2025 NBA Draft

[scottspurs]

Queen for sure needs work on Defense but I’m drafting him over any prospect not named Flagg.

[spurraider21]

Queen and Nipple are the kinds of players i'm worried about. no doubt they're highly skilled players. and between them, at least Kon tries defensively and can do some decent things on that end. but they are low level athletes and thats when it becomes challenging to figure out of some elements of their game will translate at the NBA level against bigger, faster, stronger competition

at least with Kon there is a baseline. he's going to be a reasonably sized SG that will be able to get shots off in catch-and-shoot situations, and he can make the right decisions when trying to punish a fly-by

[objective]

What's the hype for Queen again? An overweight, below the rim, average sized PF who can't shoot 3s or defend?

Sign me up!

[John B]

Yup Queen is just so complacent on D. But offensively he’s a beast. Is that laziness? Because Spurs will not have that.

[CGD]

What's the hype for Queen again? An overweight, below the rim, average sized PF who can't shoot 3s or defend?

Sign me up!

He's got a sweet post game and potential to stretch the floor. Just not sure that the same team that passed on superior version on this archetype (Sengun), will selected that player this time around with a potentially better draft pick.

[CGD]

Yup Queen is just so complacent on D. But offensively he’s a beast. Is that laziness? Because Spurs will not have that.

Can't tell. Wonder if most of it is fitness? Then again, Spurs wont tolerate that either.

[spurraider21]

What's the hype for Queen again? An overweight, below the rim, average sized PF who can't shoot 3s or defend?

Sign me up!
highly skilled, undersized center. the hope is he becomes something along the lines of Sengun

[CGD]

Queen for sure needs work on Defense but I’m drafting him over any prospect not named Flagg.

Bold

[CGD]

The more I read about Condon, the more I like. He's been compared to Isaiah Hartenstein but with some range.

[scottspurs]

The best spurs comparison for Queen would be Boris Diaw

[scottspurs]

The thing people don’t understand about Queen is that he is still transforming his body from being almost 400 pounds at one point in high school. His body is still developing. He has worked hard to be a better athlete. Has the potential to be a better defender once he gets his body in better shape.

[scott]

All I want to see out of this game is Flagg v Bryant

[John B]

The best spurs comparison for Queen would be Boris Diaw

Diaw was not bullish in the paint. Queen reminds me of Z-Bo, undersized big body

[John B]

All I want to see out of this game is Flagg v Bryant

So far Bryant is non-existent

[Knoxxx]

You guys are thinking right but thinking small. Demin currently projects to be there with the ATL pick. This draft is wide open for us to snag two more excellent prospects. And that’s not even counting Carter Bryant possibly being there at 38.

[Mr. Body]

So far Bryant is non-existent

Carter Bryant is almost entirely theoretical at this point. He's the sort of player who should strictly be a second round option.

[Knoxxx]

Bryant was recently mocked to Spurs w/ATL pick. I’d agree that seemed quite a reach to me when we could get Demin/McNeely/Fleming there. Kalkbrenner is squarely back in play at 38 though, a ready made big with range. I don’t really love the bigs we mock to get in round 1, with the exception of Fleming who doesn’t really solve our backup C problem.

[scott]

Cooper Flagg is really really good

[John B]

Flagg is head and shoulders above everybody with 18pts already in the 1st half

[mystargtr34]

Cooper is ridiculous. He’s going to be a hybrid of Garnett, Kirilenko, Kawhi.

Also, I’ve been quite impressed with Kon this game. His dribble drive game seems like he can get in the paint often, his shooting, his physicality going to the rim and defensively. His measurements are going to be the deciding factor for me. If hes 6’6 barefoot or more with a 8’7 or higher reach I’m interested. But still not convinced.

[Mr. Body]

There hasn't been a white American All Star since Brad Miller and David Lee. Flagg will change that.

[mystargtr34]

Mock draft from Kevin O’Connor who’s now at Yahoo.

https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/2025-nba-mock-draft-cooper-flagg-at-no-1-no-doubt-but-who-else-is-a-first-round-pick-203049384.html

[scott]

Cooper is ridiculous. He’s going to be a hybrid of Garnett, Kirilenko, Kawhi.

Also, I’ve been quite impressed with Kon this game. His dribble drive game seems like he can get in the paint often, his shooting, his physicality going to the rim and defensively. His measurements are going to be the deciding factor for me. If hes 6’6 barefoot or more with a 8’7 or higher reach I’m interested. But still not convinced.

Was thinking the same watching Kon (my first time watching him live), though I don't think there's any way he's 6'7". Looks more like 6'4-6'5" out there, unless all these other guys are giants.

[John B]

Mock draft from Kevin O’Connor who’s now at Yahoo.

https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/2025-nba-mock-draft-cooper-flagg-at-no-1-no-doubt-but-who-else-is-a-first-round-pick-203049384.html

Games like tonight would have Queen rising up to top 5. I like Sorber at 23. He could be the steal of the draft.

