The San Antonio Spurs have a glaring need, and it’s not exactly a secret-this team needs shooting. It’s been evident all season long, and the front office is well aware.
The question isn’t whether they’ll address it, but how. And more importantly, at what cost?
That brings us to a proposed trade that’s been making the rounds: Kevin Huerter and two second-round picks (2029 and 2031) coming to San Antonio in exchange for Jeremy Sochan, Kelly Olynyk, and a 2031 first-round pick swap the Spurs acquired from Sacramento. On paper, it’s a hefty price for a player like Huerter, and that’s before you even get into his current shooting slump.
Yes, Huerter is a career 37% shooter from deep, but this season he’s hovering around 32%-not exactly the kind of floor-spacing threat the Spurs are desperate for. The idea is that playing alongside Victor Wembanyama and a group of guards who thrive on driving into the paint could open things up for Huerter.
That’s a fair assumption, but it doesn’t erase the fact that his value should be lower right now. And if the asking price doesn’t reflect that, it’s tough to justify.
Let’s be clear: Huerter can help this team. He’s a smart, instinctive player who understands spacing, reads the game well, and can function as both a shooter and a secondary playmaker.
But the Spurs can’t afford to act out of urgency or optics. Making a move just to make a move isn’t the answer-especially for a team still figuring out how to build around a generational talent like Wemby.
There’s a smarter way to approach this. Let’s say instead of sending out Olynyk, the Spurs package Bismack Biyombo and Lindy Waters to make the money work.
That version of the deal is a little easier to digest-both players are on the fringe of the rotation, and moving them would open up roster spots for additional moves. That flexibility could be just as valuable as the return itself.
Olynyk’s $13 million contract is a useful trade chip in its own right. If the Spurs want to chase more than just shooting-say, another big who can help stabilize the frontcourt-that’s a piece they can use.
This roster doesn’t just need one fix. It needs shooting, yes, but it also needs more depth up front, especially if Wembanyama or Luke Kornet are banged up.
Biyombo can bring energy and rim protection, but he’s not a long-term solution. And Waters, for all his hustle, rarely sees the floor.
The bigger picture here is about flexibility. If Huerter doesn’t fit into the Spurs’ long-term plans, they can move on in the offseason and clear $17 million off the books. That cap space, combined with a better understanding of how to build around Wemby, could be a springboard into the next phase of the rebuild.
And that’s the real goal here-getting more data. The Spurs need to see what this offense looks like with more shooting on the floor.
They need to test different lineups, see who complements Wemby, and identify which pieces are worth keeping. Right now, there’s too much guesswork.
The more looks they get with real shooters and high-IQ players around their star, the clearer that picture becomes.
We’ve heard it over and over: players around the league want to play with Wemby. Now it’s on the front office to find the right ones.
Huerter might be one of them. He’s not a star, but he’s a smart, capable player who could bring real value-if the price is right.