The Spurs are expected to select Dylan Harper second overall in the draft, but there’s less clarity about what they’ll do with the 14th pick. There have been some rumors about potential targets, and there’s intriguing talent that should be there when they are on the clock.
If the Spurs are not thrilled by the prospects available to them or if they simply want to add more veteran pieces instead of rookies, they could trade the pick. They likely wouldn’t get a star back, but they could round out their roster. So let’s take a look at some potential deals that would be beneficial and seem realistic.
Solving the problem of big man depth
Spurs trade Keldon Johnson, 14th to the Kings for Jonas Valanciunas and Devin Carter
Sacramento doesn’t have a pick in this draft, since theirs went to the Hawks from the original Kevin Huerter trade. They have reportedly been trying to test the market to see if Malik Monk or Devin Carter nets them one. The Spurs could pounce and not only get the young point guard but also a backup center by including Keldon Johnson in the transaction. The Kings have needed a backup forward for years, so getting Johnson to either back up Keegan Murray if DeMar DeRozan stays or to play next to him if DeRozan gets moved would address a weakness. Rounding out their forward rotation and getting into the middle of the first round should be appealing enough for the Kings, even if doing so creates a hole at backup center.
For the Spurs, the trade is all about addressing an issue while managing their assets well. Valanciunas is slow. His jumper is not the most reliable. But he’s big enough to take up space inside, can punish smaller players in the post, and is a good screener and dive man. He would back up Victor Wembanyama but could also share the floor with him for stretches in the same way Holmgrem and Harstenstein, and Sengun and Adams do. Carter would be superfluous for a San Antonio squad that already has a logjam at guard, but should be easy to reroute for another asset.
If a deal like this one is on the table for the Spurs, it would be hard to pass up the opportunity. Whether the Kings want to trade with San Antonio after the De’Aaron Fox saga is one of the factors that could derail the hypothetical transaction.
Spurs trade Malaki Branham, 14th, 38th to the Hornets for Mark Williams
Williams was traded to the Lakers for Dalton Knecht, a first-rounder, and a swap before he either failed a physical or Rob Pelinka got cold feet. The value of the big man was severely hurt after that fiasco, as it showed that Charlotte was more than willing to move him. Yet Williams had a career year in most areas despite missing about half the season, averaging a double-double to go with 2.5 assists and over a block per game. He’s a productive player when he’s on the floor, and while his defense leaves a lot to be desired, he’s only 23 and has good tools thanks to his 7’6 wingspan and 9’9 standing reach. As a backup, which is what he’d be in San Antonio, his durability shouldn’t be as big of an issue.
The Hornets could try to build up his trade value, but his injury history could scare most franchises looking for a starter. At this point, getting a young player, even one who hasn’t impressed, and two picks could be hard to pass up, especially since it would allow the franchise to move on from an embarrassing moment. Charlotte found a gem in Moussa Diabate and could try to revitalize Jusuf Nurkic’s trade value, so they have the center spot covered.
It would be risky for the Spurs to move a good asset for Williams, but if the deal pans out, they could re-sign him for cheap in restricted free agency.
Getting a proven shooter with size
Spurs trade Keldon Johnson, 14th to the Bulls for Patrick Williams, 2028 second-rounder
Patrick Williams has been a disappointment. The Bulls drafted the forward fourth overall in the 2020 draft, thinking they were getting a cornerstone. Instead, they found a timid player with a low motor who never turned his athleticism and size into consistent production. He’s only started around half of his games in Chicago, and with Matas Buzelis showing promise as a rookie, they could be ready to move on from someone who just hasn’t lived up to the lofty expectations many had for him. Getting an experienced forward and a first-rounder for him should be more than enough to get the Bulls to bite.
The Spurs might wonder if he’s worth the price, considering his spotty track record, but there are some reasons to think the risk is worthwhile. First, the Bulls are dysfunctional, so Williams having a renaissance after a change of scenery, like Lauri Markkanen had, is unlikely but not fully out of the question. Even if he doesn’t, he could be a solid bench piece — he’s expressed that he likes being in the second unit — who is just asked to hit open looks and be a big body. He’s a career 39 percent shooter from beyond the arc, and even in a down year last season, he made 37 percent of his catch-and-shoot threes. Losing Keldon would hurt, but getting a replacement on a similarly team-friendly deal who addresses a weakness could be worth it.
Freed of big expectations, P-Will could carve out a Marvin Williams-esque career as a role player. His contract is long but reasonable, so the Spurs should be able to flip him if he doesn’t work out, and the second-rounder could be good if Chicago rebuilds.
Spurs send Blake Wesley, Malaki Branham, 14th to Washington for Corey Kispert and 18th
Kispert is not without his flaws, but he’s 6’7, made 38 percent of the threes he’s taken in the NBA, and improved greatly as a driving threat when chased off the arc. He doesn’t create his own shots in a traditional way, but his constant off-ball movement means he gets open often and can fire without hesitation off the catch. He’s not a good rebounder, passer, or defender, but knows his role. He’ll shoot when open, operate out of simple actions off the bounce, cut smartly, and compete. Essentially, he’s a younger version of the Doug McDermott that suited up for the Spurs, but on one of the more team-friendly contracts in the league. On a small off-the-bench role, he has some value.
The Wizards simply don’t need Kispert and are cleaning house on guys with contracts that extend past this season, as the recent Jordan Poole trade showed. They could get a prospect they covet by trading up and leapfrogging a few West contenders that could target high-upside guys, and also kick the tires on Wesley and Branham, since they are in rebuilding mode and might trade Marcus Smart next, opening up some room for guards.
It’s a small move for both teams, but it could help them balance out their rosters, and it would allow San Antonio to grab a bench piece and still have a second first-rounder.