The Spurs may not have finished their impressive offseason after quietly remaking their roster. The Spurs have reportedly been shopping Keldon Johnson, and it makes sense given his limitations and their roster needs.
Meanwhile, the Washington Wizards are simply trying to add talent to a young roster that is still early on in their rebuild. That could make the possibility of a trade between the Wizards and Spurs more likely.
In fact, the two teams just completed a trade less than two weeks ago in which the Spurs acquired Kelly Olynyk in exchange for Malaki Branham and Blake Wesley. That increases the possibility that the Spurs and Wizards can again link on another potentially mutually beneficial deal.
The Spurs and Wizards can link up on a mutually beneficial deal
The hypothetical trade would see the Spurs send Keldon Johnson for Corey Kispert. A Johnson for Kispert swap is an intriguing one for both teams. Between the two players, Johnson is likely the better player, even though he has clear flaws.
Despite playing hard, he is a poor defender, and that has contributed to his ever-diminishing role. In 2021-22, he averaged nearly 22 points per game while also drilling almost 40% from deep. That shows his potential value to the Wizards.
Since then, he has become a Sixth Man and an energy guy off the bench. His decline as a 3-point shooter has essentially stunted his offensive game, with him relying on bullying his way to the rim.
To his credit, it has worked more often than not. But given the Spurs’ dire need for more shooting, his play on both ends simply doesn’t fit this incarnation of the Spurs. That’s why Kispert would be a perfect fit.
Corey Kispert would be a perfect fit for the Spurs
Kispert would be a terrific off-the-ball threat, with him being a nearly 40% career 3-point shooter who is also a whipsmart cutter. Moreover, potentially playing with multiple slashers in De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper, as well as a human-sized dinosaur in Wembanyama, could help him unlock his game. He has yet to play with teammates anywhere near the level of Wembanyama or Fox, and it’s not hard to imagine him having a career season.
Adding Kispert would come with the trade-off of having to pay him for the next four years rather than paying Johnson for the next two. He is set to make $52 million over the next four years, while Johnson is set to make $35 million over the next two.
This potential could affect the Spurs long-term, with them having to pay Fox and Wembanyama max contracts starting in the 2027-28 season. Adding $13 million a season to their books could come with the risk of them being an apron team.
Even so, the Spurs could solve a major flaw by swapping out Johnson for a much better shooter, helping them drastically improve in that area. A much improved offense paired with a dramatically improved defense could propel the Spurs into contention.
Overall, the Spurs shopping Johnson after an offseason overhaul makes his status in their rotation questionable at best. Therefore, trading him for a sharpshooter might be the best option for San Antonio, and Kispert would be perfect.
Go to Source
Author:
July 18, 2025 | 12:00 pm
