Jeff Garcia here, the host of the daily Locked On Spurs podcast, with your daily Locked On Spurs newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Spurs and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Why the San Antonio Spurs should trade the Hawks picks: Part 1
Jan 26, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) shoots over Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton (2) during the first half at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports | Scott Wachter/Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
The San Antonio Spurs find themselves at a crossroads with the draft picks acquired from the Atlanta Hawks in the Dejounte Murray trade. Initially seen as a potential goldmine, these unprotected picks are losing value as the Hawks continue to perform better than expected.
Atlanta’s current 18-18 record puts them squarely in the middle of the pack, far from the lottery position many Spurs fans had hoped for. This situation raises a crucial question: Should the Spurs trade these picks now while they still hold significant value?
The argument for trading the picks is compelling. With Victor Wembanyama on the roster, the Spurs have a generational talent who’s already showing signs of frustration with the team’s struggles. Building a competitive team around Wembanyama should be a priority, and these picks could be the key to accelerating that process.
One potential target that stands out is De’Aaron Fox of the Sacramento Kings. Fox’s speed, pick-and-roll ability, and improved outside shooting could be transformative for the Spurs’ offense. A Fox-Wembanyama pick-and-roll combination could instantly elevate the team’s ceiling.
However, trading for a player of Fox’s caliber would likely require multiple first-round picks and possibly a key player like Devin Vassell. While Vassell has shown promise, he may not be the ideal second option the Spurs need alongside Wembanyama.
The timing of any potential trade is crucial. Waiting until the draft or offseason might provide more options, as free agency and a wider pool of draft prospects come into play. However, there’s also a risk that Atlanta continues to improve, further diminishing the value of these picks.
For the Spurs, the decision ultimately comes down to balancing short-term gains with long-term potential. Trading the picks could fast-track the rebuild around Wembanyama, but it also limits future flexibility. On the other hand, holding onto the picks maintains options but risks missing out on immediate improvements to the roster.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Spurs’ draft pick dilemma, tune into the Locked On Spurs podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Spurs Podcast:
• Preview of tonight’s Spurs vs. Lakers game
• Analysis of the Spurs’ recent three-point shooting struggles
• Discussion on whether the current Spurs roster is “soft”
Monday movers: Isaiah Collier and the resilient Pistons
Jan 12, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz guard Isaiah Collier (13) lays the ball up against the Brooklyn Nets during the fourth quarter at Delta Center. | Rob Gray/Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Isaiah Collier
If you thought tracking incremental improvements was just for teams, think again. Jazz rookie Isaiah Collier had himself a game on Sunday, with a career-high 23 points, seven rebounds and assists, plus a block, in 37 minutes on the floor. It was Collier’s longest sustained playing time this season.
I covered Collier over his McDonald’s All-American weekend in April 2023. As a USC signee he was in the shadow of Bronny James, also in the same “McDAAG” class. Collier was quiet, polite, and a little shy off the floor, on the floor, all those traits inverted. When I’ve circled around to check on how Collier’s been doing this season I haven’t been surprised to see him taking a secondary role. Sometimes the best thing for a rookie is to have a working balance between competitive pressure and developing at their own pace. What I have been surprised by is how much Collier, up to now, has been flying under the radar.
He had a sixth-sense for the game in high school, in his knack for passing, knowing where teammates would be, and dictating the pace of the game — a rarer thing for a young athlete. It showed it again in his single season at USC. The Jazz don’t necessarily want Collier to be the one deploying these things, they have Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson, and Keyonte George as a backup for them, but when Collier’s been trusted by the team to handle the ball it’s paid dividends.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Honor The San Antonio Spurs community mourns the loss of beloved Spurs Lady, Sovia Lauriano, known for her dedication and spirit, creating a positive impact on fans and the team’s culture. Her legacy will be cherished. (Pounding the Rock)
Trade Evaluating potential moves, every NBA team, including the Spurs, should explore strategic trades to bolster their rosters and enhance competitiveness. Identifying key assets and needs is essential for future success. Trade ideas offer intriguing possibilities. (Bleacher Report)
Preview The Spurs will clash with the Lakers at Crypto.com Arena at 10:30 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Watch Roundball Rock is (almost) back. Giannis, Jayson Tatum, and Wemby star in NBC’s NBA promo. (NBC Sports)
Analysis Amid struggles, what’s the end game for the Suns? (NBA.com)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Waiver Wire Wisdom: Navigating Fantasy Basketball’s Ever-Changing Landscape
Jan 12, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Noah Clowney (21) passes the ball away from Utah Jazz forward Cody Williams (5) during the first quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray/Rob Gray-Imagn Images
As we dive into Week 13 of the NBA season, it’s crucial to approach your fantasy basketball strategy with a keen eye on both the present and the future. The key is to play for the short term while keeping long-term potential in mind.
Donovan Clingan is an interesting addition. With Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams out, Clingan started and showed promise. However, his value may be limited when Ayton returns. This could be an opportunity to sell high on Clingan if you believe his current performance isn’t sustainable.
Noah Clowney and Nikola Jovic are two players with more long-term value. Clowney’s minutes may fluctuate, but he’s worth rostering for potential future gains. Jovic, despite coming off the bench, has shown promise and could see consistent minutes moving forward.
Click the button below to see which under-rostered players need to find their way onto your team.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Spurs podcasts.
Fan episode: How do fans grade the San Antonio Spurs at the mid-season?
The San Antonio Spurs are making waves in the NBA, with star players like Victor Wembanyama and Devin Vassell leading the charge.
But how do Spurs fans feel about the team at the mid-season point?
Emergency show: Reacting to the latest San Antonio Spurs-De’Aaron Fox rumor
On this emergency episode of Locked On Spurs, host Jeff Garcia welcomes Jack Thompson, formerly with San Antonio Spurs Star, and Spurs on Sports Illustrated’s Matt Guzman, to react to the latest rumor involving the San Antonio Spurs and Kings guard De’Aaron Fox.
San Antonio Spurs in Paris wrap up; Midseason grades: The guards
The San Antonio Spurs, led by rising star Victor Wembanyama, recently showcased their skills in Paris, leaving fans buzzing about their potential. With the NBA season at its midpoint, the Spurs’ performance, especially the contributions of their guards, is under the microscope.
