Spurs’ 30-year pattern quietly shuts down one trade deadline fantasy

Do you know how perfect Rui Hachimura would be on the Spurs' roster? A strong and agile 6'8" wing with a 7'2" wingspan who can play defense, handle the rock, and shoot 45% from three on an expiring contract? The Black Samurai would fit snugly into this rotation like the final tab of a 3000-piece jigsaw puzzle. Too bad it'll never happen. San Antonio and LA haven't made a real trade since 1990.

There was a small transaction in the year 2000, but that doesn't count. The Spurs traded second-round pick Cory Hightower to the Lakers for 2001 and 2002 second-rounders. Those picks were used to select Robertas Javtokas and Randy Holcomb. Holmcomb was the only one of the three who played in an NBA game, and he only got four of them.

The 1990 trade had the Silver and Black acquiring Mark McNamara for a 1994 second-rounder that didn't convey. They then turned around and traded McNamara and a 1991 first-round pick for Sidney Green the following month. That's the history of trades between these two franchises in over 30 years, so I don't think it's going to change now.

The Spurs have several teams they don't do business with

San Antonio has never once made a deal with the Clippers. They're the only franchise on that list. One can only wonder what the reason for that would be. They've had different owners and general managers over the years, so it's hard to believe that it would have something to do with some sort of beef with that organization.

Red McCombs and the Holt family are known for being upstanding citizens; Donald Sterling was anything but. That's a viable reason for not doing business with someone, but that's just a theory. And one that's easily challenged when considering Steve Ballmer has owned the team for over a decade now, and there still hasn't been any motion between these two. Who knows what that's about?

Miami, New Orleans, and Orlando have the fewest trades with the Spurs, with only one apiece. That's surprising to me because I would have thought Dallas or Houston would fall into either the once-traded-with or never-done-business box. They are San Antonio's closest rivals, headquartered in the same state.

However, they've actually done a deal with the Mavericks twice and the Rockets four times. So, it's still not a lot. The rivalries are indeed taken seriously, and I respect that. It's also noteworthy that SA's last deal with the Mavs was an inconsequential deal not involving any players of note, but the pick is a 2030 first-round swap. On the other hand, they haven't dealt with H-Town since 2007.

The Spurs' favorite trade partner has been the Nets. They've made 13 trades with that organization; whether they're in Brooklyn or New Jersey, San Antonio likes to strike a deal with them for whatever reason. You're not supposed to do anything important with that information, but if you're like me, you still find it fascinating.