Spurs could add much-needed size in trade for Wizards $30 million center

The San Antonio Spurs have shown a ton of improvement early on this season. They are currently 6-8 and look as though they could contend for a Play-In spot by the end of the season.

Much of their success has been due to their defense. San Antonio is allowing only 110 points per game to opposing teams which ranks fifth in the NBA. While Victor Wembanyama has led their defense, other guys such as their Rookie of the Year hopeful, Stephon Castle, have also stepped up their defensive efforts.

While the Spurs’ defense has been elite, their offense has been subpar. They are averaging only 109 points per game, which ranks in the bottom 10 of the NBA. While their offense has struggled, Wembanyama has turned it on after a slow start, including recording his first 50-point game in their win against the Washington Wizards last week.

While Wembanyama continues to lead the Spurs on both ends of the court, their lack of size off the bench could hurt them in the future, especially if he had to miss any time due to injury. Their backup center Zach Collins has underperformed in his four seasons with the franchise and their other backup center Sandro Mamukelashvili has not received as much playing time as expected.

With the Spurs lacking big man depth, they could make a trade with the Wizards for Jonas Valančiūnas. Valančiūnas has been rumored to be on the move ever since Washington completed a sign-and-trade for him from the New Orleans Pelicans in the offseason and the Spurs could take the opportunity to add him before the trade deadline in February.

The 32-year-old has had a solid start to the season as a key player for the Wizards off the bench. In 12 games, he is averaging 12.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. He is also shooting 54.8% from the field and 40.0% from three.

With Valančiūnas in a backup role in Washington, it is just a matter of time before they deal him. The Spurs could offer them Collins and draft capital, giving the Wizards a young backup center and more draft picks to fuel their rebuild.

By adding Valančiūnas, the Spurs could elect to start him next to Wembanyama or have him come off the bench. Either way, he would be a major upgrade to their depth and could help them fight for a Play-In spot at the end of the season.

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