The NBA trade deadline is just days away, and few teams have as big of a decision as the Spurs. The Spurs have the third-best record in the NBA but are still young. As a result, they could opt to stand pat and see how far their youth and talent take them.
Or, they could make a big trade to improve their chances of contending this season. One such trade target could be Milwaukee Bucks power forward Bobby Portis Jr. With Giannis Antetokounmpo possibly being traded ahead of the deadline, it could be open season on other Bucks vets.
San Antonio could absolutely use Portis Jr., who’s having a strong season, including drilling a ridiculous 46.5% of his threes. Having a big man who can space the floor, score inside, and not cost an arm and a leg should intrigue the Spurs. However, what would they have to give up to acquire him?
Bobby Portis Jr. is the Spurs’ perfect trade target
Portis Jr.’s contract matches up almost perfectly with Kelly Olynyk’s, making a trade fairly easy, at least in terms of salary. The Spurs would probably have to include a first-round selection in a potential deal, with a lottery-protected 2029 first being an option.
Or, perhaps the Spurs could swap out Olynyk for Jeremy Sochan and Jordan McLaughlin in a trade with the Bucks. Another option could see the Spurs package Olynyk, Sochan, and a lottery-protected 2029 first-rounder for Portis Jr. and Gary Trent Jr.
Either way, the Spurs will likely have to give up a first-round pick for Portis Jr., though perhaps not the Hawks’ pick swap.
Landing an upgrade at power forward with plenty of playoff experience and a willingness to come off the bench could be huge for the Spurs. Particularly with him being reasonably paid this season and next year, plus having a player option for the 2027-28 season.
Adding him would allow San Antonio to limit Harrison Barnes’ playing time to around 20 minutes per game. Meanwhile, Portis Jr. is already averaging around 28 minutes for the Bucks this season and could have a similarly large role on the Silver and Black.
Portis Jr. could be a Harrison Barnes insurance policy
That assumes he meshes with Victor Wembanyama and company. Defensively, he has taken a step back and is largely an offensive player at this point.
But he’d be playing with Wembanyama or Luke Kornet, limiting any defensive downside and adding some much-needed offensive pop. Between Wembanyama, Kornet, and Barnes, San Antonio has good spacing in the frontcourt.
Nevertheless, Barnes’ regression has been dramatic. In fact, the Spurs can’t afford to risk having him clank threes like he did in the NBA Cup Playoffs during the actual NBA Playoffs.
That increases the need for another stretch four that can open up driving lanes for De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper.
In turn, they can get San Antonio easy baskets in the paint and collapse defenses to generate open threes. This team has been desperately lacking that since late December when Devin Vassell got injured.
With him back, San Antonio should still look at potential upgrades at power forward. And if Giannis Antetokounmpo is ultimately traded during the season, they should be targeting Portis Jr.
