The NBA Draft came and went, and the San Antonio Spurs did not make a blockbuster trade. Heading into the offseason, they were linked to both Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo, although Durant got traded elsewhere and Antetokounmpo is yet to ask for a trade.
However, that could change. The Milwaukee Bucks have done a poor job so far of adding win-now talent around their best player, and teams who can make a bid still smell blood in the water.
Between the Bucks not having draft picks to use or trade and free agency, so far, not being explosive with players simply opting in, Antetokounmpo's patience could be wearing thin, which teams are counting on.
The Spurs, it seems, are not alone.
"A lot of teams that think that they could trade for Giannis have been watching this very closely," said ESPN's Brian Windhorst.
"And teams like San Antonio or Houston or Miami, or New York, they specifically have stayed out of other major transactions, and in Houston's case, saved assets in the Durant trade to potentially chase Giannis. And the reason they did that was because they're not sure Giannis is going to look at the Bucks' work this week and think that's a team that competes either."
Imagining the Rockets somehow pairing Giannis with Durant is terrifying, although the Spurs have the assets to outbid Houston. However, they would have to give up Dylan Harper or Stephon Castle, perhaps both, and gut their depth in order to absorb his salary.
While adding a championship piece like Antetokounmpo would likely result in a sixth banner, the long-term effect could be worse than simply staying the course.
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