The San Antonio Spurs were heavily involved in NBA trade rumors this summer, with links to prominent players such as Trae Young, Brandon Ingram, Lauri Markkanen, and Darius Garland. However, the team mostly remained inactive, opting to draft Stephon Castle, sign veteran guard Chris Paul, and trade for wing player Harrison Barnes. As the Spurs continue to build their roster with young talent that aligns with their future plans, Darius Garland seems like an ideal fit for the team, at least on paper.
The Cleveland Cavaliers already have Donovan Mitchell in the backcourt, and both he and Garland are ball-dominant players who excel in offensive roles. While the Spurs anticipate Castle becoming an on-ball facilitator for their offense, there is a possibility that he may perform better as an off-ball player. One of the main concerns before Castle was drafted was his three-point shooting ability, as he only hit 26.7 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc at UConn on a limited number of shots. Despite this, he primarily played as a shooting guard in college, and even if his shooting improves, he might be more effective as an off-ball threat.
If the Spurs determine by the trade deadline that Castle is better suited for an off-ball role, they could pursue a long-term solution at point guard. Chris Paul, at 39 years old, is not a long-term option. The Spurs have previously been connected to Darius Garland, and rumors suggest that the Cavaliers may have an interest in Keldon Johnson. With their extensive draft capital, the Spurs have the flexibility to explore potential trades.
Last season, Garland averaged 18 points, 6.5 assists, and 1.3 steals over 57 games, while shooting 37.1 percent from three-point range as Cleveland’s lead guard.
