The San Antonio Spurs boast perhaps the freshest duo in the league: the transcendent Victor Wembanyama and recently acquired All-Star De’Aaron Fox. The bones of a contender are there after a decent 34-48 season with a 16th-ranked offense, but as Spurs brass knows all too well, talent isn't everything. Roster building is chess, not checkers, and they proved that with the previous dynasty led by Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili.
That said, the Spurs have the flexibility, two first‑rounders (including a juicy No. 2 pick), salary cap space, and cap swaps to go all‑in or steadily build. As a result, we have three moves that make complete sense for a team in win‑now mode without sacrificing long‑term ceiling, and three wild-card dream scenarios that would ignite San Antonio into the national spotlight but are unlikely to happen. Let's dive in.
Realistic Targets
Kevin Durant
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) looks on against the Miami Heat during the fourth quarter at Kaseya Center.
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) looks on against the Miami Heat during the fourth quarter at Kaseya Center.
Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Proposed Trade Details
San Antonio Spurs Receive: Kevin Durant
Phoenix Suns Receive: Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, 2027 First-Round pick (ATL)
Landing a 36-year-old Kevin Durant might look vintage Spurs, adding a generational scorer next to Wembanyama, but there are wrinkles. Durant averaged 26.6 PPG, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in 62 games this past season and shoots 52.7% from the floor, still elite production.
His $54.7 M expiring contract gives San Antonio flexibility, and he's reportedly leading his own trade tour, with the Spurs a top destination with mutual interest between both parties. The proposed package, Vassell, Johnson, 2027 first-rounder, hits the Suns’ asking price without mortgaging future Spurs youth.
Durant brings leadership, playoff pedigree, and instant offense, ideal for Fox & Wemby’s ascension. But dig deeper: in 2019-2025, he played just 352 games, his age and health a risk. Still, if the Spurs trust medical and see Durant’s production hold, this is a low-risk, high-upside swing for a veteran playoff presence.
Lauri Markkanen
Mar 14, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) shoots a three point basket during the first quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images
Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images
Proposed Trade Details
San Antonio Spurs Receive: Lauri Markkanen
Utah Jazz Receive: Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, Malaki Branham, 2027 First-Round pick (ATL), 2029 First-Round pick (SAS)
Lauri Markkanen is the modern stretch four: 19.0 PPG, 5.9 rebounds, and a career-high $238 M contract on a bird deal through 2029. Jazz fans grumble that he's overpaid at $45+ M annually given “19/6/2 on 57 TS%, not MVP level”, but that’s precisely the bargain the Spurs could exploit. He'd provide spacing around Wemby, reliable 3-and-D, and prime years ahead.
Trading Vassell, Johnson, Branham, and two firsts for Markkanen gives him a fresh start. It’s a win-now move with minimal future sacrifice: the 2027 pick is on top, and 2029’s late. San Antonio gets a consistent scoring presence and floor spacing now, exactly what Fox & Wembanyama crave, and Utah grabs upside. Realistic, smart, and complementary.
CJ McCollum
Mar 15, 2025; San Antonio, Texas, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) reacts after scoring a basket during the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Mar 15, 2025; San Antonio, Texas, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) reacts after scoring a basket during the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Proposed Trade Details
San Antonio Spurs Receive: CJ McCollum
Utah Jazz Receive: Devin Vassell, Julian Champagnie
CJ McCollum brings poise and scoring polish: chalk up 21.1 PPG, 3.8 boards, 4.1 assists, shooting 44.4% in 2024-25. New Orleans still owes him $30.7 M in 2025-26, so he’s not cheap, but not a sunk cost. A swap of Vassell and Champagnie lands the Spurs an experienced guard who can scale back his role, mentor Castle, and guard multiple positions.
It’s low drama, low ceiling, high floor. McCollum isn’t a star age, but he’s a vet scorer who fits immediately, boosts the bench, and brings a playoff-hardened mindset. For a team stabilizing post-young core, he’s the trusted right-hand man.
Unrealistic Targets
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Apr 5, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) brings the ball up the court against the Miami Heat during overtime at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
Apr 5, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) brings the ball up the court against the Miami Heat during overtime at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
Proposed Trade Details
San Antonio Spurs Receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee Bucks Receive: Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, Jeremy Sochan, 2025 No. 2 Overall Pick, 2027 First-Round pick (ATL), 2029 First-Round pick (SAS)
Yes, acquiring the Greek Freak would rewrite Spurs history, but at what cost? Giannis Antetokounmpo is locked in through 2026-27 with $54-$62 M in cap hits. He averaged 30.4 PPG, 11.9 RPG, and 6.5 APG in 2024-25, dominance personified. He’s reportedly open-minded about leaving Milwaukee, and the marriage of Wemby’s length and Giannis’ motor would be a fantasy come true.
But the Bucks would demand an obscene haul: Vassell, Johnson, Sochan, picks, and riddle the roster with shoulder-to-shoulder stars. Giannis would dominate the offense, possibly too much. And the price is future-firsts fantasy deathpile. A shiny dream, but one that costs everything, even the vision of sustainable contention.
Jaylen Brown
Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) reacts after stealing the ball and making the basket against the Indiana Pacers in the second quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) reacts after stealing the ball and making the basket against the Indiana Pacers in the second quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Proposed Trade Details
San Antonio Spurs Receive: Jaylen Brown
Boston Celtics Receive: Devin Vassell, Stephon Castle, Jeremy Sochan, 2025 No. 2 Overall pick, 2027 First-round pick (ATL)
Jaylen Brown, locked in on a record $285 M extension averaging $57 M annually, is a defensive stalwart and consistent 22+ PPG scorer. He’s a culture leader, cemented in the Boston core, but he might not be untouchable in any trade talks. The Celtics losing in the second round of the playoffs was simply unacceptable this season, and changes might be made as Jayson Tatum nurses his ruptured Achilles.
However, the Spurs sending Vassell, Castle, Sochan, a top-two pick, and a 2027 pick? That’s a Boston cheat code for youth. Boston keeps their engine intact; SA loses its apples of the future for one stat-sheet star.
Brown would slot as lead wing, but at a massive cost and with limited roster fit, identity theft masquerading as ambition. There might also be the possibility that the Celtics would prefer an established star instead of young players, which makes this a tough deal to get done.
Zion Williamson
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) brings the ball up court against the Charlotte Hornets during the fourth quarter at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) brings the ball up court against the Charlotte Hornets during the fourth quarter at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images
Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images
Proposed Trade Details
San Antonio Spurs Receive: Zion Williamson
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Keldon Johnson, Harrison Barnes, 2027 First-Round pick (ATL), 2029 First-Round pick (SAS)
Zion Williamson, 24, explosive, but weight/injury drama, has tallied 24.5 PPG, 7.5 RPG in limited 30-game action. His $197 M contract includes fitness clauses that the Pelicans are triggering after off-court distractions. Still, the Pelicans are looking to engage in a team-wide fire sale.
Sure, Zion could pair a monstrous inside presence with Wemby, which sounds swoon-worthy. But New Orleans would demand Keldon, Barnes, and two picks. Zion brings volatility, baggage, and a messy contract. Athletic upside meets roster chaos. A potential highlight, but a headache even the Spurs seldom sign up for.
Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us onGoogle News. We appreciate your support.