The San Antonio Spurs are one of the best teams in the NBA, and a blockbuster deal could send them over the top in the offseason, kickstarting a dynasty.
The San Antonio Spurs are cruising through the playoffs, currently tied with the Minnesota Timberwolves in their second-round series at a game apiece.
However, with the future bright in San Antonio, it's impossible not to look ahead. Victor Wembanyama, Dylan Harper, and Stephon Castle are all elite young players, with Wemby already one of the very best players in the world.
For now, the Spurs have an excellent core of Wemby, Castle, and De'Aaron Fox, with Harper, Keldon Johnson, Devin Vassell, and Julian Champagnie all playing smaller roles. In an effort to maximize their young trio, however, the Spurs could swing a blockbuster trade for an established wing.
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Spurs Linked to Jaylen Brown in Trade Rumors
Despite the Boston Celtics losing Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis, and Jrue Holiday last offseason, Jaylen Brown dragged them to the second-best record in the East, all while Jayson Tatum missed the majority of the season with a torn Achilles.
The Celtics got stunned in the first round by the Philadelphia 76ers, and Brown--now a proven first-option--has been vocal about the fact that he had fun as the top dog this season.
If the Spurs were to trade for him, Brown would remain second-best, as Wembanyama is the clear-cut franchise centerpiece. However, the Spurs could use a player of his caliber on both ends of the floor and have a point guard who could interest Boston in a trade.
"A De’Aaron Fox for Jaylen Brown trade would be interesting," said one Western Conference executive, according to Heavy's Sean Deveney. "I feel like Boston would ask for more than that. Brown would fit, talent-wise, but you’d wonder how he would mesh with Wemby and their young guys."
Personality conflicts aside, a lineup of Harper, Castle, Vassell, Brown, and Wembanyama would be the best in the league. The Spurs might have to part with Carter Bryant or Julian Champagnie in addition to Fox in the deal, but some fans would be totally on board. It stands to reason that draft capital would be included, too, but the Spurs have that in spades.
For Boston, adding Fox would allow Derrick White to slot into a shooting guard role, and Payton Pritchard could remain on the bench. Fox is a proven floor general and fills a position of need in Boston.
With Harper proving that he can handle a big role in the playoffs, expect trade rumors surrounding Fox to heat up this summer.