Rebuilding NBA teams should keep their young players – shouldn’t they? Usually, but not always. Sometimes, it makes sense to trade a young player even when you’re in the midst of a rebuild.

Suppose one of your young players is similar to another, superior more. More broadly, there’s a difference between a rookie and, say, a fifth-year player. A rebuilding team may decide that even a 25-year-old is simply not part of their future.

According to rumors, the San Antonio Spurs are considering moving Keldon Johnson. Johnson is only 25, but he’s similar to Devin Vassell, and the Spurs may want to get more future-focused.

Could they send Johnson to the Atlanta Hawks? 

NBA Trade Proposal: Atlanta Hawks Land San Antonio Spurs’ Keldon Johnson

San Antonio Spurs Receive: G/F Bogdan Bogdanovic, G/F AJ Griffin, 2024 First-Round Pick (Lottery Protected – SAC via ATL) 

Atlanta Hawks Receive: G/F Keldon Johnson 

Every rebuild proceeds at its own pace. When a rebuilding team appears to be ahead of schedule, fans get excited. Sometimes, that can be a mixed blessing.

Look at the Atlanta Hawks. Trae Young was performing like a star by his sophomore season. Fans got excited. The Hawks were ahead of schedule. Surely, they’d only continue to grow from here, right? 

NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Keldon Johnson, San Antonio Spurs, Atlanta Hawks Updates

Well, the Hawks may have peaked too quickly. Atlanta hasn’t exactly made a serious title run since Young’s emergence. It’s possible that, if they’d rebuilt more slowly, they’d have found more long-term success.

Should the Spurs learn from their mistake? 

Why The San Antonio Spurs Do The Deal 

There’s a bit of a conflict here. Bogdanovic is having a career year. Why should the Spurs want him? Isn’t the point here to turn their focus to the future?

Sure. The Spurs are still looking ahead here. Griffin has fallen out of Atlanta’s rotation this year, but he was outstanding as a rookie in 2022-23. Griffin could be one of the best shooters in the NBA for years to come, and he’s got defensive value as well. 

NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Keldon Johnson, San Antonio Spurs, Atlanta Hawks Updates

Meanwhile, they’re also landing a protected first that’s certain to convey. The Spurs can figure out what to do with Bogdanovic later – in all likelihood, they could move him next summer. Should the Hawks part with him during his career season?

Why The Atlanta Hawks Do The Deal 

Bogdanovic may be having a career year. Johnson is still a better fit for this roster. With Young on the roster, the Hawks need players with defensive value. Bogdanovic doesn’t offer much on that end of the floor.

By contrast, Johnson is solid. He’s also five years younger. The Hawks are getting the player with the most value in this deal. Since they don’t seem to be using Griffin anyway, that alone justifies this trade. 

NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Keldon Johnson, San Antonio Spurs, Atlanta Hawks Updates

Besides, they still have their pick in 2024 as well. Johnson provides much of the floor spacing and shot creation that Bogdanovic does while adding value on the other end of the floor. Sometimes, a contending team can justify acquiring a young player, too.

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