The Spurs are going to form "Wenban + Adu"? The biggest question: Is this deal worth it?

One of the most lively topics in the NBA circle recently is the rumor that "the Spurs are going to trade Durant". A reporter said that the Spurs might use Wassel + Barnes + No. 14 to exchange Adu. As soon as the news came out, the group of Spurs fans exploded instantly - some people shouted "It's all done" and some people scratched their heads "Is this deal worth it?"

Let's first clarify the background: The Spurs have suddenly become "active" in the trading market in the past two years, and it was rumored that they were going to chase Antetokounmpo. But the rumors about Antetokounmpo excited fans, while the news about Durant made everyone confused. Why? Although Adu is still a superstar (The Ringer ranks 14th in the top 100 stars this season, the same as James, Davis and Leonard), the accounts behind this transaction must be settled carefully.

Wenban+Adu: The picture is beautiful, but the reality is skinny

Let’s talk about the most eye-catching part-the adaptability of Wenban and Durant. If these two are partners, the picture will be full of: a 2.24-meter-long alien man and a 2.11-meter-long offensive kaleidoscope, both can shoot from the three-point line to the basket, and the defense can also "run around the field hand in hand" to cover half of the court. In theory, the offensive space and defensive coverage of this combination can drive the opponent crazy.

But the question is: Can this picture be fulfilled?

The first hurdle: How many "shelf life" is left for 37 years old?

Durant is about to be 37 years old, and his physical condition after a serious injury is a hurdle that cannot be avoided. In the past five years, he has played only 55 games per season on average, and only 1 season in five years has played 65 games (award criterion). In comparison, 40-year-old James has played more than 60 games in each season during the same period, and has even more than 70 games in the past two years.

In other words, the Spurs may not be "full Durant", but "there may be injury in the middle of the season and reimbursement in the playoffs". If you bet on his health, the risk is not small - after all, what the Spurs need most now is a stable growth environment, not a "roller coaster" season.

The second hurdle: After the 55 million contract expires, do you dare to renew the contract?

Durant's contract expires next summer and there is no player option. According to the league market, he will most likely renew his contract, but the conditions for renewal are very difficult: a 38-year-old super giant, do you dare to give a maximum salary? If he gives a low price, he won't sign it, and if he gives a high price, he will be 40 years old, his salary may become a "poison contract".

The Spurs are now living on the bonus of the literary team's rookie. Durant's salary of 55 million yuan can still withstand in the past two years, but this also means they cannot use the bonus period "expanding the army" - such as signing a high-quality 3D and strengthening the inside. When the contract of the rookie in the literary class expires, if the Spurs give Adu the maximum salary, the salary space will be locked directly, and the difficulty of future operations will be full.

The third knot: Can Adu let the Spurs compete for the championship? It may be just "enhanced version of Rockets"

The Spurs' current problem is not "can you win more games", but "can you become a champion team". Even if Adu is healthy, the Wenban is growing, and with Fox, is the Spurs' lineup deep enough?

Just look at the Nuggets and you will know: no matter how strong Jokic is, he has to rely on role players such as Gordon, Gordon, and Porter Jr. to support the scene. In addition to Wenban, Adu, Fox, the rest of the Spurs now, Sohan, Champagne, and the possible second-place pick Harper, can they fight tough battles in the playoffs? Most likely not.

In other words, Adu may have made the Spurs go from "Lotto" to "playoff team" and even make it to the second round, but it is still a short distance from the championship. Does this mean a lot to the Spurs?

Good news: The chips are indeed "cheap", but the opportunity cost is high

The rumored chips are Vassel + Barnes + No. 14. Wassel was affected by injury this season, and his performance did not meet expectations, and he could see the top limit; Barnes is a good 3D, but there is no shortage of free market; the No. 14 draw is the end of the lottery, with limited value.

More importantly, the Spurs' back line is "overwhelmed": Fox, Castle, Harper, and Paul (may stay in the team), Wassel's position has long been squeezed out. Instead of keeping him in the position, it is better to switch to Adu, as this wave of chips is not a loss.

But the problem is "opportunity cost" - if the Spurs use these chips for Adu, if they want to chase Antetokounmpo and Jokic in the future, they may not be able to make up enough chips. After all, Antetokounmpo's super giants at the level need more than just Vassel + Barnes.

The last question: Is Adu's "tutor" or "consumable" in the literature class?

Many Spurs fans said: "Adu can teach the literary class!" Indeed, the literary class has said before that imitating Adu's skills, and the two partners can definitely learn from each other. Moreover, playing in deeper playoffs (such as the second round, or even the Western Conference Finals) can allow the literary team to experience "load management" and "key ball handling" in advance. These things that can only be learned in the competition - just like Edwards said, if you have never played in the Western Conference Finals, you don't understand how important it is to "preserve your physical strength in the regular season".

But on the other hand, will Adu's existence "squeeze" the growth space of Wenban? For example, as the big brother, Adu may dominate the ball; or will the Wenban change his playing style in order to cooperate with Adu? The core of the Spurs is always the Wenban

. There has been so much around it. In fact, the consensus among Spurs fans is very clear: all operations should be given priority to the growth of Wenban. The literary team is the core of the team building in the next ten years and is a "historical talent" that may impact the league's number one. Any transaction must be asked first: "Is it good for the literary class? "

Adu's transaction can make the Spurs stronger in the short term and make the literary class play in advance, but it may lock in salary space in the long term, and even affect the future of chasing bigger stars.. The current entanglement of the Spurs management is essentially a trade-off between "short-term combat power" and "long-term future".

However, one thing is certain: as long as the literary class continues to grow, the Spurs' era will not be too far away. As for Adu? He may be a "booster" or a "transitional product", but he will never be the "protagonist" - after all, the future of the Spurs, surnamed "Wenban".