There’s reportedly a sense that the Spurs won’t seriously pursue a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade even if the Bucks make the two-time MVP available this season. While San Antonio seemingly has the assets necessary to make a compelling offer for a star-level trade candidate like Antetokounmpo, the team is very high on its young core and isn’t eager to break it up to go all-in on an older player, writes Kurt Helin of NBC Sports.
Victor Wembanyama is obviously untouchable and reports have indicated that the Spurs have never shown any interest in moving rookie Dylan Harper, dating back to lottery night when they won the No. 2 overall pick and the right to draft him. The team’s unwillingness to discuss trades involving its rising young stars also extends to reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said this week during an appearance on The Ryen Russillo Show (YouTube link).
“I cannot tell you how much the Spurs loved Castle when they got him,” Windhorst said (hat tip to HoopsHype). “Like, right out of the gate they were like, ‘Oh my god, do we love this guy.’ They are convinced that he is the perfect guy to have with Victor. … They love everything about his make-up. They love everything about the way he competes. They love everything about his willingness to improve. They love Stephon Castle.”
While Windhorst acknowledged that very few players in the NBA are absolutely untouchable, he stressed that the Spurs are extremely unlikely to move Castle anytime soon.
“I would be stunned if they gave Castle away for almost anything,” he said.
Here are a few more trade-related notes and rumors from around the NBA:
- Gerald Bourguet of Suns After Dark confirms that the Suns and Raptors spoke about a possible trade that would send Nick Richards to Toronto in exchange for Ochai Agbaji and a second-round pick, but says Phoenix isn’t looking to make a deal quite yet, doesn’t have a ton of interest in Agbaji, and didn’t love the quality of the second-rounder the Raptors were willing to offer. While it’s unclear which pick Toronto put on the table, neither of the 2026 second-rounders the team controls would be very valuable if the season ended today — the Raptors’ own pick would be No. 52, while the Lakers’ second-rounder Toronto owns would be in the 56-58 range.
- Mavericks big man Anthony Davis sits atop the trade deadline “big board” published today by Sam Vecenie of The Athletic, who ranks potential trade candidates based on a combination of their potential impact and their likelihood of being moved. If Antetokounmpo doesn’t get traded this season, Davis is considered the one player on the market who could “swing the title race the most if he were dealt to the right situation,” Vecenie writes.
- Earlier this week, Yossi Gozlan of The Third Apron (Substack link) published the first installment of his comprehensive guide to the 2026 NBA trade deadline, identifying possible trade candidates and potential goals for all 30 teams. For instance, in examining the Kings, Gozlan classifies Keon Ellis and Dennis Schröder as likely to be traded, Russell Westbrook, Malik Monk, and DeMar DeRozan as “very possible” to be moved, and Zach LaVine and Domantas Sabonis as more likely to stay put due to their sizable contracts.
Castle is easily the second best player on the Spurs. His play on both sides of the floor, taking on the most difficult assignments and doing them well will only bode well for the team as he grows. Harper is another and if he can begin hitting threes consistently that will be one hell of a backcourt. Fox is the piece that they would most likely need to move – I don’t see his spot being available to him beyond next year. Vassell is another solid piece – if they can get that starting 4/PF that lineup and bench would be outstanding. If Giannis was truly available, I’d offer Fox and #1’s for the next decade to close out the next dynasty.
Fox is arguably their best player. Making a case for best 2Way PG in NBA. He is 28 in his peak yrs. He is the last guy you would trade from this team.
Castle and Harper both look like they have solid futures. Neither is ready yet. And the reason both look good today. Is cause Fox is running the show.
IMHO he’s the first guy I move. His D has slacked since the injury and he’s never been the 3pt shooter that’s required for the modern NBA of today. But mostly his salary and abundance at the guard position. Harper and Castle can both handle the PG position.
Fox may be a better known commodity, but Castle is showing it on the floor otherwise.
I was about to say what hyperbole (that they wouldn’t deal Castle) but he’s really taken a leap looking at his stats.
