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After disappointing performances in the NBA Finals, both Keldon Johnson and De'Aaron Fox have found themselves centered in NBA trade rumors. For the San Antonio Spurs, dealing Fox away is an inevitability. Johnson, on the other hand, could secure his long-term position on the team next season.
After drafting Dylan Harper and watching him break out as one of the better players on the team, Fox's maximum four-year extension--which kicks in this season--looks more and more foolish. Right now, there's not really a market for him, but as soon as the Spurs think they can pass the keys to the offense to Harper, Fox is as good as gone.
While Fox is the most commonly mentioned Spurs trade candidate, it seems likely that Luke Kornet will beat him to the punch.
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In the regular season, his first in San Antonio, Kornet averaged 6.5 points and 6.1 rebounds, and the Spurs were a solid 4.3 when he was on the floor. For a backup center, that's pretty much the best the team could ask for.
He wasn't lighting it up, but the Spurs actually came out ahead when he was playing. That's the first time the team can say that about any of Victor Wembanyama's backups.
By the end of the playoffs, however, he was borderline unplayable. In the Finals, he averaged only eight ineffective minutes per game.
Buit the Spurs can't really trade him. Or at least, they couldn't really trade him.
Worse than stinking it up, Fox prevented Harper from taking on a bigger role. Last season, even in the playoffs, the Spurs didn't really have anyone else to turn to. Kornet was their only other playable center on the roster. That's not the case anymore.
In the Summer League, Tarris Reed looked the part of a steady NBA player. Fans have yet to see Jayden Quaintance in action, but the expectation is that he should be able to bang down low with the best of them. Johnson, Carter Bryant, and Tobias Harris can all play small-ball center as well, and with Bryant breaking out, Mitch Johnson is expected to lean on him.
Heading into the offseason, the Spurs weren't expected to trade Kornet. After beefing up their frontcourt, though, it's suddenly on the table.
Owed only $10.4 million next season, compared to Fox's $49.8 million salary, finding a suitor for him should be easier, and if Reed steps up, expect the Spurs to explore it.
Continue reading...
After drafting Dylan Harper and watching him break out as one of the better players on the team, Fox's maximum four-year extension--which kicks in this season--looks more and more foolish. Right now, there's not really a market for him, but as soon as the Spurs think they can pass the keys to the offense to Harper, Fox is as good as gone.
While Fox is the most commonly mentioned Spurs trade candidate, it seems likely that Luke Kornet will beat him to the punch.
READ MORE: Victor Wembanyama Could Force OKC Thunder to Make Massive Trade
READ MORE: Victor Wembanyama Uses Unconventional Training to Boost Physicality
READ MORE: Spurs Expected to Overcome 'Significant Loss'
Why Spurs Will Consider Trading Luke Kornet
In the regular season, his first in San Antonio, Kornet averaged 6.5 points and 6.1 rebounds, and the Spurs were a solid 4.3 when he was on the floor. For a backup center, that's pretty much the best the team could ask for.
He wasn't lighting it up, but the Spurs actually came out ahead when he was playing. That's the first time the team can say that about any of Victor Wembanyama's backups.
By the end of the playoffs, however, he was borderline unplayable. In the Finals, he averaged only eight ineffective minutes per game.
Buit the Spurs can't really trade him. Or at least, they couldn't really trade him.
Worse than stinking it up, Fox prevented Harper from taking on a bigger role. Last season, even in the playoffs, the Spurs didn't really have anyone else to turn to. Kornet was their only other playable center on the roster. That's not the case anymore.
In the Summer League, Tarris Reed looked the part of a steady NBA player. Fans have yet to see Jayden Quaintance in action, but the expectation is that he should be able to bang down low with the best of them. Johnson, Carter Bryant, and Tobias Harris can all play small-ball center as well, and with Bryant breaking out, Mitch Johnson is expected to lean on him.
Heading into the offseason, the Spurs weren't expected to trade Kornet. After beefing up their frontcourt, though, it's suddenly on the table.
Owed only $10.4 million next season, compared to Fox's $49.8 million salary, finding a suitor for him should be easier, and if Reed steps up, expect the Spurs to explore it.
Continue reading...