[mystargtr34]

Was thinking the same watching Kon (my first time watching him live), though I don't think there's any way he's 6'7". Looks more like 6'4-6'5" out there, unless all these other guys are giants.

I don’t know I think because he’s stocky he doesn’t look as tall as he is. When he stands next to Flagg who looks a legit 6’9 I feel like there’s no more than 2 or 3 inches max between them.

[RC_Drunkford]

Yes of course you take Flagg regardless, but if we landed Flagg I think I'd actually be a lot more open to taking Sorber or Maluach with the ATL pick (if they are there). My rationale:

1) If Wemby is coming back (which I'm confident he will), it's still an obvious need for a backup big. I've just landed Flagg, so I'm feeling a lot better about my forwards and don't necessarily need to add another one. I now have a chance to add a nice backup piece
2) If Wemby isn't coming back, then I've got a prospect for future starting 5
3) If I don't land Flagg, I'm less inclined to take a backup C with that ATL pick because I've got to take swings at higher priority positions (forward) because I don't have that "sure thing" (Flagg) coming in.

If Maluach is there with the ATL pick you take him regardless. I'm even considering to draft him with the Spurs pick, depending on who gets drafted before him

[John B]

Flagg is just now toying with competition. The kid is ridiculously good.

[Knoxxx]

Maluch best value to us is more likely who he pushes down to us.

[mystargtr34]

Kon showing his foot speed on defense aswell. Also love his hustle and competitiveness and motor which are things a lot of people take for granted and think don’t matter until you watch guys like Assell go through the motions on the court.

[John B]

I think Flagg is close to triple-double the way he’s playing

[Knoxxx]

Forgot to mention ridiculous half court, only two games back of ATL with 12-16 all within a game of each other! ATL could still end up a decent back door lottery ticket we weren’t counting on lately.

Edit: Giddey that was to lift CHI over LAL

[ginobilized]

Good gawd, Flagg is like a 6'9" Jerry West.

I'm liking Kon. His defensive angles and weak side positioning are just about perfect. His feel is super, too.

[Mr. Body]

We'll see if the NBA lottery is rigged. No way can they afford to let Cooper Flagg go to Charlotte.

[John B]

Caleb Love is single-handedly keeping Arizona in the game. Damn I’d take this kid as my back PG anytime.

[Knoxxx]

Knueppel would be a fine pick at 8. Love could be worth a flyer in the 2nd based on this display.

[ginobilized]

Carter Bryant waking up

[John B]

Can’t wait for Cooper Flagg to be tossing that lob to Wemby

[spurraider21]

The thing people don’t understand about Queen is that he is still transforming his body from being almost 400 pounds at one point in high school. His body is still developing. He has worked hard to be a better athlete. Has the potential to be a better defender once he gets his body in better shape.
its not like he's some excellent positional/technical defender who is just too physically limited to make a difference. he's just a bad defender, and his athleticism does nothing to mask it

[spurraider21]

yeah i have not been shy about my doubts with Kon but he continues playing very well

[benefactor]

I'm warming more and more to the idea of Kon. Adding him to our group of role players would more than double the collective basketball IQ

[Dejounte]

Well, I didn’t need more games to tell me Kon is the real deal but I guess others are following suit now. He plays suffocating defense in a non-cheap way, not gambling for steals and almost always being in good position while hopping to correct positioning quickly when he gets beaten. It’s like Derrick White in a way. Folks thought Derrick was nothing special athletically and rated him low on that scale. I believe he’s shorter than Kon and I trust him to defend any player between 1-3.

[exstatic]

The best spurs comparison for Queen would be Boris Diaw

Boris Diaw was a +++ Defender. He could also pass off the dribble like a guard.

[Dejounte]

Just looked at the lottery order. Unfortunately, I think the Sixers will take Kon before us so I’m already setting my expectations low (meaning I don’t think he’ll be within our reach).

[John B]

The Bulls won tonight and putting the Spurs at 8th. With a tough schedule ahead, I expect Spurs to stay there. Kon is still at play at 8th, with Queen rising with his 25 points performance. But I’d pick Sorber with the better defense at ATL pick and Kon at 8th. Caleb Love if available at 2nd round.

[LeBowen]

Spurs 31W:
Celtics, Warriors, Magic, @ Nuggets, Cavaliers, @ Trailblazers, @ Clippers, @ Warriors, @ Suns , Raptors

Absolute best (worst) case scenario is 4 wins, shouldn't be more than 2 realistically. Got to make sure we lose against subpar Magic and Trailblazers.

Trailblazers 32W:
@ Knicks, @ Hawks, @ Raptors, @ Bulls, Spurs, @ Jazz, Warriors, Lakers

They'll probably get at least one win against either Raptors or Jazz, hopefully both games. With a solid tank effort in our game, Spurs should keep that 8th spot.

