The 2025 NBA Draft continues to be 29 days away on June 25, and free company is per week later, in order that leaves loads of time for hypothesis and rumors to swirl. With two lottery picks (their very own choose plus the Hawks’ at 14th by way of the Dejounte Murray commerce), the Spurs had been already certain to be tied to commerce rumors, however issues grew to become much more attention-grabbing after they skilled an enormous rise within the lottery from the eighth greatest odds to 2nd in a top-heavy draft, opening a fair wider array of alternatives.
A lot hypothesis has been swirling over if the Spurs will hold the choose or commerce it, and in that case, to whom, for what, and so forth. After all, all the things is simply hypothesis at this level, and nothing is about in stone, however it doesn’t damage to see what all is being mentioned on the market and break it down.
Most insiders anticipate the Spurs to maintain the 2nd total choose
Regardless of Rutgers guard Dylan Harper thought-about the consensus second greatest participant on this draft behind Cooper Flagg, some are questioning his match with the Spurs, who have already got De’Aaron Fox (whom they’re anticipated to supply an extension to) and reigning Rookie of the 12 months Stephon Citadel, who seems to be a constant leap shot shot away from potential All-Star standing.
Nonetheless, many NBA insiders consider the Spurs will hold the 2nd total choose, particularly if there’s not a star participant available by way of the commerce market (extra on that beneath). It will make sense no matter positional overlap as a result of some abilities are too good to move up, and Harper could be a shoo-in for the highest choose in lots of different drafts. This could additionally hold the Spurs’ funds comparatively clear, particularly contemplating Fox’s doubtless extension this summer season and Victor Wembanyama’s in two years. That’s already two max or near-max gamers, so the extra expertise the Spurs have on rookie-scale contracts, the higher.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has but to ask for a commerce
Even when the overall consensus is that the Spurs will hold the 2nd total choose, one factor that will entice them to commerce it’s the alternative to pair a celebrity with Wemby and leap into title rivalry immediately. Giannis has broadly been listed as one of many few gamers who might persuade the Spurs to surrender their choose ought to he ask for a commerce. Nevertheless, there’s only one drawback: he hasn’t requested for one but. Opinions are combined over if he even will, plus the Bucks plan on going all in to persuade him to remain:
A major facet of the Bucks’ pitch, then, is promoting Antetokounmpo on the concept of a so-called hole 12 months that allows them to retool the staff whereas permitting him to keep up his one-team affiliation after 12 seasons in Milwaukee. The very forgiving East panorama actually enhances the notion that it wouldn’t take years (with an s) to return to rivalry. (Marc Stein)
Even when Giannis does in the end ask out, there could also be higher choices than the Spurs, relying on what route Milwaukee desires to go from there. If the hope is to shortly retool and stay within the playoffs, a staff just like the Rockets — who would reportedly be prepared to half with All-Star huge man Alperen Sengun for Giannis — could be a greater suitor for them than the Spurs. In the event that they need to rebuild, then the Spurs’ 2nd total choose could be extra attractive, however the Spurs would additionally must ship again loads of expertise for wage matching functions, which a) they could not need to do (wage cap, lack of depth, and so forth.), and b) that might doubtless forestall the Bucks from bottoming out, and they might have to get extra groups concerned. At this level, Giannis to the Spurs doesn’t appear all that doubtless for a large number of causes, however that would at all times change.
The Spurs-Nets ties at all times set off rumors
That being mentioned, there could also be different suitors for the 2nd choose if the Spurs really feel they’re set at guard, Harper isn’t “the one”, or they need to bundle their one or each of their picks in a commerce, both for rapid expertise or to maneuver again within the draft. Jesus Gomez already went over a few examples of why merely buying and selling again within the draft is unlikely, so you should definitely go verify that out if you happen to haven’t already, however one staff the Spurs hold getting tied to within the rumor mill is the Brooklyn Nets, who personal 4 first spherical picks this 12 months: their very own at eighth, nineteenth (by way of the Bucks), twenty sixth (Knicks) and twenty seventh (Rockets).
GM Sean Marks is reportedly seeking to transfer up within the lottery, and as a result of his intensive connections with the Spurs as a former participant, assistant coach and govt, the 2 groups are virtually at all times linked in commerce rumors. Whereas the Spurs actually don’t want all these picks, the Nets might connect some attractive depth items to the eighth choose like Nic Claxton and/or Cam Johnson, who fill some areas of want at cheap prices.
Nonetheless, that might doubtless imply shifting again to the place the Spurs initially thought they might be within the draft, and why would they try this after they simply skilled such an amazing rise within the lottery? Once more, all indicators level to the Spurs preserving the 2nd total choose and staying the course except its for one thing too good to move up (and as beforehand talked about, to this point that potential one thing hasn’t even develop into accessible).
Chris Paul isn’t anticipated to return to the Spurs
But one more reason to think about preserving their choose and choosing Harper is the Spurs’ precise guard depth. Certain, they have already got Fox and Citadel as potential ball handlers, however they don’t have a lot past them. They traded away Tre Jones within the Fox deal, and Blake Wesley and Malaki Branham aren’t wanting like long-term items at this level (nor are they dependable ball handlers).
Add that to rumors that though he has not mentioned something publicly, Chris Paul isn’t anticipated to return and has a number of suitors himself (such because the Mavericks, who traded Luka Doncic and misplaced Kyrie Irving to a torn ACL, so that they have a beginning PG place accessible and should worth CP3 mentoring Flagg as he did Wemby), so the Spurs have all of the extra want for one more ball handler off the bench. They may deal with that in free company, or they might draft a participant with star potential, continue to grow organically, maybe shuffle Harper and Citadel round to experiment with match, and fear about having too many good gamers at one place down the road. It’s not like that’s a foul drawback to have.
Because the playoffs come nearer to an in depth, the rumors will solely hold constructing as we method the draft and free company. The Spurs will most actually be tied to lots of them, however simply bear in mind who’re dependable sources and who isn’t. If any credible rumors do come up, we will likely be throughout it right here at PtR, so you should definitely stick round!
