguably far more sensible for a team still years away from its peak.
This doesn`t mean the Spurs will be dormant. While the No. 2 pick seems sacred in superstar trade talks, the No. 14 pick and their other assets are very much in play. This is where the pragmatic approach shines. Instead of swinging for the fences on an aging superstar, the Spurs could target a player who perfectly complements Wembanyama and the young guards without demanding the keys to the franchise or mortgaging the distant future.
A trade for a player like Cam Johnson of the Brooklyn Nets emerges as a far more realistic and strategically sound option. Johnson is a proven floor spacer (a consistent 39% three-point shooter) and could slot in perfectly as a stretch four alongside Wembanyama, addressing a key team need. Critically, acquiring Johnson wouldn`t require giving up the No. 2 pick or the most valuable future assets, like the unprotected 2027 pick from Atlanta. It would mean parting with players like Malaki Branham and Keldon Johnson, plus the No. 14 pick and perhaps a future protected first, but it`s a manageable cost that improves the roster immediately while preserving the core and the flexibility for *future* major moves down the line, when Wembanyama is closer to his prime.
Such a move allows the Spurs to address roster deficiencies – adding shooting and forward depth – without sacrificing the cornerstone of their rebuilding plan: adding elite young talent through the draft, headlined by Dylan Harper at No. 2.
Beyond the Lottery
The Spurs` needs extend beyond adding a wing scorer. The team also requires depth at point guard (a need that could be addressed via the No. 14 pick or free agency) and a reliable backup center for Wembanyama, given Zach Collins`s departure and Charles Bassey`s injury history. These are less glamorous but equally necessary steps in building a complete, sustainable roster.
Conclusion
As the 2025 NBA draft approaches, the San Antonio Spurs stand at a fascinating juncture. The temptation to leapfrog the rebuilding process by trading for a superstar is undeniable, fueled by their wealth of assets and the presence of a generational talent in Victor Wembanyama. Yet, the smart money remains on patience and precision. Prioritizing the long-term vision means likely drafting Dylan Harper at No. 2 and potentially using other assets for a complementary piece like Cam Johnson rather than going all-in on an expensive, aging superstar. The “brick-by-brick” foundation is being laid, and while the prospect of adding a glittering facade like Giannis or Durant is enticing, the Spurs appear committed to ensuring the structure is sound before adding the final touches. It`s a pragmatic, perhaps even understated, approach – classic Spurs, really – that aims for sustained excellence rather than a fleeting moment in the sun.
