Spurs, Knicks Trade Idea Lands Victor Wembanyama Another French Teammate
The San Antonio Spurs are building their team around Victor Wembanyama, the French No. 1 pick of this year's draft.
Perhaps a way to ease his transition from France to the United States would be to surround him with people that remind him of home. The Spurs did that in the draft, selecting Sidy Cissoko in the second round, but San Antonio could go another step further.
NBA analyst Bill Simmons played general manager made a trade prediction on his podcast on Tuesday, and one of his ideas involved the New York Knicks doing business with the Spurs.
"(San Antonio) trades for (Evan) Fournier as a (Victor Wembanyama) big brother/mentor," Simmons tweeted. "(They) get a protected first or some other asset for their troubles (maybe Doug McDermott is in the deal too)."
Fournier is entering the third season of his four-year, $73 million contract with the Knicks and is guaranteed over $18.8 million in 2023-24. His club option the following year would be a guaranteed $19 million.
McDermott is entering the final year of his three-year, $41.25 million contract with the Spurs and is guaranteed $13.74 million in 2023-24. He'd become an unrestricted free agent in 2024-25.
This deal checks off a lot of boxes for the Spurs. Not only does it give Wembanyama another French player to connect with, but it supplies San Antonio with an additional pick for its rebuild and some value for an expiring McDermott contract.
For the Knicks, they get off Fournier's negative contract and get off of that money for next year, where they'll be able to spend more money for a high-profile free agent.
It appears like a win-win deal for both sides, but every trade has several hoops to go through. This trade makes almost too much sense for it not to happen.
You can follow Hunter De Siver on Twitter @HunterDeSiver.
Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Spurs? Click Here.
Follow Inside the Spurs on Twitter.
Follow Inside the Spurs on Facebook.
Want even more San Antonio Spurs news? Check out the Si.com team page here.
