2013 Draft Prospect: Gorgui Dieng

[Bruno]

http://cdn0.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/3906169/155729632.0_standard_352.0.jpg
Height: 6-11
Weight: 245 lbs
Birthday: 01/18/1990
College: Louisville

DraftExpress (http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Gorgui-Dieng-6219/)
NBADraft (http://www.nbadraft.net/players/gorgui-dieng)

[BackHome]

Do you think he is better playing with Splitter or with Baynes?

[stnick2261]

I'm no expert, but his strength is PnR and defense... I think he'd be good coming off the bench with Baynes to anchor the bench defense

[Biggems]

This guy is my first round pick....that is if I have my way. Blair and most likely Bonner will not be back. I see Dieng being Splitter's primary backup.

In fact, if I were to have my way, we draft Dieng, Muscala, and Ennis....we let Blair and Bonner walk....

C - Splitter, Dieng, Baynes
PF - Duncan, Diaw, Muscala
SF - Leonard, Jackson/Neal, Ennis
SG - Green, Manu, De Colo
PG - Parker, Cujo, Mills

[Darkwaters]

This guy is my first round pick....that is if I have my way. Blair and most likely Bonner will not be back. I see Dieng being Splitter's primary backup.

In fact, if I were to have my way, we draft Dieng, Muscala, and Ennis....we let Blair and Bonner walk....

C - Splitter, Dieng, Baynes
PF - Duncan, Diaw, Muscala
SF - Leonard, Jackson/Neal, Ennis
SG - Green, Manu, De Colo
PG - Parker, Cujo, Mills

A couple of points:

1) Bonner is still under contract next year. So the only way you let him walk is by amnestying him. But he actually has decent trade value since hes about a $4M expiring next season.

2) :lol listing Neal as a SF. Lets just be honest, theres no way that he could consistently play that spot in any universe. Maybe in a small ball lineup, but, of course, thats situational.

3) Not sure how we're going to get three picks. We only have our first and second.

[Biggems]

A couple of points:

1) Bonner is still under contract next year. So the only way you let him walk is by amnestying him. But he actually has decent trade value since hes about a $4M expiring next season.

2) :lol listing Neal as a SF. Lets just be honest, theres no way that he could consistently play that spot in any universe. Maybe in a small ball lineup, but, of course, thats situational.

3) Not sure how we're going to get three picks. We only have our first and second.

I am hoping we can get a pick via trade....perhaps bonner or neal in the offseason. Listing Neal at SF is a stretch, I know.....but, I was basically pointing out that in my scenario, we keep either Jax or Neal, but not both.

[Darkwaters]

I am hoping we can get a pick via trade....perhaps bonner or neal in the offseason. Listing Neal at SF is a stretch, I know.....but, I was basically pointing out that in my scenario, we keep either Jax or Neal, but not both.

1) Bonner is very tradeable this offseason. But hes tradeable as an expiring, not on his merits as a player. We would have to move him in exchange or another player, one with more years on his contract (someone trying to dump money in other words). So if he netted us a draft pick in addition to that player, we'd have to be taking on a pretty damn big and undesirable asset (see the Stephen Jackson for Richard Jefferson + 1st rounder). Besides, the best time to trade an expiring is usually at the trade deadline in Februrary. That precludes us from getting a draft pick this year...although maybe 2014?

2) We can't trade Neal. His contract is up at the end of the season. Same with Blair. That ship has sailed.

[BackHome]

Doesn't Portland always buy first rounders from teams?

[td4mvp2k]

This guy is my first round pick....that is if I have my way. Blair and most likely Bonner will not be back. I see Dieng being Splitter's primary backup.

In fact, if I were to have my way, we draft Dieng, Muscala, and Ennis....we let Blair and Bonner walk....

C - Splitter, Dieng, Baynes
PF - Duncan, Diaw, Muscala
SF - Leonard, Jackson/Neal, Ennis
SG - Green, Manu, De Colo
PG - Parker, Cujo, MillsI think they should draft Dieng with the 1st and trade DeColo and the 2nd in the 2nd to get Patric Young. Thats 2 athletic frontcourt players who will give okc, grizz, clipps hell and yes letting Blair and Bonner walk.

[Chinook]

Just to make sure people in this thread understand, Bonner will either be traded or cut by draft night, or he will be on the team next season. His last year has only $1 Million guaranteed. So his value will probably be the highest before that June 29, when his deal becomes fully guaranteed. I don't think the Spurs would commit to paying an extra $3 Million in salary just to keep that trade window open. If they don't want Bonner, they'll probably just cut him.

[Bruno]

Unless he has great playoffs, I don't think Spurs would be considering keeping Bonner for $3M.

