The San Antonio Spurs are expected by nearly everyone to end up taking Dylan Harper with the second overall pick in next week's NBA Draft. Some also think that a trade could be coming after the draft involving dealing away De'Aaron Fox. But it's possible the arrival of Harper could make it more likely [they trade someone else](https://airalamo.com/outrageous-castle-revelation-benefits-spurs-know) to better maximize their output going forward: Stephon Castle.
This might sound like a bit of a crazy suggestion on the surface, especially given the fact Castle [just won the Rookie of the Year award](https://airalamo.com/stephon-castle-building-undeniable-rookie-year-case-final-weeks), but hear me out. The Spurs are likely going to enter training camp in September with a bit of a crowded backcourt. Not everyone is going to stick long-term, but what San Antonio shouldn't want to do is split up what will likely be their most dynamic playmaking duo in Harper and Fox.
In today's NBA, the game is driven increasingly by perimeter creators and guards that have the skill to be a team's primary offensive engine. Castle has certainly shown some promise for his future, but he doesn't necessarily project as quite the same kind of high-level initiator as the other two.
Trading Stephon Castle would be bold - but it might just work
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When thinking about what kind of roster is going to work best around Victor Wembanyama in the long-term, guys who can break down defenses and make advanced reads are going to be the Spurs' best bet. Fox is of course already elite in that department, and I believe Harper can get to something resembling his level as well.
By trading Castle in a package along with some of San Antonio's other assets, the Spurs could aim at acquiring a high-level two-way wing who would work well alongside top-level playmakers since he won't need the ball in his hands as much to be successful. In the end, this is the blueprint from turning the Spurs into a borderline play-in team into a true playoff contending-level squad.
When you have a handful of players that could become a bit redundant, it's best to pick a path and then stick to it. That's what the Spurs would be doing by dealing away Stephon Castle.
The 2025 NBA Finals are proving to us just how important having multiple dynamic ball-handlers on your roster is. San Antonio now has a chance to emulate that formula by selling high on their Rookie of the Year. It wouldn't be a popular move, but I think there's a world where it ends up being the right one.