Bulls should be out of the picture as have a better h2h record than the Spurs and play Raptors, Hornets, Wizards and Sixers.
Heat has an even easier schedule with two games against Wizards and Sixers each, they also play the Hornets and have a game against the Bulls.

8th best odds equal to 26.2% chance for a top4 pick and 92.9% chance to not drop below 9th. Also pretty much guarantees a top10 pick with 99.6% odds.

[rankingtear]

Well, I didn’t need more games to tell me Kon is the real deal but I guess others are following suit now. He plays suffocating defense in a non-cheap way, not gambling for steals and almost always being in good position while hopping to correct positioning quickly when he gets beaten. It’s like Derrick White in a way. Folks thought Derrick was nothing special athletically and rated him low on that scale. I believe he’s shorter than Kon and I trust him to defend any player between 1-3.

Didn't he play as the low man defender 90% of the time in that game.

[Dejounte]

https://x.com/albertoeghim/status/1884085605803647240

https://x.com/meeksknowsball/status/1905455806968902103

https://x.com/meeksknowsball/status/1905455806968902103?s=46

https://x.com/albertoeghim/status/1884085605803647240?s=46&t=SruoshPxBN1Th5Jk_Axizg

https://x.com/meeksknowsball/status/1905455806968902103?s=46&t=SruoshPxBN1Th5Jk_Axizg

Absurd IQ

[LeBowen]

Absurd IQ

How's Knueppel different from Sheppard if we're talking their potential to translate their game to the NBA?
As in Sheppard's IQ was also amazing, shooting was effortless, but he's struggling due to lack of athleticism.

Obviously Knueppel has way better size, but is he more athletic compared to NBA wings than Sheppard is compared to NBA guards?
That would be my biggest concern. Because as good of a shooter as someone is one college level, it all goes away in the NBA if they're not quick/strong enough to create separation.

[Dejounte]

How's Knueppel different from Sheppard if we're talking their potential to translate their game to the NBA?
As in Sheppard's IQ was also amazing, shooting was effortless, but he's struggling due to lack of athleticism.

Obviously Knueppel has way better size, but is he more athletic compared to NBA wings than Sheppard is compared to NBA guards?
That would be my biggest concern. Because as good of a shooter as someone is one college level, it all goes away in the NBA if they're not quick/strong enough to create separation.

Folks are quick to write off Reed as if they didn’t go through the Mitch Johnson Experience with him playing around with Stephon’s minutes. Castle struggled heavily when his minutes and role was being toyed with by Mitch. So that’s what you’re seeing with Reed. And also guards take longer to cook. People were quick to write off Scoot too and he’s showing life in some ways in his second year.

Kon is no worse than a lot of NBA players with his athleticism, it’s just being magnified right now because it doesn’t pop off the screen like other prospects do. Once he’s in the NBA for a couple years and displays how well he is on defense, a lot of this talk about how he’s unathletic will go away. Like I said, people shat on White here for a while about his athleticism and you don’t hear a peep now.

Lastly, the difference between Kon and Reed is that Kon is actually eye poppingly (and praised for) good at defense. He’s covering guys with his excellent footwork and smarts that you only see from guys like Dort, White, and Caruso… in other words, like the best defenders in the NBA.

[CGD]

The thing people don’t understand about Queen is that he is still transforming his body from being almost 400 pounds at one point in high school. His body is still developing. He has worked hard to be a better athlete. Has the potential to be a better defender once he gets his body in better shape.

In that case I hope he doesn’t get drafted by NOLA.

[SpursBills]

How's Knueppel different from Sheppard if we're talking their potential to translate their game to the NBA?
As in Sheppard's IQ was also amazing, shooting was effortless, but he's struggling due to lack of athleticism.

Obviously Knueppel has way better size, but is he more athletic compared to NBA wings than Sheppard is compared to NBA guards?
That would be my biggest concern. Because as good of a shooter as someone is one college level, it all goes away in the NBA if they're not quick/strong enough to create separation.

Answer to this might actually be Knueppel's strength - I don't know that you necessarily need high level athleticism, but I agree with you that you do need some sort of physical advantage. Sheppard needs time still before we can call him a bust, but he didn't have any physical advantage over other players - short, short arms, not especially strong, not especially athletic. Someone like McCain, for example, was similarly small and with short arms but his strength allowed him to control defenders with his dribble and an easier avenue to success. Depending on how Kon's frame is, he may have a similar physical advantage over his defenders - that's what I'm looking for this tournament, whether he's able to consistently bump defenders off with his drives and control them on the perimeter. If you try comparing him to Bane, Bane is more athletic but if Kon is similarly strong with a bigger frame, he may have similar outs to success.

