Report: Spurs continue to shop DeJuan Blair

With just about every NBA General Manager in the same gym at the D-League showcase in Idaho, you’re going to see a lot of trade talk start to heat up. However, when it comes to the San Antonio Spurs and DeJuan Blair, that heat is more like an enduring flame than a spark. Basically, the Spurs have been shopping Blair for quite some time. With Tiago Splitter looking like a permanent fixture next to Tim Duncan in the frontcourt, Blair has largely dropped out of the rotation, even though Gregg Popovich distributes his regular season minutes like a youth league coach.

Blair only playing 14 minutes a game doesn’t really give him a big chance to distribute, but he’s been a productive player in the past. He has an above-average career PER of 17.1, he’s a monster offensive rebounder, and he plays hard. He’s definitely very limited as a defender, but in a bench role, you could see why a contender would be interested. Someone like, say, the Miami Heat? Here’s Alex Kennedy with more:

It’s no surprise that DeJuan Blair may be moved prior to the trade deadline on February 21. The San Antonio Spurs have been shopping him for quite some time, and nearly traded him in June. In the days leading up to the 2012 NBA Draft, the Spurs spoke to a number of teams about the 23-year-old big man. They nearly sent Blair to the Miami Heat, but the deal fell apart.

Now, San Antonio is once again shopping Blair and seeing what teams are willing to offer.

Blair becomes an unrestricted free agent after this season and it’s unlikely that he re-signs with the Spurs since his role has decreased significantly.

Via HoopsWorld | Alex Kennedy

Blair is still young, and could probably use a change of scenery and more consistent minutes. If San Antonio plans on letting him go in the offseason, they’d be well-served to get something for him before the deadline, even if it’s only a second round draft pick or a prospect to stash. Blair has never been a big part of the playoff rotation anyhow, so it may be the best thing for both parties.

Maybe the Heat should revisit the trade? Udonis Haslem, who is somehow 32-years-old already, has pretty much fallen off a cliff in terms of production. He plays nearly 20 minutes a night with a PER of 8.3, so Blair, at least on paper, would seem to represent a pretty substantial upgrade.

Regardless of whether Miami is still interested or not, it sounds like Blair’s days as a Spur may finally be coming to an end.