Detroit Pistons: 9 possible trades to use their cap space

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San Antonio Spurs

An example of a move that does not bring back any first-round picks and instead focuses on a young player would be calling the San Antonio Spurs and offering to take on the final season of the contract for either LaMarcus Aldridge or DeMar DeRozan. Neither of the former All-Stars are up to that distinction anymore and they are slated to make $24.0 million and $27.7 million next season, respectively.

The Spurs are likely too smart to part with any picks given the likelihood that they are headed for a rebuild. Getting below the salary cap line should carry some appeal. If they plan to re-sign Jakob Poeltl and Bryn Forbes, they will need to make room for them. The Spurs also have the slew of young wings in Dejounte Murray, Lonnie Walker IV and Derrick White, the latter two of who will be looking for new contracts before long.

Keldon Johnson is likely to be on the outside of the core looking in after a rookie season that saw him only appear in 17 games for the team. He showed flashes in the seeding games but is blocked by so many players at the same position.

His per 36 minutes averages in those 17 games come out to 18.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.7 steals per game. Even if it is unlikely the Spurs would move on from a rookie who showed promise, it does not hurt to ask the question.

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