***** 2026 Spurs Off-Season Thread *****

25,454 Views | 544 Replies | Last: 4 hrs ago by Guitarsoup
Backcountry Birds
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He's still young too, so he could still develop. The salary is nice to dump him in 2 years if he's not a good fit.

Portis is a better shooter, but Stewart the better defender/enforcer to pair next to Wemby.

Those are probably the only two available PFs that move the needle and are realistically attainable unless we decide to move Fox, which I think most believe to be unlikely.

What do we think it would it take to get this done? My guess is Keldon and a second or maybe a sign and trade with Champ and a second if Champ wants $15M a year and we aren't willing to go that high?

Both of those would hurt. KJ being the heart of this team in many ways and Champ being our best, although inconsistent, shooter.

I'm not sure I like either of those trades for the Spurs. It's close though.
Guitarsoup
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AggieEP said:

I wonder if Detroit would accept a trade as a pure salary dump or if they would want value back. I'm less of a fan if we have to send any real assets back, but sure I'd send out one of our 2nd round picks (not 35) this year for Stewart.

I like Stewart in theory, but his role was pretty minimal in the playoffs and he looked a bit in over his head in his minutes. Detroit went with Reed because Stewart was not very impactful. There is also always the worry that he'll get into a fight and get himself suspended.

Still, all things considered he'd be a tough piece that could play next to Wemby for stretches and improves our frontcourt depth.

I think the playoffs hurt his value league wide. And if we took him into the MLE, we are burning the entire MLE, but they are cutting 15M from their cap, giving them big cap space without having to attach picks to Caris LaVert.

I think a lot of teams aren't going to want to pick him up because he is uncontrollable and he was bad in the playoffs. Shot is inconsistent. But he brings the nasty.

If they keep everyone under contract + the Duren cap hold (19M) they are about the MLE under the cap.

But Duncan has just a 2M guarantee, Tolu Smith is a TO.

They could be at 122,8M for 9 players + 3.8 for their 1st + 4 cap holds at 1.3M = ~35M in cap space to offer Reaves and then they would have the $8M room exception.

But hey, they could cut some more by doing Stew+21 to us for 35+42 and maybe a swap option in 28 or 29?. Is stewart that negative? Probably not That gives them an extra 3M in space to 38M and the 2nd round picks get an exception to

Would Chicago who is rebuilding do 20+21 for 15?
Guitarsoup
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Quote:


What do we think it would it take to get this done? My guess is Keldon and a second or maybe a sign and trade with Champ and a second if Champ wants $15M a year and we aren't willing to go that high?

They likely want to move him and cut the salary for the FA market, because this is the last time they will have cap space. So 2nd round picks if you don't send salary back is probably his value. They can get close to 40M in cap space while keeping Cade, Duren, Ausar, Holland, Sasser, Reed, and Dannis Jenkins. Then they would have the additional room exception of $8m to get another role player.

It is time for Detroit's all in move because they wont have the flexibility later and they need a 2nd scorer and shooting.
AggieEP
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If we brought in Stewart and Wade then I'd pretty much say that we've made a huge improvement to what we can do with our big man rotations next year and that allows us to be a bit more ambitious with targeting a longer term project like Lopez or Cenac that are not plug and play ready immediately.

It also could let us target Carr if he fell and then I think you'd feel 100% confident that you can trade Julian. Maybe even you trade Julian this week and pick up a late 1st to use on Quaintance.

Add
Stewart
Wade
Carr
Quaintance

And now you've totally revolutionized our rotation in a good way.

Wemby/Kornet/Quaintance
Wade/Stewart
Vassell/Keldon
Castle/Carr
Fox/Harper

Of course in our dream world, we find a way to maneuver and add Carr and Morez. Maybe Julian plus 2027 ATL pick to Golden State for 11 and draft Morez? That jumps us above all other teams likely to draft him and the cost is honestly very minimal. GS gets a rotation player on the cheap as they desperately try to make one more run with Steph plus likely a pick in a similar range next year. I'm curious how teams will value picks now that the first 18 slots have roughly equal chance of landing at 1/1 in the lottery.
Guitarsoup
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All that sounds so fantastic. BeefStew shores up the PF but also backup center position. Wade is a solid and smart role player, career 40% corner shooter.

