The Expendable

From near-franchise player
to rumored trade bait
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

What started as just another Holiday story from polarizing sports writer Snow Badua to pass the time has suddenly spread like wildfire on social media, with many still trying to make sense of the whole situation. Apparently, the Talk'n'Text Tropang Texters are looking at trading the recognized, still-in-his-prime, Best Point Guard in FIBA Asia, Jayson Castro to Kia Motors for a possible top pick in the coming 2015 PBA Draft.

Just in case you haven't heard yet, already jockeying for the Top Pick honors are 6"7 Fil-Tonggan Moala Tautuaa, 6"4, 2x UAAP Most Valuable Player Bobby Parks, Jr., Ateneo high flyer Chris Newsome (possibly) and even Ateneo ace, reigning UAAP MVP Keifer Ravena.

So what the reports are saying, if there's any truth to it, is that the Texters are looking to use Castro as live bait if only to land one of those three to four high profile names right away. It seems a bit off however, considering Castro is arguably the best combo guard in the PBA today (when healthy) and is looking like he's starting to slowly inherit the team from veteran Jimmy Alapag.

See, a prized thoroughbred like Castro could be used for more than just a top pick. Hell, we argue that the Texters could get at least two serviceable PBA starters for him RIGHT NOW so yeah, the trade bait just doesn't make sense.

What is KIA going to do with Castro? They have a lot of holes to fill on the roster, yes, but then why trade for an injury-prone superstar when you can get younger talent for less and lock him up for a year or three?

Why go Castro, when the widely accepted notion in "basketball franchise building 101" is to always go for a talented big man? KIA can ask for Ranidel de Ocampo, Jay Washington or even a former PBA MVP in Kelly Williams? Why go Castro when KIA could, presumably for a TauTuaa or Parks, Jr., ask for serviceable, Grade A blue collar guys Ryan Reyes, Larry Fonacier and Harvey Carey to beef up their awful starting five?

For every one's peace of mind, we do hope that things work out well for Castro and the Texters. We haven't quite heard from the team yet, which is obviously prolonging all the nasty talk online. It wouldn't be the first time the Texters "exiled" a supposed franchise player, so there is that probability.

What do you think? Should the Texters trade Castro for a 2015 PBA Draft top pick? Follow us on Twitter @kilikilishot