The San Antonio Spurs have once again been one of the strongest teams in the NBA and as the trading deadline gets closer, the franchise may get more involved than usual after an injury to Kawhi Leonard and names like Ben Gordon, Gary Neal, Mike Dunleavy, Jimmer Fredette and Evan Turner could be options.
According to ESPN.com, Leonard is the latest player to be dealing with an injury heading into the trading deadline, as he fractured his right hand in the game on Wednesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder and now could be out for a significant amount of time. Danny Green is dealing with an injury and will be out for a month and Leonard could be out just as long and that could make the Spurs jump into the deadline action.
Reports from a few weeks ago from ESPN.com and Pro Basketball Talk said that the Spurs would be more active than usual at the deadline, as they are aware that their trio of star players in Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili are getting older. The team now may need to get involved in the trade market even more with Leonard and Green out and that could mean a deal for one of the players above, as the Sixers are looking to move Turner and he could fit into the offense, as could someone like Fredette. The Kings have shown that they are willing to listen to offers and they have made a number of deals already with Derrick Williams and Rudy Gay and now another one could go down after the team did not pick up his fourth year option and he is set to be a free agent.
Neal was formerly with the team and he appears to be on his way out with the Bucks, while Ben Gordon and Mike Dunleavy could be solid options on the outside as well. The trio for the Spurs are over 30 and fairly expensive based on their ages and that could help get something going as the trade deadline gets closer. Dunleavy is a great three point shooter and with the Bulls looking like they will not be contenders without Derrick Rose, they could continue making moves after trading away Luol Deng.
Leonard has been averaging 11.6 points this season with 6.1 rebounds and he was excellent for the team, who are 32-10 on the season and fighting as the top seed in the west. The team is first in their division and a title contender again.
