San Antonio Spurs: Lowe points to Denver for potential DeRozan trade

If you’re having trouble keeping track of all the trade rumors flying around lately don’t worry, you’re not alone. This time of the NBA season is absolute madness but we’re going to do our best to keep you up to date with every mention of the San Antonio Spurs.

The Spurs have been uncharacteristically talked about quite a bit in trade rumors this week. They’ve been linked to the Orlando Magic’s Nikola Vucevic and fans themselves have been hammering trade machines trying to find a way to get the Hawks’ John Collins to San Antonio.

Throughout all the rumors the one thing that has been lacking is a lot of talk around the Spurs star, DeMar DeRozan. That changed Tuesday morning when Zach Lowe floated out the idea of a trade that would send DeRozan to Denver during an episode of his podcast, The Lowe Post.

Zach Lowe floats possibility of DeMar DeRozan trade with Denver Nuggets

While discussing possible suitors for DeMar DeRozan with his old friend Bill Simmons, Lowe floated out the possibility of the Denver Nuggets making a move for the former All-Star.

“That’s the team that I think can rationalize it. The Spurs can get something out of it, a (RJ) Hampton or a Bol Bol. I think that makes a little bit of sense. But by the way, he (DeRozan) has been really, really good. It wouldn’t surprise me if the Spurs just decided “We’re okay bringing him back if we don’t get something we like.””

Simmons was quick to point out that the Spurs are 18-14 and holders of the seventh spot in the Western Conference. This is a team that can make the playoffs so for them to trade away their best player right now would seem unlikely. But if San Antonio is angling for a full rebuild Denver could make an intriguing trade partner.

A straight-up swap for one of Bol Bol or RJ Hampton in exchange doesn’t work financially so the Nuggets would have to include someone like Paul Millsap or Gary Harris in any potential deal for DeRozan. Whether that’s a price they’d be willing to pay is anyone’s guess but I don’t think they’re up for it.

Denver’s feelings aside, I don’t think the Spurs are trading DeRozan, at least not for someone like RJ Hampton or Bol Bol. I certainly don’t think he’s untouchable by any stretch but they’re well stocked with guards so adding Hampton doesn’t make a ton of sense. Bol could be intriguing but he’s still so far from a sure thing that I don’t see San Antonio trading their star player for him.

The cherry on top of this unlikely sundae is that if the San Antonio Spurs do decide to trade DeMar it’s probably going to be an Eastern Conference team. Adding a ticked-off DeRozan to another Western Conference rival just wouldn’t be a good idea for Pop and the Spurs’ front office.