Risky trade proposal suggests the Spurs help out a future rival

The start of the regular season is drawing closer for the San Antonio Spurs, who should be much improved. Despite that, a new trade proposal would see them link up with the Minnesota Timberwolves for a last-minute blockbuster deal.

The Wolves know a little something about last-minute trades after trading star Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks in a deal for Julius Randle. However, Bleacher Reports' Andy Bailey proposed an interesting deal that would send him to the Spurs in exchange for Harrison Barnes and Jeremy Sochan.

Would the San Antonio Spurs trading for Julius Randle make sense?

As far as the cost, moving Barnes and Sochan for an all-star without having to include a first-round pick seems like fair value, at least in a vacuum. Randle is a polarizing player given his lack of efficiency and being known as a ball stopper.

Even so, he averaged 24 points, 9.2 rebounds, and five assists per game for the Knicks last season before missing the last several months of the season due to injury. While the Wolves acquired Randle to be Towns' replacement, they already have one in Naz Reid, which might make him expendable if there is such a thing regarding an all-star.

Barnes would give them a useful rotation player who is an above-average shooter and a decent defender. He is also on a reasonable contract that is tradeable, while Sochan is still on his rookie contract. He also has upside as a versatile defender that would make perfect sense for a team with championship goals.

Should the Spurs pass on the deal?

For the Spurs, having a bruising offensive power forward next to Wembanyama is at least intriguing, though Randle probably isn't the right player. While Barnes and Sochan aren't nearly as talented, both players fit the Spurs better. Barnes is an above-average shooter with enough size to play the four, and Sochan's defensive versatility allows him to defend guards, wings, and forwards.

Neither player may have Randles' offensive skill, but they both project to start at the forward spots for the Spurs and make more sense for their team. If Sochan doesn't improve further next season and Randle plays well in Minnesota, then this trade might make more sense than it does now.

As a result, the Spurs shouldn't do this trade given Randles' fit concerns and them possibly being better off with Barnes and Sochan.