The San Antonio Spurs are stirring the pot in the NBA offseason with rumors of a potential blockbuster trade. After their NBA Finals loss to the New York Knicks, the Spurs are eyeing the very player who played a pivotal role in ending their championship dreams.
De'Aaron Fox's name has been tossed around in various trade scenarios, but the Spurs appear steadfast in their commitment to him. Even with the addition of Jayden Quaintance in the draft, the Spurs are on the hunt for a solid power forward to bolster their rebounding and defensive efforts alongside Victor Wembanyama. The rumor mill is buzzing with names like Aaron Gordon, John Collins, Jaylen Brown, and even a possible return of Kawhi Leonard.
OG Anunoby was a standout in the Finals, torching the Spurs with an average of 21.2 points and remarkable shooting efficiency. With the potential for another Finals showdown against New York looming, San Antonio might need an "Anunoby stopper." Or, perhaps the Spurs could bring Anunoby into the fold themselves.
The Spurs and OG Anunoby: A Match Made in Trade Rumors
Imagine having the player who not only neutralized your team in the Finals but also shot a blistering 50 percent from beyond the arc and nailed one of the most clutch shots in NBA history. Better yet, imagine having him on your roster.
However, the Knicks are unlikely to part with Anunoby easily. According to Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes, acquiring Anunoby would require a significant investment, and it's a long shot given the Knicks' recent triumph over the Spurs.
Anunoby's contract for the next season stands at $42 million, and the Spurs could potentially offer assets like Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson, along with a treasure trove of draft picks. The Knicks, having recently traded five picks for Mikal Bridges, would likely demand even more. They have the flexibility to replace depth players like Mitchell Robinson, Miles McBride, Jordan Clarkson, and Jose Alvarado, who might seek higher salaries soon.
While the Knicks, under the leadership of Jalen Brunson, have no interest in Fox, they're unlikely to dismantle a roster fresh off a championship win-their first since 1973. Players like Brown and Leonard might be more feasible targets for the Spurs, but the mere mention of Anunoby in trade whispers highlights his value.
Anunoby embodies the kind of player the Spurs need to solidify their status as title contenders. Fortunately, there are other players in the league who fit a similar mold, though none quite match Anunoby's Finals heroics.
Expect the Spurs to make strategic moves to strengthen their frontcourt, but don't hold your breath for Anunoby to don a Spurs jersey just yet.
In Other News...
Spurs Linked To Veteran Frontcourt Move That Would Change Everything Around Wemby
San Antonios offseason watch already has a familiar shape: the Spurs are looking for ways to keep building around Victor Wembanyama, and any frontcourt addition will be judged through that lens. With cap flexibility on their side, the team has room to explore a move that could add more size, athleticism and experience to a young core that is still taking form.
One name that keeps surfacing in that conversation is John Collins, with Chicago also frequently mentioned as a potential landing spot. The appeal is obvious on paper, since Collins could offer a different kind of presence next to Wembanyama, but the fit is not without questions because of his inconsistent shooting and only average rim protection. [Read more 🡒]
Spurs Have A Sneaky Chance To Add Another Defensive Menace
The Spurs have spent plenty of time looking for ways to sharpen the edge of a defense built around Victor Wembanyama, and Jonathan Isaac fits the kind of low-risk swing that can be easy to picture from afar. Waived by Orlando and now on the market, he brings the sort of defensive reputation that has kept him on radars even as his value has been dulled by injuries and uneven availability.
The appeal is obvious on paper, because Isaac has long flashed the ability to change the tone of a game when he is healthy and engaged on that end. The hesitation is just as clear, since his offense has never come close to matching his defensive upside, which leaves any pursuit feeling speculative rather than certain for a Spurs team that is still weighing how much it wants to gamble on another high-upside, high-variance piece. [Read more 🡒]
Spurs Suddenly Have A Franchise-Changing Path To Speed Up Wembanyamas Timeline
For a franchise still trying to compress Victor Wembanyamas ascent into something more immediate, the idea of adding a proven star has a certain logic. That is why the chatter around a possible LeBron James sign-and-trade has landed with such force, especially with Bill Simmons and others floating the notion that a veteran of his stature could bring both on-court stability and the kind of locker-room gravity young teams usually have to wait years to find.
The financial side would be delicate, and the roster fit would have to make sense for both sides, but the appeal is obvious from San Antonios perspective. A lineup built around DeAaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, LeBron and Wembanyama would instantly change the temperature around the Spurs, while the Lakers would only consider such a move if they believed the return helped them elsewhere. The question now is whether this is just offseason noise or something the Spurs can seriously treat as a path worth exploring. [Read more 🡒]