[The following submission is from the San Antonio Spurs, run by students in the mock deadline practicum at the SBC Las Vegas Immersive.]

Assignment: San Antonio Spurs

Team Members: Derrick Morris, Jack Morissette, Brandon Garcia, Leo Willens, Avaneesh Murthy, Jonathan Eskin

As a historically great NBA franchise, we recognized that our recent rosters hadn’t achieved the same success. Rebuilding was our primary focus.

We established three points of emphasis. First, we wanted to acquire as much draft capital as possible. Second, we tried to acquire undervalued young players and give them a chance to develop on the Spurs. Lastly, we wanted to continue to develop our players and staff.

Preparing for a multi-year effort, we knew we would need multiple lottery draft picks and time to develop our young players. Additionally, we wanted to give ourselves the best chance to land an elite talent like Victor Wembanyama in the 2023 NBA Draft.

We set out to acquire draft picks and young players with a focus on development. In the short term, we wanted to fill the roster with young players on controllable rookie contracts to provide our staff time to develop that talent.

 

We chose to shop veterans Josh Richardson and Zach Collins. Richardson didn’t fit our timeline, and we felt Collins would have more value for a contender as a rotational big who can stretch the floor. We sent both to the Los Angeles Clippers for Brandon Boston Jr, a 2023 first-round draft pick swap (OKC), and Marcus Morris Sr. We saw the potential for growth for Boston, and his development makes sense for our timeline. With the acquisition of Marcus Morris Sr., we have another valuable player we feel we can move on in the future for draft capital.

We didn’t intend to reinvest in Jakob Poeltl, who held a high value in trade. We got back multiple first-rounders and James Bouknight (who we believe will thrive as a scorer in our developmental program). Landry Shamet was turned around immediately in another deal for a second-round pick.

Although we valued Devin Vassell, we believed that AJ Griffin (the No. 16 pick in June’s draft) and a 2023 first-rounder gave us a higher ceiling for value.  We valued Killian Hayes’ playmaking potential and his defense at the point. As we are rebuilding, we wanted a guard who could distribute the basketball, play defense and develop over time.

We were the busiest team at the deadline and were thrilled with the outcome.

Trade 1

  • San Antonio received Marcus Morris, Brandon Boston Jr. and swap rights on the lower 2023 first-round pick between the Los Angeles Clippers and Thunder.
  • Los Angeles received Zach Collins and Josh Richardson.

Trade 2

  • San Antonio received Landry Shamet, Cameron Payne, James Bouknight, a 2023 first-rounder (top-14 protected through 2025, else 2025 and 2026 second-rounders) from the Denver Nuggets (via the Hornets), a 2027 first-rounder (first allowable after a prior obligation to the Spurs) from the Hornets and a 2028 first-round pick swap with the Suns.
  • Charlotte received DeAndre Ayton (via sign-and-trade) from Phoenix.
  • Phoenix received Terry Rozier, PJ Washington and Jakob Poeltl.

 

Trade 3

  • San Antonio received: Justin Holiday, AJ Griffin and a 2023 first-rounder (top-10 protected; else conveys as two 2026 second-rounders, one via the Golden State Warriors).
  • Atlanta received Devin Vassell, Blake Wesley and a 2029 second-rounder.

Trade 4

  • San Antonio received the lower 2026 second-rounder from the Utah Jazz or Memphis Grizzlies.
  • Lakers received Bojan Bogdanovic, Patrick Beverley, and Rudy Gay from Utah; Landry Shamet (previously acquired from the Phoenix Suns) via the San Antonio Spurs.
  • Utah received Russell Westbrook, Austin Reaves, the lower 2024 second-rounder from the Washington Wizards and Memphis Grizzlies, a 2028 first-rounder (top-10 protected, unprotected in 2029), the lower 2028 second-rounder between the Orlando Magic and Lakers and a 2029 second-rounder.

Trade 5          

  • San Antonio received Killian Hayes.
  • Detroit Pistons received a 2025 Chicago Bulls first-rounder (two years after the Bulls’ prior obligation to the Orlando Magic), top-10 protected in 2025, top-8 in 2028; else a 2028 second-rounder) and a 2024 second-rounder via the Lakers.

Trade 6

  • San Antonio received Joe Harris and a 2023 first-rounder (top-14 protected; else conveys as a 2028 second-rounder via the Philadelphia 76ers and a 2028 Brooklyn second-rounder).
  • Brooklyn received Romeo Langford.

Trade 7

  • San Antonio received Marquese Chriss.
  • Houston received a 2026 Charlotte Hornets second-rounder.

Other

  • Waived Keita Bates-Diop.

-Derrick Morris, Brandon Garcia, Leo Willens