The goal in the NBA is to land a franchise player. That’s every team’s highest priority. Once you’ve landed one, the goal is to find them a co-star.
The San Antonio Spurs have their franchise player. Victor Wembanyama has the potential to break the NBA. It isn’t possible to exaggerate Wembanyama’s potential. Now, the Spurs need to find him a co-star.
What kind of co-star should they be looking for? The Spurs have been linked to several star guards. Could they double down on their frontcourt by landing Lauri Markkanen of the Utah Jazz?
NBA Trade Proposal
Utah Jazz Receive: G/F Keldon Johnson, 2025 First-Round Pick (ATL via SAS), 2027 First-Round Pick (ATL via SAS)
San Antonio Spurs Receive: F Lauri Markkanen
There are many paths towards landing a franchise player. The draft is perhaps the most popular one. There are several reasons why a team is smart to build through the draft.
To begin with, a player that you draft is cost-controlled. Even a player’s second contract can only be so large – it won’t compare to the supermax deals that veterans can receive. That’s not the only benefit to drafting your franchise player either.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz, Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs Updates
In some respects, it helps you earn their loyalty. A player will grow with the team that drafts them. Still, you’ve got to put the right group around them. Is Markkanen the right co-star for Wembanyama?
Why The San Antonio Spurs Do The Deal
Sure. That doesn’t mean that the Spurs don’t need a point guard. They do. Does that point guard need to be a star?
We don’t think so. Wembanyama needs another player alongside him who can create his own shot. That player will ideally be able to space the floor. Markkanen fits both of those descriptions.
He’d allow the Spurs to double down on size. With the ground that Wembanyama can cover on defense, that won’t put them at a disadvantage.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz, Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs Updates
If the Spurs can just get a game-managing point guard alongside their pair of frontcourt stars, they could be a playoff team next year – and a championship team before long. Should the Jazz put them in that position?
Why The Utah Jazz Do The Deal
Some felt that the Jazz should tank for Wembanyama. It’s too late for that now. With that said, it’s not too late for them to tank for Cooper Flagg or Cameron Boozer.
Perhaps that’s the best course of action for the Jazz. As great as Markkanen has been, he doesn’t look like a franchise player. The Jazz run the risk of landing on the mediocrity treadmill. This deal has them getting off of that treadmill.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz, Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs Updates
In all likelihood, they could land more draft capital for Markkanen elsewhere. With that said, they should be happy to bring in a quality young player like Johnson. He should be good for this team – once they land their franchise player, that is.
