San Antonio Spurs: Trade Targets Who Would Make Tim Duncan Feel Young Again

Tim Duncan is the greatest player in the franchise history of the San Antonio Spurs and arguably the greatest power forward to ever play the game. 

He is also approaching the end of his dominant career that has seen him win four NBA Championships and be named to 13 All-Star games. 

As is expected at age 35, Duncan is no longer the player he was 10 years ago, but he is not quite ready to call it a career. 

It became evident during the playoffs last season that Duncan needs some help with the interior defense as the Spurs were pushed around by Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol.

This season has been more of the same with Duncan still working too hard and trying to do too much on his own. 

With the developing role players that San Antonio has, and the other stars that may not be safe from trades, the Spurs would be able to put together an attractive package that could pry a good player away from another team. 

While it is never easy for NBA teams to add a quality big man, the following list is of players that the Spurs need to look to trade for in order to find some help for Duncan.

If the Spurs can once again create the twin towers they had when Duncan was the young guy, it would go a long way to prolong his Hall of Fame career and help him to play like he was young again.

Chris Kaman, New Orleans Hornets

Over the last couple of weeks, Chris Kaman as been on the trading block and has been taken off of the trading block.

His recent return to the New Orleans Hornets was a good one, but the question still remains of how long it will last. 

Kaman is in the final year of a $14 million contract and he will not command nearly that amount next season. 

To really make a deal work salary wise, the Hornets would most likely have to take back the contract of Richard Jefferson, or the Spurs would have to trade Tony Parker or Manu Ginobili for Kaman and a high draft pick.

If there was a way that would work for both teams to get Kaman to the Spurs, he would be a great big man compliment to Tim Duncan.

Chances are good that he would choose to remain with the Spurs for a much lower salary by re-signing before the season ends, or when he hits free agency this summer. 

Anderson Varejao, Cleveland Cavaliers

Anderson Varejao would be a great addition to the San Antonio Spurs, but like Chris Kaman, it may be difficult to get him to join the team.

Varejao, a great defender and a rebounding machine, would likely deserve more than what the Spurs have to offer unless they are willing to part with Manu Ginobili or a combination of several young role players. 

If  Varejao were to join the Spurs, it would once again create a dominant interior defense in San Antonio. 

Roy Hibbert, Indiana Pacers

Roy Hibbert is one of the best young centers in the NBA and is expected to make a substantial raise next season. 

He is currently making $2.5 million this season and will be a restricted free agent this summer. 

Hibbert has not said that he wants to leave the Pacers, but moving to the San Antonio Spurs would give him opportunity to play alongside the sure to be Hall of Famer Tim Duncan.

While they must explore trade opportunities before the deadline, perhaps the Spurs will need to wait until the summer to offer Hibbert a contract that will be difficult for the Pacers to match.

If the Spurs chose to use the Amnesty Clause on the contract of Richard Jefferson, and couple that with the money saved with the difference that Tim Duncan will be paid from this season to next, the team will have enough to make a run at Hibbert.

His addition would not only help Duncan in the frontcourt and elongate his career but would set the Spurs up with a center for long after Duncan retires.  

Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City Thunder

Making only $1.2 million this season and $2.2 next year, Serge Ibaka is one of the greatest bargains in the league. 

While he is a bargain now, his athleticism and shot blocking ability will increase the amount that he will be paid when his contract is up and he may not be a player that the Oklahoma City Thunder will be able to afford when the luxury tax penalties jump considerably. 

The Spurs must explore any option possible to get Ibaka away from the Thunder as he is one of the best young big men that the Spurs could add to the frontcourt. 

His defensive energy would be a great addition to Tim Duncan and he would help the team avoid a repeat of last season's playoffs. 

Tyrus Thomas, Charlotte Bobcats

Of all of the players on this list, Tyrus Thomas is the most likely for the San Antonio Spurs to be able to acquired through a trade. 

The Charlotte Bobcats are once again struggling through a losing season and have nothing to lose by trading away Thomas for a package of other young players that the Spurs could put together. 

Thomas is an athletic forward who plays good defense and is a solid shot blocker. He plays bigger than his 6'9" height and has a wingspan of 7'3". 

Like others on this list, Thomas would help the Spurs and Tim Duncan as his presence would help to alleviate the work load on Duncan and help him play longer.