Grade The Trade: Bucks add young piece in trade with Warriors, Spurs
By Franco Luna
Grade the trade: San Antonio Spurs’ point of view
It’s not the most ideal move for a team like the San Antonio Spurs, but there is an argument to be made that they still could make this trade.
For one thing, they are looking to add some scoring depth as they transition from rebuild mode to winning more games to get their current options to develop into stars. Malik Beasley is a talented scorer who can create his own shot. He would give the Spurs another option on offense, although he doesn’t help their current logjam at the shooting guard and wing positions.
Looking at their needs as it currently stands, the Spurs are looking to add some size and defense. Robin Lopez is a solid backup center who can protect the rim and rebound and would be a good veteran mentor for the likes of Victor Wembanyama and Charles Bassey.
San Antonio is also a young team that is still looking to acquire future assets to continue rounding out its roster and surrounding Wemby with the right pieces to eventually compete for titles in the future. The 2024 second-round pick is a nice asset, and it could be used to acquire another player in the future.
Beasley and Lopez would be good fits with the Spurs’ young core of players. They would provide the Spurs with more scoring options and help them improve their defense.
At this point in their basketball timeline, the San Antonio Spurs are very much rebuilding and looking to develop their young players. While trading for win-now role players doesn’t help them in the former, it should tip the scales somewhat in the latter. And this is the biggest reason why they still could make a move that looks at the very least similar to the one proposed.
Beasley has consistently hovered around the 40 percent mark in his 3-point efficiency while also showing he can occasionally create his own shot off the dribble.
Lopez, on the other hand, is a solid rim protector and rebounder who can also space the floor with his 3-point shooting, which should help Victor Wembanyama, who averaged 27 percent from deep prior to joining the association.