The San Antonio Spurs may very well be probably the most lively groups on the commerce market regardless of their shocking 15-13 document and placement in ninth place within the Western Convention to start the 2024-25 season.
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio’s 2023-24 Rookie of the 12 months, is at present averaging 24.7 factors, 10.0 rebounds and three.8 blocks in 23 appearances, main the workforce to victories in opposition to a number of titans of convention just like the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors.
Whereas Wembanyama is definitely already among the best facilities in all the league in his second season, his elegant taking pictures potential and ball-handling prowess, mixed together with his 7-foot-3 peak, may push the French prodigy on the energy ahead place at one level. not this season.
Though shifting Wembanyama to energy ahead might solely be a plan for this season, it may final if it proves profitable. This might doubtlessly improve the possibilities that Spurs normal supervisor Brian Wright trades for his or her heart of the longer term.
Current stories have indicated that San Antonio might have curiosity in reaching out to the Detroit Pistons to attain that objective, with the workforce focusing on a 2022-23 All-Rookie Crew choice and promising prospect Jalen Duren.
“As probably the most promising facilities within the NBA, Jalen Duren may turn out to be a implausible associate for Victor Wembanyama,” Fadeaway World’s Cholo Martin Magsino wrote Monday morning. “This opens the door for the Frenchman to undertake the ability ahead function the place he may very well be extra artistic on offense whereas Duren covers the paint.”
The Pistons’ No. 13 choose within the 2022 NBA Draft, Duren has step by step improved as a dependable rim protector and lob risk.
The 21-year-old contributed 9.2 factors, 9.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks whereas taking pictures 70 p.c from the ground in 26 appearances for Detroit this season.
Standing at 6-foot-10 and possessing an extremely robust and athletic construct, Duren’s potential to turn out to be one of many league’s most bodily dominant facilities over the following decade definitely intrigues San Antonio.
The addition of Duren may match proper in subsequent to Wembanyama, as he would give the celebrity heart and improved passing risk an ideal goal for an alley-oop or shovel cross on the dunker spot.
The tandem of Wembanyama and Duren could be much more efficient on protection, as two of one of the best younger shot blockers in all the Affiliation defending the identical painted space would strike concern into the hearts of all potential opponents for the foreseeable future.
To accumulate Duren, San Antonio would probably need to forgo draft compensation related to a prized prospect like Jeremy Sochan, Keldon Johnson, Tre Jones or Malaki Branham, with Devin Vassell and Stephon Fort probably off limits.
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