For the past few months, there has been a landslide of reports regarding interest between Kevin Durant and the San Antonio Spurs, creating controversy about whether or not the Spurs should pursue the Hall of Famer. However, those questions are no more. As reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, Durant has been traded to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick, and five second-round picks. Furthermore, Charnia’s report stated that the Spurs were not among the finalists for Durant when it came down to the end. Despite their confirmed interest in the four-time scoring champ, the Spurs backed out of trade talks. Let’s dive into why this was a smart move for the Spurs.
The Spurs Dodged a Bullet With Kevin Durant
Durant on the Spurs definitely would have been fun. The 15-time All-Star paired up with Victor Wembanyama in the frontcourt would have been a blast to watch. Two athletic freaks for their size, taking defenders off the dribble and splashing threes would have been deadly. Yet, the cost to acquire Durant and the potential repercussions to the rest of the roster were too much to bear.
Durant was Not Worth the Cost
Although Durant’s price shrank tremendously as time passed, the Spurs cannot afford to spend the valuable 14th overall pick and essential role players on him. As we have learned in the NBA Finals, depth is critical. In the modern NBA, teams full of stars and lacking depth can no longer survive in the playoffs. Durant himself is well aware of this, as his experiment with the star-driven Suns flamed out quickly. The Spurs need players like Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell to sustain the offense in the playoffs.
In a loaded draft class, the player taken with the 14th overall pick could have much better long-term value than Durant on the Spurs. The player will be much cheaper than Durant, allowing the Spurs greater flexibility in making roster moves as we advance. The 14th overall pick will also fit the timeline of the core of the Spurs’ young roster in the future.
The Durant-led Spurs May Not Have Been Enough
The Western Conference is as good as it has ever been. The Oklahoma City Thunder looks to run things for the next decade. Meanwhile, teams such as the Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Lakers, and Denver Nuggets will stay in the mix. Could a fresh team led by Durant and Wembanyama compete? Perhaps so, but they would not be the betting favorites.
It is in the best interest to continue to grow together and use the time they have to build up an unstoppable roster for the future. With the second and 14th picks in the draft, the Spurs can develop a dominant roster for the future. Trading for Durant would have halted their progress in doing so. They can’t be desperate or impatient. What lies in the future will be worth the wait.
Featured image: © Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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