NBA Trade Rumors: DeJuan Blair on his way out?

Feb 6, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; San Antonio Spurs center DeJuan Blair (45) dives to save the ball during the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

The 2012-13 season has been a dismal one for DeJuan Blair. In his fourth year, he’s averaging career lows in minutes (13.9), points (5.3), rebounds (3.9) and field goal percentage (.482).

With the trade deadline rearing its head, and Blair’s $1.1 million unguaranteed deal expiring this offseason, a handful of teams have expressed interest in Blair.

“Will SA finally part with DeJuan Blair? Word is he could be gone before 2/21. SA talked with Toronto wks ago but nothing brewing now.”

“SA offered D Blair to Detroit but nothing. Hear Boston, Miami, Portland could have interest.”

— @Chris_Broussard

Though Blair is still rebounding at a remarkably high rate, only Tim Duncan corrals rebounds more often, he is a sieve defensively, primarily because of his size and propensity to gamble often puts him in poor positions. And yet San Antonio sees its biggest improvement on offense, when Blair rides the pine: They score 6.6 points per 100 possessions more according to NBA.com/Stats. Having Aron Baynes on the roster also makes Blair expendable.

One big impediment to a deal before the deadline, though: Blair’s cap-friendly deal. For San Antonio to retain any value in a trade — aside from Boston miraculously flipping Fab Melo — packaging someone like Nando De Colo and Matt Bonner is essentially guaranteed. Finding true value for someone of Blair’s stature isn’t going to be easy.

But it’s been a long time coming and perhaps both parties could use a change of scenery.

Hat-tip to Matthew Tynan of Pounding the Rock.