The San Antonio Spurs‘ roster appears to be set ahead of training camp and the preseason. They currently have 21 players under contract, with 15 NBA roster spots available and three three-way spots already filled. Regardless of who finalizes the roster, the Spurs are expected to improve in 2024–25. This improvement is anticipated due to Victor Wembanyama likely progressing alongside the addition of Chris Paul, and Devil Vassell also expected to elevate his game.
The Spurs are definitely on the rise, while their former rivals, the Phoenix Suns, seem to be past their peak. Although Devin Booker is in his prime, Kevin Durant, presumably their best player, is entering his 17th year. Additionally, Bradley Beal is 31 years old and not performing at his peak level from his time with the Washington Wizards.
The Suns also face challenges with depth and are constrained by the second apron. However, a bold trade proposal from Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley could alter this situation significantly. This blockbuster deal involving the Spurs would impact both teams’ rosters. Next, we will analyze Buckley’s trade to assess its viability for both sides.
Grade the Trade: Spurs Acquire Bradley Beal in Risky Proposal with Phoenix
Zach Buckley’s trade suggestion involves sending Bradley Beal and three second-round picks to the Spurs in exchange for Keldon Johnson, Harrison Barnes, and Julian Champagnie. This trade may not meet the expectations of Spurs fans regarding a Johnson deal, as it could weaken their depth, given that Johnson, Barnes, and Champagnie are all likely to be part of their rotation.
Buckley notes that while Beal is technically superior to all three players, he is tied to a ** $ 161 million** contract over the next three years. This hefty price might shock any team, especially considering Beal’s decline in performance since four seasons ago when he was the league’s leading scorer. At 31 years old, he has faced ongoing injuries in recent years.
This situation renders Beal’s contract a liability, which is why the Suns would need to include three second-round picks—essentially their remaining assets. It’s uncertain if this compensation is sufficient or whether the Spurs would see value in Beal. The Suns could improve their roster by adding two wings and a center, creating a stronger team to support Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. However, the rationale behind an agreement between the Spurs and Suns remains unclear.
Would the Spurs and Suns Agree to the Deal?
The proposed trade would send Bradley Beal, a former scoring champion, to the Spurs, but it would significantly diminish their depth without providing substantial assets in return. While the second-round picks included in the deal could have potential, the Spurs would likely prefer two first-round pick swaps later in the decade.
Although Beal is a stronger player than Keldon Johnson, Harrison Barnes, and Julian Champagnie, trading all three for him might not be logical. Barnes is expected to start at power forward, while Johnson and Champagnie would serve as backup small and power forwards.
Adding Beal would push Devil Vassell to the small forward position, leaving the Spurs lacking depth on the wing. Although Stephon Castle might see increased minutes, Beal’s average salary of $ 53.6 million over the next three years makes the deal unappealing for San Antonio. The Suns might secretly want to offload Beal’s contract in favor of adding depth but lack the necessary assets to finalize a deal with the Spurs.
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