Grade the Trade: The Bulls move star in this proposed deal with the Spurs
By Cal Durrett
Grade the Trade: Would the Spurs agree to the deal?
The Spurs boast arguably the best young core in the NBA, which would make a deal to acquire a 28-year-old star seem unnecessary. However, with Wembanyama, the Spurs could be better than expected this season and if they are in the mix for the playoffs, they could make a win-now move to try and accelerate their rebuild.
Whether LaVine would be the player they target is questionable, but they do have the disposable salary to make a trade possible. He would give these Spurs a terrific perimeter scoring option and he also provides some playmaking as well, though trading three bench players for him would force the Spurs to alter the starting lineup.
Normally, adjusting a starting lineup to accommodate an All-Star wouldn’t be a big deal but the Spurs have experimented with a highly unusual starting five that could prove to be a game-changer if they mesh well together.
Thus, adding LaVine would mean that they would have to bench one of their best young players. That may not be something that they are willing to do, at least not yet without having a chance to see how players such as Keldon Johnson, Devin Vassell, and Jeremy Sochan play alongside Wembanyama.
Based on that, the Spurs probably wouldn’t be interested in making a deal, at least at the moment but that doesn’t preclude them from making a big trade later in the season.