The San Antonio Spurs are expected to shake things up this offseason, and they could make a deal with a Western Conference rival.
After the San Antonio Spurs lost the NBA Finals, the biggest offseason priority is internal development. After all, most of their core players are still under contract, and improvement is expected from the youngsters, namely Dylan Harper, Stephon Castle, and Victor Wembanyama.
However, between the roughly $30 million in cap space that'll be opened up and the trade assets the Spurs are armed with, they could make a splashy trade or free agent signing. Plus, with the 20th pick in the draft, San Antonio could add an impact player.
As the Spurs continue to invest in their core, other Western Conference teams might look to shake things up. As the Denver Nuggets look to improve around Nikola Jokic, one player on the roster would be a perfect addition for the Spurs.
Spurs Linked to Aaron Gordon in Early Rumor
On paper, it seems like the Nuggets have an ideal core of Jokic, Aaron Gordon, and Jamal Murray. It's been the supporting cast that has underperformed.
After losing in the first round to the Minnesota Timberwolves (who were missing Donte DiVincenzo and Anthony Edwards), the Nuggets seem ready to switch up their core.
“I think that everything’s going to be on the table, outside of trading Nikola," said team Governor Josh Kroenke.
That means, for the right price, the Spurs could nab Gordon.
"I'm told Aaron Gordon, who turns 31 in September, is the Denver veteran drawing the strongest external trade interest," wrote insider Marc Stein. "Next season will be the first on a three-year, $103.6 million contract extension that Gordon secured after helping Nikola Jokić and Co. win the first championship in the team's NBA history in 2022-23."
Stein went on to explain that the Nuggets would rather part ways with Christian Braun over Gordon, although the Spurs are in need of a true power forward who can share the paint with Wembanyama. Gordon has shot 41.3 percent from 3-point range over the last two seasons, so he can space the floor, rebound, and hold down the paint while Wembanyama roams.
On paper, it's the perfect fit.
"The Spurs could dangle the kind of trade package that makes [Denver] reconsider that stance," outlined Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley. "And one might argue they should, since a big, physical forward who can finish, shoot, create, and defend could be exactly what this roster needs to clear that final hurdle."
Depending on what other moves the Spurs make this offseason, they could send Keldon Johnson to Denver, opening up some cap relief for the Nuggets, as well as draft capital. Of course, depending on how much the Nuggets value Gordon, he might cost more, but in an effort to appease Jokic, expect Denver to make a massive move this summer.
