The San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks engaged in trade discussions, although one key detail caused the Spurs to back out of talks.
The San Antonio Spurs have been linked to several blockbuster trade candidates ahead of the NBA trade deadline. Headlined by Trey Murphy III, Lauri Markkanen, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Spurs could go all-in on a superstar this winter.
However, it seems a lot more likely that the Spurs would instead target a smaller deal to bolster their depth or address key areas of weakness, not just add a superstar for the sake of adding a superstar.
The Spurs' best and most realistic trade asset this season is Jeremy Sochan, the former ninth overall draft pick and bruising defender who has fallen out of Mitch Johnson's rotation.
Sochan has drawn some interest and has some suitors around the league, and the Spurs already engaged in talks with the New York Knicks, but backed out for one key reason.
Spurs Trade Talks With Knicks Stall
In an effort to build a French roster around Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs have some interest in both Guerschon Yabusele and Pacome Dadiet.
Yabusele broke out next to Wembanyama on the French National Team at the 2024 Olympics, and continued to ascend last season on the Philadelphia 76ers. However, both he and Dadiet, the 25th overall pick in 2024, have fallen out of the Knicks' rotation, only playing garbage time.
A change of scenery could do both well, and both Frenchmen can space the floor and rebound, in theory. Plus, Yabusele and Wembanyama are close personal friends.
However, the lack of financial flexibility, especially when it comes to Yabusele, scared the Spurs away.
"There was also trade chatter of a Yabusele and Dadiet package for Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan, but San Antonio was not willing to take on Yabusele’s $5.78 million player option for next season," wrote HoopsHype's Michael Scotto.
With Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, and Julian Champagnie all due for extensions in the next two seasons, keeping the financial options open is a massive priority for the Spurs. As Yabusele gets closer and closer to falling out of the league entirely, there is a near-total guarantee that he will pick up his option for next season, lest he return to the EuroLeague.
If the Spurs deal Sochan, expect it to be for a expriing contract or for a player guaranteed to impact winning. Both Dadiet and Yabusele have potential, but neither is a sure thing.