Bill Simmons has perfect plan for Spurs to trade for Trey Murphy

As previously promised, after what this team has displayed 24 games into the season, I will rebuke all trade suggestions, and this is the first one. Bill Simmons almost gets it, but not quite yet. In fairness to him, he made this comment before the Spurs dispatched the Lakers in the Emirates NBA Cup Quarterfinals. Though I'm not sure it changed his mind.

"I'm doing everything that I can if I can get Trey Murphy... Harper is untouchable, Castle is untouchable, Wemby is obviously untouchable, Fox is untouchable. I'm not trading Luke Kornet either. If I can keep that nucleus but add Trey Murphy to it, I can make a real run at OKC, not this year but maybe a year, two years from now." - Simmons

It sounds good in theory, but they can make a run at OKC right now without sacrificing anyone at all to do it. Who he didn't name in there were Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, or Julian Champagnie. Is Trey Murphy III better than Jules? Probably. But we also have to be realistic in understanding that the Pelicans wouldn't deal Trey without getting back players of a higher caliber than Champ. That's fine with me.

The Spurs don't need Trey Murphy III

I know he's a special player, but the Spurs are proving that they have plenty of special talents of their own. New Orleans would require either a couple of rotational players and/or significant draft capital to get the deal done, and there's no reason for San Antonio to do any of that.

In the last month, we've watched all of these guys make strong contributions to winning basketball. They've found their place on this team with roles being so clearly defined. We still need to see Victor Wembanyama play some games with all three of his point guards. Somebody has been out every step of the way this year.

Luke Kornet has been spectacular for the Silver and Black, but he needs to go back to the role he was brought in to fill: the backup. That's not a slight at him because he's terrific every which way; it's wanting the team to function at its full capacity. They haven't been able to do that, and they're one of the best teams in the league. Nobody is going to want to face this team in the playoffs.

Simmons' co-host of the day, Rob Mahoney, had a slightly better view of it, telling Bill, "I also love Devin Vassell for this team, and he's been awesome lately... I would rather have both (Murphy and Vassell). I'm glad Dev is getting a little more respect than he got coming into the year. He's earned it. Rob was much closer, but again, I'm not touching this roster, and neither should Brian Wright.