Category: Spurs Rumors

Rumors: Spurs ‘considered’ giving Austin Reaves $21 million offer

The San Antonio Spurs reportedly considered making Austin Reaves an offer.

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Heading into the offseason, the San Antonio Spurs had a ton of cap space, and with Victor Wembanyama coming into the fold, some questioned whether or not they would spend some money in an attempt to put together a competent roster. Ultimately, they just made a few filler trades and preserved future flexibility.

But before they made their decisions, they reportedly had an eye on Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves. The 25-year-old said he thought about joining the Spurs during an appearance on the “All The Smoke” podcast with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson. And more recently, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype revealed that the interest was mutual.

According to Scotto, the Spurs “considered” giving Reaves an offer sheet worth $21 million but were too worried that the Lakers would just match it.

“The Spurs considered offering Reaves a restricted free agency sheet worth $21 million per season, league sources told HoopsHype,” Scotto said. “Ultimately, however, the Spurs were scared off by the widespread belief that the Lakers would match any offer sheet for Reaves and chose to preserve cap space as a salary dump destination for future draft pick compensation.”

The Lakers ended up signing Reaves to a four-year, $54 million contract, so it seems likely that they would have matched any offer the Spurs threw his way.

That being said, Reaves would have been a great fit in San Antonio. His mix of shot creation and playmaking would have paired nicely alongside Wembanyama.

Do you think the Spurs should have made Reaves an offer?

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Rumors: Spurs showing interest in potential Evan Fournier trade

The San Antonio Spurs are reportedly interested in trading for New York Knicks guard Evan Fournier.

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The San Antonio Spurs are in no rush. They just drafted Victor Wembanyama with the first pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, setting them up for a bright future. The 19-year-old Frenchman is already a superstar on and off the court, but with how young he is, the Spurs can take their time putting a winning team around him.

However, that doesn’t mean they won’t look to add this summer. They’ve already traded for a plethora of veterans, including Cedi Osman, Reggie Bullock, and Cameron Payne, and recent rumors have indicated that they could be on the hunt for more additions.

According to Ian Begley of SNY, the Spurs are a team that has shown an interest in trading for New York Knicks guard Evan Fournier.

“I have heard that a few teams – teams that seem like they could make the playoffs – have had interest in acquiring Evan Fournier,” Begley wrote. “One other team that I am keeping an eye on is San Antonio. The Spurs are among those teams who have had interest in acquiring Fournier via trade. Unless they have changed course recently, the Knicks have been against attaching any additional draft compensation in a Fournier trade.

At the start of the offseason, the Spurs had enough cap space available to absorb Fournier’s contract ($18.9 million for 2023-24 and a team option next season). They no longer have the requisite space to absorb the deal. So San Antonio would have to send back salary to satisfy trade rules in a Fournier acquisition.

Something else worth noting on Fournier and the Spurs: Fournier and Spurs No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama share a home country (France) and an agent (Bouna Ndiaye).”

Fournier’s French connection to Wembanyama makes the trade a intriguing option, especially considering the fact that the Knicks are likely looking to offload his contract anyways.

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Austin Reaves considered Spurs in free agency before Lakers return

Austin Reaves considered joining the San Antonio Spurs in free agency before returning to the Los Angeles Lakers.

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The San Antonio Spurs‘ offseason was defined by their selection of Victor Wembanyama with the first pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. The 19-year-old French product is already a superstar, drawing the attention of many around the entire basketball world. In just his first Summer League game, the gym was sold out.

San Antonio has made other moves, too, though. They’ve re-signed Tre Jones, Julian Champagnie, and Sandro Mamukelashvili and brought in Cedi Osman, Lamar Stevens (who was waived), Reggie Bullock, and Cameron Payne via trade. However, they were close to making another move that would have seen them land an up-and-coming guard.

During an appearance on the “All The Smoke” podcast with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, Los Angeles Lakers guard revealed that he nearly signed with the Spurs and the Houston Rockets. (H/t Jacob Rude of Silver Screen and Roll)

“Houston, before [they signed] Fred [VanVleet] and then San Antonio,” Reaves said when asked which teams he thought about signing with.

That being said, Reaves also noted that he always wanted to return to the Lakers, where he ended up re-signing.

“I really wanted to be in LA the whole time,” said Reaves.”There were a couple situations that were close but, like I said, I really wanted to be in LA. LA feels like home to me so that’s really where I wanted to be.”