What Spurs will do with him will highly depend on what they plan is for the summer.

If their plan is to use cap space:
The best option would be to negotiate with Bonner to postpone his guaranteed salary deadline by a couple of weeks and then to amnesty him.

If their plan is to use the MLE:
The best option would be to try a draft day trade with Bonner contract. If Spurs don't find an offer they like, then cut Bonner.

[Chinook]

Unless he has great playoffs, I don't think Spurs would be considering keeping Bonner for $3M.

What Spurs will do with him will highly depend on what they plan is for the summer.

If their plan is to use cap space:
The best option would be to negotiate with Bonner to postpone his guaranteed salary deadline by a couple of weeks and then to amnesty him.

If their plan is to use the MLE:
The best option would be to try a draft day trade with Bonner contract. If Spurs don't find an offer they like, then cut Bonner.

It's also possible that there could be a mix of those scenarios: If the Spurs can get Bonner to push back his guarantee date, they can trade him after draft night, when they can take back a full 150 percent of his deal. If the Spurs target Mbah a Moute or Derrick Williams (or any player making more than $4.6 Million this season but less than $6 Million next season), they'd really be out of luck trading for him until the new league year rolls around.

As far as I understand, there is no rule against the Spurs doing a long-term trade with another team on draft night, where the Spurs pick a player for another team, but wait to trade him until July.

[SenorSpur]

Dieng is my first and only choice for the Spurs in the upcoming NBA draft. He has exactly the skill set the Spurs need. Good defender, solid rebounding and formidable shot-blocker. I've made a point to watch a couple of his college games this year. While his offensive game is improving, the Spurs don't need that as much as the other stuff he brings to the court. The fact that he is an older junior should increase the chances of him lasting until the end of the round. Im my opinion, he would be an ideal fit for the Spurs.

Apparently, some other NBA pundits feel the same.

http://www.projectspurs.com/2013-articles/march/gorgui-dieng-likely-to-declare-would-make-a-great-spur.html

[BackHome]

If we sign him send him straight to Houston to get one on one training from the Dream..:)

[Richie]

If we sign him send him straight to Houston to get one on one training from the Dream..:)

Because the Spurs don't have any all time great big men past and present?

[td4mvp2k]

Because the Spurs don't have any all time great big men past and present?:lol

[CGD]

This is my pick. Could provide much needed Shotblocking, and Seems like a good person too. Larry Sanders lite. Probably available in the mid 20s.

[eDizzle20]

If the Spurs could land Dieng as a late first-round pick that would be amazing. Watching this guy in the tournament he looks like a great defender and solid rebounder. You can't teach a 7'6" wingspan. His offense is not bad as far as finishing is concerned either.

[stnick2261]

Definitely still my choice, but he's moving up the draft board and possibly out of reach

[SenorSpur]

Yeah, I was afraid of he and his team having a stellar performance in the tournament and advancing to the Final Four, thereby increasing his exposure and perhaps making him out of the Spurs reach in the upcoming NBA draft. So far, that is EXACTLY what seems to be happening. Dieng has had a fairly decent showing in this tournament and I'd guess that he's improved his draft stock considerably. Therefore, I'd be very surprised if he lasts until the late reaches of the 1st round.

[exstatic]

Yeah, I was afraid of he and his team having a stellar performance in the tournament and advancing to the Final Four, thereby increasing his exposure and perhaps making him out of the Spurs reach in the upcoming NBA draft. So far, that is EXACTLY what seems to be happening. Dieng has had a fairly decent showing in this tournament and I'd guess that he's improved his draft stock considerably. Therefore, I'd be very surprised if he lasts until the late reaches of the 1st round.

He was always going to be out of our reach. Big men are always over paid and over drafted. If some center is rated in the 20s, you can be sure that a team will reach for him in the early teens.

[BackHome]

When you look at all the college kids and international big's coming out it seems like we should be able to get one good big this year. But I know that RC is going to draft another PG in the first round...:(

[bluebellmaniac]

When you look at all the college kids and international big's coming out it seems like we should be able to get one good big this year. But I know that RC is going to draft another PG in the first round...:(
If the FO could only learn to have a decent draft, could you imagine how good this team could be?!

[ace3g]

had about 6-8 huge points late in the 2nd half

[benefactor]

This thread is about to become a five page semen fest followed by a huge meltdown when the Spurs pass on him for a Euro stash.

[DrunkTXLabrat]

i think the thread had the right projection before the bump. he'll be drafted before the spurs are on the clock. he might not be a good target anyway, baynes?

hancock with the 2nd might be a good replacement for bonner? bohanon for a blair replacement?

