The San Antonio Spurs will have plenty of options this offseason, although one area of need should take priority.
The San Antonio Spurs, in theory, can make any move they want this offseason. With the second overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, they can add anyone aside from Cooper Flagg, and they have been linked to premier trade candidates in Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant.
On top of that, they boast a franchise point guard in De’Aaron Fox, the Rookie of the Year in Stephon Castle, and a legitimate GOAT candidate in Victor Wembanyama. It’s safe to say that the Spurs are in one of the best positions this summer.
While the Spurs can stay the course and draft second and 14th overall (as well as 38th), they do need to address some flaws, like shooting and frontcourt depth. Wembanyama has been fantastic, although when he’s off the court, the Spurs have some clear flaws.
Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty ImagesSpurs need a backup center
The Spurs, behind Wembanyama, have thrown a lot at the wall, although nothing has stuck.
Zach Collins, Charles Bassey, Bismack Biyombo, and even fan-favorite Sandro Mamukelashvili are flawed, even for a backup. The Spurs won’t find a perfect player, as a player with those talents would simply be a starter in the league, although finding a backup behind Wemby needs to be a major priority.
“If you get a rim protector for Victor, that is a priority,” suggested ESPN’s Bobby Marks. “When he’s on the bench, eight points per 100 worse when Victor was off the court this season.”
The Spurs have the means to make a massive move, although such a move would do little to bolster their frontcourt. Even if they add Giannis, the second unit still lacks rim protection.
“Whenever anyone asks me, like, ‘Well, who’s the one team that can go out and make a big trade?’ it’s Houston and San Antonio,” Marks continued. “They’re in a terrific position for a team that hasn’t made the playoffs in a long time here and has kind of gone through this reset of their roster.”
While a flashy move might make headlines and give talk show hosts something to fill the airtime with, it’s not the move needed to get the Spurs into the playoffs.
Spurs’ possible backup center options
The Spurs, assuming they hold onto their draft picks, will draft guard Dylan Harper second overall. Behind Flagg, he is clearly the second-best player, and drafting for fit second overall doesn’t make sense. That’s how you end up with Darko Milicic or Hasheem Thabeet instead of Dwyane Wade or James Harden.
With the 14th pick, however, the Spurs have some flexibility. Bigs like Derik Queen, Thomas Sorber, or Wembanyama’s friend Maxime Raynaud will still be on the board, and the Spurs could swipe them.
Proven veteran free agents Clint Capela and Brook Lopez will be affordable and available for the Spurs to push for, as well. Myles Turner (free agent) and Nic Claxton (trade) might be a bit too rich for San Antonio, although they will have plenty of options.
In a deep draft, it’s easy to overlook the 14th pick, although the Spurs will likely fill an area of need with that selection.