The tenth and final installment of Steve Kyler's series on trade scenarios to watch was published today on HoopsWorld, focusing on the Warriors, Bucks, and Spurs. Let's dive in and round up the highlights….
- With the expiring contract of Andrew Bogut and plenty of players on rookie deals, the Warriors have plenty of options should they decide they need to make a big splash at 2014's trade deadline, writes Kyler. However, Golden State is very high on its current roster, so it's more likely that the club tries to use one or two of its trade exceptions to supplement the present core.
- The Bucks are in good position to trade frontcourt depth during the season, once new head coach Larry Drew sorts out roles and minutes for the team's big men.
- Sources tell Kyler that virtually every team in the NBA has inquired about Ersan Ilyasova at some point this offseason. Ilyasova struggled at times last season in the first year of a long-term contract, but is still viewed as a good value. If Larry Sanders and John Henson emerge as the Bucks' go-to frontcourt pairing, don't be surprised if Ilyasova is dangled before the trade deadline, says Kyler.
- The Spurs' offseason saw the team bring back players like Tiago Splitter and Manu Ginobili on multiyear deals, rather than clearing cap space and shopping in free agency. That's a sign that San Antonio is comfortable with its present core, making it unlikely that they'll get too involved in the trade market. Expiring contracts like Boris Diaw's and Matt Bonner's could be shopped, but those guys probably have more value to the Spurs than as trade chips.