Lottery luck gave the Spurs a fantastic opportunity. They can select second on a stacked draft and add to their young core. By all rumors and reports, they intend to do exactly that, and Rutger’s Dylan Harper appears to be close to a lock to be the pick, at this point.
It makes perfect sense to just use the pick. If it’s getting traded, it should be for Giannis Antetokounmpo, assuming he actually wants to leave Milwaukee, or a superstar of that level. Trading up is not an option unless the Spurs truly go all in on Cooper Flagg and make the Mavericks a Godfather’s offer — and even then, they might pass.
But what about trading down? Is there a case for it? It doesn’t seem likely to happen, but all angles have to be considered with such a valuable asset, especially since two desperate teams could be willing to make big offers. The Jazz and Wizards, both in need of a face of the franchise and both cursed by the basketball gods at the lottery, could put together some interesting packages that are at least worth exploring.
### The Jazz could help the Spurs improve in the short term
There are several deals the Jazz could offer that include only their young players, but the most intriguing one would have to be centered on Lauri Markkanen. The sharp-shooting forward, along with Keyonte George, and the fifth pick doesn’t feel like too much to give up for the Jazz, who would be moving on from an expensive star that doesn’t fit their timeline and would upgrade from George with Harper. They would also have something to show for after an embarrassingly bad year. Harrison Barnes, Keldon Johnson, Blake Wesley and Malaki Branham would have to be included to make the salaries match, which would mean losing depth. Still, Markkanen would absorb most of the forward minutes, George would take over as developing guard, and with the fifth pick, San Antonio could still get a high-upside contributor.
**Why it makes sense**
If the Spurs want to win now, adding firepower in the frontcourt seems like a worthwhile move. Markkanen is 28, expensive, and not a first option, which is why the Jazz would be willing to part with him. But Fox is of a similar age and talent level, and that didn’t dissuade San Antonio, which would only need The Finnisher to be a third option who spaces the floor. Utah gets its guy and moves on from the past era.
**Why it doesn’t make sense**
Markkanen will make $44 million next year, the first of a four-year contract. Going after him is a huge move in terms of cap management. Is he that big of a needle-mover? If he isn’t and they need more talent, the Spurs would have a hard time finding other pieces. George is a nice young guard and whoever is there at five could be great, but San Antonio would have an older and more expensive core immediately after the trade. As for the Jazz, they might want to see what they have with a top-level guy in their roster before making any big moves.
### The Wizards could help avoid a logjam and round out the young core
The Wizards lack a star veteran to trade but could offer youth and talent at key positions, plus a valuable future swap. Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, the sixth pick, and the rights to swap picks with the Suns in 2030 for No. 2, Branham, Julian Champagnie and Wesley could be an interesting deal. The Spurs would get two of Victor Wembanyama’s countrymen, including his close friend, and would fill out the depth chart with high-upside players on rookie deals. Coulibaly regressed heavily as a shooter after averaging a promising 34 percent as a rookie from beyond the arc, but is one of the most athletic wings in the league and a good defensive player already, who has the potential to be elite on that end. Sarr could play next to Wembanyama in big lineups and also serve as a backup, offering rim protection and spacing.
**Why it makes sense**
For San Antonio, this only makes sense if they are convinced Stephon Castle is a star in the making or there’s someone they value in the range of the Wizards’ pick. If they think they have their cornerstones in place or can find one later, getting youth and upside at positions of need on cheap contracts would be a good plan. For Washington, this only makes sense if they want to secure a franchise guy now after being in limbo for a while.
**Why it doesn’t make sense**
If Harper or whoever the Spurs have second in their board becomes a star, they would need big leaps by Coulibaly and Sarr, the fifth pick to be a hit and the swap to be hugely beneficial to make the move worthwhile. Depth and assets are great, but top-level talent is essential. For the Wizards, patience could pay off. The next class is projected to be great and they could keep their interesting prospects and find a new face of the franchise in 2026 if they tank and get luckier in the lottery.
As the above examples — and they are just that: examples — show, it’s possible to make a rational case for trading down, but it’s hard to make a convincing one. There are other frameworks or trading partners, but the best path seems to be to just keep the pick or try to trade for a superstar.
It’s not that common for a team that looked on its way to the play-in until Victor Wembanyama’s injury to get such a high pick. The Spurs will be better going forward as long as their franchise center stays healthy, so the opportunity to add a young cornerstone via the draft might not come up again for a decade. Passing it up by overthinking or skipping steps doesn’t seem like a great idea.