After a rough start to the season, the San Antonio Spurs have significantly improved recently, gaining momentum as they approach the offseason. With Victor Wembanyama as a standout player to anchor their team, they may consider making a substantial trade to provide immediate support.
However, the Spurs face a challenge as they lack players with significant contracts who they can afford to trade. This situation may lead them to consider including Keldon Johnson, a beloved player among fans, in any major trade. Despite Johnson’s solid performance and status as the team’s longest-serving player, the Spurs are in need of an upgrade at the point guard position.
Thus, Johnson could play a crucial role in facilitating the acquisition of a star to complement Victor Wembanyama. Here, we explore four potential trade scenarios involving Keldon Johnson for the upcoming offseason.
1) Acquisition of Trae Young
The Spurs have various avenues to match salaries for a potential deal for Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young, with Johnson’s contract being one option. They could ensure Devonte Graham’s $12.3 million salary for the next season and combine it with Tre Jones and possibly another player to balance out Young’s hefty $43 million salary, utilizing cap space for the remainder.
Alternatively, they might bundle Johnson and Zach Collins in exchange for Young. This move would help offset Young’s substantial contract not only for the upcoming season but also for the following two seasons. Furthermore, it would enable the Spurs to retain approximately $20 million in cap space, along with the room exception, to further bolster their roster around Young and Wembanyama.
While losing Johnson, a valuable asset as the team’s fourth option off the bench, may not be ideal for the Spurs, their decision could hinge on their draft position. If they secure two top-10 picks in the NBA draft, addressing their positional needs at point guard and small forward, it could make Johnson more expendable.
