With the 2023–24 regular season winding down, fans of the San Antonio Spurs are probably eagerly awaiting the offseason. With potentially two top-10 picks and cap space, they have a chance to make a big splash, though a big trade isn't out of the question.
San Antonio has been linked to both Atlanta Hawks star guards. In fact, most Spurs fans have probably already mulled over potential offers that would put either of them in the Silver and Black next season. That leads us to a fascinating blockbuster trade proposal by Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report that would include not only the Spurs and Hawks but the Chicago Bulls.
Much like with the Hawks, the Bulls were recently fleeced by San Antonio, putting them in a precarious situation going forward. They gave up a lightly protected first-round pick that could convey in 2025, 2026, or 2027 in the DeMar DeRozan sign-and-trade. They probably regret that since they will have a tough time retooling while also trying to keep their lottery pick.
That could potentially make them amendable to another deal, but would a 3-team swap help all three teams or just the Spurs? Next, we'll grade the trade!
NBA Trades: Spurs add dream Wembanyama co-star in potential deal with Bulls and Hawks
The proposed trade would send Tre Jones, Devonte Graham, Lonzo Ball, four first-round picks, and a pick swap to the Hawks, and De'Andre Hunter and Sidy Cissoko to the Bulls. The deal would also send Trae Young and Jevon Carter to the Spurs, along with a 2024 first from the Sacramento Kings via the Hawks.
It's safe to say that this theoretical seven-player deal, which would also see six first-round picks change hands, would be the talk of the NBA. The Hawks would hit the reset button in a major way, moving their best player for five firsts and two rotation players. The Spurs, who aren't known for making big-name deals, would acquire a 3-time all-star who may actually want to play there with rising superstar, Victor Wembanyama.
Meanwhile, the Bulls would add a starting wing and get off of a bad contract. There is a lot to like for each team but with so many moving parts, it only takes one small issue to derail a potential deal. With that being said, let's take a look and see whether each team would agree to the trade, starting with the Spurs.
NBA Trades: Would the San Antonio Spurs agree to the deal?
The Spurs find themselves in need of a major upgrade at point guard to help get their future superstar, Victor Wembanyama, the ball. That has led to speculation that they could pursue Young this summer.
This deal would net them Young, but it cost them an arm and a leg. They would have to send back all three of the first-round picks received in the Dejounte Murray deal, as well as the pick swap. They would even have to send their own top-three projected first-round selections but would get back the Kings pick, essentially swapping selections in this year's draft.
On the other hand, they would only need to give up Tre Jones and Devonte Graham, two players they wouldn't miss with Young on board. Young would give the Spurs an elite offensive player who can knock down threes at a high-volume, finish in the lane with floaters, or draw contact and get to the free throw line at will.
Add in that he is terrific at tossing lobs, and it would be a pick-your-poison situation in a Young-Wembanyama pick and roll. The basketball fit makes too much sense for the Spurs but giving up four firsts and a pick swap is a lot.
Charlotte's protected first is one thing but giving up what could be a top-3 pick in addition to two unprotected future picks and a pick swap could result in the Spurs giving up four lottery picks for Young. That might make San Antonio think twice and haggle about whether they'll need to include their own 2024 pick. If they aren't required to, then they would probably agree to the deal.
NBA Trades: Would the Atlanta Hawks agree to the deal?
The Hawks find themselves in a tough spot, to say the least. They traded most of their immediate first-round picks to the Spurs to get Murray to pair with Young in hopes of competing, but they are on the verge of missing the playoffs. That failure likely has Atlanta considering making drastic changes this summer with Murray and/or Young on the trading block.
This deal would send Young to the Spurs in exchange for the 2025 and 2027 unprotected picks Atlanta sent them, as well as San Antonio's pick in this year's draft, Charlotte's 2025 lottery-protected pick, and the rights to their 2026 first pick back. But wait, there's more! They'd also get Graham, Ball, and Jones.
The Hawks could waive Graham, see if Ball can still play and also add a solid short-term replacement point guard in Jones. That is obviously a lot—some would argue too much—for their best player but the Hawks probably aren't looking to move on from Young for much less than what's proposed. Therefore, if such a deal were offered, then the Hawks would probably jump at the chance but would the Bulls? We'll find out next.
NBA Trades: Would the Chicago Bulls agree to the deal?
With the Bulls battling for the play-in tournament for a second straight season, they may look to make big changes this summer to either bottom out or retool. This trade could help them do either by acquiring a starting three-and-d wing in Hunter, a prospect, and a trade exception.
Considering that they would get a starter without having to give up any draft picks and would get off of Ball's contract, this could be the perfect opportunity for them to reset. In this scenario, the Bulls may opt to let star DeMar DeRozan leave in free agency this summer, with Hunter serving as a younger replacement on the perimeter.
They may also seek to trade star Zach LaVine in the offseason, which could allow them to gain more flexibility by offloading the $178 million owed to him over the next three seasons. This trade and those subsequent moves may help the Bulls plot their next move. As a result, they would probably agree to this hypothetical deal with the Spurs and the Hawks.
Ultimately, Green's proposed deal between the Spurs, Hawks, and Bulls may help all three teams and change each of their outlooks going forward.