[CGD]

Was thinking the same watching Kon (my first time watching him live), though I don't think there's any way he's 6'7". Looks more like 6'4-6'5" out there, unless all these other guys are giants.

I agree. Think he’ll come in at 6’4.5” with a +0 wingspan. Not the end of the world given the talent, but folks shouldn’t expect a SF.

[LeBowen]

Folks are quick to write off Reed as if they didn’t go through the Mitch Johnson Experience with him playing around with Stephon’s minutes. Castle struggled heavily when his minutes and role was being toyed with by Mitch. So that’s what you’re seeing with Reed. And also guards take longer to cook. People were quick to write off Scoot too and he’s showing life in some ways in his second year.

I'm not saying Sheppard can't be a good player, it's just that some projections saying he'll be an all time great shooter in no time were way too optimistic.


Kon is no worse than a lot of NBA players with his athleticism, it’s just being magnified right now because it doesn’t pop off the screen like other prospects do. Once he’s in the NBA for a couple years and displays how well he is on defense, a lot of this talk about how he’s unathletic will go away. Like I said, people shat on White here for a while about his athleticism and you don’t hear a peep now.

Lastly, the difference between Kon and Reed is that Kon is actually eye poppingly (and praised for) good at defense. He’s covering guys with his excellent footwork and smarts that you only see from guys like Dort, White, and Caruso… in other words, like the best defenders in the NBA.

From my limited knowledge (just some highlights) he does look like the safest SF pick. It would be nice to draft another star, but what we need more of is just what you described.
If Spurs think he's a must pick, he should be fairly easy to obtain. I don't think he's what Nets and Raptors are looking for, I'd only be worried about the Sixers.

[Dejounte]

I agree. Think he’ll come in at 6’4.5” with a +0 wingspan. Not the end of the world given the talent, but folks shouldn’t expect a SF.

He’ll be a SF alright. Left guy is listed at 6’6”. Middle guy is 6’4”. Clearly taller than both. Even if he turns out to be 6’6”, the Spurs have played Keldon and Vassell (even Castle for a short period) there. Keldon with his wingspan is a bad defender. Why? Because his footwork and IQ is a mess. People underrate IQ, tbh.

https://i.ibb.co/LdM4QJV4/IMG-4195.jpg

[LeBowen]

People underrate IQ, tbh.

People underrate lateral movement and strength, tbh.
If we're talking perimeter defense, it's not about contesting shots in an attempt to actually get blocks, it's about getting offensive players off the balance and stopping drives from the perimeter.
Obviously it's better to have more length, but it's not any good if the defender isn't strong enough.

[Dejounte]

People underrate lateral movement and strength, tbh.
If we're talking perimeter defense, it's not about contesting shots in an attempt to actually get blocks, it's about getting offensive players off the balance and stopping drives from the perimeter.
Obviously it's better to have more length, but it's not any good if the defender isn't strong enough.

Yes, correct.

[Mr. Body]

https://x.com/albertoeghim/status/1884085605803647240

https://x.com/meeksknowsball/status/1905455806968902103

https://x.com/meeksknowsball/status/1905455806968902103?s=46

https://x.com/albertoeghim/status/1884085605803647240?s=46&t=SruoshPxBN1Th5Jk_Axizg

https://x.com/meeksknowsball/status/1905455806968902103?s=46&t=SruoshPxBN1Th5Jk_Axizg

Absurd IQ

Things like ghost screens were one thing UConn was really good at -- and Castle excelled among them at recognizing when the defense overplayed and he should dive to the basket.

[Mr. Body]

How's Knueppel different from Sheppard if we're talking their potential to translate their game to the NBA?
As in Sheppard's IQ was also amazing, shooting was effortless, but he's struggling due to lack of athleticism.

Obviously Knueppel has way better size, but is he more athletic compared to NBA wings than Sheppard is compared to NBA guards?
That would be my biggest concern. Because as good of a shooter as someone is one college level, it all goes away in the NBA if they're not quick/strong enough to create separation.

For me, one, Knueppel is certainly much bigger, more like an Austin Reaves size. He also is more fluid an athlete and has much better handles than Sheppard. Sheppard's ball handling was rudimentary and he wasn't much of a playmaker. He was also really strictly a spot-up shooter from deep (less so in mid-range), while I think Kon can hit on the move.

I think Reed was insanely efficient on catch-and-shoots and his hands are amazing. He also knows how to get in the right places for caroms and so on. But I feel like Knueppel is much more all-around. Tbh I never was a huge fan of Sheppard, thought he was very limited, but very good in his few silos.

[LeBowen]

Time to look at everyone's needs, tbh.
Top4 picks look to be set in stone, those players will get selected regardless of the fit.
After that, some teams will start looking at their needs instead of drafting the BPA at any cost, unless they really like someone.

This is strictly for #5 and lower picks, doesn't apply for top4.

