#8: Detroit Pistons trade the 5th pick to the San Antonio Spurs for Keldon Johnson and the 8th pick
The Spurs would like to get off Keldon Johnson’s deal and this would be one way to do it while picking up an asset.
They get the 5th pick in exchange for the 8th pick and Johnson, which would allow the Spurs to clear some cap space and move up in the draft at the same time.
The Pistons get a serviceable wing in Johnson, who is on a reasonable deal that extends two more seasons and still stay in the top-10 of the draft.
Is this too much for the Spurs to give up just to move up a few spots? That depends. If there are two players they have identified as perfect fits for Victor Wembanyama but don’t think the second guy will be there at eight, then it makes sense for them, especially when they open up around $19 million more in cap space to add free agents.