It almost seemed like a done deal. Kevin Durant, one of the greatest shooters in NBA history, was going to become a San Antonio Spur. Even high-profile pundits like Bill Simmons fanned the flames, suggesting KD was headed to the Alamo City. But on Sunday morning, Game 7 of the NBA Finals, San Antonians woke up to very different news. Durant is on his way to Texas — just not to San Antonio.
Instead, he’s making the roughly 200-mile trek east on I-35 to Houston to become a Houston Rocket. Reportedly, the negotiations between San Antonio and Phoenix ultimately fell short. According to former Spurs vice president for strategic research Kirk Goldsberry, the Suns’ asking price was steep. They wanted Stephon Castle or the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s draft. Given Durant’s age at 37 and his injury history, Spurs decision-makers weren’t eager to mortgage their future.
And when it came to Giannis Antetokounmpo, insiders say the Spurs weren’t seriously engaged with his camp. Milwaukee’s asking price was astronomically high, and some in San Antonio had reservations about his fit alongside Victor Wembanyama.
That brings us to the next big name on the rumor mill: Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics. Brown, a former NBA champion and Finals MVP, would give San Antonio a proven two-way star who’s younger and more durable than either Giannis or KD. Some analysts believe keeping the Spurs’ young core intact and leveraging their draft capital — especially their two first-round picks at Nos. 2 and 14 — is the smarter path toward sustained success.
Still, Spurs fans shouldn't overlook the talent already in place. Wembanyama recently shared that he’s added about 25 pounds of muscle since entering the league, making him an even more imposing force in the paint. The Spurs also added De’Aaron Fox last season. Fox is one of the fastest, most dynamic guards in the NBA and is poised to be a perfect fit alongside Wemby with his elite shot-making and playmaking. Fans can expect plenty of highlight-reel alley-oops this year.
With Fox benefiting from a full offseason with the Spurs and Stephon Castle — a budding two-way guard — by his side, San Antonio looks deeper and more dangerous than it has in years. And that brings us to Wednesday, June 25, when the Spurs hold the No. 2 pick in the NBA draft. Barring a surprise, they’ll select Dylan Harper, the 19-year-old Rutgers star who averaged 19.4 points per game as a freshman and set a program record with 564 points. Harper is a creative, physical playmaker who can score at all three levels — exactly the kind of lead guard who thrives in today’s game.
With Harper joining Fox and Castle, San Antonio will have one of the most promising backcourts in the league. Fox is hungry to win after years of early playoff exits in Sacramento, so this Spurs team will play with a sense of urgency. They know they have something to prove. Add in Wembanyama’s rapid development, and the Spurs look poised to take a significant step forward. Missing out on KD or the Greek Freak may sting in the short term, but this franchise is playing the long game. Spurs fans have every reason to believe the future is bright.