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Par Pierre-Andréa Fraile | Journaliste sportif
Since the start of the off-season, the two names most often linked to the Spurs in rumors are none other than those of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant. Now, the franchise could turn to an alternative perhaps better suited to its needs.
With their results at half-mast, they seemed to have fallen back into line and were no longer a popular destination on the market. Things have changed in recent months, however, thanks in no small part to Victor Wembanyama. The Spurs are once again a coveted destination in the NBA, and have been the subject of rumors for several weeks now. And not just any rumors.
While Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant represent the two biggest fish on the summer market, San Antonio is one of the favorites to land one of them. In the event of failure on either of these fronts, the franchise could even explore another fairly prestigious avenue. Unless they fall back on a less glamorous profile, but one that might suit them better.
Shadow target deemed “ideal” for Spurs
Asked to imagine various trades for the Spurs this off-season, ESPN’s Kevin Pelton logically put together two involving Giannis and KD. This, before extolling the virtues of a third less flamboyant, but perhaps more intelligent :
Kevin Pelton: Alternatively, San Antonio could look to recruit a player who isn’t a star, but who would represent a better complement alongside the talent the team already has.
This less flashy approach could lead the Texans’ front office as far as Brooklyn, where Cam Johnson could have something to tempt them:
Kevin Pelton: Cam Johnson is an ideal fit. He shot 18.8 points per game last season – a record for him – and boasted a solid 3-point percentage (39%) that would allow him to spread defenses as a strong wing alongside Wembanyama.
A symbol of reliability, Johnson would certainly have no trouble blossoming with Wembanyama. Not only because of his style of play, but also because of his track record, having already played with stars for the Suns. The Nets, for their part, would be delighted to pick up one or more draft choices. The Spurs, meanwhile, would remain in a position to make another big move in the future, according to Pelton:
Kevin Pelton: Trading Keldon Johnson for Cam Johnson would have little impact on the Spurs’ payroll and would not fundamentally limit their ability to mount a trade for Antetokounmpo down the road. If need be, Keldon Johnson could be included in this deal or sent elsewhere, given that he has a modest contract and a skillset that would work on almost any team.