Jazz: BPA.
Wizards: BPA, I guess no bigs for them.
Hornets: They strangely seem well-rounded, but can never get healthy. No point guards for them.
NOLA: I guess getting a PG will be a priority for them, who knows if DJ will get back to his level after the injury. This is assuming Zion stays. They got plenty of wings and Missi seems to be a good big in the making.
Sixers: I doubt they go for guards with Maxey and McCain on the roster. They need wings or even a big since Embiid looks done.
Nets: Noone left other than Claxton since Cam Johnson will probably get traded. BPA for them.
Raptors: No way they go for a wing with their roster.
Blazers: They kind of have solid players across the board, but noone with real star upside. I guess it's BPA that's not a SG.
Heat: I think getting a future PG will be their priority.
Bulls: Wings and bigs, probably looking for a future C as a priority.

If Spurs keep their #8 position and we want Knueppel, I guess it would be in our interest Sixers and Hornets aren't in #5 to #7 range, I don't think others will be interested in him.
Not the star ceiling prospect Nets would hope for to turn the franchise around.

[Mr. Body]

Someone posted this play by Knueppel where he grabbed a teammate's leg to prevent him from falling out of bounds. I've never seen this before and guess it's entirely legal.

https://www.si.com/college-basketball/duke-kon-knueppel-high-iq-play-teammate-stay-in-bounds

[lebomb]

Derik Queen to the Spurs would be the lottery for us, outside of Cooper Flagg. Perfect fit next to Wemby at PF.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

Derik Queen to the Spurs would be the lottery for us, outside of Cooper Flagg. Perfect fit next to Wemby at PF.

How is Queen a fit when he’ll have to guard on the perimeter if he plays next to Wemby? This is his worst skill by far. Also he’d clog the lane for Wemby reducing him to a Myles Turner on offense.

I could hardly find a worse fit next to Wemby not only from this draft but from the whole NBA as well.

[ginobilized]

First off, I have put no time in studying college players this season, just highlights and mock draft reports.

After watching some NCAA tourney games, I'm 100% on board with Kon. His IQ and feel for the game are off the charts. I was just watching his defensive position on every play and was in shock. Coaches can just use film of him on the angles and positioning in guarding off-ball players. Wow! His intangibles are amazing. He'd be a tremendous fit with Wemby, Castle, Fox and whoever. His 1-on1 D will likely be a work in progress. Like Flagg, he just makes the right play/read nearly every moment on the court. He's the perfect example of a connector on offense and a director on defense. He was directing Flagg at times.
Also, I know Dejounte puts in the time on this and has been a great judge of potential Spurs fit. I think I see what he sees with Kon. If we are in the 6-10 range, I'd be pretty thrilled with him as our pick.

As for Derik Queen, great offensive feel and power. Doesn't run back on D. Strike 1 for a college player. Has his hands down on both sides of the ball. Strike 2. He might be a guy that magically blooms, but, I think that getting torched by NBA bigs on the regular would be hard on the psyche. If the Spurs passed on Sengun, I don't see them grabbing Queen.

Lastly, Cooper Flagg is a freak. He will make Franz Wagner be called Cooper Flagg-Lite. His fundamentals, like Kon, are so solid and he's been well-coached. Where he lands will be so interesting to see. Losing a bunch with the Wiz, Hornets, or Nets would be tough for a guy like him. It will be an adventure to see how the lottery and draft day shake out. He will make any team better, obviously. If the miracle of miracles happens and he ends up on the Spurs, we are just adding role players for the next decade + and OKC's window just got smaller.

[spurraider21]

How's Knueppel different from Sheppard if we're talking their potential to translate their game to the NBA?
As in Sheppard's IQ was also amazing, shooting was effortless, but he's struggling due to lack of athleticism.

Obviously Knueppel has way better size, but is he more athletic compared to NBA wings than Sheppard is compared to NBA guards?
That would be my biggest concern. Because as good of a shooter as someone is one college level, it all goes away in the NBA if they're not quick/strong enough to create separation.
nipple definitely has better size for a SG than Reed does as a PG. but i think the same general concerns carry over. and sheppard was a better college defender than Kon.

then again, sheppard has only played 1 season on a team where he wasnt gifted minutes so we rarely actually saw him. im not out on Sheppard at all, but some of the "can this translate at a higher level against better athletes" questions are still around

kon's lateral movement is still poor though. he'll get blown by but then get a little physical and bump a guy on his drive. NBA foul baiters will have field days with him doing that imo

[lebomb]

How is Queen a fit when he’ll have to guard on the perimeter if he plays next to Wemby? This is his worst skill by far. Also he’d clog the lane for Wemby reducing him to a Myles Turner on offense.

I could hardly find a worse fit next to Wemby not only from this draft but from the whole NBA as well.

Sochan is our perimeter defender. Queens offensive skill set is to good to pass up. He won’t clog up the lane because he has great footwork and speed for his size. He can move in and out.

