Spurs fans better hope Hawks GM's trade deadline statements are true

While the Spurs have their eyes on turning in the best season the franchise has had in over half a decade, they'll also be looking toward the future. That means keeping an eye on the Hawks, as the Silver and Black have the rights to their first-round picks over the next two drafts. Things are going as well as can be expected.

The Hawks went colder than a blizzard this season

They've had a weird season, but they've seemed to stabilize just below mediocre. That's just bad enough to get into the lottery. They're currently sitting in 10th place, so a loss in the Play-In Tournament would give San Antonio what they're looking for.

Hopefully, they'll drop further, but what we don't want to see is them make a move to address any of their weaknesses. Recent rumors suggested they were going to chase Anthony Davis, and while we know he's injured now, a healthy AD is formidable. They don't need that kind of firepower. Fortunately, it looks like we're safe from that outcome.

"We like our bigs; we really do. We're not going to do anything that's a quick fix for this season." - Onsi Saleh, Atlanta GM

I'm glad he likes them. They're the same bigs who will help the Spurs land a favorable draft selection. Asa Newell is too young and raw to make a consistent impact, Onyeka Okongwu isn't a true center, and Kristaps Porzingis can't stay healthy. Maybe they'll get it all together eventually, but that likely won't happen this season.

He's not completely wrong for going this route, quite honestly. If you like the players on your roster, you should give them time to develop. Not every team is a move away from a championship, so showing a little patience can go a long way to building the foundation for sustained success.

It just also happens to be a method that helps San Antonio, too. And I have the perfect prospect for this roster.

The Spurs should target Yaxel Lendeborg with a late lottery pick

Yaxel Lendeborg is a Michigan power forward, standing nearly 6'10", and he has everything the Spurs need right now. Harrison Barnes hasn't been holding up his end lately, and fans are ready for a change at that position.

He's on the last year of his deal anyway, and since he'll be turning 34, Brian Wright could look to upgrade the position through the draft, and the Wolverines' versatile dynamo would be perfect.

The potential hang-up for Yaxel will be his age. Teams tend to draft players as young as possible these days, and the New Jersey-born forward is in his senior season.

Personally, I believe that not every player needs to be so young. Adding a 23-year-old who played all four years in college almost guarantees you'll be getting a coachable prospect with a savviness most rookies don't possess.

Lendeborg can shoot, dribble, pass, and defend. The last time I checked, those are the four pillars of basketball. He averaged 19 points per game on one of the best teams in the nation at a prestigious school, giving him added pedigree like Stephon Castle coming out of UConn.

It would be terrific if lightning struck again and the Spurs wound up in the top four, but I wouldn't count on it. However, there's a good chance they could end up with a late lottery selection, and if they do, Wright should look to Michigan for the next member of the Silver and Black.