The San Antonio Spurs have been linked to their fair share of mock trade targets, although a recently proposed deal by ESPN would ruin the Spurs and alienate the fanbase.
The San Antonio Spurs, historically, do not make splashy trades. Their superstars have always arrived through the draft, and the Spurs build organically.
With Victor Wembanyama in town, conventioal wisdom has its place, although the Spurs can operate more radically than before. They have been linked to superstars like Giannis Antekoumpo, Trey Murphy III, and Lauri Markkanen, to name a few.
They have the assets to land a star, should they want one. However, their interest in shaking things up seems to be at an all-time low. If the Spurs don't want Giannis of all people, who would they want?
The fine people at ESPN think they have an idea, and they built a trade that's somehow more puzzling than it is infuriating.
Full Mock Trade Details
- San Antonio Spurs Receive: Anthony Davis
- Dallas Mavericks Receive: Harrison Barnes, Keldon Johnson, Luke Kornet, 2026 second-round pick (via Jazz), 2028 and 2029 second-round picks (via Bulls), extinguish 2030 first-round swap rights
- Chicago Bulls Receive: Naji Marshall
Luke Kornet is a perfectly solid backup center. Why would the Spurs want to replace him with Davis?
If Rudy Gobert couldn't coexist with Wembanyama, what makes anyone think Davis could? At this point, he is almost a negative asset, and the Spurs, even for a single first-round pick, should have no interest in adding him.
"Given the Spurs have been linked to Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo trade discussions, in some ways Davis is an easier fit alongside De'Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama because he doesn't need to play with the ball in his hands," justified Kevin Pelton. "For the Spurs, Davis essentially steps into the role Kornet has been playing, filling center when Wembanyama is not on the court and playing alongside him in giant lineups. Figuring out how to defend pick-and-rolls with Davis screening for Wembanyama -- or stagger screens involving both of them and Fox or No. 2 pick Dylan Harper -- would be a challenge for opponents."
Okay, I see you on that, Mr. Pelton! However, consider this: the Spurs are good, and Davis doesn't play much. Why break up a winning core for a player who is more of a gamble than anything else?
Pelton admits that this deal mostly benefits Dallas, who get a lot of cap relief.m However, in their attempt to shed salary and go all-in on Cooper Flagg, they'll have to look outside the Lone Star State to get a deal done.