On April 25, Beijing time, the NBA playoffs were in full swing, and the strong teams in the East and West were fighting to the death for the championship. But beyond these title contenders, there's another team that is quietly planning its future – and that's the Spurs, which have been rebuilding.
Although the Spurs unfortunately missed the playoffs this season, the team has gained a rookie who can take on the heavy responsibility - Wembanyama this year. The first-year rookie has shown exceptional talent and potential and is undoubtedly at the heart of the Spurs' future. But at the same time, he also exposed some areas for improvement, the most obvious being the lack of an All-Star level guard to help him play 1+1 over 2.
So, how do the Spurs find a suitable partner for Wembanyama next? According to the team's development plan, they don't seem to be too optimistic about the two top defenders, Paul and Trae Young. The former, despite his experience, is nearing the end of his career and will struggle to develop real chemistry with the young Wembanyama; Although the latter is outstanding, there are obvious shortcomings in defense, and it is difficult to form a perfect fit with Wembanyama.
As a result, there don't seem to be many options in the free market. However, Spurs management has their eyes on another player - Murray. As a veteran who was drafted by the Spurs and then traded, Murray is undoubtedly the most suitable partner for Wembanyama.
First of all, Murray is a perfect fit for Wembanyama's style. As an all-round defender, Murray is both playmaking and supportive on the defensive end. This is exactly what Wembanyama lacks at this stage. With Murray on board, Wembanyama will be able to make the most of his attacking talents, while also being able to rely on a reliable defensive back.
Secondly, the relationship between Murray and the Spurs also laid the foundation for the cooperation between the two. As a Spurs producer, Murray already has a very good understanding of the team's system and culture, and it doesn't take too long to run in with Wembanyama to achieve an efficient combination. This is undoubtedly a big advantage for Wembanyama, who is in the midst of growth.
Furthermore, from the perspective of the team's long-term development, having a guard like Murray is undoubtedly an important step in the Spurs' rebuilding process. With his excellent playmaking skills and all-round skills, Murray will not only be able to fully exploit Wembanyama's potential, but will also be able to help the team get out of the rebuilding period as quickly as possible and rebuild a competitive team.
Obviously, for the Spurs, Murray is undoubtedly the ideal partner for Wembanyama. The reason the team was able to wait two years to bring in Murray was because they already saw the veteran as a key pawn in the future. Now, the long-awaited time has finally arrived, and the Spurs must not hesitate to bring Murray back.
So, at what cost should the Spurs regain Murray? According to reports, since the Hawks are currently in a rebuilding period, they are likely to split the Trae Young and Murray combination in the offseason. This means that the Spurs will have to pay a lower price to poach Murray than Trae Young.
In this regard, Spurs will naturally not hesitate to pay the necessary price. After all, Wembanyama's future is the future of Spurs, and Murray is undoubtedly the perfect partner. With Murray on board, Wembanyama will not only be able to adapt to the pace of the NBA as quickly as possible, but will also be able to play a key role in key moments. This is undoubtedly a rare good deal for the Spurs, a team that is in the process of rebuilding.
Of course, bringing back Murray won't happen overnight. As an All-Star, Murray's value isn't ordinary, and the Spurs will have to make a good enough trade offer to convince the Hawks to let him go. However, in the process, the Spurs have a unique advantage - Murray has played for it and is quite familiar with the team's culture and system. This familiarity will undoubtedly greatly reduce the difficulty of the transaction for both parties.
Overall, Wembanyama's pairing with Murray has undoubtedly been a bright spot in the Spurs' rebuilding process. With such an all-round guard on board, Wembanyama will not only be able to adapt to the NBA rhythm as quickly as possible, but will also be able to play a key role in key moments. This is undoubtedly a rare good deal for Spurs, which are in the midst of a rebuilding period.
Faced with such an opportunity, the Spurs management must not hesitate to act aggressively. They will have to come up with good enough trade terms to finally bring Murray back into their roster. Only in this way can Wembanyama's golden partnership with Murray be truly realized, and only then can Spurs rise again in this hopeful season.
It is believed that under the leadership of Wembanyama and Murray, the Spurs will be able to regain their former glory. Although the team is still in the rebuilding period, with such a core roster, they will surely become the next NBA powerhouse. Spurs fans, please be patient, your golden age is coming!