Trade Spurs Trade Ideas

[spurraider21]

No matter what you think of Jollins, it might be time to acknowledge that the Spurs have had so many opportunities to acquire him over the years that since it hasn’t happened by now we should assume the FO simply doesn’t like him

I wonder if there is any world in which we could get Dean Wade this year - I think (?) that would also give us Bird Rights to resign him this summer and leave our MLE for other business

They just haven’t seen the light yet. Plus it would get me to shutup about it

 

[Exstatic]

No matter what you think of Jollins, it might be time to acknowledge that the Spurs have had so many opportunities to acquire him over the years that since it hasn’t happened by now we should assume the FO simply doesn’t like him

I wonder if there is any world in which we could get Dean Wade this year - I think (?) that would also give us Bird Rights to resign him this summer and leave our MLE for other business

I mean, if that were the case, that if you want a player, he’s on your roster eventually, we’d already have Tingus on board. We don’t though, although there has been rumored interest for many years to the point of hostility with the Knicks organization.

It’s not just wanting a player. The timing has to be right, and the price has to be right. When we were trading DJ to Atlanta to strip the roster, getting a 20/10 PF would have been the wrong move to tank.

When he was traded to Utah (you can debate this) we were still in tank mode heading into Wemby’s rookie season.

 

[Exstatic]

DJG is unlucky that we're stacked at guard, I'm sure he would've already earned a Champ-like deal in any of the previous seasons.
I'm hoping he can make it and be the 4th guard / 10th man on a Champ-like deal next season.

If I was the GM, I'd just keep recycling end of the bench guys until I hit gold. A lot of teams can't develop players and there always hidden gems to be found.

With the very rapid development of our two young guards and integration into the trio of starting caliber PGs in our rotation, Jordan McLaughlin is expendable right now if a team should come sniffing around DJG with a minimum deal in hand. Can’t imagine they sign JM another year, so there’s both a roster opening and a guard slot.

 

[Bruno]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2002089620394406301

 

[1kangaroo]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2002089620394406301

 

[Guru of Nothing]

Are we mostly in agreement that we realistically have $25M in salary with which to shop for trade upgrades? Not sure if potential extensions to Champ and DJG influence decisions (probably not, but it's not my money). I suppose we get some additional salary back if Barnes is resigned at something less than $19.M

In theory, I think roster construction would benefit more from bringing in 2 MLE level players vs one $25M player - we're plenty top-heavy, y'all. No matter what, I hope deals are approached with caution and we avoid any what the hell half-measures.

Somebody help me with Spurs salary cap arithmetic. Say we bring in Collins and his expiring $26M, and he fits and we bring him back at an MLE-ish $10-15M. Is the leftover $10M available for FA signings next summer, or does that get soaked up by existing salary volume? Followup question, do we have to be mindful of a Wemby extension buiding out the roster next season, or will Wemby extension come at the tail-end of roster building moves?


$13.4M - Olynyk
$7.0M - Sochan
$2.3M - Lindy Waters III
$2.3M - JMAC

I suppose we could includes Bismack salary too, but I think Victor likes him; perhap small sample size, but I notice they sit next to each other on the bench often. Maybe a shared Congolese connection.

 

[Guru of Nothing]

This

https://twitter.com/x/status/2002089620394406301

This just screams Sochan for Walker deal. Trade uderacheiving 2022 9th pick for underachieving 2023 8th pick. Both players get badly needed change of scenery with quality organizations, and maybe the Spurs come away with somebody they can develop.

 

[BacktoBasics]

This

This just screams Sochan for Walker deal. Trade uderacheiving 2022 9th pick for underachieving 2023 8th pick. Both players get badly needed change of scenery with quality organizations, and maybe the Spurs come away with somebody they can develop.

This is @scott suggestion. I stuck it out on Sochan long enough. He’s not going to come around.

 

[goprimogo]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2002089620394406301

i can see spurs all over this.

 

[Ariel]

This

This just screams Sochan for Walker deal. Trade uderacheiving 2022 9th pick for underachieving 2023 8th pick. Both players get badly needed change of scenery with quality organizations, and maybe the Spurs come away with somebody they can develop.

I agree, his natural position is PF and in Indiana the pathway to big minutes there is blocked by Siakam, he's not really a center or a wing even though he's got tools for both, I think he'd do much better on the Spurs on a scaled down role where he can take advantage of the gravity of Wemby + our 3 guards, and use his frame and wingspan to just hustle and hit open shots. The only thing I'm wary of is if there's some sort of work ethic issue, Indy is a serious and smart franchise and if they want to move on this soon it may be a red flag in that sense, but it could easily be them trying to reset the clock before he becomes extension eligible with someone who fits better long term.

 

[ginobilized]

Walker has some Malik Rose vibes but better passing and less overall motor and impact. He's 2 inches shorter and 20 lbs heavier than Sochan. It comes down to his role and whether or not the coaching staff is in on him. I keep thinking that Williamson and Sweeney have some good insight on players they've coached that might fit well here. Between the two they've coached the Bucks, Cavs, Magic, Pistons, Suns,& Kings. Their intel might be pretty keen. My guess is that the Spurs just let Sochan walk this summer vs trading him for a similar player. Our early success this year might have the FO waiting for the offseason vs the trade deadline.

