Richard Jefferson Costs San Antonio Spurs More Than They Think

Richard Jefferson has been traded to San Antonio for Bruce Bowen, Kurt Thomas, and Fabricio Oberto.

The amount of ink we should expect to read on this trade in the coming days will be huge.

There’s just one problem: This trade does not make the Spurs champions.

Oh there is plenty to like about this trade. Basically the Spurs traded two older, broken-down parts (Bowen, Thomas) and one player of questionable health (Oberto) for All-Star Richard Jefferson. Jefferson is a decent player and yet another strong scorer who can score consistently, taking some pressure off of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and the always injured Manu Ginobili.

In fact, from the sheer player angle, this is a clear Spurs' win.

Why am I so bothered by this? The Spurs aren’t any more guaranteed to win the championship anymore than the Los Angeles Lakers (this year’s winner who possess more talent) or a potentially healthier Boston Celtics team (now hungrier after this year's loss to the Orlando Magic).

I am also concerned by Jefferson’s reputation of speaking out when things aren’t going well for him. While I don’t doubt Gregg Popovich and Duncan’s ability to keep Jefferson in line, things will be very different in San Antonio next year.

I remember a Spurs franchise that stuck to what it knew some years ago. You build around your stars and veterans would come in search for a ring at discount prices. What happened to this way of thinking? Do you know who is affected by this trade?

Which star wanted to come to San Antonio in 2010? We know D-Wade will likely re-sign in Miami, and I can't see LeBron leaving Cleveland just yet, but Texas-native Chris Bosh would have looked really good in the black and silver.

A bridge that would have had Duncan hand off to Bosh and Parker was horrifically killed today. That is my problem. The Spurs basically are gambling more than they ever have in recent memory.

Watching Parker and half of Duncan valiantly attempt to will the Spurs past Dallas this year wasn’t great basketball, and the team clearly has recognized this shortfall. It also wouldn't be a stretch to imagine that management has grown tired of their title hopes hinging on how effective Ginobili will be that year.

Overall on paper, the Spurs now have the talent to compete with the major powers, however as is often the case in San Antonio, their title hopes will depend on who actually stays on the court and out of the trainer's room.