Spurs must keep hands off next superstar expected to demand a trade

As the NBA offseason winds down, many analysts are already looking ahead to the NBA trade deadline. In fact, ESPN recently put out a forecast that had New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson being traded between now and the deadline.

However, that shouldn't give the San Antonio Spurs any ideas about pairing the former number one overall pick with Victor Wembanyama. While Williamson has plenty of potential and has played like a superstar at times, he has struggled to stay healthy over his first five seasons in the NBA.

In fact, he has missed more games than he's played thus far in his career, and that is impressive in and of itself. That alone doesn't give him much leverage to demand a trade.

But his time in New Orleans is winding down after they brought in new GM Joe Dumars. Dumars is currently doing an absolutely bizarre job of trying to improve their roster, making a Williamson more likely.

The San Antonio Spurs should steer clear of Zion Williamson

On paper, Williamson actually would fit the Spurs quite well, depending on what they gave up for him. He is an elite finisher inside the paint and a solid playmaker who could thrive playing alongside Wembanyama.

After all, with Williamson essentially being a 6'6" center with no jumper or defense, he needs a player such as Wembanyama in the front court. Wemby can both space the floor and shut down the paint on the defensive end.

Still, they'd have to potentially offload several players to acquire him, including Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, and Jeremy Sochan. Moving on from all those players at once for a player of Zion's caliber, in theory, would make sense. Nevertheless, he comes with a lot of baggage.

Zion Williamson is too risky for the Spurs

Even if the Spurs were willing to gamble on his health, his off-the-court issues have become a serious distraction, and there's no telling how that would play out. San Antonio would be better suited to keep their powder dry for a bigger deal down the road or smaller trades.

Zion shouldn't be on the Spurs' radar, though his teammate Trey Murphy III should be. He might actually cost more for San Antonio to acquire, but he is the safer option coming off a career year and being only 25 years old.

All in all, Williamson would be a theoretical fit on the Spurs. That being said, his injury concerns and his off-the-court issues should make him radioactive to San Antonio.