Stew was 69th percentile as a perimeter iso defender, but a A+ tier interior and post up defender. With his 40% corner three, gives a lot of flexibility to our team.

Plus we are bringing in veterans that know and understand their role. Wade is older at ~30 but Beef turned 25 a couple weeks ago.
AggieEP
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Yeah I think with the offensive firepower we have, what we're really after for the PF spot is some combination of guys who can defend bigs while also switching to wings and who are capable enough shooters that teams can't leave them wide open.

If you add Wade and Stewart's totals together, you get like 16 and 10 from that position and I think that's what you're looking for in the short term.

Champ gave us 11 and 5, but both he and Barnes are just not physically capable of being the defensive force we need next to Wemby.
AggieEP
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I also really hope we can make Morez happen because of the potential future defensive lineup we could run out there in crunch time for the next few years

Harper
Castle
Bryant
Morez
Wemby

No tip in for OG if we have that lineup out there.
Guitarsoup
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AggieEP said:

I also really hope we can make Morez happen because of the potential future defensive lineup we could run out there in crunch time for the next few years

Harper
Castle
Bryant
Morez
Wemby

No tip in for OG if we have that lineup out there.

That has the potential to be the defensive version of the Beautiful Game team.

And think we could also have Fox, Vassell, Dean Wade, Beef Stew, and Kornet backing that team up (assuming Julian used to get Morez)
Guitarsoup
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LawHall88
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Quote:

San Antonio could use a backup stretch big as it reloads for next season, and a combo stretch big man who can start and possibly play alongside Wembanyama in bigger lineups such as Rui Hachimura. The opportunity to play alongside Wembanyama, the franchise's success, its culture and collective youth make San Antonio a preferred destination, sources said, adding that multiple big men are already trying to get to south Texas.

The Spurs possess the financial flexibility to make it happen. Fox is the only player earning more than $30 million per season, and San Antonio currently sits $44 million below the luxury tax and well below the first and second aprons. The Spurs will also have access to the $15 million non-taxpayer midlevel and $5.5 million biannual exceptions to fill needs. Considering San Antonio could become an exorbitantly pricey team in the future with extensions upcoming for Wembanyama, Castle and Harper, the urgency exists to add complementary players.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/49108219/san-antonio-spurs-offseason-priorities-nba-finals-loss
Guitarsoup
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Spurs are going to say the right things about Klutch clients while not shopping but actively listening to offers. They aren't going to panic trade or attach assets to just dump him.

The writing is on the wall, but it's unlikely to happen this summer
superunknown
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Quote:

sources said, adding that multiple big men are already trying to get to south Texas.


This gives me great hope. All i want from this offseason is shoring up that 4 spot in the lineup. It sends Julian to the bench which strengthens that unit and it helps protect Wemby.
All I do is Nguyen
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No matter what!
Epstein didn't do, you know, the thing...
I'm the rare Astros/Cowboys/Spurs fan. We do exist
SanAntonio
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Are you guys not concerned with replacing Julian's 3pt shooting if we lose him?
AggieEP
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He had the 63rd best 3pt% in the league playing on a stacked team that got him good looks.

I like Julian, but you better be stand out at something else if you are just an above average shooter.

Whoever fills that role of "shooter" for us should be capable of hitting over 40% to really strike fear in opponents and force them to extend their coverage. I don't think Julian is a good enough shooter to warp the defense and create advantages for the rest of the guys.
superunknown
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I suppose I've never considered losing him because he's still fully under the Spurs control. Guessing the only way he leaves is as part of a larger deal that brings some huge piece back at which point enough of the roster is shuffled to make this a brand new team outside the 3 young ones.
Guitarsoup
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SanAntonio said:

Are you guys not concerned with replacing Julian's 3pt shooting if we lose him?