 

[mo7888]

This is @scott suggestion. I stuck it out on Sochan long enough. He’s not going to come around.

It just makes to much sense... he's a big enough body to bang down low and his feet are nimble enought to guard in space. His shot is a work on progress, but not broken like Sochan. My biggest question mark is his drive and bbiq.

We should make this trade..

 

[Bruno]

Sochan for Walker isn't a true no-brainer for Spurs because Walker is paid $8.5M in 2026-2027.

Spurs likely won't want to go into the luxury tax territory next season. It will hurt them down the road with the repeater tax when Spurs will have to pay the tax to keep their main players.
Luxury tax threshold is projected at $202M next season.
If Spurs extend Champagnie, re-sign Barnes and keep their first round draft pick, they will be between $175M and $180M for 11 players.
They will have between $22M and $27M left to fill their roster with 3 or 4 players.

Trading for Walker means that Spurs won't be able to use their full MLE ($15M) on a player next summer. Before doing a Sochan for Walker trade, Spurs will have to analyze the 2026 free agency market.

 

[Ariel]

Walker has some Malik Rose vibes but better passing and less overall motor and impact. He's 2 inches shorter and 20 lbs heavier than Sochan. It comes down to his role and whether or not the coaching staff is in on him. I keep thinking that Williamson and Sweeney have some good insight on players they've coached that might fit well here. Between the two they've coached the Bucks, Cavs, Magic, Pistons, Suns,& Kings. Their intel might be pretty keen. My guess is that the Spurs just let Sochan walk this summer vs trading him for a similar player. Our early success this year might have the FO waiting for the offseason vs the trade deadline.

Jarace Walker was measured at the combine at 6'6.5" barefoot with a 7'2.5" wingspan, Sochan wasn't measured but I'd say he's probably an inch taller if that, and a couple inches shorter in terms of wingspan at least. If there is no negative intel on work ethic and personal life, it'd make a ton of sense to at least make an offer.

As for making moves, if anything the recent success should put the FO on notice that there is a chance to make some noise on the playoffs if they address a few needs, they shouldn't go crazy and overpay because it's likely that won't be enough to go all the way, but I'd be disappointed if they don't make a genuine effort to improve the roster within reason at least.

 

[RC_Drunkford]

I'd do Walker for Sochan in a heartbeat. He shoots 32% on 4.5 attempts from 3. That's way better than whatever Jeremy is doing.

 

[JJSPUR]

Sochan and a 26 second or 2 for Saddiq Bey. (how many years has it been since our 2nd rounders amounted to much ?) Sochan could have minutes in New Orleans and they get a second rounder or 2 to boot. If they like Sochan, and he fits in their style of play then they can resign him. Bey can play defense and hit an occasional 3 plus he is on a reasonable contract. My guess is that how crappy their season is going, New Orleans does something big at the deadline, maybe we can be a part of that deal with Sochan. We can always use more defense and better 3 point shooting.

 

[RC_Drunkford]

Sochan for Walker isn't a true no-brainer for Spurs because Walker is paid $8.5M in 2026-2027.

Spurs likely won't want to go into the luxury tax territory next season. It will hurt them down the road with the repeater tax when Spurs will have to pay the tax to keep their main players.
Luxury tax threshold is projected at $202M next season.
If Spurs extend Champagnie, re-sign Barnes and keep their first round draft pick, they will be between $175M and $180M for 11 players.
They will have between $22M and $27M left to fill their roster with 3 or 4 players.

Trading for Walker means that Spurs won't be able to use their full MLE ($15M) on a player next summer. Before doing a Sochan for Walker trade, Spurs will have to analyze the 2026 free agency market.

I don't know what you were looking at but you are completely wrong. Spurs are at 151 million in salary and Champagnie has another 3 million left on his deal for next year. Extending Barnes would cost them 10-12 million. Paired with Walker's 8.8 million that's about 20 million in salary. Sochan and Olynyk cost 20 million right now. We can easily use our MLE, add a draft pick and fill out the rest with minimum deals without going into the tax at all.

 

[LeBowen]

I don't know what you were looking at but you are completely wrong. Spurs are at 151 million in salary and Champagnie has another 3 million left on his deal for next year. Extending Barnes would cost them 10-12 million. Paired with Walker's 8.8 million that's about 20 million in salary. Sochan and Olynyk cost 20 million right now. We can easily use our MLE, add a draft pick and fill out the rest with minimum deals without going into the tax at all.

I think he assumes we decline Champ's option and spread his extension over 4 rather than 3 years, which should be done to save us some money later on when extensions start kicking in.
I think Champ will be up for a 35 to 45 million extension, depending on how he finishes the season.
I'd be happy with 38/4, something like 11/10/9/8.