[stnick2261]

When you look at all the college kids and international big's coming out it seems like we should be able to get one good big this year. But I know that RC is going to draft another PG in the first round...:(

Guards (historically) have a higher percentage of sticking in the league, while Big Men (historically) have a higher draft bust rate. That's definitely been the case with the Spurs. But since we've done good with guards over the years, we can afford to draft a few bigs, expecting a few busts, with the hopes that we'll find a gem.

[td4mvp2k]

i think the thread had the right projection before the bump. he'll be drafted before the spurs are on the clock. he might not be a good target anyway, baynes?

hancock with the 2nd might be a good replacement for bonner? bohanon for a blair replacement?

Ya Spurs should draft all from the Lville team... :lol

[exstatic]

Guards (historically) have a higher percentage of sticking in the league, while Big Men (historically) have a higher draft bust rate. That's definitely been the case with the Spurs. But since we've done good with guards over the years, we can afford to draft a few bigs, expecting a few busts, with the hopes that we'll find a gem.

Bigs bust out more often because teams "reach" for them more than a wing or guard.

[td4mvp2k]

wats up wit dieng any1?

[exstatic]

wats up wit dieng any1?

Check his DX profile. There's a new (May 14th) scouting report up.

[td4mvp2k]

Check his DX profile. There's a new (May 14th) scouting report up.

:lmao... u got probs brah...

[td4mvp2k]

of da bigs who r to go in da 1st and low dieng is da 1 i go wit n teams didnt get 2 see him so it could be a + 4 spurs

[Ditty]

of da bigs who r to go in da 1st and low dieng is da 1 i go wit n teams didnt get 2 see him so it could be a + 4 spurs

huh? lol

[td4mvp2k]

huh? lol?

[exstatic]

huh? lol

He does better when he sticks to emoticons...

[td4mvp2k]

^ :downspin:

[Master splitter]

Can we make a trade for this guy..looks like bulls would steal this guy.

[DesignatedT]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=QomUkx95loo

[Uriel]

Ford's latest Mock Draft has us taking him at 28.


PLAYER CARD
28
Gorgui Dieng
San Antonio Spurs
COLLEGE: Louisville
AGE: 23
HT: 6-11
WT: 230
POS: C

Analysis: Injury concerns for Dieng (ankle and knee) have hurt his stock a bit, and he's slowly sliding into the 20s. Teams like him, but given his age, injuries matter. That shouldn't stop the Spurs from taking him here. They have big needs on the front line and Dieng is one of the more NBA-ready big men in the draft.

[eDizzle20]

Dieng at #28 would be great. He is ready to contribute right away. An awesome defender in every sense. Also, played in the best conference in college. I didn't even think Dieng would be a possibility at #28.

[exstatic]

Ford's latest Mock Draft has us taking him at 28.


Dieng at #28 would be great. He is ready to contribute right away. An awesome defender in every sense. Also, played in the best conference in college. I didn't even think Dieng would be a possibility at #28.

I'm highly skeptical that he'll drop to #28. Bigs get drafted higher than they should, even with any issues they may have.

[SpursChampsIII]

If he drops to us at 28, I'll be trying to call the Spurs War Room myself to tell them to not screw this up.

[SenorSpur]

Good God, if only this were to happen. I hope and pray this guy slides to #28. He would be an instant fit into the Spurs frontline rotation.

[CGD]

No brainer at 28. Seems low though.

[eDizzle20]

Now most mock drafts have Dieng going to a team in the mid or late 20's. Having a frontline of Duncan, Dieng, and Leonard on the court at one time would not only be an excellent defensive lineup, but also an excellent rebounding lineup.

[jesterbobman]

Him dropping isn't that shocking to me. The 2 most important factors in evaluation of a prospect are how good they are and how old they are. He's 23. He should be taken lower than his stats say, because he's further along his development curve than younger guys, and probably doesn't have as much room to get better.

He could still be a good player, but age is really important.(A point Kevin Pelton reiterated today in his WARP draft preview). I wouldn't be too shocked to see him passed over by the Spurs.

[Darkwaters]

If hes there at 28 we'd be pretty foolish not to take him. That said, I doubt hes around.

[yavozerb]

Just cannot see him falling to 28..

[BackHome]

The basketball gods have not been good to us so don't see it happening...But I can dream...:)

[SamoanTD]

Would love to see this happen

[spurraider21]

Yeah this is a pipe dream if i've ever seen one. Then again we got Blair in the 2nd round and he was almost unanimously pegged as a mid-late first rounder, and at the time he was considered to be the steal of the draft. But these big athletes go quick. Look at Fab Melo