The San Antonio Spurs added veteran point guard Chris Paul to help Victor Wembanyama’s growth in the league and looks like this team isn’t done yet. Reports have surfaced that management is eyeing Polish forward Lauri Markkanen from the Utah Jazz before the season begins.
In a report by Brett Seigl from Clutchpoints, the Spurs are positioning themselves to accelerate their rebuild around Wembanyama and is willing to give their future first round picks to acquire Markannen from the Jazz. San Antonio is also willing to depart with Keldon Johnson, who still has three years, $54 million left in his contract.
“The Spurs have shown a willingness to part with multiple first-round picks, as well as Keldon Johnson, in a potential deal for Lauri Markkanen,” posts Legion Hoops on X.
In the two seasons that Markkanen has played with the Jazz, the 27-year-old played his best basketball in his seven-year career and was named an NBA All-Star in 2023. In the 121 games, he averaged 25.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists. He also made three triples a night on 39.5% shooting from beyond the arc. Entering the 2024–25 season, Markkanen is on an expiring contract and set to earn $18 million.
San Antonio Spurs need more from Zach Collins
The San Antonio Spurs struck big landing the first overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft and used it to select generational athlete Victor Wembanyama. The French big man has an upside that many NBA franchises would salivate over.
In surrounding the right pieces around Wembanyama, Zach Collins was acquired by the Spurs to help ease the defensive pressure on Wemby. However, the glaring weaknesses on the rebounding department and free throw accuracy is expected to improve this coming season.
Collins current contract with the Spurs is valued at #$34 million in the next two years, but if the team sees no improvement from their center, management may force to trade him for better pieces to fit Wembanyama’s playing style.
“If [Collins] continues to struggle, his team-friendly contract at $16 million next season and $18 million the following year makes him a potential trade asset,” writes Jahlil Williams of Air Alamo.
On his third season with the Spurs, the 26-year-old averages a steady 11.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. He also helps spread the floor, dropping 2.6 three-pointers a night on 32% accuracy from beyond the rainbow arc.
Even with the arrival of Wembanyama, the Spurs finished just a win above the Portland Trail Blazers at 22-60 for the worst record in the NBA Western Conference.
For more NBA content:
Follow me on X at @ErnestLeo, and follow us at @HardwoodHeroics. You can also reach out to Ernest Hernandez via email at [email protected]. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest NBA news, click here!
Ernest also handles a YouTube account called Sports On Air, which has over 102 thousand subscribers. The channel contains interviews predominantly from the Philippine Basketball Association. They can be reached through [email protected].
