Typically, even the very best trades may also be essentially the most heartbreaking on the time they occur, normally due to participant that’s being misplaced. That may be very true in San Antonio, the place as the one workforce within the metropolis, followers can change into extra hooked up to gamers than standard, even position gamers. Whereas the Spurs weren’t within the commerce market usually till not too long ago, and they’re normally very calculated and solely make strikes for a goal, it doesn’t imply there aren’t troublesome decisions to make when conducting a commerce.
In the present day, we might be taking a look at 5 trades that had been essentially the most painful for followers after they occurred due to who was misplaced, however in typical Spurs trend most of them nonetheless labored out ultimately. However first…
Honorable Point out: Dejounte Murray for picks (2022)
Whereas this may go down as a really noteworthy commerce in Spurs historical past because it confirmed what path the Spurs had been choosing and it paid off each within the brief and long run, it doesn’t make the highest 5 by way of heartbreak simply because Murray wasn’t precisely an endearing persona, he didn’t take lengthy to alienate himself from followers after the commerce, and followers had change into considerably resistant to the shock of trades at this level (particularly attributable to one listed beneath). Now, onto the highest 5.
5. Sean Elliott for Dennis Rodman (1993)
I admit I used to be solely seven-years-old and never watching the Spurs usually when this commerce went down, however wanting again, it undoubtedly would have harm my emotions, so I can solely think about what die-hard followers of the time thought. (Or perhaps I’ve this utterly unsuitable, so in case you had been watching again then, let me know.) Nonetheless, I knew who Elliott was and got here to like him as I started watching the Spurs religiously a number of years later, and contemplating his legacy with the Spurs right this moment, it’s bizarre understanding he didn’t spend his total profession right here, even when it was for only one season.
Was it price it? I’d name it a wash. Whereas Rodman solely spent two seasons with the Spurs, his protection and grit virtually helped them attain their first Finals in 1995 earlier than they had been upset by Hakeem Olajuwon and the Houston Rockets. Nonetheless, his infantile perspective was an excessive amount of, and he was shipped to Chicago. The Spurs additionally introduced Elliott again after only one season in Detroit, and he later helped them win their first championship (albeit after Rodman received three extra with the Bulls). In all, this commerce was short-lived, modified nothing over the course of Spurs historical past, and primarily simply robbed us of 1 yr of prime Elliott.
4. Kawhi Leonard and Danny Inexperienced for DeMar DeRozan and Jakob Poeltl (2018)
The heartbreak from this commerce is 75% in regards to the why and 25% in regards to the who. By the point Leonard was traded, followers had been carried out with the drama from him and Uncle Dennis, and there was virtually a way of aid (which retains this commerce from rating greater). It nonetheless harm that it got here to this with him, however the “who” a part of the heartbreak comes extra from Inexperienced being included within the commerce. He had change into a fan favourite and supreme Spurs underdog story, and the primary response from followers to this commerce was, “However why Danny?!”
Was it price it? Sorta. The drama wanted to finish, and the Spurs did what they needed to do to maneuver on, however it could be a mislead say the outcomes had been as hoped. Whereas they bought yet another playoff look out of the DeRozan period and loads of manufacturing from Poeltl, Leonard and Inexperienced have mixed for 3 extra championships since.
3. Malik Rose for Nazr Mohammed (2005)
That is the primary Spurs commerce that really upset me as a fan. I’ll have cried a little bit and legitimately hated Gregg Popovich for a sport or two after. (If I recall, followers even booed Pop on the first residence sport after this commerce.) Rose was and nonetheless is likely one of the Spursiest Spurs of all time. He’s the one participant I met a number of occasions, generally randomly, and I beloved speaking to him. This commerce really harm my coronary heart.
Was it price it? Sure. Nonetheless briefly, Mohammed supplied the Spurs with the defensive presence at heart they’d been missing since David Robinson retired, and so they wanted each little bit of it to get by the defending champion Pistons to win the championship. Whereas he finally went down as simply one among many in an extended line of facilities to begin subsequent to Tim Duncan, the commerce paid off.
2. Derrick White for Josh Richardson and Romeo Langford (2022)
Perhaps recency bias performs a job on this one being so excessive, however this was one other stunning commerce that left followers’ hearts hurting when it occurred. One other final Spurs underdog story and fan favourite, everybody hoped White could be part of their future. It harm seeing him go, and it hurts seeing him in one other uniform, however as an indication to what an amazing human being he’s, Spurs followers are additionally discovering themselves thrilled to see him thriving as the last word position participant with the Celtics. That’s how a lot he’s nonetheless beloved right here.
Was it price it? Contemplating this was one among a number of tank strikes, and the Spurs ended up with the last word prize in Victor Wembanyama, sure it was. Nonetheless, in the event that they hadn’t gotten fortunate within the lottery and the tank dragged on for a lot of extra seasons, followers would most likely nonetheless be wishing this commerce had by no means occurred as a result of it wouldn’t have been well worth the ache.
1. George Hill for Kawhi Leonard (2011)
Even Pop cried over this commerce, that’s how a lot it harm. Whereas everybody knew the getting older Spurs wanted to vary issues up and begin discovering their future, nobody noticed this coming till it was introduced in the course of the draft, and the shock of studying Hill was gone is to this present day the primary reminiscence I’ve of that evening. A number of Spurs gamers expressed disappointment about shedding Hill as properly, making this essentially the most heartbreaking Spurs commerce of all time.
Was it price it? After all it was. Whereas Leonard finally reduce his Spurs profession brief, it’s most likely the very best commerce in workforce historical past since they basically traded a glorified position participant for what turned out to be a top-10 participant and bought one other championship out of it. Nonetheless, it simply goes to indicate that generally even the very best commerce can nonetheless be essentially the most painful when the participant going out is an all-time fan favourite.
What do you suppose, Pounders? What commerce was essentially the most painful for you when it occurred? Are there any which are lacking from this checklist? Be at liberty to debate within the feedback beneath.