[spurraider21]

Sochan is our perimeter defender. Queens offensive skill set is to good to pass up. He won’t clog up the lane because he has great footwork and speed for his size. He can move in and out.
so you want Wemby, Queen, AND Sochan on the floor at the same time? good grief

[Mr. Body]

nipple definitely has better size for a SG than Reed does as a PG. but i think the same general concerns carry over. and sheppard was a better college defender than Kon.

then again, sheppard has only played 1 season on a team where he wasnt gifted minutes so we rarely actually saw him. im not out on Sheppard at all, but some of the "can this translate at a higher level against better athletes" questions are still around

kon's lateral movement is still poor though. he'll get blown by but then get a little physical and bump a guy on his drive. NBA foul baiters will have field days with him doing that imo

We rarely saw Sheppard? What do you mean? He and Dillingham didn't start for whatever reason Cal had, probably because he promised starting minutes elsewhere, but they both played a ton. What are you talking about? He won National Freshman of the Year and played 29 mpg.

[Guru of Nothing]

Eye test: Knueppel = stubby Dan Majerle

[baseline bum]

Sixers: I doubt they go for guards with Maxey and McCain on the roster. They need wings or even a big since Embiid looks done.


I can't imagine Sixers not just thinking BPA with Embiid and PG both looking done. Though if that pick is #7 or below gotta consider OKC's needs instead.

[Dejounte]

People don’t realize that the Spurs might be spoiled from what they’ve found with Castle— a guy who picked things up quickly and was ready to play. I think whoever they draft will be a guy they can plug in right away. For this reason, Carter Bryant might not be in play.

[spurraider21]

We rarely saw Sheppard? What do you mean? He and Dillingham didn't start for whatever reason Cal had, probably because he promised starting minutes elsewhere, but they both played a ton. What are you talking about? He won National Freshman of the Year and played 29 mpg.
i meant we rarely saw sheppard at the NBA level to gauge how well his game can translate

[lebomb]

so you want Wemby, Queen, AND Sochan on the floor at the same time? good grief

No knucklehead, not all the time. But If the situation calls for it. Bottom line, Queen would work for the Spurs IMHO. Of course you have your own.

[Ice009]

Who is that ST member that said he lives in the same building as Cooper Flagg? If you read this post, and you ever talk to Cooper, would you ask him what team/s he wants to get drafted by?

[Mr. Body]

i meant we rarely saw sheppard at the NBA level to gauge how well his game can translate

Understood

[spurraider21]

Vecenie just had a pod where they discussed what each team would do if they got the #3 overall pick (assuming Flagg/Harper are gone)

when they got to the spurs (begins at 25:25), they quickly kinda assumed the spurs would take Bailey over VJ because of the presence of Fox, Castle, and Vassell, but spent most of the time speculating whether the spurs would trade the pick. the main deal vecenie discussed was the spurs dealing #3, Vassell, and HB for Lauri. they acknowledged Lauri hasnt had the best year, and his contract isnt as nice as it looked a year ago, but nevertheless thought he'd basically be the best 3rd option in the league and would flourish alongisde Wembanyama and Fox as a 5-out team. last time this forum was discussing a potential Lauri trade, we didnt have Fox, and we didnt know how good Castle would be. Vecenie also opined that for the spurs, Lauri on his deal would be better than hoping to get Naz for 30 mil, and that he's realizing the spurs might want to get value for Vassell while they can. said in a vacuum he'd rather get Naz but you never know what his actual availability will be


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTQMv-1YZzs

[LeBowen]

Wrong topic.

[Mal]

3rd + Vassell + HB for Wolves 1st and Lauri. Sounds really tempting, but that Markannen contract would require Fox leaving money on the table. You cant have 100 mil commited to two guys, before extending Wemby and Castle. So you would be close hitting those approns number while either Castle and Wemby are on rookie deal. No bueno

[LeBowen]

3rd + Vassell + HB for Wolves 1st and Lauri. Sounds really tempting, but that Markannen contract would require Fox leaving money on the table. You cant have 100 mil commited to two guys, before extending Wemby and Castle. So you would be close hitting those approns number while either Castle and Wemby are on rookie deal. No bueno

The only way it could work is if either Fox or Markkanen is traded before Wemby's extension kicks in 2027.

[baseline bum]

The only way it could work is if either Fox or Markkanen is traded before Wemby's extension kicks in 2027.

Nah wouldn't have to worry about luxury tax until 28-29 when Castle's first real contract would kick in and Lauri would be in the last year of his deal. Even in that year Markannen's deal would only be 26% of the cap. The 10% annual bumps in the cap for the next 7-8 years really should allow the Spurs to be aggressive.

