The Vertical Insider Bobby Marks, a former longtime assistant general manager with the Nets, breaks down the San Antonio Spurs’ situation as the Feb. 18 trade deadline approaches.

HANG UP IF THEY ASK ABOUT …

Starters and rotational players

Teams have such respect for San Antonio that there is an unwritten rule when engaging with the Spurs to not to waste their time by talking about their key players.





There should be no movement among the Spurs' starters or rotation players.

WORTH TAKING THE CALL

Kyle Anderson and Jonathon Simmons

The undrafted Simmons has been a revelation, and Anderson has upside. Considering the Spurs’ ability to develop players, San Antonio would probably think long and hard about parting with either player if a team calls.





2016 first-round pick

San Antonio has proven its ability to find hidden gems in past drafts and have former picks Nikola Milutinov and Livio Jean-Charles stashed overseas, so this pick has value to San Antonio, but if the right deal comes along ...



The problem is the discrepancy in salary on the Spurs’ roster will make it difficult to move a pick for an established player.

NO-TRADE CLAUSE OR WITH A RESTRICTION

Tim Duncan

Duncan is one of six players in the NBA with a no-trade clause, meaning he has the power to veto any deal.





Manu Ginobili has an interesting contract situation. (Getty Images) More

Manu Ginobili and Matt Bonner

Matt Bonner, who signed a one-year contract this summer, must consent to any trade San Antonio wishes to make. Although Manu Ginobili signed a two-year contract this past summer, the second year has a player option, so Ginobili is deemed to have an early Bird restriction.



Both players must approve of any trade and early Bird rights would not carry over to their new teams.

Ray McCallum

McCallum, who was acquired from Sacramento, cannot be traded back to the Kings this season.



MOVE THAT PUSHES THE NEEDLE

Utilizing cap space this past summer enabled the Spurs to be positioned for a long run this spring.



San Antonio should keep an eye on the March 1 waiver wire, especially if buyout talks pick up with Brooklyn’s Joe Johnson.

TREASURE CHEST OF PICKS

Full, with reinforcements in Europe

San Antonio has its own first-round pick, projected to be No. 29 overall.





The Spurs also own their future first-round picks

San Antonio has a plethora of draft picks stashed overseas. First-round pick Nikola Milutinov (2015), first-round pick Livio Jean-Charles (2013), second-round pick Nemanja Dangubic (2014) and 2011 second-round picks Davis Bertans and Adam Hanga comprise a strong core of future assets.

AVAILABLE TRADE EXCEPTIONS

None



POST-TRADE DEADLINE ROSTER MOVEMENT

Even with 15 guaranteed contracts, San Antonio will pay attention to the March 1 buyout date. Adding a veteran for the stretch could prove more beneficial than a February 18 trade.



SNEAK PEEK TOWARD JULY

The Spurs will be right at the projected $89 million salary cap in July.



The big priority will be to lock up restricted free agent Boban Marjanovic. Because of his non-Bird rights, the Spurs will almost surely be forced to dip into part of their $5.6 million mid-level exception.

INSIDER INFO

Although not on the roster, the cap holds for previous first-round picks Nikola Milutinov and Livio Jean-Charles will hit the Spurs salary cap in July.



San Antonio can release the holds by notifying the NBA of its desire not to sign them, but doing so would make either player ineligible to sign in 2016-17. Both players’ cap holds were released last July when San Antonio needed cap space to sign LaMarcus Aldridge.