Not really. Career .375. super IcyHot. he's a static shooter that doesn't shoot well on movement. His defense is fine but exploitable. Really good role player to have but not irreplaceable. I'm fact, I think Carter will be better than him by the end of next year or the year after. If he's getting anywhere over 12/yr, I'm happy for someone else to pay that.
Cappo
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Championship next year
Guitarsoup
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Jake Fischer works for Marc Stein.



Couple of 2nd round picks not to include the #35 and burn the MLE on him.
flashplayer
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Taking Karaban with our first second round pick seems like the most obvious move in the world. He will shoot above 40% pretty soon after entering the league. Wemby and the Spurs athletic 1-3s can cover his ass on defense but he gives them a reliable knockdown shooter on offense for a handful of strategic minutes here and there.
Guitarsoup
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flashplayer said:

Taking Karaban with our first second round pick seems like the most obvious move in the world. He will shoot above 40% pretty soon after entering the league. Wemby and the Spurs athletic 1-3s can cover his ass on defense but he gives them a reliable knockdown shooter on offense for a handful of strategic minutes here and there.

I think we need to go 3rd string big there, especially if Zuby, Tarris, or Onyenso is there.

I like Karaban a lot and think he is a winner, but he was .374, .347, and .379 the last three years at UCONN, so I don't think we can expect him to be a 40% shooter.

I also like Trevon Brazille from Arkansas. 6'10 225 with 7'4 wingspan, 100th percentile vertical (42"), 92nd in lane agility, 95th in 3/4 Sprint and shuttle. Shot 53/34/71. Doesn't foul or turn it over.

Nick Martinelli from Northwestern shot 42% from three. Good agility not quick. 6'6.5" 225lb.

I would take Karaban at 42, but like my problem with Graves, I dont think he would get on the court due to the athleticism. I wouldn't hate Karaban because I like UCONN players. But I really want to get a center there to learn from Luke and take over the backup spot eventually.
AggieEP
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Karaban has enough tape out there now that people know what he is and what he isn't. And if you're a 4th year player who essentially isn't much different from when you were a freshman, that's not a good sign.

I would be supremely disappointed if we drafted Karaban because I don't see him doing anything other than being a low end role player in the league.
FTAG 2000
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No thanks on Karaban.

Us actually spending our seconds would be great but feels like they'll just be cash considerations or rolled to a future draft.
Sher Thing
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Sher Thing
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ThenamesAg
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I may be in the minority, but I don't see this as that big of a deal. There are plenty of guard minutes. Fox can start with the second unit and run the show. There will still be plenty of time to play with Wemby. If he pouts, then you can look to move him during the season.
AggieEP
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I don't like that Harper has "a camp" whatever that means in this case. He's obviously deserving of a starting spot but I think being the bench spark and closer is actually a better role for him next year. As long as his minutes are up and he finishes games for us I don't think he has much to complain about.

If we ever think we're going to be able to trade Fox though, I don't think we can relegate him to the bench and a diminished role.
Guitarsoup
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AggieEP said:

I don't like that Harper has "a camp" whatever that means in this case. He's obviously deserving of a starting spot but I think being the bench spark and closer is actually a better role for him next year. As long as his minutes are up and he finishes games for us I don't think he has much to complain about.

If we ever think we're going to be able to trade Fox though, I don't think we can relegate him to the bench and a diminished role.


As good as Harper is and as good as we know he will be, I also don't think he's that guy just yet. Game 3 was bad for him. Game five had the misses bunnies and FTs.

Harper is much better at creating his own shot than running the offense. If you look at the history of most PGs they really start talking the leap in years 3/4. Harper still has some seasoning to be a guy that can run the half court offense as well as create his own shot. Same with Castle. It makes sense for all 3 to play about 30mpg and give Harper the learning opportunities to grow.

Right now we need all three guys. Just no two ways about it. As Harper develops, he'll be better than Fox ever was, but he's not there yet.
Backcountry Birds
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I don't disagree that we need a 3rd ball handler to take some of the minutes and pressure off the young pups. Castle and Harper will go through some necessary growing pains as they develop.

