Highest Ceiling Youth?

[TD 21]

It won't be popular opinion, but I'm thinking it's between Primo or Branham, just because they're probably the only ones with go-to possibilities.

[Robz4000]

Those two have the highest theoretical ceiling, but realistically it's prolly Vassell.

[Ariel]

Blake Wesley and Malaki Branham have multiple all star potential (not saying that is necessarily the case, but could be), but if his shot develops, Sochan is a perennial all defensive and maybe even some all NBA caliber player. Not the best player on a championship team, certainly not by the boxscore, but with tremendous impact on the outcome of games. Playing styles apart, I see a lot of similarities with Manu in that regard.

[Chinook]

I'm thinking Branham and Wesley might be there. I feel like I'll know more about Primo's ceiling during the summer league when he has time under him but isn't trying to fit in. I don't know if I can get a good feel of who's overall ceiling would be the highest but:

Offensively:

1) Branham
2) Wesley
3) Johnson

Defensively:

1) Sochan
2) Wesley
3) Vassell

Only counting guys on rookie contracts here. I don't know why, but I think Wesley might have star potential. Elite burst cannot by taught, and while he's not big, he's big enough to be a star two-guard. I actually like the potential of all of the young guys, though. They aren't all going to be stars, but I think they can all be contributors.

[CGD]

Sorry Lonnie

[Dejounte]

Here’s how I would rank them:

Wesley
Primo
Keldon
Sochan
Branham
Vassell

[mystargtr34]

I was thinking if 2021 draft Primo was in this years draft, where would he be drafted?

Branham easily goes ahead of him. Same age, similar tough schedule that Primo faced, much more productive and efficient with higher usage.

I would say Wesley goes ahead of Primo too tbh.

Was last years draft really that bad? Or is this one really deep? Bit of both I think. While the Spurs reached for Primo there's not that much that went after him who are doing that well.

[Ariel]

I was thinking if 2021 draft Primo was in this years draft, where would he be drafted?

Branham easily goes ahead of him. Same age, similar tough schedule that Primo faced, much more productive and efficient with higher usage.

I would say Wesley goes ahead of Primo too tbh.

Was last years draft really that bad? Or is this one really deep? Bit of both I think. While the Spurs reached for Primo there's not that much that went after him who are doing that well.
This:


I'm curious as to where you all would rank Primo among this year's 2 guards, purely valuing him as a prospect given what we know today, and sparing any sour grapes argument such as "he already knows the system" and such. I'm talking about an honest assessment of who's a better NBA prospect than him and who isn't from the perspective of a third party who could have a choice between them, regardless of whether he was a good pick or not last year. This year's class (partial list, obviously):
Jaden Ivey
Shaedon Sharpe
Dyson Daniels
Bennedict Mathurin
Johnny Davis
Malaki Branham
Blake Wesley
Ochai Agbaji
Bryce McGowens
Jaden Hardy
Jalen Williams
MarJon Beauchamp
Christian Braun
Terquavion Smith
Trevor Keels
Good question. Really difficult one to answer. Primo would undoubtedly be behind Sharpe and Mathurin. Most likely behind Daniels, Davis and Branham. Possibly behind Agbaji (if a contender is drafting) and Jalen Williams (if he does well in the scrimmages). Probably not behind Wesley, McGowens or Hardy. Definitely not behind the rest.

Looking at it as unbiased as I can, my guess is Primo would go somewhere between 14 and 20 in this draft if he was made available.

I was curious what a non-Spurs fan thought so I texted a scout employed by an NBA team who watched Primo in person both in G League and in the NBA . . .

https://i.imgur.com/vNxG549.jpg

Ouch, tbh :lol

[Dejounte]

“Shades of” list. Not direct comps. Just players they remind me of.

Wesley - Dwyane Wade / Donavon Mitchell
Primo - Harden
Keldon - Barkley
Sochan - Draymond
Branham - Shorter Durant. Emmanuelginobili just made this comp and I like it.
Vassell - Khris Middleton / Allan Houston

The Spurs really addressed their need for a go to scorer. Branham and Wesley both have potential in that regard.

[rankingtear]

Wesley or Primo. We are underrating Primo pull up range.

