As we get closer to the NBA trade deadline, two teams to watch could be the San Antonio Spurs and the Los Angeles Lakers. Both teams are expected to make moves to improve their rosters, but they could end up pursuing the same player.
Perhaps the Spurs biggest issue, positionally, is at backup center. Initially, it looked as though center Zach Collins would be able to fill that role. Especially after he signed a 2-year, $35 million extension prior to the start of last season.
However, his play since signing that extension has been below average at best. This season, especially. He has been largely unplayable, with him failing to make an impact on either side of the ball.
Meanwhile, the Lakers have been looking to add more size, especially with injuries to Jared Vanderbilt and Christian Wood. As a result, they appear to be targeting a center in the trade market but could have to outbid the Spurs.
Proposed trade sees the Spurs steal Lakers trade target by landing Jonas Valanciunas
With both the Spurs and Lakers in need of size up front and limited options on the trade market, both teams could pursue Washington Wizards center Jonas Valanciunas. The Lakers have been frequently linked to Valanciunas, but after trading three seconds to acquire Dorian Finney-Smith, they may not have enough assets. He may also make sense in San Antonio too.
Spurs interim coach Mitch Johnson has been tinkering with ways to try and solve their backup center problem internally, but nothing has worked thus far. He recently tried playing starting power forward Jeremy Sochan with the second unit, having him spend time playing backup center.
However, the Spurs were often killed on the glass, and he was forced to go back to Collins. Since then, his play has gotten worse, with him often weighing the Spurs down when Victor Wembanyama is off the court.
Johnson has even resorted to playing Wembanyama increased minutes to decrease the amount of time Collin has to play, but a more feasible solution would be to try and upgrade ahead of the trade deadline. By trading Valanciunas for Collins and a protected first-round pick, which may convert into two high second-round picks, the Spurs could replace their worst rotation player with a more consistent center.
One who is both more affordable and more physical and having a better season, averaging 11.7 points and 8 rebounds in 20 minutes per game. The cost of the two players is an important factor, with Collins making more over this season and next, but Valanciunas' contract lasts two more seasons for around $10 million each year.
The Spurs would save salary this season and next season. Allowing them to have more cap space this summer while the Wizards would save roughly $10 million in 2026-27 and pick up assets in the process. With Valanciunas currently coming off the bench for the Wizards, he should have no problem replicating that production off the bench for the Spurs.
Overall, the Lakers have been linked to Valanciunas, but the Spurs' need at center could put him on their radar, particularly if they can offload Collins in the process.