Reaves agreed to re-join the Lakers on a four-year, $56 million contract during free agency.

Would you have wanted to see him in San Antonio alongside Wembanyama?

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Evan Fournier’s link to Victor Wembanyama sparks Spurs trade rumors

Should the San Antonio Spurs look to trade for Evan Fournier because of his connection to Victor Wembanyama?

The San Antonio Spurs have a new face of the franchise. Their fate was set in stone as soon as they won the draft lottery, as it meant Victor Wembanyama was headed to Texas. Now, the 19-year-old Frenchman, who is already a superstar, is set to take the reins in San Antonio.

As the Spurs look to push forward, almost everything they do will be with Wembanyama’s needs in mind. Obviously, there are other solid players on the roster, but the rookie should be one of their main focuses. And recent comments from fellow Frenchman Evan Fournier have led to some hypothetical Spurs trade rumors.

In an interview with Yann Ohnona of L’Equipe, Fournier spoke about the idea of playing next to Wembanyama under Gregg Popovich. (H/t Matt Guzman of Inside the Spurs)

“It’s not the Spurs of 2014 anymore but playing for Coach Pop and learning from him, it would be a pleasure and an honor, for sure,” Fournier said, translated by Guzman. “Being with Victor looking at the Olympics, being able to start chemistry on the court, that would be great.”

Fournier also spoke about his desire to be traded from the New York Knicks this summer.

“I’m going to be traded, it’s not possible otherwise or I’d be stuck, and so would they,” said Fournier. “They have several players with big contracts coming in. Unless they want to pay a crazy luxury tax.”

Should the Spurs look to bring in Fournier this summer via trade to play alongside Wembanyama?

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Mock trade sees Spurs land $45 million center in 3-team blockbuster

In this mock trade, the San Antonio Spurs would land a $45 million big man.

Heading into the summer, the San Antonio Spurs were focused on one thing – Victor Wembanyama. Well, that’s not entirely true, but from the outside looking in, it seemed to be the case. The Spurs were thrust into the spotlight, as Wembanyama is already an international superstar, and fans are eager to see what he can do on the NBA stage.

San Antonio shouldn’t be in a rush to put together a championship-caliber roster, but having Wembanyama will definitely come with expectations. And while they don’t need to make any rash decisions or trade, they definitely have some freedom to take risks.

And one trade concocted by Dan Favale of Bleacher Report would see them take a calculated gamble

Spurs Rumors: Team could be eyeing new downtown arena

The San Antonio Spurs could be eyeing a new downtown arena.

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When the San Antonio Spurs first moved from Dallas to San Antonio, they played their games between the HemisFair Arena. Then, in 1993, the Spurs moved to the Alamodome, where they played for nine seasons until 2002. At that point, they moved to what is now called the AT&T Center, where they have remained ever since.

However, there are new rumblings that the team could be on the move again. AT&T Center is located on the east side of the city, but the Spurs could be looking to move inward. Recent rumors have indicated that the Spurs are eyeing a new downtown arena.

According to City Councilman Manny Pelaez, who represents District 8 on the north side of San Antonio, the project is in the very early stages. (H/t Greg Jefferson, Molly Smith, and staff writers of the San Antonio Express-News)

“This is a really complex project, and we’re very early in the process,” Pelaez said. “Sooner or later, the mayor and city manager will approach council members and give us something more definitive to chew on.”

He also noted that this news may have gotten out sooner than Erik Walsh, the City Manager of San Antonio, probably wanted it to.

“This may have gotten out faster than Erik wanted,” Pelaez said.

The Spurs’ lease with AT&T Center isn’t up until 2032, but that just gives them more time to develop and build a new arena.

But what would fans think of a new location for the Spurs? Would they welcome it? Or would they be upset to see the team leave AT&T Center?

Mock trade sees Spurs flip veteran for 25-year-old defensive ace

In this mock trade, the San Antonio Spurs would flip a veteran for a defensive specialist.

This summer, the San Antonio Spurs were the center of attention. Or, more specifically, Victor Wembanyama was the center of attention. The Spurs picked Wembanyama with the first pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, and the 19-year-old is already a superstar. In his Summer League debut, the gym was sold out, and it felt like a regular season game.

But now that Wembanyama is in place, the Spurs should be looking to build around him and compete. They don’t necessarily need to make win-now moves right away, but they should be calculated with their decisions, striking when the right deal gets put in front of them.

One trade mocked up by Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report would see them make a small splash that could pay off.