Spurs/Jazz

[Godymas]

Utah missed out on securing a top 3 pick despite tanking, but all hope is not lost. At least 2 of the top 3 picks could be attainable for the right value and Utah needs to get the rebuild fully going with a new core.

San Antonio has secured the #2 overall pick and have a chance to draft a great player, but they also have an opportunity to make a win now move for Wembanyama, and while the idea of Giannis next to Wemby has gained traction, San Antonio needs someone that can space effectively considering their investment in DeAaron Fox. Instead of going after Giannis who would demand a much bigger load of assets, the Spurs target a team that is desperate to move up in the draft to secure a franchise talent that also happens to have one of the best floor stretching 7 footers in the league to pair with Wembaynama, and the best part is, this 7 footer won't be defending the rim.

The other thing is, San Antonio will still be in the draft, and therefore can take a young talent that is a little more developed vs. a raw top 3 prospect. It will fit their timeline better and they don't need a star, they need role players. The 5th pick is very tempting to take a role player for a change.

So here's the deal:

San Antonio sends:

Keldon Johnson
Harrison Barnes
Blake Wesley
#2 overall

Utah sends:
Lauri Markkanen
#5 overall
#21 overall

Utah moves into the second slot, moves off of Lauri for good, gets a chance to rebuild

Spurs are still very much in this draft, they get #5, they also get #21 which could still be a very good player. They're no longer looking at franchise talent, and instead looking for complimentary pieces. Lauri and Wemby become a pair of 7 footers that teams fear on both ends of the court. Fox is free to operate inside with two of the scariest floor stretching 7 footers outside.

[MotownMadness]

Jazz do this but I think Spurs could build a package around #14 with extra draft capital.

[SkyHook]

I'll give you the same response I gave to the almost identical proposal from a few hours ago...

Had the Jazz been slotted at the 2nd pick, I fully expected them to trade it. I just don't see Harper in Utah ending well. Better to have a player who truly wants to be there.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10145689-ron-harper-says-a-trade-would-happen-if-jazz-took-his-son-dylan-in-2025-nba-draft

[wemby]

On paper this is one of the proposals the Spurs should consider if they choose to move back, IMO 5th pick is the lowest you can go back and still get a high upside player (Ace Bailey, VJ Edgecombe, Tre Johnson) while picking up assets. Value is good, provided Spurs like that prospect. With that said:

I'll give you the same response I gave to the almost identical proposal from a few hours ago...

Had the Jazz been slotted at the 2nd pick, I fully expected them to trade it. I just don't see Harper in Utah ending well. Better to have a player who truly wants to be there.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10145689-ron-harper-says-a-trade-would-happen-if-jazz-took-his-son-dylan-in-2025-nba-draft

I didn't know this, but I agree with you that you can't invest that high a pick and assets on someone who doesn't want to be there. So yeah, the Jazz should aim elsewhere.

[Mamba4Goat]

Utah missed out on securing a top 3 pick despite tanking, but all hope is not lost. At least 2 of the top 3 picks could be attainable for the right value and Utah needs to get the rebuild fully going with a new core.

San Antonio has secured the #2 overall pick and have a chance to draft a great player, but they also have an opportunity to make a win now move for Wembanyama, and while the idea of Giannis next to Wemby has gained traction, San Antonio needs someone that can space effectively considering their investment in DeAaron Fox. Instead of going after Giannis who would demand a much bigger load of assets, the Spurs target a team that is desperate to move up in the draft to secure a franchise talent that also happens to have one of the best floor stretching 7 footers in the league to pair with Wembaynama, and the best part is, this 7 footer won't be defending the rim.

The other thing is, San Antonio will still be in the draft, and therefore can take a young talent that is a little more developed vs. a raw top 3 prospect. It will fit their timeline better and they don't need a star, they need role players. The 5th pick is very tempting to take a role player for a change.

So here's the deal:

San Antonio sends:

Tre Jones
Harrison Barnes
Blake Wesley
#2 overall

Utah sends:
Lauri Markkanen
#5 overall
#21 overall

Utah moves into the second slot, moves off of Lauri for good, gets a chance to rebuild

Spurs are still very much in this draft, they get #5, they also get #21 which could still be a very good player. They're no longer looking at franchise talent, and instead looking for complimentary pieces. Lauri and Wemby become a pair of 7 footers that teams fear on both ends of the court. Fox is free to operate inside with two of the scariest floor stretching 7 footers outside.

