The San Antonio Spurs have been linked to some of the hottest names on the NBA trade market, and two players will stand out.
Even before they landed the second overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the San Antonio Spurs were the team to watch this offseason. As they build around Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs have been linked to Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant, and every other premier player on the trade market.
With draft assets and matching salary pieces in Devin Vassell, Harrison Barnes, and Keldon Johnson, it’s hard to imagine a trade candidate the Spurs couldn’t land.
While the Spurs could include Vassell, Johnson, Jeremy Sochan, and Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle in a deal, it’s unlikely that the team will want to give up that much young talent.
Two players have been overlooked as trade pieces. One is a shoo-in to be dealt if San Antonio makes a deal, and the other is borderline untouchable.
Photo by Kevin Sousa/Getty ImagesMalaki Branham will be traded
If the Spurs make a deal, guard Malaki Branham is all but a lock to be included in an outgoing trade package.
Drafted 20th overall by the Spurs in 2022, he has yet to break out as a regular member of the rotation, and his minutes and points have decreased in each of his three seasons.
Branham is a high-level athlete who has shown flashes as a shooter, although he has been buried on the Spurs’ depth chart.
With one season left on his four-year rookie contract, it’s hard to imagine that the Spurs will offer him an extension or re-sign him, making him totally expendable.
The reason for his lack of success is not his fault. The Spurs haven’t given him any playing time to develop. He has been buried on the depth chart behind guards Dejounte Murray, Chris Paul, Stephon Castle, Josh Primo, De’Aaron Fox, and Jeremy Sochan.
As a fourth-year player with some promise still, he doesn’t have the value to save the Spurs a draft pick, but he could be considered a solid piece in a deal, and will be one of the first players the Spurs willingly move this offseason.
Photo by Jason Miller/Getty ImagesJulian Champagnie is nearly untouchable
Last season, Julian Champagnie played in all 82 games and averaged 9.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.4 steals. He also shot 37.1% from deep. Players with a similar impact include Keegan Murray, Moses Moody, and Georges Niang.
All of those players will make more than twice the $3 million that Champagnie is owed in 2025-26 and 2026-27. He is on one of the best contracts in the NBA and is under team control for the next two seasons.
While he is not a star, he is a core depth piece for the Spurs, and San Antonio would not benefit from including him in a trade.
He, like Branham, won’t replace a first-round pick in a trade. He has no value as a salary-matching piece. His contract makes him one of the most sought-after players in the league, but the Spurs have no incentive to let him go. Expect him to come off the bench for the Silver and Black and play meaningful minutes for at least the next two years.