The San Antonio Spurs have arguably the most talented guard trio in the NBA with De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper.
However, there's a solid chance this backcourt becomes cluttered, and the Spurs are forced to move on from one of the stars in the near future. Given that Fox signed a lucrative four-year, $229 million extension with the team this offseason and Harper was selected with the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Castle feels like the odd man out.
There would be plenty of teams to emerge as suitors for the 2024 Rookie of the Year if he's made available, as he averaged 14.7 points on 42.8% shooting at 20 years old.
Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley predicts one team that could trade for Castle is the Golden State Warriors. Buckley proposes the Warriors send Brandin Podziemski, Gui Santos, and a 2028 first-round pick (top-three protected) to San Antonio for Castle.
"If it's all about [Stephen] Curry, Golden State should be asking questions about whether Podziemski is the right backcourt partner for him," Buckley wrote. "He's an ignitable outside shooter, quick processor and capable playmaker, but he's also limited on defense and offensively inconsistent."
"The Dubs might see a cleaner fit with Castle, who's bigger, stronger, more athletic and far more resistant on the defensive end," Buckley concluded.
All of this aside, Castle has the potential to turn into Golden State's face of the franchise once Curry retires as well as presenting significantly more upside than Podziemski.
It's worth noting the Warriors have been hesitant to part with Podziemski when past opportunities have arisen, but a No. 4 pick as young as Castle may be too hard to pass on.
Why the Spurs would settle for this return if trading Castle is impossible to say.
Related Articles
2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.