NBA Trades: Spurs steal OKC's Thunder in mock deal with Jazz and Pelicans

Would the San Antonio Spurs agree to the deal?

Having what many people expect will be the next face of the league in Victor Wembanyama should eventually make the Spurs a perennial winner but they are also trying to win games next season. As constructed, they are much better than last season, but even with the additions of Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes, they may still have trouble making the playoffs. After all, the West is still incredibly tough and they could still only be among the six or seven best teams in their conference next season.

That could lead to the Spurs making another deal and they have been linked to Markkanen. Making a move for him now would accelerate their timeline, with him giving them a major offensive boost with his skill as a shooter, helping turn a team that struggled to hit threes and potentially making them above-average in that area.

He'd also pair nicely with the other players in the starting lineup, with Paul being able to spoon-feed Wembanyama for easy baskets while also getting both Markannen and Devin Vassell clean looks, making them terrific second and third options.

Better still, they wouldn't sacrifice much in terms of depth. Johnson is likely to be replaced by fourth overall pick Stephon Castle, who, paired with Tre Jones, Malaki Branham, Barnes, and Zach Collins, would make for a capable 10-man rotation. It would cost the Spurs three firsts and a pick swap but it could be worth it for them to make a big step forward next season, meaning that they'd likely do the deal.