If you’re an NBA fan, you can’t judge player contracts in a vacuum. You’ve got to use context. The NBA’s market is subject to inflation like any other market. Some deals may seem overblown, but make sure you’re not comparing them to deals signed in the past.
Yes, the San Antonio Spurs gave Devin Vassell a lot of money. He’s worth it. His rookie extension will likely look like market value in a few years. A dollar in today’s economy is not the same as in yesterday’s economy. The Spurs recognize this.
With that in mind, one wonders whether the Spurs will make a similar commitment to Keldon Johnson down the line. He’s a similar player to Vassell. In time, the Spurs may want to diversify their assets. Could they avoid the problem by sending Johnson to the Portland Trail Blazers?
The Trade Proposal
San Antonio Spurs Receive: G Malcolm Brogdon, 2026 First-Round Pick (POR)
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: G/F Keldon Johnson
That’s not to say there aren’t bad contracts in the league. There are. Typically, when a player is awarded a contract, he’s done something to earn it. Unfortunately, circumstances can change. A fairly paid player can become overpaid in the blink of an eye.
Take Malcolm Brogdon. When he first received his current contract, nobody batted an eye. Brogdon is a great all-around guard. He can shoot, make plays and defend. Unfortunately, he currently looks overpaid. Brogdon’s contract is not regarded as a positive asset around the NBA.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Keldon Johnson, San Antonio Spurs & Portland Trail Blazers Updates
Largely, that’s because Brogdon has injury concerns. Paying a player to sit at home and rehab is always problematic. Until he can give an NBA team a (relatively) full season of basketball, his contract will look bad on the books. Should the Spurs add him anyway?
Why The San Antonio Spurs Do The Deal
Well, the Spurs don’t primarily do this deal to add Brogdon. They do it to net an unprotected first-round pick. This team doesn’t have to extend any more key players until Brogdon’s deal is off the books. Absorbing it for a couple of years means very little to the Spurs.
With that said, they could be happy to add Brogdon. The Spurs are allegedly looking for a point guard. Why not a veteran like Brogdon? This is a player who plays the right way. Brogdon would be a valuable mentor for the young players on this roster. The Spurs would benefit from having him around no matter his contract.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Keldon Johnson, San Antonio Spurs & Portland Trail Blazers Updates
Provided that they’re willing to part with Johnson, that is. We wouldn’t consider that a foregone conclusion. Johnson and Vassell can play together. The Spurs may not want to commit so much money to a pair of slightly undersized wings with similar skill sets. Should the Blazers be interested in him if they do decide to move on from Johnson?
Why The Portland Trail Blazers Do The Deal
This would be an unorthodox decision for the Blazers. Typically, a rebuilding team doesn’t like to surrender a first-round pick. Sure. Are the Blazers necessarily opting for a conventional rebuild?
It’s hard to say. This roster suggests that Portland may be almost done rebuilding anyway. The Blazers have a surplus of young guard talent. They’ve got Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams III as big men. Portland may not need to tank for multiple seasons to accumulate talented young players. Instead, they could be content to let this young core develop chemistry and start winning when they’re ready to do so.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Keldon Johnson, San Antonio Spurs & Portland Trail Blazers Updates
This roster looks almost complete. All they’re missing is a young foundational wing. Johnson could be that for them. He’s a talented player who can create his own shots and defend multiple positions. He is also on a contract that looks likely to age well – for now, at least.
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