[Joseph Kony]

I've been watching highlights of the rookies and while I like the potential from the two guards drafted, i still think Primo has the highest ceiling on the roster

[John B]

Don’t sleep on Joe Dirt. The guy got 42 inch vertical at the combine :lol He could very well be Brent Barry

[John B]

You all know Sochan is a PG right? He’s a PF but plays some PG. He could be Ben Simmons/Draymond with Rodman swagger. I see a little of JR Smith attitude too, damn :lol

[vy65]

What has Primo shown that remotely suggests that he has all star potential, much less the highest ceiling of the 6? He doesn't do anything particularly well, is a "shooter" who shot well below the league average, isn't athletic and doesn't get to the line. He projects to be, at best, a bigger Patty Mills with a modicum more defense.

He was an absolutely atrocious pick at 11. It's ok to admit that. Suggesting he has a high ceiling, much less the highest ceiling among the rooks, is some high grade copium.

[John B]

What has Primo shown that remotely suggests that he has all star potential, much less the highest ceiling of the 6? He doesn't do anything particularly well, is a "shooter" who shot well below the league average, isn't athletic and doesn't get to the line. He projects to be, at best, a bigger Patty Mills with a modicum more defense.

He was an absolutely atrocious pick at 11. It's ok to admit that. Suggesting he has a high ceiling, much less the highest ceiling among the rooks, is some high grade copium.

Okay Debbie Downer :king

[mystargtr34]

What has Primo shown that remotely suggests that he has all star potential, much less the highest ceiling of the 6? He doesn't do anything particularly well, is a "shooter" who shot well below the league average, isn't athletic and doesn't get to the line. He projects to be, at best, a bigger Patty Mills with a modicum more defense.

He was an absolutely atrocious pick at 11. It's ok to admit that. Suggesting he has a high ceiling, much less the highest ceiling among the rooks, is some high grade copium.

Who would you pick above Primo from the 2021 draft? Not having a go, genuinely curious.

[mystargtr34]

This:

Yeah remember reading this. From a post draft perspective, I still kinda think Primo would go early 2nd round. Maybe late 1st.

[vy65]

Who would you pick above Primo from the 2021 draft? Not having a go, genuinely curious.

Off the top of my head, Sengun, Duarte, Murphy

[baseline bum]

Was about to post Forms but forgot he's gone, so I'll say Jason Richardson is our highest ceiling youth we've had on the team since Paul George.

[Ariel]

Off the top of my head, Sengun, Duarte, Murphy
+ Herb Jones, Moody, Tre Mann, Bones Hyland, Ayo Dosunmu, Jose Alvarado, etc.

[Mr. Body]

What has Primo shown that remotely suggests that he has all star potential, much less the highest ceiling of the 6? He doesn't do anything particularly well, is a "shooter" who shot well below the league average, isn't athletic and doesn't get to the line. He projects to be, at best, a bigger Patty Mills with a modicum more defense.

He was an absolutely atrocious pick at 11. It's ok to admit that. Suggesting he has a high ceiling, much less the highest ceiling among the rooks, is some high grade copium.

He was pick 12. You're also wrong about everything else. Just sit on your couch and wait.

[Mr. Body]

Off the top of my head, Sengun, Duarte, Murphy

Murphy I think has a fairly low ceiling. Duarte is literally six years older than Primo. Only Sengun, but his defense is atrocious and may never get to neutral.

Last year's draft was top heavy and then really, really bad. Settle down on Primo. He's going to be good.

[vy65]

He was pick 12. You're also wrong about everything else. Just sit on your couch and wait.

Cool

[Mr. Body]

Cool

Man, if you want to piss in your own Applejacks and scarf it down, be my guest.

[mystargtr34]

+ Herb Jones, Moody, Tre Mann, Bones Hyland, Ayo Dosunmu, Jose Alvarado, etc.

I would take Herb Jones for sure over Primo in a heartbeat, even despite being nearly 5 years older.

The rest I don't know if I would. They have def shown more than Primo but they all have their flaws a limits on their ceiling.

[vy65]

Man, if you want to piss in your own Applejacks and scarf it down, be my guest.

I'm in you son of a bitch!

