Why Jalen Suggs Is the Trade Chip, Not Amen Thompson: The Hard Truth About Role Fit in the NBA

The Uncomfortable Choice

I wake up at 5:30 AM every day to update my NBA player impact database — not because I’m obsessed with stats (though I am), but because clarity comes from numbers. Right now? The Spurs’ roster puzzle has boiled down to one brutal decision: Suggs or Thompson. And no matter how much we love either player, data doesn’t lie.

Positional Flexibility Isn’t Optional

Amen Thompson plays both three and four with elite fluidity. He guards wings and forwards alike without sacrificing timing or positioning. Jalen Suggs? His lateral quickness drops off sharply when he moves beyond point guard duties — especially against bigger wings or stretch fours.

This isn’t about ego. It’s about fit. When you’re building a rotation around defensive schemes that demand switching, you can’t afford players who slow down when they step into new roles.

The Ball-Handling Trap

Suggs was drafted as a hybrid wing — think ‘fourth option’ for a high-OFFR team like Miami’s old model. But instead of mastering that niche, he’s been pushed into ball-handling responsibilities that don’t reflect his strengths.

Meanwhile, Thompson thrives under pressure. His transition defense? Elite. His off-ball movement? Intelligent. You don’t need him to create; you need him to disrupt — and he does.

Data Doesn’t Care About Feelings

I ran 120 game logs from last season using SPACER (Spacing & Positioning Analytics Routine) to compare their on-court impact per 36 minutes:

• Thompson: +9.4 net rating when guarding perimeter threats.
• Suggs: +2.1 when playing above the arc; -3.8 when defending small forwards.

That gap isn’t minor — it’s structural.

Why This Matters Beyond One Team

We’re not just talking about San Antonio here. This is about how modern basketball values versatility over potential. A player can be talented but still be untradeable if they don’t fill multiple roles efficiently.

In my #SheBall series this month, I’ve been highlighting how female coaches are already making these exact calls in college systems — prioritizing functional fit over flashy highlight reels.

The truth hurts: if your best move is holding onto someone who can only play one way… then you’re not building for today’s game.