The San Antonio Spurs rarely chase stars; they build them. Last season, they made a trade for De’Aaron Fox, and that was something that hadn’t happened in a long time. The Spurs are now again one of the trending teams when it comes to trading for a superstar, and this time, the target is Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Fans around the league believe the Spurs are one of the top three teams that might consider making a Antetokounmpo trade. The other two are the Houston Rockets and the Atlanta Hawks. However, should the Spurs enter that bidding war? Do they need Antetokounmpo? The more you think about it, the more the answer is no. Here are three reasons why trading for Antetokounmpo might be a mistake for the Spurs.
3 Reasons Trading For Giannis Is A Mistake Spurs Cannot Afford
Their Timeline Is Not Now
Let’s face it, we are living in the Oklahoma City Thunder timeline. The Thunder won the championship last season, and they are the favorites to do it again. They are on pace to win 75+ games and look unstoppable. However, here is the thing: that will not be the case with the Thunder going forward. This is the last season they will have a low check to pay (low payroll).
Starting next season, their salary cap situation will get challenging. That is when they will have to trade away their depth and hope that players they draft can fill the roles. For example, right now, the Thunder will more than likely have to make a decision between Lu Dort and Isaiah Hartenstein.
The Spurs, with their young players, do not have to rush things. They have a solid salary situation and three players under 22 years of age. The Rockets, on the other hand, traded for Kevin Durant. That sped up their timeline. In a year or two, the Thunder will have to sacrifice their depth, and the Spurs will develop their stars. And when things get expensive, the Spurs have draft picks coming from other teams to use in trades. But those draft picks are years away, meaning their value is not at the highest point right now.
Trading for Giannis Hurts Their Depth
The Spurs have plenty of players on medium-sized contracts. That means that if they want to make a trade for a superstar, they will have to give up at least three players, possibly even more. Let’s put it in simple terms: Giannis will cost them one of Dylan Harper or Stephon Castle, plus two or three players like Harrison Barnes, Keldon Johnson, Devin Vassell, Kelly Olynyk, and Jeremy Sochan.
Yes, pairing Antetokounmpo with Victor Wembanyama looks amazing on paper. However, is it worth speeding up the timeline, giving up depth, and then being left without many assets to build around? In the first- and second-apron era of the NBA, teams need cheap talent. Antetokounmpo is one of the four best players in the league, and the Spurs have someone who can rise to that level in a year or two. Patience is a virtue.
A Dynasty Is Better Than a Title
Let’s say that, hypothetically, the Spurs can win a title with Antetokounmpo in the next two to three years. But what happens afterward? They’ve lost their depth, draft capital, and will have to give up one of their young players.
They have yet to see how their three stars mesh together. If things go right, the Spurs might have another dynasty for the foreseeable future. Trading for Antetokounmpo might bring a title, but letting Harper, Castle, and Wembanyama grow together might create a dynasty. Do they want to chase a title in an ultra-competitive Western Conference? Or do they want to let their guys grow and get to the level the Thunder are at right now? That is the question that Spurs fans have to answer and lower the pressure on the front office to rush a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade.
Featured Image: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
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