[SAGirl]

What has Primo shown that remotely suggests that he has all star potential, much less the highest ceiling of the 6? He doesn't do anything particularly well, is a "shooter" who shot well below the league average, isn't athletic and doesn't get to the line. He projects to be, at best, a bigger Patty Mills with a modicum more defense.

He was an absolutely atrocious pick at 11. It's ok to admit that. Suggesting he has a high ceiling, much less the highest ceiling among the rooks, is some high grade copium.
I don’t see it there either with Primo yet and then I can’t really say anything about any of the rookies based on stats and a super short highlight video. I personally can’t answer this question that OP is posing.

I am not high on Primo as an all star potential type. Want to see him do well and all but I am not convinced he’s the highest potential guy.

I’d place Johnson and Vassell above him.

Then bottom line bc he’s a two way player, probably Vassell is who I am highest on currently.

Offensively Johnson probably has the best potential.

Id like to see the rookies do well b4 hyping them up too much. After all, who had the athleticism of Lonnie Walker IV and looked better than him in terms of potential?

[exstatic]

Off the top of my head, Sengun, Duarte, Murphy

Duarte and Murphy are what they are. They’re finished products, much like Brandon Clarke. It’s the tax you pay for players, outside of the top 3-4 picks in any draft, who can play right away.

[poopbox]

Sochan cause I think he got DPOY ability on that side of the ball. He is also an underrated passer and I think Pop has been dying to run some stuff out of the post the last few years.

Primo...I got to see it to believe it...if the spurs front office got busted for sniffing coke tomorrow my first thought would be "so THATS why they think Primo has franchise player potential". And I'm a guy who didn't mind the primo pick at all.

[offset formation]

Those two have the highest theoretical ceiling, but realistically it's prolly Vassell.

This is the correct answer. Well done.

[tim_duncan_fan]

Sochan cause I think he got DPOY ability on that side of the ball. He is also an underrated passer and I think Pop has been dying to run some stuff out of the post the last few years.

Primo...I got to see it to believe it...if the spurs front office got busted for sniffing coke tomorrow my first thought would be "so THATS why they think Primo has franchise player potential". And I'm a guy who didn't mind the primo pick at all.

I doubt they think that now, tbh. Seems like he might be a Jrue-level.

[offset formation]

Murphy I think has a fairly low ceiling. Duarte is literally six years older than Primo. Only Sengun, but his defense is atrocious and may never get to neutral.

Last year's draft was top heavy and then really, really bad. Settle down on Primo. He's going to be good.

Not if pigeonholed into a guard position. He needs to blossom as a wing, which if he does is a win for this team as its the most importantposition in modern day basketball. So that'snot a knock on Primo, but PATFO should be trying to show him out there. If he turns into a badass wing player, this team has just gotten much better because it allows depth at the wing and allows players at the SG and players at the SF position to be better positioned. Primo, Vassell, Keldon, and Sochan are key in this regard.

[RC_Drunkford]

Wesley
Branham
Vassell
Keldon
Sochan (could develop into DPOY, but since it's more about scoring I got him that low even though he could also be a 15 PPG scorer just no go-to guy)
Primo

[R. DeMurre]

Duarte and Murphy are what they are. They’re finished products, much like Brandon Clarke. It’s the tax you pay for players, outside of the top 3-4 picks in any draft, who can play right away.

I don't agree on Murphy. He just turned 22 a week ago and has one NBA season on his resume where he led all rookies in 3pt%. He's also taller than 6'9" now and adjusting to occasionally being put in the PF position, after being a SG/SF forward in college, and he talks in almost every interview about working on improving his handle and D.

[Mr. Body]

Trey Murphy is going to be better than I thought. I just think he will be an excellent 3&D guy as a ceiling. That's a great ceiling, obviously.

For this I think I voted Blake Wesley. Sochan could be incredible if he fixes shooting problems. The others have a lot of potential. Just want to give a li'l shine to Wesley. He needs smoothing out, but his tools are potentially incredible.

[wildbill2u]

I couldn't make a pick on the highest ceiling because that assumes that one or more of these guys will turn out to be outstanding, maybe All-star material. Really? Well, if you think so and have voted for one of these players you must have a crystal ball--or maybe just one of those snowmen globes that fuzzes up the view when you shake it. The three players who've already had a season with the Spurs certainly haven't shown All-star potential yet. And the three newbies haven't played a minute yet against NBA competition. But who knows? Maybe the three draftees will ultimately be better than the three "veterans."???

