The San Antonio Spurs have already made some free agent moves this offseason, but nothing that broke the internet. So far, they re-signed Julian Champagnie and Harrison Barnes, and added Tobias Harris from the Detroit Pistons.
With their frontcourt shored up, don’t expect San Antonio to make a trade this summer, or at least not one that reverberates around the entire league.
On Wednesday night, the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers agreed to the biggest deal of the summer so far, swapping Jaylen Brown for Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round picks. Brown had been included in rumors ever since Boston opened up his availability in the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade sweepstakes.
The Spurs were linked to Brown, but ended up targeting smaller-name players, which was probably smart. At the end of the day, however, the Spurs walked away as clear winners of the deal.
Prime Spurs’ Draft Asset Gains Value After Deal
In 2022, the Spurs sent Derrick White to the Celtics in exchange for Josh Richardson, Romeo Langford, a 2022 pick (Blake Wesley), and a 2028 first-round pick swap.
As the Spurs jump-started a rebuild and Boston cruised to contention, no one reasonably expected that 2028 swap to convey.
Then, the Spurs landed Victor Wembanyama. Suddenly, they’re a much better team than the Celtics. Still, on paper, Boston is very, very good, and that pick will end up being late in the first round.
Right?
Well, George is 36 years old with a long injury history. Jayson Tatum is still the centerpiece, but with the deal, Boston has taken a massive step back. Tatum, White, and Payton Pritchard are all under contract through the 2027-28 season, so Boston should at least be in the playoff race by the time they owe the Spurs a pick.
But what if they aren’t? Injuries happen, shocking trades are made, and players ask out. In two years, the Celtics could go from second in the East to barely hanging onto the playoffs. The NBA just flattened the lottery odds, so non-play-in teams will get a 33 percent boosted chance at a top pick.
The selection owed to San Antonio is protected if it ends up being the first overall pick, but if Boston takes a big enough step back, the Spurs could luck into a top-ten pick in 2028.
As soon as Boston made Brown available, it was clear that he was not long for the Celtics. Two first-rounders and Paul George are a decent haul for a disgruntled player, but the C’s could have done better.
The Spurs, quietly, are the biggest winners of the biggest trade thus far.
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