The San Antonio Spurs, with their warchest of young players and draft assets, are expected to be a major player this offseason. On the trade market, their two biggest targets seem to be Kevin Durant or Giannis Antetokounmpo, either of whom would make them title favorites next season.
However, the Spurs nearly won the NBA Draft Lottery, walking away with the second overall pick. The general consensus is that the Spurs will keep the pick and draft Dylan Harper, giving them a backcourt of Harper, De'Aaron Fox, and Stephon Castle.
If the Spurs switch gears and make a blockbuster offer for the Greek Freak, one key player should be untouchable, at least according to ESPN's Michael Wilbon.
"If you look at the Spurs that are sitting there with the numbers two and 14 picks in the first round," outlined Wilbon. "And if you're Milwaukee, that's got to attract you. I'm not giving up Castle. Don't even mention his name. I'm not coming to the phone if you ask me to give up the Rookie of the Year, who I think has a bit of early SGA in him."
As an oversized guard with defensive skill, a solid midrange game, and the ability to draw contact, Castle can't escape comparisons to the MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, which is by no means a bad thing.
Harper projects to be more of a complete player than Castle, especially on the offensive end, although there is no guarantee that he will pan out. Castle, on the other hand, is a proven NBA player at this point.
"I'm not giving him up," continued Wilbon. "There are some players on that roster. I can give up and still come away with De'Aaron Fox, Wembanyama, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the Rookie of the Year."
While the Spurs are expected to build organically, a lineup of Fox, Wemby, Castle, the Greek Freak, Jeremy Sochan, and Julian Champagnie, even with Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson traded to the Bucks to add Giannis, is hard not to fantasize about.
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