The San Antonio Spurs should look into trades this offseason to boost their playoff contention status next season. After the end of their incredible dynasty, the Spurs have been rebuilding. They now have a legitimate star in Dejounte Murray, as well as a number of solid and young complementary pieces. Murray averaged 21 points, eight boards, and nine assists this past season, so the Spurs must make it a mission to provide him with a secondary star.
San Antonio Spurs: Two Trades to Consider
Adding Pure Talent
San Antonio Spurs receive John Collins and Jalen Johnson.
Atlanta Hawks receive Zach Collins, Josh Richardson, Joshua Primo, and the Spurs’ 2022 first-round pick.
Collins has all the talent in the world. He’s extremely athletic, can block shots, has an inside game, and can stretch the floor. His best season came in 2019-20 for the Hawks, where he averaged about 22 points, 10 boards, and two blocks per game. His minutes have gone down since then, but he’s still on a fresh new contract. A change of scenery seems needed, and he can add to the Spurs’ talent including the likes of Murray, Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, and Jakob Poeltl. The Spurs also get former Duke Blue Devil Johnson who was a first-round pick in last year’s draft.
The Hawks look ready to part ways with Collins. First off, they get a different Collins (Zach). He’ll feature as a solid rotational piece in the frontcourt. Richardson is an experienced veteran who will bring defense to the Hawks’ backcourt. That, of course, is sorely needed. Primo was a lottery pick just last year. He remains very young and a project, but one that can certainly pay off. Finally, the Hawks get their hands on the Spurs’ first-round pick which can certainly land in the top 10 of this year’s draft.
An Intriguing Project
San Antonio Spurs receive Julius Randle.
New York Knicks receive Zach Collins, Doug McDermott, the Spurs’ 2022 second-round pick, and 2023 first-round pick.
Randle is an enigma. He struggled this season after becoming an All-Star last season. Gregg Popovich, however, is a coaching genius and a master when it comes to developing and utilizing power forwards. Randle is just 27-years-old, so he has plenty left to offer. Last season he averaged about 24 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists per game on a 46/41/81 shooting split. If he can mirror that season in San Antonio, or get close to it, then the Spurs can make the playoffs with the talent they already have as well as their upcoming lottery pick.
New York does this to get out of Randle’s contract. Their team is decent on paper, but nowhere near the level to truly complete in the playoffs. For the time being, Collins provides frontcourt depth while McDermott adds a scoring punch. They’ll get a second-round pick this season and a first-round pick the following season. The hope here is to develop and potentially build around RJ Barrett, afford to keep Mitchell Robinson this offseason, and ideally add top-tier talent next offseason.
Main Image: Embed from Getty Images
