NBA teams know how advantageous the lottery system can be. With that in mind, they tend to exploit it. When a team is far from title contention, they may start to prioritize losses over wins.
Some people don’t like it. They’re unlikely to change it. The lottery is a mechanism to help the league’s worst teams improve. It isn’t going anywhere. This summer, the San Antonio Spurs were the prime beneficiaries of its existence.
The Spurs selected Victor Wembanyama with the first overall pick. Wembanyama is seen as a potentially generational player: the Spurs couldn’t be happier. Now, they’ve got to answer a question. Should they try to accelerate their rebuild, or take another crack or two at the lottery? If they choose the latter route, could they send Keldon Johnson to the New York Knicks?
The Trade Proposal
San Antonio Spurs Receive: G/F Evan Fournier, 2026 First-Round Pick (SAS), 2028 First-Round Pick (SAS)
New York Knicks Receive: G/F Keldon Johnson
In fact, Wembanyama’s arrival in San Antonio felt destined. It’s even led some to entertain conspiracy theories. Not us. To be clear, we do not believe that the NBA’s lottery is rigged.
With that said, life is funny. Wembanyama is a longtime Spurs fan. They are perhaps the most popular team in his native France. The Spurs have rostered plenty of international players over the years, including Wembanyama’s fellow Frenchmen Tony Parker and Boris Diaw.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Keldon Johnson, New York Knicks & San Antonio Spurs Updates
Moreover, the Spurs haven’t tanked in a long time. The last time they did, they were awarded with a generational big man. Tim Duncan led the Spurs to a dynastic run in his storied NBA career. Will this deal help Wembanyama do the same?
Why The San Antonio Spurs Do The Deal
For the Spurs, this deal is designed with the long-term in mind. Evan Fournier is a player who fell out of the Knicks’ rotation last year. Could he bounce back in San Antonio? Sure, but he’s highly unlikely to be as impactful as Johnson.
Meanwhile, Johnson is young. Some Spurs fans will be against trading him on those grounds. Even if they’re rebuilding, why move Johnson? He’s flashed star potential in San Antonio. What’s the logic here?
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Keldon Johnson, New York Knicks & San Antonio Spurs Updates
Well, it’s threefold. Johnson is remarkably similar to Devin Vassell, another young Spur with star upside. The Spurs may wish to diversify their assets. Moreover, moving Johnson gives the Spurs better odds of landing near the top of the lottery next year. Throw in two unprotected firsts, and the Spurs could like this deal if they want to take their rebuild slowly. Should the Knicks like it?
Why The New York Knicks Do The Deal
By contrast, tanking doesn’t always work out. Sometimes, the balls don’t bounce your way. With that said, sometimes, it works out anyway.
Just ask the Knicks. This team was hoping to land Zion Williamson some years back. They didn’t, and they had to settle for RJ Barrett as a result. Yet, the Knicks have built a competitive team anyway.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Keldon Johnson, New York Knicks & San Antonio Spurs Updates
There is no Victor Wembanyama here. The Knicks are led by Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson. Yet, they advanced to the second round of the playoffs last season. If they could add a two-way wing who can create his own shot, they could go even further. That’s exactly who Johnson is. The Knicks might as well go all-in: after all, they’re too far removed from the lottery to exploit it.
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