The three newbies have some mystique about them because they appear to fill some needs that the three veterans haven't been able to nail down in their skill-sets.

[rascal]

I'm taking the guy with the most athleticism of the bunch, Wesley. He's going to be a steal where he was drafted.

[GAustex]

Miss Cleo avoiding this thread

[emanueldavidginobili]

Tough question but only because I've seen him play in the NBA already, once I see the three rooks get some run in the NBA and see how they translate then my answer might change. I like Vassell because he's only 21 and I can't think of any glaring weaknesses in his game so far. Yeah he's inconsistent and indecisive at times but thats to be expected.

He can shoot, rebound, make the right pass, and defend and shown some pretty deceiving athletic plays last season. It was his first season ever having a spot in a NBA rotation and I think he did pretty well. He was the only one to show up in the Play In Game against the Pelicans. I love Keldon as well but I think the gap between Devin and Keldon's defensive potential gives me the edge for Vassell.

[cutewizard]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOgLXRsyoy8

[KingKev]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOgLXRsyoy8

Is it really necessary to post these videos in every thread?

[spurspl]

where is luka samanic?

[Uriel]

Quick question: why do we think Primo has the highest ceiling of all the youth? He’s not the most athletic of the bunch (that would be Wesley). He’s not the tallest (that would be Sochan). So why does he have the highest ceiling?

[slick'81]

Quick question: why do we think Primo has the highest ceiling of all the youth? He’s not the most athletic of the bunch (that would be Wesley). He’s not the tallest (that would be Sochan). So why does he have the highest ceiling?


hes our future pg. pop loves his court vision and primo suave savvy.

[Vince Carter's ankle]

Quick question: why do we think Primo has the highest ceiling of all the youth? He’s not the most athletic of the bunch (that would be Wesley). He’s not the tallest (that would be Sochan). So why does he have the highest ceiling?
He's got the heart of a champion

[Seventyniner]

Quick question: why do we think Primo has the highest ceiling of all the youth? He’s not the most athletic of the bunch (that would be Wesley). He’s not the tallest (that would be Sochan). So why does he have the highest ceiling?

Because believing that is the only way to retroactively justify picking him that high.

[rjv]

wesley just because he has the lowest floor but i'd rank:

1) wesley
2) branham
3) primo
4) sochan
5) vassell
6) johnson

[JuneJive]

Of all the yutes, I'd put Primo at the top.

Based on the org's faith in him as a cornerstone moving forward.

Vassell seems low on many of your rankings.
I'd put him higher. He showed a lot of versatility on offense.
Much more than the projected scenario where he was a 3pt shooter only.

[SPURt]

Because believing that is the only way to retroactively justify picking him that high.
Ouch lol

[JeffDuncan]

where is luka samanic?


His ceiling turned out to be the basement ceiling.

But beyond the ceiling question, who’s in the attic? And why? That’s what I want to know.

[TD 21]

Given the recent developments, it's probably Vassell. He's the best combination of two-way, on and off ball play.

Still think Branham has the highest offensive ceiling, but his Walker IV mentality might prevent him from reaching his Poole/Herro ceiling.

[RC_Drunkford]

LOL @ everybody who picked Primo :lmao

[BackHome]

Yeah the thing that I didn’t like about Primo was he didn’t pass the athletic test to me but it was a really weak draft so no use crying over spilled milk.

As far as being the best player I think you have Vassell getting the nod over Keldon in a tight race but am happy both are still putting in the work and both are getting better every year. Out of our recent picks I was really high on Blake because he really passes the Athletic test and is a true 2 way player. As far as Branham if he can’t get better at defense then the best he will be is a sixth man. As far and Sochan I really like his ball IQ we all know though he desperately needs his shot to get fixed if he wants to stay in the NBA.

[rankingtear]

I get the Primo vote he has star level offensive creativity. I voted Wesley but it is clearly Devin right now. Devin would get his shot on deep playoff level defenses. Year 3 Sochan could be scary though. Realistic is Devin and theoretical is Sochan.