A Trade in the Making?

Sure the Spurs are playing great ball right now. In fact, at 36-10, they're off to the best start in franchise history and the Rodeo Road Trip is off to a good start. Tim Duncan and Tony Parker are both having All-Star seasons and Manu Ginobili is playing again, and playing well.

But if I know anything about this organization, there will be a trade. Why?

1. Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili aren't healthy.
   
2. Neither Rasho Nesterovic nor Nazr Mohammed have stepped up to be the big man that the Spurs need in the middle, at least not consistently.
   
3. The Mavericks are a legitimate contender. They've beaten the Spurs and Pistons, currently have the longest winning streak in the league at 10 games, and are determined to win the Southwest division after barely missing out on home field advantage to the Spurs last season.
   
4. The Suns are playing great ball, even without Amare Stoudemire.
   
5. The Pistons are the favorites right now.

"In the West, if you go to Phoenix, if you go to Dallas, privately those teams are rubbing their hands together a little bit, thinking, ok, Duncan is a little vulnerable, Ginobili is a little bit shaky, maybe we can get the Spurs. Nobody says that about the Pistons."
-Marc Stein, "NBA Coast-to-Coast, Jan 31, 2006

I don't have a clue as to who the San Antonio Spurs will trade, or trade for, but the trading deadline is three weeks from today, and I'm certain there is a trade in the making.