The San Antonio Spurs find themselves in a tricky two-way street right now - they’re ahead of schedule in their rebuild, but that doesn’t mean they’re without some glaring holes. The recent slump has been tough to watch, especially after they were sitting comfortably in second place in the West.
Now? They’re in a dogfight for that spot, and the cracks are starting to show.
Let’s start with the obvious: the offense has gone cold. Since Devin Vassell went down, the Spurs have looked out of rhythm on both ends of the floor.
The shots aren’t falling, the rim finishing has been shaky, and the defensive effort has been inconsistent at best. It’s not just a rough patch - it’s a stretch that’s exposed some real structural issues, particularly at the power forward spot.
Harrison Barnes, once a steady veteran presence, has seen his production dip. Jeremy Sochan, meanwhile, hasn’t quite carved out the role many hoped he would by now. That’s left the Spurs with a void at a position that’s critical to their two-way balance - and it’s no surprise that trade talk is heating up.
But here’s where things get complicated. The Spurs had eyes on New Orleans’ forwards Herb Jones and Trey Murphy III, two players who would’ve fit beautifully into what they’re trying to build.
Defensive versatility, shooting, high IQ - they check all the boxes. The problem?
Both are reportedly off the market.
That leaves San Antonio in a tough spot. They’ve got the assets - young talent, draft picks - to make a serious move.
The issue is finding a target who’s both available and impactful enough to justify giving up that kind of capital. And right now, the market isn’t offering up many clear answers.
There’s still a sense that a trade could happen. Sochan’s name has come up in recent chatter, and league insiders like The Ringer’s Zach Lowe have floated the idea of packaging him with a first-round pick to bring back help.
That kind of deal might’ve worked for someone like Jones or Murphy. But if New Orleans is truly holding onto those guys, San Antonio may have to pivot quickly - or risk standing pat.
And standing pat might mean leaning more heavily on players like Julian Champagnie and Luke Kornet to soak up minutes at the four. That’s not ideal for a team trying to hold its ground in a crowded Western Conference. It would also likely mean a reduced role for Barnes, whose struggles have been too consistent to ignore.
Bottom line: the Spurs need help at power forward. The Barnes-Sochan tandem hasn’t delivered, and the internal options don’t move the needle enough. But with their top targets off the table and the trade market offering more questions than answers, San Antonio may be forced to ride this out - at least until the right opportunity presents itself.
The clock’s ticking. The trade deadline is coming fast, and the Spurs have to decide whether to push their chips in now or stay the course and hope internal growth can carry them through. Either way, the next few weeks could go a long way in shaping the direction of this promising - but currently flawed - squad.