The San Antonio Spurs have been one of the more intriguing stories of the NBA season so far. With a 21-7 record and a trip to the NBA Cup championship game already under their belt, the Spurs are showing flashes of what could be a fast-track return to relevance. But for all the buzz surrounding their hot start, don’t expect San Antonio to swing for the fences with a blockbuster trade just yet.
According to league sources, the Spurs are keeping their long-term vision intact. The front office isn’t content to just stand pat, but they’re also not about to mortgage the future for a splashy move that doesn’t align with their timeline.
“They’re not going to sit around being satisfied,” one source said. “But I don’t see them making a move like trading for Giannis (Antetokounmpo).
There are more reasonable options out there. They can be patient and opportunistic.”
That’s the key phrase here: patient and opportunistic. The Spurs have assets-young talent, draft capital, and financial flexibility-but they’re not in a rush to use them unless the right piece becomes available.
The goal this season appears to be internal growth. Let the young core continue to develop, build chemistry, and see how far they can go without disrupting the foundation.
Still, rival teams are keeping an eye on San Antonio. There’s been speculation about whether the Spurs might look to add a high-level role player-someone who can fit seamlessly with their core and elevate the group without demanding a superstar package in return.
“They have the assets to make a trade like Orlando did to add Desmond Bane,” one source pointed out. “It’d have to be someone that fits their timeline. Someone like a Trey Murphy III, for example, could be a strong fit.”
Murphy, a versatile wing with size, shooting, and defensive upside, fits the mold of a player who could grow alongside San Antonio’s young core without disrupting the development arc. That’s the kind of move that makes sense-smart, measured, and aligned with the big picture.
Around the League:
While the Spurs are playing the long game, other teams are preparing for a more aggressive approach-especially if a superstar like Giannis Antetokounmpo were to hit the market. If that happens, expect a flurry of activity from the Eastern Conference.
Teams like the Heat, Knicks, Hawks, and Raptors are expected to be in the mix. That said, there’s some skepticism among league executives.
The Knicks, for instance, may be hesitant to break up a roster that’s finally starting to gel. And in Atlanta, Jalen Johnson-one of their brightest young pieces-isn’t expected to be made available.
Meanwhile, the Utah Jazz are trying to walk a tightrope of their own. They’re prioritizing the protection of their top-eight protected 2026 first-round pick, but they’re also eager to start building a winning culture sooner rather than later.
Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George are viewed as foundational pieces, and Walker Kessler-who will be a restricted free agent in 2026-is part of that core as well. But Utah could be active on the trade front. Veterans like Kyle Anderson, Jusuf Nurkic, Kevin Love, and Georges Niang are all considered potential trade candidates.
The Jazz believe in head coach Will Hardy’s ability to steer the team out of its rebuilding phase, and there’s confidence from both management and ownership that he’s the right voice to lead this group into its next chapter.
Saddiq Bey Drawing Interest:
In New Orleans, forward Saddiq Bey is starting to turn heads around the league. After returning from a torn ACL, the 26-year-old has re-established himself as a productive two-way wing. Through 29 games (21 starts), Bey is averaging 15.0 points and 6.1 rebounds in just under 30 minutes per game.
That kind of production, especially from a player with his size and skill set, is exactly what playoff-bound teams are looking for as the trade deadline approaches. Bey’s ability to space the floor, rebound, and defend multiple positions makes him a valuable piece for any contender in need of wing depth.
As we move deeper into the season, front offices across the league are starting to define their identity-buyers, sellers, or something in between. For the Spurs, it’s clear they’re playing the long game.
But don’t mistake patience for passivity. If the right opportunity comes along-something that fits the timeline and strengthens the foundation-San Antonio has the tools to make a move.
They just don’t need to force it.