If you’re a fan of a rebuilding NBA fan, you’re probably jealous of the San Antonio Spurs. Sure, you may believe in your young core. Be honest: you wish that you had Victor Wembanyama anyway.
How could you not? Wembanyama has been as advertised. This is a 7’5 phenom who doesn’t look like a human being from the planet Earth. Wembanyama has the potential to change basketball, and he’s going to do so in a Spurs uniform.
Unless the Spurs can’t put the right group around him, that is. They’ve struggled in 2023-23. That was to be expected, but San Antonio could justify making a win-now trade to speed up the rebuilding process.
Could they start by acquiring Jordan Clarkson of the Utah Jazz?
NBA Trade Proposal: San Antonio Spurs Land Utah Jazz’s Jordan Clarkson
Utah Jazz Receive: F Doug McDermott, G Devonte’ Graham, 2026 First-Round Pick (Lottery Protected – SAS)
San Antonio Spurs Receive: G Jordan Clarkson
The Spurs weren’t the only team in the NBA with an eye on Wembanyama. Plenty of organizations opted to tank for a chance to draft him. With that said, some teams opted against that course of action.
The Jazz were one of those teams. For some, this was surprising. The Jazz moved Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert heading into the 2022-23 season. Surely, they wanted to be in the race for Wembanyama – right?
Perhaps. The Jazz may have changed course when new circumstances arose. They may not have expected Lauri Markkanen to emerge as a young All-NBA player.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jordan Clarkson, Utah Jazz, San Antonio Spurs Updates
The Jazz were more competitive than expected last year, but this season, they’ve regressed. Is it time to start selling now?
Why The Utah Jazz Do The Deal
Well, that’s the route the Jazz are expected to take. This team is looked at as a potential seller leading up to the deadline. If that’s the plan, moving Clarkson feels like a sensible first step.
After all, Keyonte George has flashed plenty of potential in his rookie campaign. Collin Sexton has been impressive as well. The Jazz should move Clarkson to make room for their duo of talented young guards.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jordan Clarkson, Utah Jazz, San Antonio Spurs Updates
In all likelihood, they won’t land an unprotected first for Clarkson. He’s aging and on an expensive contract. So, a lottery-protected first feels like a solid deal for the Jazz.
Should the Spurs offer that much for Clarkson?
Why The San Antonio Spurs Do The Deal
The Spurs need a point guard. Clarkson isn’t exactly a traditional floor general. With that said, neither was Tony Parker. He was a point guard who was known for calling his own number first. Yet, the Spurs made it work.
Meanwhile, that’s become more common in the NBA. We should also credit Clarkson with improving his playmaking. He’s a solid passer, even if he isn’t a top-tier distributor.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jordan Clarkson, Utah Jazz, San Antonio Spurs Updates
He’ll make the Spurs a better team. In all likelihood, he won’t destroy their lottery odds in the process. The Spurs have dug too deep of a hole to climb out of post-deadline. They’ll still add a lottery pick this summer – a proposition which ought to terrify the rest of the league.
