SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Spurs are still working their way out of a rebuild, and former point guard Avery Johnson has his opinion on what the team should do to add top-tier talent.
Johnson recently discussed which all-star players might be getting moved next season with CBS Sports.
When the topic of Cavaliers' Donovan Mitchell's possible move away from Cleveland if he does not re-sign with the team after the 2025 season, Johnson opined that San Antonio should be Mitchell's next NBA home if he doesn't land in a big market.
Johnson added that the more significant reason Mitchell should land with the Spurs is because of playing alongside rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama.
"I believe because Donovan Mitchell played in Utah, now he's in Cleveland; if he's going to pick a market that's not L.A. or New York, why wouldn't he want to go play with Victor Wembanyama," he said.
Said Johnson: "Why not? If it's not New York or L.A!"
Mitchell playing with a 7-foot-big French man would be familiar, considering he teamed with Rudy Gobert in Utah. He'd run the pick-and-roll wonderfully with Wembanyama and bring another much-needed offensive threat.
However, if the Spurs would entertain trading for Mitchell, there are open questions to consider.
Will the Spurs want to add another ball-dominant player? How much would Cleveland want from the Spurs in any potential sign-and-trade for the all-star guard? Is the team willing to gut the roster or trade several first-round NBA draft picks for him?
Does he want to join a rebuilding team, even with Wembanyama as his teammate, and demand a trade out of San Antonio?
Would it signal the team halting any rumored interest in Hawks' Trae Young?
Adding Mitchell (27 years old) would add the needed veteran guard with career averages of 24.9 points per game, 6.2 assists, 36% three-point percentage, and 47% field-goal shooting in six seasons. He's under contract for the next two seasons and has a player option for 2025-26 after signing a five-year, $163,000,300.00 deal.
As for Johnson, it is nice to see him still looking out for the Spurs.
What do you think about Johnson's thoughts on seeing Mitchell land with the Spurs? Let us know on X at @KENS5 and @JeffGSpursKENS5.