The San Antonio Spurs reportedly will be active at the trade deadline and names like Evan Turner, Thaddeus Young, Ersan Ilyasova and Mike Dunleavy could be in the mix and some options to trade for SA includes Matt Bonner and Marco Belinelli as Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili make one more championship run.
The Spurs interest in Turner, Young and Ilyasova comes after reports from earlier in the season that the team would be looking for a trade to help add depth on the roster heading into the playoffs. The Spurs have been one of the best teams in the west this season, but they have also been hit by the injury bug more than any other team and that is why they have struggled against the top teams in the league, combining for a losing record. The team has lost names like Manu Ginobili, Danny Green, Tiago Splitter and Kawhi Leonard for various periods of time and with Duncan and Parker not getting any younger, Gregg Popovich needs some depth on the bench.
Turner was mentioned earlier in the season as a prime option for the Spurs and this comes as the Sixers appear motivated to trade him. Turner has been mentioned the most so far when it comes to the big three of Sixers players getting traded in Turner, Young and Spencer Hawes and other teams that have rumored to be interested includes the Charlotte Bobcats and Oklahoma City Thunder.
Turner is a former number two overall pick and he has been told that he is not in the future plans for the team after he did not get an extension and now he looks like he will be on the move. The tough thing for the Sixers in trading him is trying to convince teams to give up draft picks for him this year, as he is set to be a free agent this offseason. The Sixers reportedly want draft picks in any deals, but with turner set to hit the market, why would a team give up a pick for a player they could sign in a few months? That is what Sam Hinkie must wrestle with and to get a deal done he may have to take less than he was hoping for.
Turner has had some interest from the Bobcats, but according to Yahoo Sports, the team is now looking at Gary Neal and Caron Butler with the Bucks. Turner said the rumors have not distracted him and the same goes for Young, who has been mentioned as a possible target for the Phoenix Suns as well. The Spurs would love some extra size up front heading into the playoffs and using Bonner as a trade chip could get things moving. Young has played well this season and with Boris Diaw, Matt Bonner and Nando De Colo options for the Spurs and $10 million coming off the books, they have some money to spend.
The Sixers are a likely team to sell at the deadline and a team like the Spurs could be in perfect position if the market gets cold on Young or Turner. Ilyasova has been a disappointment in Milwaukee this season and reportedly wants out.
