Spurs trade rumors: Danny Green involved in Avery Bradley talks

The San Antonio Spurs still have their sights set on Los Angeles Clippers guard Avery Bradley, with Danny Green involved in trade talks.

The San Antonio Spurs will get the opportunity to make a move at Thursday’s NBA Trade Deadline. It concludes at 3:00 p.m. ET. This usually becomes one of the league’s most active days of the year, with trades made to shape a team’s playoff run or break down a roster for the future.

For the Spurs, they were linked to Los Angeles Clippers guard Avery Bradley about 15 hours before the deadline. The Clippers acquired him from the Detroit Pistons for Blake Griffin.

There’s more to the story, however, according to Marc Stein of the New York Times. The Spurs and Clippers have discussed a deal around Danny Green and a first-round pick. However, the former’s willingness to move a first-round pick will be the roadblock from this happening.

Danny Green and a first-round pick for Avery Bradley is one potential trade construction that the Spurs and Clippers have discussed, league sources say

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 8, 2018

For a deal to go down … it would ultimately hinge on San Antonio's willingness to part with a first-round pick. They'd naturally rather not

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 8, 2018

The potential reason for this? Bradley’s contract will expire after the 2017-18 season. Green can exercise his player option of $10 million for 2018-19. So, it’s possible the Spurs want to open cap space for a free-agent pursuit this summer, whichever big name it may be.

A swap of Green for Bradley would bring one defensive-minded guard in for another. The first-round pick’s departure complicates this, though, as the Spurs historically keep their top selections at the NBA Trade Deadline. Will RC Buford and Gregg Popovich be willing to surrender it from the 2018 Draft or a future one? It’s a situation that could develop into the late morning and early afternoon.

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After Wednesday’s win vs. the Phoenix Suns, the Spurs remain at No. 3 in the Western Conference, behind the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets. Will a potential move like this make the Silver and Black a bigger threat towards either team? What about the future impact of this transaction?