While the Spurs typically aren’t too active on the trade market during the season, they’ve inquired about possible targets on the wing over the last few months, league sources tell Jabari Young of The Athletic. According to Young, San Antonio had interest in Trevor Ariza but couldn’t put together a package that would work before he was sent from Phoenix to D.C.
Young isn’t 100% sure that the Spurs remain in the market for a wing, but identifies Pistons forward Stanley Johnson as one player who could be on the team’s radar. As Young points out, Spurs assistant GM Brian Wright was part of Detroit’s front office in 2015 when the Pistons drafted Johnson eighth overall, and is believed to still be a big fan of the 22-year-old.
The 20-26 Pistons are tied for ninth in the Eastern Conference and may not be overly interested in moving Johnson as long as they remain in the hunt for a postseason spot. However, if Detroit considers moving the RFA-to-be, the club could seek a protected first-round pick or a pair of second-rounders, says Young.
With only a few months left on Johnson’s contract and the Spurs viewed as a difficult trade partner with whom to negotiate, a trade may be a long shot, Young notes. Nonetheless, it’s a situation worth keeping an eye on as February 7 approaches.
Here are a few more notes out of San Antonio:
- Pau Gasol looks like one of the more obvious trade candidates on the Spurs’ roster, but a league executive tells Young, “I just don’t see him having any trade value.” Gasol has played limited minutes since returning from a foot injury that sidelined him for a good chunk of the season.
- Here’s what Gasol had to say when asked if he’d prefer a change of scenery and an opportunity to play more, according to Young: “I’m trying to adjust and keep things in perspective. Everything has a positive outcome. I’m glad my foot is reacting well, and hopefully, I’ll get a chance to build on my minutes and my contribution to the team. Will I love to play more and have a bigger role? Absolutely, because that’s the kind of player and competitor that I am. But at the same time, I follow the coach’s directives, and you got to fulfill a role, whatever that role is. And that’s what you get paid to do. That’s a part of your job as a player.”
- Spurs general manager R.C. Buford didn’t rule out the possibility of making an in-season trade, adding that the club will “answer the phone” in the coming weeks. However, as Young relays, Buford also didn’t sound overly eager to make any changes. “Our guys are playing well,” Buford said. “You don’t want to disrupt the chemistry.”
The Spurs are looking for a wing and the Raptors are looking for a 2-guard. Hmmm…
I think Stanley Johnson is on a lot of contender’s wish list this trade deadline.
Detroit needs to move him right away
Johnson to the Spurs would be great for the player and the team. Because of their style of play, the Pistons have never been able to used Johnson as a slasher, but the Spurs system would free Johnson to be a bit more creative similar to the way that Leonard used to operate.
I really hope the Spurs don’t sign someone like Ariza. Their being a destination for vets in hope of revitalisation only made sense when playing with TD, TP and Manu.
Now? They’re just vets on an average team, not bringing anything special. I suspect the Gasol contract contributed to Leonard’s discontent, and I assume was to assuage Aldridge’s fears of playing pivot. Well, now L.A is normally the tallest man on the floor and Pau looks like a stiff.
If it was up to me, I’d work to the timelines of Murray, Walker, White, Forbes and Poetl. Give Pop an unceremonious out at season’s end (which he’d want) and start again, having signed&traded DeRozan/Gasol/Aldridge for picks/assets/young talent. A Spurs team tanking? It’d be a sight to see!
Oh man they better not give up any assets just to get bounced in the playoffs. Need to focus on the future with trades.
spurs getting dangerously close to becoming irrelevant
Think it’s time to retire, Pau