You need to watch some games. Fox is becoming a leader on this team. He is a vet and a top player they look up to. He is shooting 39% from three. And 84% from FT both career highs lol. He is the one that led them to wins. While Wemby was out. They haven’t even played together yet. Wemby was out last year. Fox was out in beginning of year. And Wemby is just coming back. Harper is not ready to run a team. Let alone a playoff team. They didn’t sign Fox to trade him. Imo this is the year he makes his mark as a top PG.
I don’t see the Spurs making a trade unless its for Giannis. This team is deep. But also young. That’s why Fox is so important to them now.
Fox makes too much money though. He’s not the best player in the league, the Spurs have internal options that can replace him. Al being weird again….
I get to watch all the games being in San Antonio, many in person.
Fox is down a step. Good, but not Sacramento good. Contract also feels like he’s become a bit more complacent. I’m not questioning his value (or leadership capabilities), but if room was needed, he’d be my choice. Castle and Harper will be a duo on that perimeter that many will hate going up against – not to mention Wemby right behind them. Sochan and Vassell are also excellent defenders. The important point here is they’re all controllable. Fox is for the next $3.5 years, but he is the only one carrying the heavy price tag…and the only price tag that can make a major deal happen for them salary wise.
You mention Fox’s 3 pt shooting as not good enough despite his shooting 37.6% but ignore that Castle is shooting 28% from three?
Weird.
I would admit the Spurs could make a better offer for Giannis than GSW. But, as stated here, that is unlikely their path.
Once OKC declares something similar, GSW will be far and away the best package and pick combination to acquire G, whether in a 1-1, or multi-team deal.
Whether it’s Jimmy and Podz, or Draymond, Kuminga and Hield, for G and his bro, plus 3 FRP and 3 other pick swaps…no one is beating that. Multi-team trades exist, Draymond can go elsewhere, I don’t even think the Bucks would ask for more than 3 FRP too, if Kuminga is in the deal.
why would the Bucks (or any other team) care about Kuminga – he’s not a good basketball player.
Incorrect. Kuminga’s ceiling remains sky high. Kerr is just doing coaching malpractice on his development. He would be an all-star right now if Kerr simply played him 30+ MPG every single game. Instead he DNPs him and gives the minutes to 2way guys who aren’t on the team the next year. Get Kuminga away from Kerr, and someone who actually does the job they get too-much money for can flip the switch on him. Kuminga has the tools, it’s Kerr’s constantly inconsistent requests wrecking havoc on his mental side. Just give him a clear role, stick to that, and watch him take off. Can’t do that in Kerr’s “I change my lineups every single game and DNP random players who are playing well, like Will Richard” dumb system that’s failing him and his team.
I think you’re too high on Kuminga Davey but I agree with 90% of your takes in these two posts and the possible trade constructions.
Another key point about this type of trade is it would save Kerr from himself – making it more clear who should be in the rotation by thinning it and adding a no-brainer starter. Curry, Butler, Giannis/Davis, Post/Horford and one of their many 6’4 guards in that 5th spot is a winning combination.
Kuminga’s tools are there, its the mental he is struggling with, and it’s obvious when his job is clear, he is going to be a very good player, if not a superstar in this league. Kerr on the other hand, is playing nothing but mind games 24-7 with every youngster not named Podz, who he gives unlimited minutes to even though he does nothing to earn them, just a good game every 10 games or so. Yawn. Move on from Podz. Play Kuminga and Moody more.
You need to get off that Giannis drug lol. Warriors have nothing to offer Bucks. Warriors best move is a Kuminga trade. For a player who fits Warriors better.
And move Buddy too. Only way you will upgrade thus team.
Kuminga, Dray, Buddy and 4 FRP for Giannis and his bro is the best offer the Bucks are going to get. You should get off the drugs, Al.
You literally kind of advocate for this in your post “GSW has nothing to offer” “but they should trade all these guys” ok for who? Giannis!!! Logic…you aren’t making any…
That’s not happening. That’s just clearing out the bench and getting some late round picks.
Kings need spending cut.
