As we approach the point in the NBA season when contracts signed last offseason first become eligible for trade on December 15th. That means as the festive lights go up, the NBA trade machine will be loaded up.
However, don’t expect any trades involving the San Antonio Spurs’ young core, according to an NBA insider.
Spurs Next Big 3 Predicted By NBA Insider As He Plays Down Trade Talks
On the latest episode of ESPN’s ‘Hoop Collective’ hosted by Brian Windhorst, NBA insider Tim MacMahon was particularly effusive in his praise for the Spurs’ young core.
When discussing the upcoming NBA Cup Quarterfinal between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Spurs, MacMahon suggested how the Spurs could exploit the one flaw in the Lakers’ perimeter defense: “The Spurs got three guys who can really do some damage off the dribble in De’Aaron Fox, Stefon Castle, and Dylan Harper.”
Although he added he didn’t expect them to win without Victor Wembanyama, the incredible French superstar is out for Wednesday’s big cup game.
Nevertheless, he added, not to expect the Spurs’ young core to be in any trade conversations, said MacMahon on the podcast: “As a quick aside, as you’re going to the trade machine over the next, what is it, couple of months here, don’t bother putting Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle in any trades.”
MacMahon also pointed out: “If that means you can’t come up with things to get some huge blockbuster done for the Spurs, I would say, yeah, that’s right. Those guys are going to be in San Antonio, I believe, for a long, long time. I think they’ve got this generation’s version of [Tim] Duncan, [Tony] Parker, and [Manu] Ginobili.”
It’s obviously a bold take, given that the names above are making up a Spurs dynasty. Duncan alone won five NBA championships while Parker and Ginobili each won four. It may be wise to avoid comparing players to legends, as they deserve an opportunity to make their own name in the league without being compared to legends.
They are off to a fantastic start, for sure. Castle has followed up his Rookie of the Year award with an even stronger second year, statistically. 19-year-old Harper looks comfortable in the league already and is coming off a 22-point game in a win against New Orleans.
When Wembanyama returns from injury, he is averaging a superb 26.2 points and 12.9 rebounds on 50.2% shooting in 12 games. They will face a challenging task to unseat the Lakers and the OKC Thunder in the West this year, though. However, the point is clear: this new core is special and will be together for a long time.
