Trading LMA to Portland seems like a win/win

[TD 21]

LMA is a very good player, he just can’t carry this team anymore. Spurs actually made him an effective defender (at least last year). I’d prefer the Spurs not squeeze his last effective years dry for a five seed. I’d rather he help beat LeBron and Nephew. We are not beating LeBron or Nephew right now.

No, they didn't. He was a solid one before arriving but the opposite has been true the past 1+ season, as his rim protection has fallen off a cliff (they currently rank 30th, allowing opponents to shoot 70.2% at the rim). Obviously, Poeltl hasn't exactly been stout either and having 3 physical liabilities on the perimeter and 4 sieves total on it, has played a part, but Murray's return hasn't somewhat offset it.

Sure, there's probably some physical decline, but long armed, below the rim bigs generally don't fall off a cliff in this regard in their early 30s. It could be apathy.

[Dverde]

No, they didn't. He was a solid one before arriving but the opposite has been true the past 1+ season, as his rim protection has fallen off a cliff (they currently rank 30th, allowing opponents to shoot 70.2% at the rim). Obviously, Poeltl hasn't exactly been stout either and having 3 physical liabilities on the perimeter and 4 sieves total on it, has played a part, but Murray's return hasn't somewhat offset it.

Sure, there's probably some physical decline, but long armed, below the rim bigs generally don't fall off a cliff in this regard in their early 30s. It could be apathy.

he was effective especially considering they lost Murray, Green, Nephew and still made the playoffs. I think he stepped up while the team’s overall defense stepped down. I don’t remember anyone complaining about his D last year. He was playing with poor defenders like Mills, Marco, Forbes, DeRozan. You watched those games, his defense wasn’t why we lost games.

[TD 21]

he was effective especially considering they lost Murray, Green, Nephew and still made the playoffs. I think he stepped up while the team’s overall defense stepped down. I don’t remember anyone complaining about his D last year. He was playing with poor defenders like Mills, Marco, Forbes, DeRozan. You watched those games, his defense wasn’t why we lost games.

the opposite has been true the past 1+ season, as his rim protection has fallen off a cliff

He, along with last season's 2nd unit, carried them offensively the past 2 seasons, but it's clearly taken a toll on his defense. It was down the list of reasons for their overall mediocirty, but it didn't help.

[MoSpur02]

Trade LMA and Belinelli to Portland for Bazemore and Nurkic.