New Orleans Pelicans Receive: F Doug McDermott, 2024 Second-Round Pick (LAL via SAS), 2025 Second-Round Pick (TOR via SAS)
San Antonio Spurs Receive: C Jonas Valanciunas
Of course, size is measured in different ways. Take Victor Wembanyama. Once again, this is a 7’3 human being. Wembanyama has a 8 foot wingspan. This is a huge human being. Yet, he only weighs 210 pounds. That’s below average for a non-guard in the NBA. For a center, it’s tiny.
Just look at Zion Williamson of the Pelicans. He’s about 6’7 and weighs somewhere in the vicinity of 285 pounds. This is a huge human being in an entirely different sense. Yet, both are generational prospects who were expected to leverage their unique physical dimensions in the NBA.
In the short-term, the Spurs must be cautious about not over burdening Wembanyama with physical matchups. Other elite big men prospects have struggled with injuries after filling a center role. Some is inevitable, but perhaps some can be avoided.
The Spurs need to be cautious about taking on too much salary in any trade just to add a stopgap center talent. Valanciunas fits the need here, given he is set to play in the final year of a two-year, $30.1 million contract.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Jonas Valanciunas, San Antonio Spurs & New Orleans Pelicans Updates
In exchange for parting with Valanciunas, the New Orleans Pelicans would add an elite 3-point shooter in Doug McDermott as they reconfigure their center rotation for next season. McDermott averaged 10.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 64 games this season.
Is McDermott a good running mate for Williamson?
