Fansided

NBA Trade Deadline 2020: 5 young players who need a fresh start

By Paul Centopani

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 16: Devonte' Graham #4 and Malik Monk #1 of the Charlotte Hornets talk to Dennis Smith Jr. #5 of the New York Knicks after a game on November 16, 2019 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 16: Devonte' Graham #4 and Malik Monk #1 of the Charlotte Hornets talk to Dennis Smith Jr. #5 of the New York Knicks after a game on November 16, 2019 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photos by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photos by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Clearing the way

This fake trade doesn’t send the young player out to a greener pasture of opportunity but brings the opportunity to them.

The Spurs have an active playoff streak of 22-straight years during this era of heightened player movement. It screams as a testament to the infrastructure they built. That streak’s tied for the NBA record with the 76ers, whose 22 consecutive postseasons ran from 1950 to 1971 when there were like, eight teams in the league.

As ridiculously impressive as San Antonio’s playoff streak is, they need to look at the big picture and realize this team isn’t going anywhere. As of Jan. 28, the Spurs find themselves six games under .500 and trail the Grizzlies for the 8-seed. They could get in but they’d be first-round fodder. I say take the training wheels off and let the kids run wild.

Myles Turner’s name keeps floating around in trade banter. Landing him would give San Antonio a younger big to build around. His mix of rim protection and outside shooting would get maximized under Gregg Popovich. DeMar DeRozan would head to an Indiana team competing now and primed to make a surge in the second half once everyone gets healthy.

But the main purpose of this trade would be to open up a bevy of playing time and shots for Lonnie Walker IV and pushes the Spurs into a blitzing, three-guard hydra. Under Pop’s tutelage, along with Dejounte Murray and Derrick White, San Antonio’s new approach of all speed, passing and defense would take opponents by storm, the next evolution of an already progressive league.

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