The San Antonio Spurs could target stars overlooked in NBA trade rumors.
This offseason, the San Antonio Spurs are expected to become one of the biggest players in the entire NBA. When they build around Victor Wenbanyama and De Aaron Fox, the Spurs boast both this year’s Rookie of the Year, as well as their second overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Rutgers standout Dylan Harper is easily the second best player in the draft behind Cooper Flag, and if the Spurs hold the pick, Harper is the rock to go to San Antonio.
However, with Fox and Castle already in town, the Spurs already have a busy backcourt. One of these three security guards is a consumable item.
The Phoenix Suns are expected to trade Kevin Durant this summer, and his scoring arm fits well next to Wenbanyama, but his age doesn’t fit the version of the Spurs’ timeline.
Assuming the Suns could trade Durant for a team like the Houston Rockets in the mix, they could take a step back and rebuild. The Rockets were signed by a pair of Reed Shepherd, Cam Whitmore or Jalen Green, allowing the Suns to speak to the youth movement.
When the Suns land Jalen Green, it’s essential to pair him with an elite defender and a solid backcourt defender, allowing the Spurs to drive a hard bargain.
Complete mock trade details:
- Spurs Received: Devin Booker
- Suns Reace: Stephon Castle, Harrison Barnes, Keldon Johnson, 2025 Firstround Pick (no. 14), 2027 Firstround Pick (via ATL)
If the Spurs sign this deal, they are all pretty much guaranteed to maintain Harper’s draft rights. The lineup is fatal with Julian Champany, Devin Vassel, Blake Wesley and possibly free agent Chris Paul on the bench, along with Fox, Harper, Booker, Jeremy Sochan and Wenbagnama.
Unlike Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo, Booker will be signed throughout the next three seasons. He is a high-level scorer who can play off-ball alongside Fox and Wenbanyama, and trade allows the Spurs to build alongside Harper.
The Suns have given no indication that they are interested in dealing with Booker, but the lottery choice is and The best rookies of last season, it’s hard for them to say no. Johnson is only 25 years old and has a tradeable contract, so there is no long-term commitment there. Burns will become a free agent from next season onwards.
By pairing people who land when trading Durant for Castle (and draft capital!), the Suns can take a pretty clean break from their failed Big Three days and build an organically won roster.
It takes patience, but in a loaded Western conference, the sun is not actually in a position to concentrate in the near future. And it’s best to spend time when the West opens a bit, and this deal gives them the flexibility they don’t have under owner Matt Isivia.