SPORTS
Filling the Spurs' Roster Holes
1208 MILAM STREET, SAN ANTONIO, USATue Feb 04 2025
The San Antonio Spurs have just made a big move, adding De'Aaron Fox to their roster. This trade has given them a strong point guard duo with Victor Wembanyama. But, their work is not done yet. They need to finalize the trade and figure out their player rotations.
The trade is not finalized yet. The Chicago Bulls are holding things up. They have too many players on their roster and need to cut two. They might trade Chris Duarte and Torrey Craig, but if they can't, they'll have to let them go. This could slow things down, but expect a resolution soon. Fox won't officially be a Spur or play in their next few games until this is sorted out. Fans might see him in action against the Charlotte Hornets.
With Fox in tow, the Spurs have to figure out who starts and who sits. Fox will likely start. He could replace Chris Paul, who signed with the Spurs for starting minutes. Or, they could start Fox and move Stephon Castle to the bench. Another option is to start Jeremy Sochan with Fox and Wembanyama. This lineup offers a lot of versatility, but time will tell what the final decision will be. Expect some changes over the next few weeks as the team gets used to playing with Fox.
The Spurs also need to find a backup center. Charles Bassey is the only option right now, but his inconsistent play makes him less than ideal. The Spurs could trade for a backup big man or make a move for a bigger name in the trade market. They could also look to the buyout market after the trade deadline for veterans who were traded as salary fillers. The question is whether they should give up future assets for this position. It's a decision between chasing a playoff run this year or long-term success with Wemby and Fox.
Looking ahead, the Spurs have a promising future. They have a star big man-guard duo and intriguing young players. They're also loaded with draft picks and pick swaps. They have the assets to improve the roster and the flexibility to make moves in the next few seasons. Next up, they need to extend Fox to a near-max contract.
The Spurs need more shooters and offensive creators. They should look for players who can defend and shoot or get buckets when San Antonio's stars aren't on the floor. The first order of business was to acquire a star. They did that. Now, they need to build around Wemby and Fox.
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questions
If the Chicago Bulls were to have a 'use all 17 players in a game' gimmick, What would you be you more surprised to see? A Bulls victory or a Bulls team with 17 players on the court?
If Chris Paul and De’Aaron Fox were to time travel in the same court, Who would be the first one to steal the ball from the other?
How might the Spurs' approach to acquiring a backup center affect their future flexibility and long-term goals?