I just don't agree that that guard to fill those required minutes has to be Fox. A veteran guard that would be excited to play a major backup role for a championship contender at a much lower price makes way more sense than a declining all-star that has to be moved in the next year or so regardless of how he plays.


The more minutes you have Harper, Castle and Wemby on the floor together, the more you are preparing for your future.

Regardless of who starts, Harper needs more minutes, including crunch time minutes (at least when he's playing well) and those minutes have to come from Fox.

So why not trade Fox now before his value diminishes even further with fewer minutes and possibly even a backup role.
Sher Thing
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I agree in a perfect world it's all kumbaya and we run all three guards next season but it's becoming more and more evident that tensions are going to rise and something is going to have to give.

Debating whether or not we are better with Fox-Harper and Castle is moot. It's pretty obvious it isn't going to work out with all three. Where the Spurs go from here and how they handle this situation is going to be very interesting.

They probably try to start the year with all three again but they b better be careful and I don't think it's going to last all season.
Guitarsoup
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Quote:


So why not trade Fox now before his value diminishes even further with fewer minutes and possibly even a backup role.


GMs still aren't reactionary and emotional like fans. They understand the difference in minutes, usage and raw stats.

MPJ was a 17ppg scorer in Denver and a 24ppg scorer in Brooklyn. He's the same player.

Fox was a 26ppg scorer in Sac and a 19ppg scorer in SA. He's the same player.

Hell Keldon improved tremendously this year but his averages were only 13/5. Teams aren't looking at those raw stats to dictate a player's worth.

MPJ isn't all of a sudden hugely valuable because his production jumped.

It's just how that always works and front offices understand that. They aren't looking at starts or PPG. They are looking at skillset, efficiency, analytics of what they do when they are in the game. Because he won't have as high a usage with us next year, won't really drop his value at all.

He will always be overpaid, but as long as he doesn't get hurt, his value goes up as guaranteed money left goes down. Players like him in his skillset tend to start dropping off around/after 32, which is the end/after of his contract. His value isn't remotely as low as the reactionary fans think it is. And he is needed a lot more than they think he is.
Guitarsoup
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Good podcast just on forwards in the draft. Everything is time stamped. 34min mark starts Yaxel.

Guitarsoup
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Final Ringer Big Board. Lopez and Cenac dropped to late 30s. Getting Cenac at 35 would be ridiculous value.

https://www.theringer.com/nba-draft/2026/big-board#content
superunknown
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If you're in the "trade Fox ASAP" camp I can only assume you're ready for a 2nd year PG to lead the offense for a 2nd year HC on a team that has not figured out who their go-to guy in winning time is. I also assume you're ready for another "growth" season and are willing to go through more iso ball and desperate hot potato shots at the end of posessions since we also don't even have a bailout play to trot out to either salt the game away or squelch a late quarter/late game run by the opposition.
AggieEP
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superunknown said:

If you're in the "trade Fox ASAP" camp I can only assume you're ready for a 2nd year PG to lead the offense for a 2nd year HC on a team that has not figured out who their go-to guy in winning time is. I also assume you're ready for another "growth" season and are willing to go through more iso ball and desperate hot potato shots at the end of posessions since we also don't even have a bailout play to trot out to either salt the game away or squelch a late quarter/late game run by the opposition.


This is the same page I'm on.

We don't have a veteran closer on this team and we often were disorganized in winning time. It'd be pretty reckless to ship Fox out and just assume that we'll somehow be better in those situations next year without him.

Also, this handwringing over Fox is pointless because he's not hurting anything by remaining on the team at this point. We're in an excellent position with our books clean and his deal isn't an impediment to our roster building for at least 2 more years. No reason to do anything panicky right now when there is no urgency to do something. We could easily have some setbacks with injuries next year at the guard position and if that happens we'll be so thankful for our abundance of stars in the back court.
 
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