The Athletic Proposal
Pistons receive: Keldon Johnson and a 2024 first-round pick (via Toronto)
Spurs receive: The No. 5 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft
James L. Edwards III: My logic here was pretty simple: Johnson fills a void for the Pistons as a solid offensive wing who can be effective without the ball. His defense can be better, and I think it could be in a more winning situation. He'll only be 24 when next season starts and, in my opinion, is on a valuable contract (4 years/$74 million). His annual salary decreases in the deal's first three years, which starts next season. The Pistons also get a future first because I don't believe Johnson alone is worth the No. 5 pick in this draft.
Why would the Spurs do this, you ask? Well, San Antonio could use the No. 5 pick to get a different wing or forward who, like future Spur Wembanyama, will be on a rookie deal for the next few seasons. It'll open up even more cap space for San Antonio this summer, as well. I just don't see Johnson with the Spurs by the time they're truly contenders again, so I could see a deal like this benefitting both sides. Cam Whitmore or Amen Thompson would be fun alongside Wembanyama, no?
Alex Schiffer: "This trade really comes down to the Spurs timeline and how they want to go about their rebuild, but moving Johnson for the pick allows them to get another young player to align both time- and contract-wise with Wembamyama, while the Pistons get a player ready to help them move up in the standings. There's a case for the Spurs to keep Johnson, too, as he's come up through Pop's system and has room to grow as a player. He could stay and continue to be part of the young core in San Antonio."
Verdict from the opposing beat: "Solid offer"
The Top6 protected Toronto pick is too much w/ Keldon. Keldon is proven, Whitmore or Thompson is not and Keldon's just 23 and on a good contract.