Mock Off-Season: San Antonio Spurs

[ReggiesKnicks]

NBA Draft
#8 Pick - Kon Knueppel
#14 Pick - Joan Beringer
#38 Pick - Traded for 2 Future 2nds

Notable Free Agents
Chris Paul (UFA)

Contract Negotiations
De'Aaron Fox extension (Bam Adebayo, 3/162 starting at 51.9 Million)

Total Salary: 155,643,212

NBA Salary Cap: 154,647,000
NBA Tax Line: 187,895,000
NBA 1st Apron: 195,945,000
NBA 2nd Apron: 207,824,000

Transactions

Sign Guerschon Yabusele (Full MLE/3 Years)

Trade #1:
Keldon Johnson for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, #27
Cameron Johnson, #27 for Keldon Johnson, Anthony Black, #16
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Anthony Black, #16 for Cameron Johnson

Trade #2:
#27 for 4 2nds (Detroit Pistons trade a variety of '28-'30 2nds)

Trade #3:
#38 for 2 future 2nds (Draft Night, any team)

Total Salary: $173,868,712 (13 Players)

Roster/Rotation
De'Aaron Fox / Stephon Castle /
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope / Malaki Branham / Blake Wesley
Devin Vassell / Kon Knueppel / Julian Champagnie
Harrison Barnes / Jeremy Sochan
Victor Wembanyama / Guerschon Yabusele / Charles Bassey / Joan Beringer

San Antonio continues to make upgrades around Victor Wembanyama, but with his current medical condition can't make an aggressive, all-in move this off-season. Two Lottery Picks allows the Spurs to take stabs at potential long-term roster gaps, notably a high-floor wing who can shoot and a rising big-man prospect in Beringer.

Yabusele provides a versatile big-man pairing next to Wemby as Yabusele can both stretch the floor and play like a traditional big-man.

The wings are still under-developed for San Antonio but allowing Victor to play a lot of '4' rather than traditional center eases the pressure while the addition of KCP gives San Antonio a tough-nosed and high-level Point-of-Attack defender to replace the ever-useless Keldon Johnson. There is still a blend of veteran winning presence (Harrison Barnes, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and De'Aaron Fox) and developmental talent.

[psman2]

Guerschon Yabusele is a interesting name to follow this offseason. Teams have not been in a rush to offer the full MLE in the recent past.

[Mavrelous]

I don't think the Magic go with CamJo l, they need someone at the guard position, but I like the general direction.

[Apz]

Shouöd make sure they have cap to sign luka in 26

[ReggiesKnicks]

Shouöd make sure they have cap to sign luka in 26

I'm curious to see how the Spurs handle the De'Aaron Fox contract extension situation. He isn't going to hold high value on a Max Contract but should still be moveable barring injury.

[Skybox]

I don't think the Magic go with CamJo l, they need someone at the guard position, but I like the general direction.

Same...I also think throwing AB in there AND #16 with KCP is a lot for Cam (who'd be a backup on a team with two weak starting spots)

and...you really think they start KCP ahead of ROY defensive psycho Castle? (I like KCP but I wouldn't)

Good job overall though. I like Yabusele's big body next to Wemby.

$50+ for Fox? way too many MAX's out there, imo...great player, but...

[NYG]

1. Castle, Sochan, Barnes, Keldon, both '25 lotto picks and 4 future 1sts for Giannis

2. Win every year with Wemby and Giannis

[Chinook]

I would be very disappointed if they signed Yabusele for that anywhere close to the full MLE. I don't think he's a rotation player on a serious team.

I'm not a fan of the trade either. If you draft Kon, you run with him and Vassell as your SGs and avoid taking on bad money, especially if the goal is just some seconds.

If there's a need for the team to attack, it's a sixth man scoring guard. That's why Tre Johnson Jase Richardson make a lot of sense. Castle isn't at the point where he should be the only other "PG" in the rotation.

Don't get me wrong, I prefer this to ideas like trading for Giannis. I just think it's a lot of moving pieces for a team that's not very good.

[Godaddycurse]

if keldon johnson is useless why are the nets burning pick 27 to swap KCP for him?

[Magic_Johnny12]

I don't think the Magic go with CamJo l, they need someone at the guard position, but I like the general direction.

Orlando trades their starting 2, their biggest tangible salary filler (this matters) and their most promising young asset for a non guard that doesn’t start…

I like Johnson, but he’s a luxury for Orlando with their many more important needs.

Hauser could probably be had for a fraction of the price if Orlando was solely looking for a forward who can shoot.