Ever since the regular season wrapped up in April, one thing has been on the minds of Spurs fans: Kevin Durant. After months of rumors, debates, and mock trades, the whirlwind of headlines is finally over. The Spurs did not acquire Durant, and instead, the Houston Rockets took the bait and made the move.
Now that the war is finally over, Spurs Nation is asking themselves, what's next? I believe there is only one painfully obvious direction for the Spurs to go, and it begins in just a few short days.
The future is brighter without Durant
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Trading for Kevin Durant was [never the right choice.](https://airalamo.com/spurs-resounding-statement-stance-kevin-durant-blockbuster-trade) A depth-deprived roster led by multiple ball-needing scorers was not going to take down the Thunder in a 7-game series. The idea of trying to push for a championship so soon in the careers of Stephon Castle and Victor Wembanyama was blasphemy.
The Spurs have a young nucleus that is up there with the best young cores in the NBA. While other teams are in an arms race for talent and expelling their depth, the Spurs can sit pretty with a deep and blossoming roster.
Castle, Wembanyama, and likely second overall pick Dylan Harper still need time to develop and learn how to play together. How can we expect them to push for a championship with so little synergy with each other? Castle is still finding his niche in the NBA while Harper has to learn the league entirely. Even Wembanyama is not in his complete form yet.
Trying to push for a title without any experience is a nightmare waiting to happen. By the time the Spurs' young core is ready to rock, Durant will be ready to hang it up. He is 36 years old and will be 37 by the time next season begins. The Spurs would be sacrificing everything they have built for a desperate attempt at a title. Whatever window they thought they would have would be extremely small.
Trade rumors be gone, the Spurs need to focus on the draft
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The Spurs lucked into a massive opportunity to build a devastating young core; they can't waste it. Harper is the surefire number two overall pick, but what they do with the 14th pick could change everything.
Instead of using resources to bring in a win-now player on an enormous contract, the Spurs can still acquire an [NBA-ready prospect](https://airalamo.com/the-spurs-perfect-draft-night-should-look-something-like-this) on a much friendlier, team-controlled contract. The 2025 draft is bubbling with prospects and can bring the Spurs exactly what they are looking for without coughing up depth and resources.
The Spurs can get a much-needed 3-and-D wing at 14 who can focus on playing their role alongside Wembanyama and the cast, as opposed to Durant, who would steal touches away from the franchise star. Now, the Spurs can build the perfect, youthful squad around the Frenchman that will dominate the NBA for years once they are ready to go.
There is no need to panic; the Spurs made the right choice. Missing out on Durant was a blessing in disguise.
Everything the Spurs want is already in their hands. With a big four of Wembanyama, Castle, Harper, and De'Aaron Fox supported by a deep set of talent role players, the Spurs will be amazing before you know it. They don't need to do anything other than develop their young talent and select the right players to fit next to their stars.
With the trade saga ending, turn your attention to draft, because that is what matters the most.