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.
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.