The San Antonio Spurs may not be gearing up for a blockbuster right now, but there are still a few names on the roster that could end up on the move before the February trade deadline.
After bringing in Tobias Harris in free agency, the Spurs checked off a major need. They were looking for a power forward who could defend and knock down shots, and Harris gives them exactly that. Even so, the roster picture can still shift plenty before the season begins, and the trade market remains open all the way through February of 2027.
For now, the expectation is that San Antonio stands pat. But if the front office does decide to make a move, these are the three players most likely to be involved.
De'Aaron Fox sits near the top of that list, even though the Spurs have publicly backed him. After a rough Finals showing, some fans are already pushing for a trade, but Brian Wright shut that down at the NBA Draft.
"We have the ultimate faith in De'Aaron and who he is as a player, what he's been for us and what he means to this team," he said. "And there's no wavering in that at all."
Still, Fox’s long-term future in San Antonio does not look especially secure. He remains an All-Star and one of the league’s stronger guards, but Dylan Harper is the player many believe is ready to become the better option - and some would say that’s already happened. If the Spurs can move Fox’s salary, bring back a solid return, and clear the runway for Harper, that would be a tempting outcome for plenty of fans.
Luke Kornet is another name worth watching. He put together a decent regular season, averaging 6.5 points and 6.1 rebounds, and looked like a possible long-term backup behind Victor Wembanyama. But his postseason went the other way fast, as he dropped to 3.7 points per game and fell out of the rotation.
San Antonio’s decision to trade up for Tarris Reed Jr. in the first round sent a pretty clear message about the frontcourt: the Spurs wanted more help there. That doesn’t automatically erase Kornet’s value, but it does make him easier to move. If Reed is expected to provide physicality right away, Kornet’s contract could become one the Spurs are willing to shop.
Keldon Johnson rounds out the group, and he may be the easiest fit of the three from a trade standpoint. He had a strong regular season and even won Sixth Man of the Year, but he wasn’t at his best when the Spurs needed him in the Finals, where he was a negative.
The contract situation only adds to the appeal. Johnson is owed $17.5 million next season before reaching unrestricted free agency, which makes him a clean trade piece for a wide range of teams.
A contender looking for a rebounder who can attack the rim would have interest. So would a rebuilding team hoping to clear cap space for next summer.
In Other News...
Spurs Missed On A Dream Target For One Frustrating Reason
The Spurs spent part of the offseason chasing a forward they believed could have fit neatly into their frontcourt plans, with Rui Hachimura drawing interest from San Antonio and several other teams before the market settled. Golden State, Minnesota and Brooklyn were also in the mix, a reminder that Hachimura had plenty of options as he weighed his next move.
San Antonio ultimately had to pivot after missing out, and the answer came in the form of veteran forward Tobias Harris, a steadier addition who helps address the same area of need. The Spurs would have liked to land Hachimura and keep building around a younger, more versatile look, but the search for frontcourt help did not end with one swing. [Read more 🡒]
Spurs Send Tarris Reed Jr. A Tough Message Right Away
Tarris Reed Jr. already has a clear early-career assignment in San Antonio, and it has little to do with putting up points. The Spurs took Reed alongside Jayden Quaintance in the 2026 NBA Draft, bringing in the former UConn and Michigan big man with the expectation that his value will come from defense, rebounding and a physical presence around the basket.
In Summer League, coach Corliss Williamson made the message plain: Reeds lane is the gritty stuff, not a featured offensive role. For a Spurs roster that already has plenty of scoring to go around, the rookie will need to earn his way by doing the dirty work and showing he can hold up in the details, with a chance to push into the regular rotation if those traits translate once the games start to count. [Read more 🡒]
Spurs Suddenly Face A Lineup Decision That Could Disrupt Their Chemistry
The Spurs are staring at one of those early offseason choices that can quietly shape everything else, and it centers on the starting power forward spot. Tobias Harris brings the kind of veteran rsum that usually makes a coach think twice, while Julian Champagnie has already shown he can fit cleanly alongside the rest of San Antonios core.
Champagnies case is rooted in how well the Spurs looked with him in the first unit, where the group around De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell and Victor Wembanyama clicked at a high level. Harris still has value, especially as a scorer who could change the tone of a second unit, but the bigger question for San Antonio is whether it keeps the chemistry it found or makes room for experience at the expense of continuity. [Read more 🡒]