Spurs can officially cross two big names off their trade wish list after new rumors

Two things can be true for this San Antonio Spurs team: they are both ahead of schedule and in desperate need of a trade. The Spurs' recent shooting slump has cost them ground in the Western Conference playoff race, with them previously having a stranglehold on second but now in a dogfight with several teams for that spot.

Since Devin Vassell got injured, the Spurs have frankly been playing erratically. They can't shoot, they can't finish at the rim, and they have had plenty of defensive lapses to raise alarm bells.

All of that are warning signs that should force the Spurs to make a big trade to address those issues, especially at power forward. They have seen Harrison Barnes' play regress dramatically and Jeremy Sochan fail to carve out a big role. That increases the need for a trade.

Unfortunately, their two top potential trade targets, New Orleans Pelicans forwards Herb Jones and Trey Murphy, are reportedly off the trade block.

The Spurs have few trade options to solve their problems

With Jones and Murphy III off the trade block, it seems unlikely that San Antonio will find a player worth acquiring that can simultaneously make a difference without them giving up a small fortune.

That puts the Silver and Black between a rock and a hard place. They have assets needed to make a big deal but likely won't have any player that can help solve a big position of weakness on the trade market.

That doesn't mean that they won't make a trade, with Sochan seemingly likely to be dealt. Particularly after The Ringer's Zach Lowe recently mentioned that he believes that San Antonio will package him with a first-round pick to get trade help.

That would have been a great basis for a trade with the Pelicans involving either Jones or Murphy III. However, San Antonio may have to look elsewhere now if New Orleans isn't just trying to raise their value.

The Spurs may now stand pat at the trade deadline

The problem is that there really aren't any other available players that would seemingly fit what the Silver and Black needs. There are still a few weeks between now and the trade deadline, so maybe a player will shake loose.

Barring that, however, San Antonio might have to rely more on Julian Champagnie and Luke Kornet to play power forward. That would minimize Barnes' role.

All told, the Spurs need an upgrade at power forward, with the declining play of Barnes and Sochan being a non-factor. However, with Jones and Murphy being off the trade block, San Antonio may have limited trade options.