San Antonio Collected Graham and Four Future Seconds
The February 9, 2023 deadline brought Josh Richardson to New Orleans in exchange for guard Devonte' Graham and four second-round selections routed to San Antonio. The incoming pick package included a 2024 choice eventually associated with No. 41 Adem Bona, plus conditional selections in 2026, 2028 and 2029. The Spurs were willing to absorb a veteran guard contract in return for additional draft flexibility, while New Orleans sought an established perimeter defender who could join its active rotation. This was a player-and-picks exchange involving two teams with different priorities, not a simple swap of guards with the same contract profile.
Richardson Provided New Orleans With Defensive Depth
Richardson had played meaningful NBA minutes for several organizations before arriving in New Orleans. He offered the Pelicans an experienced wing defender and reserve offensive option after the deadline, although his direct tenure with the team was short. The club missed the main 2023 playoff bracket after a play-in elimination, so this trade should not be credited with carrying it through a successful playoff series. Richardson's earlier career in Miami, Philadelphia and San Antonio also did not become new Pelicans games. The real return was a temporary player who could defend opposing wings while the front office reassessed its longer-term perimeter options.
The Spurs Traded Immediate Veterans for More Draft Chances
Graham joined the Spurs as a backcourt option during a roster rebuild, playing NBA minutes while the organization shifted toward younger players. The four second-round rights offered additional opportunities to select inexpensive players or make other trades. The 2024 choice entered the draft lineage that included Adem Bona, but his later NBA team and playing record should not be assumed to be direct San Antonio production. Future 2026, 2028 and 2029 selections require separate verification of their final protections and destinations. The Spurs' benefit was the quantity and transferability of these assets rather than four already developed NBA rotation players.
Longer Asset Flexibility Favors the Spurs
New Orleans gained an NBA-ready defender, but Richardson did not stay long enough to justify a top-tier grade for the Pelicans. San Antonio used its willingness to take Graham's contract to acquire a deeper collection of future draft rights. That is valuable even if particular picks later move again or don't produce long-term starters. The outcome favors the Spurs without counting every subsequent NBA player associated with a draft position as if he had been signed by San Antonio. A fair retrospective recognizes Richardson's legitimate direct Pelicans minutes while assigning the stronger organizational flexibility to the Spurs.
Final Verdict
Spurs Win. San Antonio earns B+ for acquiring Devonte' Graham and four future second-round assets, including the 2024 No. 41-linked choice, in exchange for Josh Richardson. New Orleans receives B- for Richardson's short-term defensive and reserve wing minutes. Adem Bona's eventual draft identity and the later outcomes of the other seconds don't automatically become Spurs NBA performances.