Bold San Antonio Spurs-Los Angeles Clippers Trade Idea Including All-Star Guards Emerges a Week Before Camps Open
· Yahoo Sports
Popular podcaster and NBA expert Bill Simmons had a fascinating trade idea this week that would see the San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Clippers swap a pair of All-Star guards.
We are a week out from the start of training camp for the 2026-27 NBA season, and the Spurs and Clippers are headed in very different directions. After a huge leap forward last season by reaching the NBA Finals, San Antonio enters the new campaign as a favorite to win it all in the new campaign. On the flip side, LA is expected to be a bottom-feeder in 2026-27 after starting a rebuild last season by trading James Harden and Ivica Zubac, then Kawhi Leonard this summer.
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While the two organizations have extremely different goals in the new season, they actually might be good trade partners this month, or at least Simmons thinks so. During a new edition of his podcast on The Ringer, he made the case for why the Spurs and Clippers should consider swappingDe’Aaron Fox for Darius Garland.
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This season, Fox begins a new four-year, $221 million deal that will pay him $57 and $61 million annually in the final two years. When the Spurs gave him the deal last season, it made sense. However, after top star Victor Wembanyama getting and extension this summer, along with Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper looking like players who will get huge raises eventually, Fox’s contract is now problematic.
However, after losing five first-round picks following the Leonard salary cap investigation, Fox actually believes the Clippers should get the Spurs on the phone about a trade. Suggesting they should inquire about getting a first-round pick in the deal to take Fox’s big contract back and send two-time All-Star Garland to San Antonio.
Why the San Antonio Spurs should look into a De’Aaron Fox for Darius Garland swap
Apr 5, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; LA Clippers guard Darius Garland (10) during the second quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn ImagesOn paper, trading Fox would be a very risky move for the Spurs. Yes, he frustrated fans with his play during the 2026 NBA Playoffs. However, it can’t be overlooked that he was second on the team in scoring (18.6) and assists (6.2), and first in minutes (31.0) and steals (1.2) last regular season. He was a legitimate All-Star and is right in his prime at 28.
Those are major numbers to replace. Nevertheless, the Spurs should look into the deal. While some may feel Fox is a more electrifying player because of his speed, Garland is still pretty close. He has averaged 19 points, 6 assists, and a steal per game while shooting 38% from three during his seven-year career.
But most importantly, he only has two years left on his contract. It perfectly allows the Spurs to continue to develop Harper off the bench for two more years and then put that money toward extensions for Castle and Harper in 2028 and 2029, respectively. The Clippers would certainly be open to the deal if it gets them a first-round pick, and because Fox and rookie Keaton Wagler could be a better combo this season.
There is risk for the Spurs if Castle or Harper don’t turn into perennial All-Stars. But there is a good chance one of them does, and a possibility they both can. So the Spurs could have them at more reasonable rates than what they are paying Fox now.
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