Nikola Mirotic (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The San Antonio Spurs could be among the contenders looking to slightly tinker their roster to add to the chances of competing deep in the payoffs.
The Spurs are rarely seen as major buyers in the trade market, but this season could be an exception for the team. According to Rohan Nadkarni of Sports Illustrated, the Spurs could be looking for a stretch-four who can open up the offense for San Antonio's frontcourt rotation.
"A stretchy big could maybe open up the offense even more for a team that already scores with relative ease. Again, it's all about flexibility, and spacing the floor even more for Aldridge and Kawhi Leonard could bring the Spurs closer to a top-five offense," Nadkarni wrote.
Big outside shooters are gems in the league and are hard to find in the trade market. It hardly happens that a rival team disposes its stretch four, considering the huge demand from NBA teams for a shooting big man. But if the Spurs really have genuine interests in adding a stretch-four, Nikola Mirotic of the Chicago Bulls could be a viable option.
After a breakout performance with the Bulls last season, Mirotic lost his starting role in Chicago this season and continues to see a dip in his minutes off the bench. The 25-year-old forward has earned two DNP-CDs in the Bulls' back-to-back games against the Milwaukee Bucks despite in full health, sparking rumors about the Bulls putting MIrotic on the trading block.
Mirotic is completely underutilized in Chicago despite the team's need of outside shooting, but playing for a team like the Spurs, who have a great reputation of letting international players flourish on the court, could rekindle some of Mirotic's shooting.
However, the Spurs have very limited assets to convince the Bulls in moving Mirotic. A deal involving Danny Green could work, although it is unclear whether the team is willing to part ways with their own sharp-shooter.
Nevertheless, it would be intriguing to see the Spurs take another step back into the title picture. The Bulls, on the other hand, may not be interested in a deal at this point, but if Mirotic becomes available, expect the Spurs to include him in their trade deadline wish list.
Video courtesy: YouTube/FreeDawkins