 

[RC_Drunkford]

If Barnes takes a 3-year extension on a declining contract, let's say 12/11/10, we add Jarace Walker and we get the 15th pick (salary is about 4 million) and we also use the MLE, we'll be paying 193.5 million for 13 players. Perfectly fine.

 

[RC_Drunkford]

Sochan and a 26 second or 2 for Saddiq Bey. (how many years has it been since our 2nd rounders amounted to much ?) Sochan could have minutes in New Orleans and they get a second rounder or 2 to boot. If they like Sochan, and he fits in their style of play then they can resign him. Bey can play defense and hit an occasional 3 plus he is on a reasonable contract. My guess is that how crappy their season is going, New Orleans does something big at the deadline, maybe we can be a part of that deal with Sochan. We can always use more defense and better 3 point shooting.

That's my top under the radar move we could possibly pull off, but the reason NOLA is on a 3-game winning streak is said player: Saddiq Bey, who's also on a cheapass contract. If they somehow found out he's the key to winning games, they will want some type of asset for him.

 

[Bruno]

I don't know what you were looking at but you are completely wrong. Spurs are at 151 million in salary and Champagnie has another 3 million left on his deal for next year. Extending Barnes would cost them 10-12 million. Paired with Walker's 8.8 million that's about 20 million in salary. Sochan and Olynyk cost 20 million right now. We can easily use our MLE, add a draft pick and fill out the rest with minimum deals without going into the tax at all.

The smart move to keep Champagnie long term is to renounce at the $3M team option for 26-27 to pay him more that year. Spurs can then pay him less when money will be tight with Wembanyama, Castle and Harper extensions kicking in.

Salaries' breakdown:
Fox + Vassell + Keldon + Wembanyama + Harper + Castle + Kornet + Bryant: $150M
Champagnie + Barnes: $20M/$25M
2026 mid first round draft pick: $5M

 

[OK Computer]

The only trade the Spurs will do is one where it benefits the player more than it benefits them. Mark my words, tbh. They’re going to find Sochan a landing spot where he will have more chances, even if they get a 2050 second rd pick.

 

[RC_Drunkford]

The smart move to keep Champagnie long term is to renounce at the $3M team option for 26-27 to pay him more that year. Spurs can then pay him less when money will be tight with Wembanyama, Castle and Harper extensions kicking in.

Salaries' breakdown:
Fox + Vassell + Keldon + Wembanyama + Harper + Castle + Kornet + Bryant: $150M
Champagnie + Barnes: $20M/$25M
2026 mid first round draft pick: $5M

you saw my calculation right? I actually got the exact numbers, so even if you give Champ 10 million you're just at 200.5 million for 13 players. Now you'll need 2 more minimum deals which is about 5 million, but you also don't have to use the full 15 million of the MLE. Spurs got plenty of wiggle room and they even do the year after when Wemby's extension kicks in.

 

[Ariel]

The smart move to keep Champagnie long term is to renounce at the $3M team option for 26-27 to pay him more that year. Spurs can then pay him less when money will be tight with Wembanyama, Castle and Harper extensions kicking in.

Salaries' breakdown:
Fox + Vassell + Keldon + Wembanyama + Harper + Castle + Kornet + Bryant: $150M
Champagnie + Barnes: $20M/$25M
2026 mid first round draft pick: $5M

This is what I came up with 1) Jarace Walker included, assuming 2) Champ is decline and extended (used AJ Green's contract as reference, a bit below because he's getting a 7M pay raise in year 1), 3) Harrison Barnes re-signs at 9M, 4) Spurs sign pick #14, 5) use their entire MLE on a single player, and 6) sign 2 vets with 5 years of experience:

Player	Salary
Fox	49,80
Vassell	27,00
Keldon	17,50
Wemby	16,87
Harper	12,99
Kornet	10,45
Castle	10,02
Bryant	5,15
Champagnie	10,00
Barnes	9,00
#14 pick	4,37
Walker	8,48
NT MLE	15,14
vet min 1	2,86
vet min 2	2,86
TOTAL	202,49
CAP	166,00
Luxury Tax	201,69
1st Apron	210,33
2nd Apron	223,01

That puts the Spurs at less than a million above the luxury tax threshold, which should be easily avoidable by leaving a small chunk of the MLE unused, or signing a SRP over a vet, or whatever. I think it's manageable.
Sources:
https://www.spotrac.com/nba/cap/_/year/2026
https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2025/08/early-nba-minimum-salary-projections-for-2026-27.html
https://www.salaryswish.com/rookie-scale/2027

 

[DTW]

Trading for Walker means that Spurs won't be able to use their full MLE ($15M) on a player next summer. Before doing a Sochan for Walker trade, Spurs will have to analyze the 2026 free agency market.

That'd be fine, since Walker would slot in as the de factor MLE signing as the 10th man.

If the Pacers would do Sochan for Walker, unless there's something personality or lifestyle wise to suggest otherwise, it'd be a no brainer.

He has another season before a decision has to be made, more impressive measurables and while a sub par shooter, he's at least got a functional shot to work with.