The San Antonio Spurs are still in the thick of things in the Western Conference, currently sitting as the seventh seed. This is good enough to land them the top seed in the playoff play-in. With that being said, it’s tough to gauge their status during the trade deadline due to their open willingness to let LaMarcus Aldridge go. That may be a sign that they’re open to selling, and especially open to trading DeMar DeRozan for future assets. DeRozan is averaging about 20 points, five rebounds, and seven assists this season, making him a very valuable piece to add for a team with championship aspirations.
DeMar DeRozan: Three Potential Trade Packages
Indiana Climbs the East Ladder
The trade: The Spurs send DeRozan and Keita Bates-Diop to the Indiana Pacers for Myles Turner and Jeremy Lamb.
San Antonio does this to land Texas-native and defensive stud Turner. He’s a fantastic shot-blocker and rim-protector who can also stretch the floor. In addition, he also fits in well with the timeline of the Spurs’ crop of young guards. The Spurs already have Jakob Poeltl, who is a solid traditional center, but Turner is a more valuable piece and one they can certainly build around.
In addition, they nab a solid scorer and shooter in Lamb. He likely wouldn’t start, but he can replace much of Rudy Gay‘s production as Gay’s contract expires this offseason.
The Pacers are already a decent team, but adding DeRozan makes them a more legitimate contender in the East. Trading Turner also allows more freedom for All-Star Domantas Sabonis. A starting five of Malcolm Brogdon, Caris LeVert, T.J. Warren, DeRozan, and Sabonis is a dangerous team on both sides of the floor. Indiana is 10th in the East, fighting to make the play-in tournament, but DeRozan’s veteran savvy and grit will elevate the squad.
DeMar DeRozan Creates a “Big Three” in Washington
The trade: The Spurs send DeRozan to the Washington Wizards for Davis Bertans and Thomas Bryant.
The Wizards aren’t out of the playoff hunt just yet. This, of course, should never be the case with a star like Bradley Beal. The team added Russell Westbrook this offseason, and although he’s had a few great games, he’s been wildly inconsistent. Washington owes it to Beal to try one run into making the playoffs to see what the team is capable of there.
DeRozan should get them into the play-in tournament. Bertans is the main price to pay, but his play has regressed from last season. Adding another veteran to the team’s scoring punch will pay off in the long run.
This trade is also a “homecoming” of sorts for Bertans, who broke out in Washington after he left San Antonio. Now that he’s developed his niche, he could certainly become a main contributor for the Spurs. With Aldridge no longer playing, Bertans also becomes an immediate starter.
Bryant is a solid center to have, and although he’s out this season, he will add depth behind Poeltl for the future.
Trading Frenzy Fueled by DeMar DeRozan
The trade: The Spurs acquire Otto Porter, Thaddeus Young, and Chandler Hutchison from the Chicago Bulls and a future first-round pick from the Golden State Warriors, the Warriors acquire DeRozan from the Spurs, and the Bulls acquire Andrew Wiggins from the Warriors and Patty Mills and Trey Lyles from the Spurs.
This one gets a little crazy.
San Antonio does this to not lose too much cap space this summer with the acquisition of Porter. He’s more talented than his stats suggest, so perhaps they’ll opt to keep him if he plays well. In addition, they get Young to fill in for Aldridge’s void and a solid young forward in Hutchison. The first-round pick is the ideal sweetener also.
Golden State does this to get serious about a title run next season. They’re decent right now, but having Klay Thompson back is key. DeRozan is an impending free agent, but he can surely be convinced to extend with Golden State given their “win now” mentality. A starting five of Stephen Curry, Thompson, DeRozan, Draymond Green, and James Wiseman is terrifying.
Chicago does this to boost their playoff chances this season as well as in the future. Wiggins’ contract isn’t ideal, but he’s performed well this season and is becoming a defensive stud. Mills is a veteran and champion who can contribute now, but is also on an expiring contract. Lyles is also on an expiring contract but fits the Bulls’ timeline better than who he would replace in Young.
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