This summer, the San Antonio Spurs made their first significant moves in the Victor Wembanyama era by signing Chris Paul and acquiring Harrison Barnes to bring veteran support to the talented French center. While these additions will help the team make progress, they don’t immediately elevate the Spurs to contender status. The team still needs to secure more pieces that can develop alongside Wembanyama to potentially build a dynasty in the near future.
One option is exploring trades for young stars around the NBA, particularly from the 2021 NBA Draft Class, as some teams may be hesitant to offer extensions. Jonathan Kuminga is a player the Spurs could target, and with the right trade offer, they could likely persuade the Warriors to part with him.
Trade Details
San Antonio Spurs Receive: Jonathan Kuminga
Golden State Warriors Receive: Keldon Johnson, 2027 First-Round Pick (ATL), 2028 First-Round Pick (SAS), 2025 Second-Round Pick (SAS)
Kuminga is only 21 years old, thus this deal would bring a dynamic two-way wing next to Wembanyama for the long term. His two-way play would be a fantastic fit for the Spurs’ mindset, and the team’s culture may help him work through some of the supposed maturity issues that many have had with him in Golden State.
The Spurs Add A Future Star Into A Win-Now Program
The Spurs have made it clear that they aim to be a playoff-caliber team by bringing in veteran players this season. As a result, their most obvious trade targets have been established young stars with uncertain futures, such as Darius Garland or Trae Young. However, it might be more strategic to pair Wembanyama with a rising star who is still years away from reaching his peak, allowing the team to develop their talent at a more measured pace.
Jonathan Kuminga, who averaged 16.1 points and 4.8 rebounds last season, could be a prime candidate. Despite a turbulent season where he had to publicly push for consistent playing time, the Warriors have shown interest in building around him. However, Kuminga was reportedly included in trade discussions for Lauri Markkanen and Paul George, with the Warriors viewing Brandin Podziemski as an untouchable prospect. If the Spurs offer a win-now player like Keldon Johnson along with multiple future draft picks, the Warriors might be tempted to make a deal.
For the Spurs, this trade would create a formidable defensive lineup with Devin Vassell and Jeremy Sochan joining Wembanyama and Kuminga, while Chris Paul orchestrates the offense. This lineup could realistically contend for a top-six seed, assuming Kuminga continues to develop as expected for a player his age. Even if success isn’t immediate, the Spurs have time to refine their strategy and build a strong future.
The Warriors Consolidate Assets To Re-Tool Around Stephen Curry
The Warriors have made several offseason moves to address their failure to make the playoffs last season and the departure of Klay Thompson. While they’ve brought in veteran players to fill the void left by Thompson, the team is also relying on young talents like Podziemski to step up as role players around Stephen Curry.
Keldon Johnson could be an ideal fit for such a role. Last season, he averaged 15.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists, despite falling out of favor with Gregg Popovich. Johnson is versatile and capable of fulfilling various roles on the court, though his performance can be inconsistent. Nevertheless, he would be a valuable addition to the Warriors, especially if they also gain multiple first-round picks in exchange for a player like Kuminga, who is still considered raw as he enters his fourth year.
The Warriors face a significant challenge with Kuminga’s upcoming contract extension. Unlike players like Franz Wagner and Evan Mobley, who secured max contracts by showcasing their skills, Kuminga may not have the same opportunity in Golden State. For his financial and professional growth, it might be in his best interest to find a team where he can play a more prominent role. The Spurs could provide that opportunity while offering the Warriors a strong return package that could be used to further re-tool the roster around Stephen Curry.
What Grade Should This Trade Be?
This trade provides both teams with greater clarity in their team-building strategies, but it presents almost no drawbacks for one side while carrying significant risks for the other.
San Antonio Spurs: A
The Spurs have little to worry about with this deal. The draft picks they’re giving up are unlikely to be a major concern, as their own pick will likely come into play when Wembanyama is reaching his peak performance. The Hawks’ pick could potentially be more valuable, but it’s a reasonable cost for a significant long-term upgrade over Keldon Johnson, who has already been moving out of the team’s core plans.
The main risk for the Spurs lies in Kuminga’s ability to adapt to being the No. 2 prospect behind Wembanyama. There might be challenges in integrating him and Devin Vassell into the team’s hierarchy, which could create issues both on and off the court. However, even if problems arise, the Spurs are well-positioned to adjust their strategy, as they will still have a strong stock of draft assets.
Golden State Warriors: B-
Many might initially criticize this trade, especially considering how the Warriors have previously safeguarded Kuminga in trade discussions. However, the Warriors are currently getting significant value with two picks and a rotational NBA player in exchange for a high-potential prospect who has shown slow progress over the past four seasons. They’re paying a price that exceeds what Kuminga has demonstrated so far, betting instead on his potential as a developing star.
The Warriors could use this trade package to strengthen their assets for when the next star player becomes available, as recent seasons have shown that such opportunities arise regularly. If managed well, these picks and young assets could prove valuable. However, this deal carries significant risk for the Warriors, especially since Stephen Curry is nearing the end of his prime. Mistakes could jeopardize their chances of contending with him before his career winds down.
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