Best Potential Small Forward Targets for the San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs don't need to make a trade. As it stands, their roster has championship potential. But if this season's slow start has taught fans anything, it's that a trade might not be the worst idea for a team that has stayed stagnant while the rest of the Western Conference has improved significantly.
When Kawhi Leonard missed December with a hand injury, the result was a complete mess, as the Spurs' lack of small forward depth and perimeter defense was exposed. With deadline day looming, a small forward trade to patch up San Antonio's existing holes would serve them well.
That said, it would come as a complete shock if the they were to explore a blockbuster. The roster is hardly in shambles, and the Spurs' lack of expected success is more the fault of lofty expectations and injuries rather than an imperfect roster.
Nonetheless, with Jeff Ayres' expiring deal, picks and a package of overseas prospects at its disposal, don't be surprised if San Antonio looks to round out its roster with a low-risk role player who is underplayed by his current employer.
The Top-Tier Trade Target: Wilson Chandler
Without question, the Spurs' most talented trade target is Wilson Chandler of the Denver Nuggets.
Chandler's name has frequented the rumor mills quite a bit this season, and with Denver seemingly on the verge of a roster shakeup, according to Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski, it would hardly be a reach to suggest that the Nuggets' starting small forward will be sporting a different jersey this time next week.
That said, it might be a reach to suggest San Antonio as a potential landing spot for Chandler. Though he brings more to the table than any other player on the list, he also comes with the highest asking price. Moreover, there haven't been any serious mentions of the Spurs as potential suitors.
Nonetheless, Chandler's availability and San Antonio's apparent need for someone of his talents makes it a worthwhile option to explore.
Chandler offers a similar skill set to Leonard—the player he'd be backing up and providing insurance for. Though he isn't nearly the superstar defender that San Antonio's current 3 is, Chandler is an above-average perimeter stopper capable of shouldering a defensive burden should either Leonard or Danny Green miss time.
He's also a talented rebounder for his position and more than capable of contributing offensively from anywhere on the floor and in any role. As Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley noted in December:
"With the speed to beat defenders on the perimeter and the strength to finish plays at the rim, he's more than capable of finding his own looks. Only 33.8 percent of his made field goals this season have come off assists. More impressively, he has converted an even 50 percent of his shots that have come after he has taken at least three dribbles to set them up, per NBA.com's player tracking data.
But he doesn't have to play on the ball to be effective.
In fact, he has averaged 5.5 catch-and-shoot three-point attempts this season, fourth-most in the NBA. And he has buried those looks at a 39.2 percent clip, which rates ahead of such snipers as Kevin Love (37.8), Ryan Anderson (33.3) and Dirk Nowitzki (32.2).
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With plenty of athleticism, a 6'8'' frame and a relatively long wingspan, Chandler can also log minutes at the other forward position, the Spurs' second greatest area of need.
And though it feels as though he should be well into his 30s, Chandler is only 27, meaning he could play a role in San Antonio's transition to the post-Tim Duncan era, should they scoop him up.
But while he may seem like the perfect addition, he won't come cheap. It will take Marco Belinelli in addition to Ayres for the money to work, not to mention the first-round pick that would have to be exchanged for Denver GM Tim Connelly to even consider staying on the phone. Even then, further picks and foreign assets would likely have to be swapped for San Antonio to compete with better-funded buyers.
Second-Tier Trade Targets: Moe Harkless and Omri Casspi
Though the Spurs are unlikely to pull the trigger on a blockbuster—or even a trade that includes any of their current rotation players—a minor deal in which scraps and long-term assets are exchanged for underused role players would hardly be surprising.
Currently, the Orlando Magic seem poised to deal Moe Harkless, their 2012 first-round draft choice who has fallen out of the rotation after logging 20-plus minutes in his first two years.
According to USA Today's Jeff Zillgit, the Magic are more than willing to part ways with Harkless, even with little return.
Financially, San Antonio can get the numbers to work with Jeff Ayres' expiring deal. Throw in a second-round pick, perhaps some cash considerations or a low-caliber overseas asset, and the Spurs should have no problem meeting the Magic's low expectations.
For the price, Harkless offers the team quite a bit. Though currently underperforming as a shooter, the Orlando forward has showcased a three-and-D skill set and possesses fantastic athleticism and length.
He wouldn't be brought on as a major-minutes guy, but would provide the depth necessary for San Antonio to compete through any injury.
Along the same lines, Omri Casspi of the Sacramento Kings offers potential rewards at a presumably low cost. Though Casspi isn't being actively shopped—for what feels like the first time in his career—it's hard to imagine Sacramento asking for much in return. His contract expires at the end of the year, and while he is playing arguably the best basketball of his career, it's hard to imagine the Kings' rebuilding plan including him.
The Spurs' trade exception lingering from last year's Nando de Colo-Austin Daye trade is enough to make the money work, while the Kings would likely jump at the sight of a second-round pick or two.
Casspi, meanwhile, would bring the Spurs size and depth at the forward slot as well as a pure shooting ability that fits easily into their offense. He offers everything that Matt Bonner does and is more athletic, more active and better at attacking the rim.
He's the type of player who makes much more sense on a contender than on a rebuilding team, and with no guarantee that he's looking to remain with the Kings long-term, it would be a win-win deal.
Potential Free-Agent Adds: Andrei Kirilenko and Tayshaun Prince
Neither Andrei Kirilenko nor Tayshaun Prince are currently free agents. That's likely to change soon, though, unless they are traded before Thursday's deadline. The marriage between Kirilenko and the Philadelphia 76ers was seemingly doomed from the start, while Prince has had a foot out the door since being shipped to the Boston Celtics earlier this season.
The Wojnarowski report mentioned that the Celtics were discussing a buyout with Prince, and though the Los Angeles Clippers appear to be positioning themselves to snatch up his veteran services, don't be surprised if San Antonio throws its name into the hat as well.
His legs might not be what they once were, but he still has length on his side. As a three-and-D player, the former Memphis Grizzlies starter still has plenty to offer a team looking to make a low-risk maneuver.
On a similar note, Kirilenko's retirement may be looming, but as seen last year in his post-injury campaign with the Brooklyn Nets, he still has the makings of a glue guy. A versatile scorer and high-motor defender and rebounder, Kirilenko isn't going to win anyone a championship but could certainly help fill San Antonio's existing holes if the Sixers buy him out.
Not only can he play up a position, but he can also guard anyone from the 4 down to the 1. There's something to be said about a player with renowned versatility, even if he isn't the two-way threat he once was.
Unless otherwise noted, all contract information is courtesy of ESPN's Trade Machine. Stats courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com.
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