The San Antonio Spurs enter the offseason after a 34-48 regular season finale. Now, I have the best odds no. 9 for the first overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, while looking to add more talent to build.
With Dejounte Murray running point, Keldon Johnson at four, and a variety of intriguing wings newly designed to be developed, Spurs have a solid foundation laid out. Could a more dynamic center option be a logical next step?
Jakob Poeltl is an equally solid role player. He comes from a season with averages of 13.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.7 blocks in what was by far the best campaign of his NBA career.
Poeltl offers an effective option to finish the inside game for any offense in midfield and is a technical defender. He does not possess elite physical tools, but he is a constant choice in almost all traditional facets of the central position.
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There are limitations to what Poeltl offers Spurs. For starters, he has one of the most skill-setting sets in the NBA, which limits the kind of distance a midfield offense can have. He only attempted nine jumps in midfield in 68 games, that is, he took one for every 7.5 games.
It becomes a natural limit to what a team can accomplish as a crime when it is a weak three-point shooting team, has a five without spacing and does not fall legitimately in the top ten in any type of offensive game, such as a team.
Deandre Ayton is not a dominant force like Nikola Jokic or Joel Embiid, but he is one of the most effective NBA finishers around the basket and has a very effective midfielder. Not to mention, it has finesse in posting that could be used more often as a presented option.
Ayton’s ability to block shots was the key to the Suns being one of the best defensive teams in the NBA. While Poeltl is a useful defender, Ayton would bring elements that are not currently present in the Spurs defense.
Ayton would bring a useful boost to Spurs in many key areas. If it is really affordable, it would be great for San Antonio to make an effort to buy it, especially as a small market franchise.
How accessible is Deandre Ayton?
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The suns built something special. The foundations were laid with the development of Devin Booker during the missed seasons, then adding Deandre Ayton and Mikal Bridges through the NBA draft. With Paul already 37, their window is now.
While it may seem extremely addictive to a game, Sunday’s game between the Suns and the Dallas Mavericks could determine a lot about Ayton’s future in Phoenix.
If the Suns win Game 7 and return to the second consecutive Western Conference Finals, why not pay to keep the team intact while Chris Paul still plays? If they lose, real questions may arise as to how much Ayton’s impact is worth paying before the free agency.
The Mavericks did a lot of damage, getting small and shooting a big 3s to maximize the distance around Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson. They used a central rotation of Dwight Powell, Maxi Kleber and sometimes Dorian Finney-Smith when they were little.
When the Mavericks take a deep shot, there is no time to throw the ball to Ayton. This is the case, despite the fact that it has a size advantage over any possible confrontation it faces. Could this raise questions about its value before the free agency? Of course, it’s up to the Suns to decide.
What would a sign and trade look like?
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If the Suns were willing to part with Ayton in a sign and deal, as opposed to just matching a maximum bid sheet they sign with a different team, Spurs could form a potential package of intriguing exchange.
Before going into too much detail on potential transactions, Spurs should be the team Ayton chooses to sign with the free agency. There will be other interested suitors to choose from, so it is difficult to predict the outcome.
Among the most common tied teams are the Detroit Pistons, who have significant headroom and need five talents. Another rebuilding team like the Oklahoma City Thunder or the Indiana Pacers could also get involved. Maybe even a playoff candidate like the Toronto Raptors with a need for the five could be different.
Let’s say Ayton chooses Spurs, the NBA Analysis Network recently created a hypothetical commercial package for this scenario. Spurs would receive Ayton and Dario Saric while sending Jakob Poeltl, Josh Richardon, Doug McDermott and a first-round pick in 2022 (via the Boston Celtics).
The specific details of a draft election deal can be discussed in almost any hypothetical scenario. What matters most is the salaries involved. Ayton would sign for such a great deal that the Suns are unwilling to equalize to keep him.
Spurs would send Poeltl as a central replacement for the Suns, while adding extra depth to the perimeter in the form of Richardson and McDermott. Phoenix could become aggressive in reshaping their list after such an agreement.