As the San Antonio Spurs grapple with losing the NBA Finals to the New York Knicks, they could turn to the Dallas Mavericks, with the hopes of making a deal and filling a position of need.
The San Antonio Spurs are expected to have a fairly quiet offseason. Yes, the fanbase has been vocal about moving on from De'Aaron Fox, although as ire over his Finals performance dissipates, expect the calls to trade him to get quieter.
San Antonio will have ample cap space and the 20th overall pick this summer, so improvements, while not splashy, are to be expected.
The Spurs clearly need a rebounder and floor-spacer to pair in the frontcourt with Victor Wembanyama. In the draft, Yaxel Lendeborg is the best option, although he's projected to be off the board by the time the Spurs make their selection.
If the Spurs want to make a trade, they might not have to look very far, as the Dallas Mavericks have two players who fill an immediate need in San Antonio.
Washington and Marshall Listed as Spurs' Targets
Dallas' PJ Washington and Naji Marshall are both excellent defenders, solid rebounders, capable shooters, and tertiary ball-handlers. Neither of them is a star, but they are high-level role players on manageable contracts.
Plus, the Mavericks' timeline around Cooper Flagg doesn't really line up with the rest of Washington and Marshall's primes.
"I think PJ Washington would be fantastic," said Dave DuFour on the Athletic NBA Daily. "He's a guy who, up top, he can switch, you're not worried about him in space. Obviously can shoot and finish. I think [Naji] Marshall, that's a guy everybody should be going for, who's better than his role."
Dallas, it seems, wants to add draft capital. The Spurs have plenty of picks, both their own and from other teams, including a pick from the Mavericks in 2030. Matching Washington's salary wouldn't be easy, but it's not impossible. Marshall is on a much more manageable deal, although he will be a free agent next season.
As the Spurs search for a power forward or jumbo wing to match up with the likes of Jaden McDaniels, Aaron Gordon, and OG Anunoby, Lendeborg is the best option, but he's not a sure thing.
After the draft, expect the Spurs to target role players in a trade, but don't expect a massive, league-altering deal, either. The Spurs have a history of dealing with Masai Ujiri, sending his Toronto Raptors Kawhi Leonard back in 2018. Maybe he could return the favor and give the Spurs their missing piece this summer.