Kings trade value ranking
1. Westbrook – high motor, low risk
2. Ellis – 3 months rental? sometimes he is not playable, sometimes he plays 9 minutes a game
3.Monk — big contract, average 2 assists and 2 rebs a game
4.DeRozan – big contract, play little defense
5. Schroder – – big contract, low effort
the rest are likely stay put
SAS shouldn’t get involved in any discussions for a major trade. The risk-reward is off. The simple fact is generational talents win championships. The timing and number are all that’s at issue. SAS got not only Wemby, but two of the other top 10 prospects to come out in the past 3 seasons. Yes, a good trade for a veteran superstar could accelerate (expand) their potential championship window, but a stupid trade (or major injury) is about the only way this team doesn’t win multiple championships. When you’re dealt a full house, you lay it down. You don’t draw in an effort to get 4 of a kind.
Absolutely correct. And the great thing is that they have the model to look at as an example. It’s not like they’re doing this in the dark.
OKC has perfected pretty much how you’re supposed to build from the ground up.
Yes, OKC perfected the model, one that SAS actually started in the last century. But I can’t say the model is really how you’re “supposed to” build a team, since the model is centered principally around tanking. I’ll concede that it works, or at least that it can if you’re liked by the ping pong balls.
Well, it’s either tanking or trading Paul George for seven guys lol !!
The Spurs shouldn’t just because Wemby doesn’t want to play with Giannis. If you notice with LeBron going out the teaming up crap and getting along with every player is starting to go away which is great for the NBA. He wants to compete not play with. He wants his own legacy not one of the giannis who has already won.
I wouldn’t believe that 100%
He can say that now, but if years of them not winning and coming up short happen he will mention needing help. Garnett hung on to Minnesota longer than he should, he was able to win but he was so good he could have had more.
He is in his 3rd year. Took Jordan many years. Have to build. This Spurs are putting the right pieces around him but at some point it’s on the player. Are we going to blame Indiana for Reggie not winning or Utah for Karl Malone or John Stockton? No they just didn’t win and it happens. Got to start holding players accountable and stop using the excuse. Many of these players have started that they didn’t have the teams. No, you just didn’t win. That’s just the bottom line. Kobe found a way to win against bos. Jordan found a way to win. Dirk found a way to win. How long was olajuwon with Houston before he found a way to win in in a 94,94. The list goes on after Durant left the warriors. Did Curry find a way to win? He absolutely did when teams counted him out. Too many players blaming the teams when you’re not winning. Giannis is not a great example because he got everything he wanted. He won one and then he was hurt. He hasn’t changed his playstyle and he’s asked for this player and that player you got to go out there and win.
Yes, AncientOne and Kevin Garnett was actually bitter about that later. I heard him talk about staying in Minnesota and being loyal to the wolves too long.
He’s definitely one of those guys that you’re glad to see he got a ring. I don’t know if anyone appreciated it as much as he did when he finally got one.
And as a sidenote, he sure needed some help didn’t he? That was definitely a super team in Boston.
I don’t think Boston was a super team. Ray Allen was no star at that point. No different than Giannis getting Drew holiday when he won his championship. His contract was bloated and Boston drafted the rest of those role players it just worked. And I’ll had all those players signed together then yes. But Minnesota received pretty good Capital from that getting Al Jefferson who was a young big and wind up being an All-Star. Seattle won 31 games with rey talon as the man and this was his 12th and 13th season after playing 3 years of college basketball. So they were trading for a 16.7 million dollar who was 33 and played 55 games the year before. He didn’t make the all Star team And he took up 16.7 million of a 55 million cap. That close to 45 percent.
The only reason why they call this team a super team is because LeBron ran to Miami and created his own super team. No if in 2000 Ray l, Pierce and Garnett teamed up yes I call it a super team. Ray Allen was on the down tune And wasn’t good enough to carry a team to the playoffs anymore.
Completely different story than than. Chris Bosh who was a 26 and 12 guy who went to the playoffs the year before as the man. Dwyane Wade a playoff player who had a finals MVP and won a championship and was a top five player. Lebron who is considered either number one or number two in the NBA with Kobe ageing. All 3 were in there two were top five players in the NBA and one was a top 12 player in the NBA.
