Earlier than summer season started, there was an expectation that the San Antonio Spurs would have a splashy offseason. With star guards out there on the commerce market, many thought the Spurs could be main suitors. Quick ahead to September, and followers are on the brink of see how the newly acquired Chris Paul, Harrison Barnes and Stephon Citadel slot in with the remainder of San Antonio’s younger core. Based on ESPN, the Spurs might have acquired much more star energy this offseason.
On ESPN’s The Hoop Collective Podcast, Tim MacMahon stated the Spurs might have “simply gone and gotten” Atlanta Hawks guard, Trae Younger.
“If there was an actual marketplace for Trae Younger, he’d be someplace else proper now… If the Spurs needed Trae Younger, they simply might’ve gone and gotten him.”
ESPN’s Tim MacMahon on Trae Younger’s commerce worth across the NBA
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— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 2, 2024
Younger has been a rumored commerce goal of the Spurs courting again to the commerce deadline final season. The all-star guard was on the commerce block this summer season, however Atlanta might discover no suitors. Based on MacMahon, his commerce worth is at its lowest, making it onerous for the Hawks to commerce him.
At 25-years-old, Younger made his third All-Star workforce final season. He averaged 25.7 and 10.8 assists whereas taking pictures 37.3% from three. He struggled defensively and with turnovers, averaging 4.4 giveaways per recreation. The Hawks struggled this season and ended up surprisingly successful the NBA Draft Lottery, and chosen Zaccharie Risacher with the primary general decide. After buying and selling former Spur, Dejounte Murray, it seemed like they could tear the roster down and rebuild.
This made the Spurs a possible commerce companion, as they personal the Hawks 2025 and 2027 unprotected first-round picks. Any deal for Younger was more likely to embody not less than a kind of picks. It feels like, in response to MacMahon, that San Antonio wasn’t focused on making that deal. Whether or not that’s as a result of they don’t worth Younger as a participant, or just like the ‘25 and ‘27 draft belongings extra is unknown. Regardless, the Spurs felt ok in regards to the younger core so as to add veterans to it and see what they’ll do with the additional belongings in future strikes.
I wouldn’t take into account the Younger to San Antonio rumors squashed simply but. If the Silver and Black get off to a scorching begin and see a quick observe to competition forward of them, Younger is a participant that might assist them get there. An in-season commerce is at all times a risk, particularly with the belongings the Spurs maintain. If a deal isn’t accomplished in-season, it’s onerous to see Atlanta agreeing to a deal that doesn’t embody their very own 2025 decide in a stacked draft. San Antonio would head into that draft with three potential first-round picks.
With out Younger, the Spurs nonetheless have loads of expertise on the lead guard spot. CP3 is older, however nonetheless a basketball legend. Tre Jones performed his greatest basketball on the finish of the season and will thrive in a bench position. Citadel oozes potential and will make an actual affect defensively in his rookie season. The Spurs didn’t make the splashy famous person acquisition this summer season, however they need to nonetheless see a serious enchancment on the place subsequent season.
