As Thursday’s NBA draft approaches, we will hear many intriguing – and some shocking – trade rumors as teams try to move up in the draft order.

We’ve been hearing for days now that the Atlanta Hawks are open to trading forward Josh Smith. Steve Nash, 37, may even be on the block in Phoenix. Minnesota and Detroit have been subjects of all types of trade rumors.

But the one that has to be most shocking is, according to Yahoo! Sports, the San Antonio Spurs looking to unload all-star point guard Tony Parker to jump into the lottery. Parker is arguably more of the face of the franchise right now than even Tim Duncan, so this move would be the equivalent of blowing up the blueprint that has made San Antonio a contender in the Western division.

Parker, however, has lost some of his luster and innocence that made him a great story ten years ago as a 19-year-old kid from France. He’s gone through a messy divorce in which he was accused of having an extramarital affair with an ex-teammate’s wife.

Parker has also expressed on at least two occasions recently that he believed this past season was the Spurs last to contend for the NBA title in the Duncan era. That sentiment obviously could have rubbed some in the organization the wrong way, especially considering the Spurs held the best record most of the season, earned the No. 1 seed in the West and then lost in the opening round to eighth seeded Memphis. Parker didn’t play well in that series in which the Spurs became just the fourth No. 1 seed to lose in the first round of the playoffs.

San Antonio, according to Yahoo Sports!, is believed to be discussing trading Parker to Toronto, which has the No. 5 pick and the Sacramento Kings, which owns the No. 7 pick.

A quality point guard like Parker, 29, has a lot of value in the trade market despite a four-year, $50 million extension that kicks in next season. But the problem for Parker may be going to a losing franchise that won’t contend any time soon. Definitely not the way you want to end your career.

Contact Terrance Harris at terrancefharris@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @Terranceharris

(Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)