Sa.e with Brooklyn. Never thought they were a super team that’s why it never worked.
Golden state was a super team just for the fact the same as LeBron. KD ran two a team in his conference and played with a player who was top three in the NBA when he was a top three player as well.
Same as when LeBron went to Cleveland. He was a top three NBA player and grabbed two All-Stars that are in their primes. Who are all NBA players? The situations are completely different, but as you see, none of these teams resulted in multiple championships because that’s not how you build a contender
Buying buckets you make so many great points. Good comment.
Ray Allen is a HOF player. He went to Celtics when he was 32 yrs old. Played 5 yrs for Boston and avg 36 mins a yr. He was a 41% 3pt shooter and 92% FT. He was top of league in that. As 3/4 option on that team. He avg 17 a gm. And was clutch. Ray Allen was one of best guards of his generation. Was still productive in Miami and played till 38 yrs old. An 18 year career………
Jesus Shuttlesworth……. “He Got Game”
link to basketball-reference.com
Nobody ever said he wasn’t a HOF. I don’t know what your getting at. My point was he was not capable of carrying a team at that point. His contract was more than he could produce, it why Seattle was trying to dump him. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. He was still a great player as a 3/4 option but that’s what he was. What I was debunking is the super team because they didn’t just team up
al is just trolling literally everyone in this post’s comments section lol
The only trades I am good with is;
Barnes Vassell Sochan + 2 firsts
Devin Booker
Barnes Vassell Sochan + 3 firsts
Giannis.
Wouldn’t move Harper or castle for anyone except the joker.
I wouldn’t even move those two guys for the Joker. Yes he’s the greatest player on the planet, but something tells me that there’s a switch inside of his head that will one day flip over to, “screw this I’m out.”
He’s already showed up out of shape and overweight, I can just imagine after he’s won a couple more championships that he calls it a career early. Retires at 33 or 34 when a lot of guys are hitting their stride. Goes home to beer, family, and horses
This is not a dig on the joker. This is just to say I wouldn’t even trade those two for that guy right now.
It’s absurd to claim that he “showed up out of shape and overweight”.
He’s AVGD 30/12/11 on 61%/43%/84% shooting in the 1st 2 months of the season with 2 starters and 2 bench players missing a bunch of games.
(He’s no Luka)!
Gary’s player evaluation sucks. Always has.
Then you missed it. No one‘s expected to catch all the headlines.
How can it be absurd when it happened? People are so loose with their comments and words.
The Spurs would be insane to mess with what they have right now. A ton of youth that is already very good and only getting better, plus draft assets, is a luxury most teams only dream of. They’re on track to run neck and neck with the Thunder for years to come.
I think if they could move someone (maybe Vassell?) for a decent power forward I would make that move.
The only trade out there for the Spurs is Giannis. Spurs can trade for him. And not hurt their rotation at all. They would have three of best players at their position in the NBA. Plus they can also keep Vassel or Castle at the 2. Spurs have all their picks plus 15 2nd rd picks thru 2031. They can easily give up picks and players. And become the team to beat for next 8 years. Starting the day after the Trade lols.
Personally….. I would have made this trade at the draft.
Spurs should stand pat… see what they have… let their young core grow…
Victor needs time to grow… time to be ready for a full season and playoffs…
The Thunder last year were a younger team than Spurs are now. I definitely go for Giannis. That’s a guaranteed 3-4 chips.
You do… but you were also happy with Thibs…
I only go fo Giannis if Fox is the big name in the trade…
Keep Castle, Harper, Vassel, Champagne and Sochan…
They have some older players like Barnes, Fox, Olynyk and Kornet who are not part of their young core… Who make them seem older than they are as a young core…
I would see where they are at when Jokic hits free agency, because Wemby at PF in a twin towers game…lol, its over for everyone.
They tried him at PF when he first started and it was a disaster. He’s lost outside the paint and doesn’t have the speed to cover a small ball PF.
Ok but they did not have Joker at the C. Wemby is smart enough to adjust.