NBA Trades: 16 deals the Spurs must consider before the deadline

5) Spurs trade for Bulls star in spicy proposed deal.

At the start of trade season, Chicago Bulls star Zach LaVine was the hottest name on the market but that has definitely cooled down. So much so that the Bulls don't appear to have gotten any strong offers.

That would complicate their efforts to trade him and while they technically don't have to, keeping him would prevent them from maximizing their lottery odds this season and next season. That is important because they currently owe the Spurs their 2025 first (top-10 protected). However, they could get that pick back if the Spurs made an offer for LaVine. 

San Antonio could offer McDermott, Osman, and Graham, as well as Chicago's future first-round pick and Atlanta's 2025 first. Although that might not be what the Bulls were hoping for, that would still be a decent package, all things considered. After all, they would essentially wipe the remaining $138 million of LaVine's contract off their books by acquiring three expiring contracts.

They would also get their future first-round pick back instead of having to worry that it would convey to the Spurs between 2025 and 2027. Add in Atlanta's 2025 first and they may not get a better offer during the season. That, of course, depends on San Antonio's interest in LaVine. LaVine appears to have an interest in playing with Wembanyama but it's unclear how much interest they would have in him.

He'd certainly improve their offense, particularly given his shooting ability and drives to the rim but he is under contract for three more years at ugly numbers and is way older than the Spurs core. LaVine would raise San Antonio's floor, but with two potential top-10 picks, they could just as easily decide to take a more methodical approach.