Grade the Trade: Spurs get Wembanyama an All-Star teammate in massive 4-team proposal

Grade the Trade - Do Spurs trade for Zach LaVine?

San Antonio Spurs Receive: G/F Zach LaVine, 2029 first-round pick (unprotected via Chicago Bulls)

For all that Zach LaVine's reputation is spiraling down the drain due to his massive contract and the Bulls' public shopping of their All-Star shooting guard, he is still an extremely talented player. Last season was essentially a lost one due to injury, but in 2022-23 he averaged 24.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists, well-rounded numbers for a skilled guard.

LaVine would undoubtedly help the San Antonio offense, spacing the court for Victor Wembanyama and attacking defenses stretched to their breaking point trying to stop him. He would also be moved to the Spurs as a negative value contract, meaning they are receiving a first-round pick alongside LaVine; in return, they lose Keldon Johnson and Zach Collins.

This trade keeps the draft pick asset pool available for another move, but the difficulty will be finding another taker for LaVine; if they hold onto him, finding matching salary for a deal could be much harder than anticipated. If he doesn't thrive in San Antonio, their options for moving on will be limited.

Keldon Johnson is a good player but he is unlikely to be a key member of the next great Spurs team, and Zach Collins is an overpaid bit player. The cost here is minimal because the true burden is taking on his salary, which will limit the Spurs' flexibility over the next few years.

This is not as bad as most other Zach LaVine trade ideas bandied about; it recognizes he is both talented and overpaid. It's probably not the right fit for the Spurs long-term, but it has some intriguing qualities about buying low.

Grade: C+