Why the Spurs’ Quiet Trade Deadline Could Be a Missed Opportunity
Twenty-seven NBA teams made a move at the 2026 trade deadline. The San Antonio Spurs weren’t one of them.
That’s a notable shift for a franchise that’s been anything but passive in recent years. After all, this is the same team that swung big just a year ago by trading for De’Aaron Fox, a move that signaled they were done waiting and ready to compete.
Now, the Spurs sit in second place in the Western Conference with a 36-16 record. They’ve taken a significant leap forward this season, and with a roster stacked with young talent, there’s every reason to believe they’re built to contend for years to come. But with the postseason looming and the rest of the league loading up, San Antonio’s decision to stand pat raises a fair question: Did they miss a chance to solidify their title hopes?
The Core Is Set - and It’s Special
Let’s start with what the Spurs have. Victor Wembanyama is already one of the most unique and dominant forces in the league.
At 7-foot-4, he’s a nightly Defensive Player of the Year candidate and a matchup nightmare on the offensive end. He’s not just the future of the franchise - he’s the present.
But Wemby isn’t carrying this team alone. The Spurs have built a deep, balanced roster around him.
Eight players are averaging double-digit points, and it’s not just empty numbers. Fox brings elite speed and veteran savvy.
Dylan Harper has looked like one of the most polished rookies in the league. Stephon Castle, last season’s Rookie of the Year, continues to develop into a two-way force.
Devin Vassell, Harrison Barnes, Keldon Johnson, and Julian Champagnie round out a group that plays hard, defends well, and stretches the floor.
This isn’t a team that needs a rebuild. It’s a team that’s right on the edge of contention. And that’s what makes their trade deadline silence so intriguing.
The Case for Standing Pat
There’s a clear logic to what the Spurs did - or didn’t do. They’ve got a young core with sky-high potential, and they weren’t willing to jeopardize that for a short-term splash.
That’s a defensible approach. Championship windows can be fragile, but they’re also difficult to extend if you start dealing away key pieces or future assets too early.
San Antonio also has a treasure chest of future first-round picks - seven in total - which gives them flexibility to make a move when the right opportunity comes along. And if you're the Spurs’ front office, maybe you believe this team can make a deep playoff run without needing to tinker.
But Did They Leave Too Much on the Table?
Here’s the other side of it: The Spurs didn’t need to make a blockbuster to get better. This was one of the most active trade deadlines in recent memory, and plenty of solid role players changed teams for relatively modest prices. Veterans like Jose Alvarado, Nick Richards, Luke Kennard, Ayo Dosunmu, and Jared McCain were all moved - the kind of players who bring experience, toughness, and situational value in the playoffs.
The Spurs could have added someone from that group without touching their core or mortgaging their future. Instead, they watched from the sidelines while other contenders - and even fringe playoff teams - added depth and experience.
Then there’s the Giannis Antetokounmpo situation. The Bucks ultimately held onto their two-time MVP, but the fact that Giannis reportedly wanted out and the Spurs didn’t push harder is worth noting.
San Antonio had the assets to make a competitive offer - and the fit with Wembanyama would’ve been terrifying for the rest of the league. That deal was probably a long shot, but it’s a reminder of the kind of opportunities that don’t come around often.
A Young Team, A Narrowing Window?
It’s easy to assume that because the Spurs are young, they have time. And maybe they do.
But the NBA doesn’t always work that way. Wembanyama is already dealing with the kind of minor injuries that raise long-term questions.
The Western Conference is stacked, and nothing is guaranteed - not even for teams with elite talent and smart front offices.
This season might be the start of something special in San Antonio. But it also might be one of their best shots at a deep playoff run while Wemby is still on a rookie-scale contract and the roster is as deep as it’s ever been.
The Spurs didn’t make a move at the deadline. That doesn’t mean they made the wrong call - but if they fall short in the playoffs, it’s a decision that will linger. Because in a league where windows can close faster than expected, sometimes the boldest move is the one you don’t make.