Minor issue with this—Tre Jones was traded to the Bulls in the Fox/Lavine/Jordan McLaughlin trade. His contract also expires and will be a FA this summer.

[Godymas]

Utah missed out on securing a top 3 pick despite tanking, but all hope is not lost. At least 2 of the top 3 picks could be attainable for the right value and Utah needs to get the rebuild fully going with a new core.

San Antonio has secured the #2 overall pick and have a chance to draft a great player, but they also have an opportunity to make a win now move for Wembanyama, and while the idea of Giannis next to Wemby has gained traction, San Antonio needs someone that can space effectively considering their investment in DeAaron Fox. Instead of going after Giannis who would demand a much bigger load of assets, the Spurs target a team that is desperate to move up in the draft to secure a franchise talent that also happens to have one of the best floor stretching 7 footers in the league to pair with Wembaynama, and the best part is, this 7 footer won't be defending the rim.

The other thing is, San Antonio will still be in the draft, and therefore can take a young talent that is a little more developed vs. a raw top 3 prospect. It will fit their timeline better and they don't need a star, they need role players. The 5th pick is very tempting to take a role player for a change.

So here's the deal:

San Antonio sends:

Tre Jones
Harrison Barnes
Blake Wesley
#2 overall

Utah sends:
Lauri Markkanen
#5 overall
#21 overall

Utah moves into the second slot, moves off of Lauri for good, gets a chance to rebuild

Spurs are still very much in this draft, they get #5, they also get #21 which could still be a very good player. They're no longer looking at franchise talent, and instead looking for complimentary pieces. Lauri and Wemby become a pair of 7 footers that teams fear on both ends of the court. Fox is free to operate inside with two of the scariest floor stretching 7 footers outside.

Minor issue with this—Tre Jones was traded to the Bulls in the Fox/Lavine/Jordan McLaughlin trade. His contract also expires and will be a FA this summer.

I actually meant Keldon Johnson, not Tre Jones

[wemby]

That's talking small potatoes, it's basically salary filler. could be Branham and/or Wesley as well, the crux of the problem is whether the Spurs would be willing to go back and whether the Jazz would pay this high a price to land a player who doesn't want to be there. The rest can be fixed in a second.

[RookieJazz]

I think it's a no-brainer for Spurs. The big question is whether Harper will be happy in Utah? And also, if UTAH thinks Harper is a franchise cornerstone.

[Myth]

I hate this value wise for the Spurs.

[AingesBurner]

I’d want #14.

[babyjax13]

I think this needs to be balanced a bit. If 14 is also coming back, I think it makes more sense, or if 21 is not included. I'm not sure I would do it if it is basically Lauri and 5 for 2, I would do it if it were Lauri, 5, and 21 for 2/14 + filler.

[jowglenn]

I will say this - historically, the team that moves *down* is the team that benefits. The Celtics traded *down* and got Tatum, after all.

It all depends on who the Spurs want. If their favorite guy is definitely going to be available at 5... then they'd do it.

[Texas Chuck]

I will say this - historically, the team that moves *down* is the team that benefits. The Celtics traded *down* and got Tatum, after all.

If we pick sample sizes of 1, did Atlanta win choosing Trae over Luka?

I mean we can cite things like Dallas traded down for Dirk, but I don't think that proves a case.

You still have to choose the right player and they still have to avoid injury/develop etc.

[One_and_Done]

Spurs aren't moving #2 for a guy like Lauri. Lauri's value is also quite low right now, a few lesser picks and contract filler should be plenty (though it won't be because Danny Ainge is the GM, so he'll just rot there).

A fair trade, which won't happen because of the Ainge factor, would be something like #14, a mid 1st, and some filler contracts, for Lauri. Dude just had a bad season and is paid the max. He's likely a negative contract at this point, and turns 28 in a week. Spurs don't need to overpay for this guy.

[Bornstellar]

No thanks. Harper is going to be a much more valuable asset for awhile and the draft really flattens by the 7th pick. Ainge should have traded Lauri when his value was at its peak during the offseason. With his massive contract he's almost a negative asset at this point. I like Lauri and his fit on O next to Victor is nice but Spurs need a defensive oriented PF next to Victor especially since it looks like they're going to be playing a lot of 3 guard lineups