[baseline bum]

3rd + Vassell + HB for Wolves 1st and Lauri. Sounds really tempting, but that Markannen contract would require Fox leaving money on the table. You cant have 100 mil commited to two guys, before extending Wemby and Castle. So you would be close hitting those approns number while either Castle and Wemby are on rookie deal. No bueno

Fox isn't taking shorts, he will cost 30% max and the Spurs are idiots trading for him if they're not willing to pay that. Also the cap will be $205 million when Castle starts the first year of a veteran deal.

[LeBowen]

Nah wouldn't have to worry about luxury tax until 28-29 when Castle's first real contract would kick in and Lauri would be in the last year of his deal. Even in that year Markannen's deal would only be 26% of the cap. The 10% annual bumps in the cap for the next 7-8 years really should allow the Spurs to be aggressive.

Supporting cast would be thin with 3 max deals, but I guess those four and scrubs would be enough.

[baseline bum]

Supporting cast would be thin with 3 max deals, but I guess those four and scrubs would be enough.

It's not like the Phoenix situation where they're paying two supermax and one regular max that look especially horrible because the cap stagnated from COVID. Markannen is like halfway between a fifth year max and a veteran 30% max, Fox will be a 30% max, Wemby probably a 35% supermax. Then Castle I imagine won't cost more than the fifth year 25% max. If he's supermax eligible then he became a superstar and you have a very good problem on your hands. And if that happens you have a huge expiring in Markannen to trade or you trade Fox for depth. This 10% yearly bump in the cap is a godsend for keeping a hypothetical Spurs team together. Unfortunately it's the same godsend for OKC too.

[scott]

It's not like the Phoenix situation where they're paying two supermax and one regular max that look especially horrible because the cap stagnated from COVID. Markannen is like halfway between a fifth year max and a veteran 30% max, Fox will be a 30% max, Wemby probably a 35% supermax. Then Castle I imagine won't cost more than the fifth year 25% max. If he's supermax eligible then he became a superstar and you have a very good problem on your hands. And if that happens you have a huge expiring in Markannen to trade or you trade Fox for depth. This 10% yearly bump in the cap is a godsend for keeping a hypothetical Spurs team together. Unfortunately it's the same godsend for OKC too.

No disagreements with your calculations here, but just wanted to add that Castle will likely have a hard time earning a rookie max (let alone a SuperMax) on a team with Wemby, Fox and Lauri. If he does, it means that one of those three has been a let down and Castle has surpassed them, in which case you just do your best to move off of that player instead.

[rankingtear]

You won't get UTA version of Lauri it is probably closer to the CLE one where the offense is not built around him.

[Dejounte]

Holyyyy crap Jase Richardson is talented like I said before. I don’t care how crowded our guard position is. Jase would be a major get. Top 5 talent in this draft.

[scott]

This Pedulla kid for Ole Miss looks like a future G-League MVP

[baseline bum]

No disagreements with your calculations here, but just wanted to add that Castle will likely have a hard time earning a rookie max (let alone a SuperMax) on a team with Wemby, Fox and Lauri. If he does, it means that one of those three has been a let down and Castle has surpassed them, in which case you just do your best to move off of that player instead.

Didn't Anunoby sign a max or near max a couple years ago? I really don't think Castle is going to be cheap even as a 4th option. Markannen will be an expiring for the first year of Steph's new contract so wouldn't be hard to get off if needed most likely.

[scott]

Didn't Anunoby sign a max or near max a couple years ago? I really don't think Castle is going to be cheap even as a 4th option. Markannen will be an expiring for the first year of Steph's new contract so wouldn't be hard to get off if needed most likely.

OG signed a deal that started at 26% of the cap, so less than the max he was eligible for. But OG earned that contract while showcasing as the #2 option for Toronto (and it wasn't his rookie extension).

My point is that it would be extremely difficult for a 4th option to showcase themselves to earn a max contract extension, unless they were a straight lockdown defender (like All Defensive Team kind of guy). If Castle is the 4th option, it will be tough for him to earn a rookie-max deal (I can't think of any examples of this happening. Bane, for example, signed his after being the second leading scorer for MEM). He definitely won't qualify for a Rookie SuperMax that way.

He could definitely earn a rookie max as the Spurs 3rd option, but that would mean that one of Wemby, Fox or Lauri is your 4th option... in which case you've been really overpaying that guy. If it's Lauri though, it's not the end of the world because it wouldn't be too hard to get off his expiring when Steph's extension kicks in. If it's Wemby or Fox... well, something has gone wrong :lol

[Uriel]

I like Kon. I think he's great. But given our personnel needs, I prefer his 7 foot 2 teammate.

[Uriel]

It’s my first time watching Wolf play in an actual game, and I have to say, I’m really impressed. A true 7 footer but moves like a guard. I’ve been watching basketball a long time, but I ain’t ever seen that before.

[BackHome]

Wolf made himself a lot of money from his last college game

[BackHome]

Holyyyy crap Jase Richardson is talented like I said before. I don’t care how crowded our guard position is. Jase would be a major get. Top 5 talent in this draft.

