The Hawks buy John Collins again. Should Spurs be interested?
Marilyn Dubinsky: I think if Spurs were really interested in Collins they would have made a move with the many previous chances they had. He was linked with them while still on his rookie contract and they needed a power forward much more, and they didn’t acquire him. They didn’t pursue him as a restricted free agent (at least not desperately), and if they really wanted a playable role in exchange for Dejounte Murray, they could have demanded Collins then, but they didn’t. haven’t done it. At this point, I imagine Spurs would rather continue to develop Jeremy Sochan as a power forward and hedge their bets on the chance of Victor Wembanyama or another striker in what will be a deep draft.
Mark Barrington: I do not think so. He’s only 25, so maybe he could fit into the Spurs timeline, but he’s not a team manager, and they’re not interested in adding a player earning over 25m. dollars per year during the 2025-2026 season who is only a complementary player.
Bruno Passos: How much can change in a year. I was (and remain) a fan of what Collins can bring to any team looking for an upgrade, even if they don’t knock on the door. At least that was the impression most had of Spurs 12 months ago, but in the long run it’s pretty clear they shouldn’t be in the John Collins business. Keep your picks, stay bad and do what Spurs of old would do: wait to sign him when he’s 34 and good for a good 14 minutes a night on the bench.
Jesus Gomez: I would say yes if not for the fact that Spurs are sitting with a variety of guys every night, which suggests that despite the strong start they have no desire to compete at the moment. It’s totally understandable and I’d say it’s smart that this is the plan, but it’s hard to justify any big winning move now. It’s also hard to see a trade that makes sense since the Hawks have a solid starting center, which means they probably wouldn’t be interested in Jakob Poeltl. It’s a little strange that Atlanta seems to be perpetually trying to move a good player, but the Spurs should probably drop this one.
JR Wilco: Why would the team sign for more talent when they are barely playing the talent they have. No one on the team would admit it, but for the first time in my life, there’s no doubt in my mind that PATFO is capable of making the decision to tank – and they made that decision.
Spurs need a backup playmaker and Immanuel Quickley could be available. Would this be a good fit?
Dubinsky: I don’t know much about Quickley, but at this point anyone who is more than a fringe NBA player will be an upgrade from what they have (with all due respect to Jordan Hall). The problem isn’t so much the lack of a point guard behind Jones as when he misses a game Spurs have nothing. The idea of the Sochan point is fun, but it’s too much to put on the rookie forward’s shoulders and it’s not sustainable if Jones misses extended time. So yes, if a backup playmaker becomes available, go for it.
Barreton: I think Quickley would be a player who could step in immediately and help Spurs win games, which is a good reason why Spurs don’t want to acquire him in a mid-season trade. The goal this year is to develop players and have a good chance of drafting a future franchise star. Acquiring an experienced player who will take away minutes from youngsters and help the team win games does not advance any of these goals.
Passes: With Blake Wesley still a few weeks away from what will likely be a gradual and patient return to play, I wouldn’t mind some sort of placeholder that provided some structure and stability and made the losses a little easier to watch. . However, I don’t think that should come at the expense of the kind of collateral draft that I suspect the Knicks would want to claw back for Quickley. I don’t necessarily think adding him would hurt Spurs’ lottery chances, but they can probably meet their immediate needs without dipping into the piggy bank of choice.
Gomez: Quickley is the right age and, at his best, has the kind of skill that would complement Tre Jones, as he can score and shoot from distance. Is he the starting point guard of the future, though? I won’t blame him for being buried on the bench by the notoriously stubborn Tom Thibodeau, but even when he got minutes he looked more like a potentially formidable substitute than a long-term starter. With Jones around, Wesley returning at some point, and some good point guard prospects in the next draft, it would probably be best not to use assets on someone who isn’t on the core immediately. That said, if all it takes is a veteran and a second round to get it, then sure.
Wilco: Unless he’s been identified as a perfect fit for the culture, there’s no need to do anything mid-season to try and win more games. (See previous statement on tanking.)
If you had to guess which Spur currently on the list will be traded before the end of the season, who would you pick?
Dubinsky: The trio of Josh Richardson, Doug McDermott and Jakob Poeltl are the most likely candidates, and I’ve already stated publicly that I don’t want Spurs to trade Poeltl and I don’t think they should until this let them see how the draft is going. (and until then, it would be a question of re-signing it). On the other two, I can see more teams looking at Richardson’s two-way game and the expiring contract, and at the same time, he just hasn’t been as good so far this season, while that McDermott brings much-needed shots to Spurs. . My vote goes to Richardson.
Barreton: It pains me to say this, but I think the spur most likely to be traded will be Jakob Poeltl. Simply because he will be 30 in 2025 and will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. Two or three years from now is the earliest Spurs should be competing, but Spurs could try to re-sign him if the price isn’t too high, if they think he can adapt to this schedule. I fear performances like his 31-point outburst against the Grizzlies earlier this year will raise the price beyond what Spurs are willing to pay, and they might be tempted to move him for a draft pick. or two instead of sending him away without compensation. to the team.
Passes: McDermott, Richardson and even Bates-Diop should all have some interest from suitors and should be had for more reasonable returns. Poeltl may have the highest demand from some suitors, but that will likely come with a higher price tag on the Spurs side, and there are only a limited number of fake trades that involve a starting center that despite all its virtues, does not. spread the floor. There’s a chance they’ll all be moved (and I guess Spurs will have phone calls for everyone) but I’ll throw in a different name and say KBD if only because more teams might be in play for a 3-4 who has a solid season and could slot into virtually any team.
Gomez: Richardson is probably the most likely candidate because he can just come off the bench and help any candidate immediately. But I also think Isaiah Roby could possibly get emotional. It was a good idea to claim him from the waivers, but now it seems that Gregg Popovich likes KBD more, so there’s no reason for him to be there. He makes very little money by NBA standards, he’s young and athletic, and I’m sure someone will be interested if the price is low enough.
Wilco: Richardson is my choice. I agree it’s between him and McBuckets and Jakob, but I nod to Josh because of how versatile his skill set is. He manages and shoots and tries in defense. That makes him interesting for a ton of different teams, which makes him very likely in my eyes.