I think Richardson and Fears have a legit chance of going in the 5 to 7 range

[benefactor]

Just want to say for those that might have been watching, Kevin Sampson ran one of the best inbound end of game plays I have ever seen...and the execution by his players was flawless. Multiple reads perfectly executed. Just great basketball

[John B]

It’s my first time watching Wolf play in an actual game, and I have to say, I’m really impressed. A true 7 footer but moves like a guard. I’ve been watching basketball a long time, but I ain’t ever seen that before.

Careful you’re starting to like him :lol

[Mal]

Fox isn't taking shorts, he will cost 30% max and the Spurs are idiots trading for him if they're not willing to pay that. Also the cap will be $205 million when Castle starts the first year of a veteran deal.

I know Fox is taking max money.

But Markanen 49, Fox (idk 57), Wemby 60 - that`s too much for only 3 players, and Markanen wouldnt even be your top 3 player.

[baseline bum]

I know Fox is taking max money.

But Markanen 49, Fox (idk 57), Wemby 60 - that`s too much for only 3 players, and Markanen wouldnt even be your top 3 player.

In 2027-28, assuming a supermax extension for Wemby, it would be Markannen $49.8M, Fox $55.1M, and Wemby $65.5M for a total of $170.4M. Castle will be $12.7M so now you're at $183.1M. Luxury tax would be $227.4M so would give $44.3M to fill out the rest of the roster without hitting it. It would be pretty tight to get 8 players for $44.3M but probably doable assuming they jettisoned Vassell. 2028-29 you'd might have to trade Markannen's expiring though to make room for Castle's veteran contract.

[itzsoweezee]

I like Kon. I think he's great. But given our personnel needs, I prefer his 7 foot 2 teammate.

Agreed. Wemby + Khaman would be the towers of terror. On the other hand, the injury risk of two really tall 7 footers would be risky. I’d take the risk, though.

[CGD]

In 2027-28, assuming a supermax extension for Wemby, it would be Markannen $49.8M, Fox $55.1M, and Wemby $65.5M for a total of $170.4M. Castle will be $12.7M so now you're at $183.1M. Luxury tax would be $227.4M so would give $44.3M to fill out the rest of the roster without hitting it. It would be pretty tight to get 8 players for $44.3M but probably doable assuming they jettisoned Vassell. 2028-29 you'd might have to trade Markannen's expiring though to make room for Castle's veteran contract.

Think I’d rather have Naz at a deal starting at $30M than Mark at $55M. There is a talent drop off but not at $25M one in my view.

Preserve the flexibility for other roster needs.

[scott]

Think I’d rather have Naz at a deal starting at $30M than Mark at $55M. There is a talent drop off but not at $25M one in my view.

Preserve the flexibility for other roster needs.

I’m in the same boat. I was one of the leading proponents of trading for Lauri last summer, but that’s when we still needed our second banana to Wemby. We now have our second and third options already in the team in Fox and Castle and our needs our different. I still love Lauri as a player and offensively he would be perfect - but he leaves a lot to be desired on the defensive end and he costs $55M. I’d rather have Naz, Santi or Herb at their respective price tags. Whatever you lose offensively with those guys versus Lauri, you gain on the defensive end.

[Manu&Duncan fan]

Agreed. Wemby + Khaman would be the towers of terror. On the other hand, the injury risk of two really tall 7 footers would be risky. I’d take the risk, though.
Khaman will be a top 5 pick. Will be gone by the time Spurs pick.

[baseline bum]

Think I’d rather have Naz at a deal starting at $30M than Mark at $55M. There is a talent drop off but not at $25M one in my view.

Preserve the flexibility for other roster needs.


I’m in the same boat. I was one of the leading proponents of trading for Lauri last summer, but that’s when we still needed our second banana to Wemby. We now have our second and third options already in the team in Fox and Castle and our needs our different. I still love Lauri as a player and offensively he would be perfect - but he leaves a lot to be desired on the defensive end and he costs $55M. I’d rather have Naz, Santi or Herb at their respective price tags. Whatever you lose offensively with those guys versus Lauri, you gain on the defensive end.

Markannen is definitely expensive but not $55M a year expensive. Even the last year of his deal is less than that. His deal goes:

2025-26: $46.4M
2026-27: $46.1M
2027-28: $49.8M
2028-29: $53.5M

Not sure how Ainge managed to negotiate that dip in 2026-27. Also I think $30 million starting might be a little low for Naz, not to mention he is super unlikely to be available. What if Naz costs $35M starting with 8% Bird raises on a four year deal?

2025-26: $35M
2026-27: $37.8M
2027-28: $40.6M
2028-29: $43.4M

Still rather have him than Mark at those prices? I wonder if even $35M starting may be low though tbh.

[heyheymymy]

Paige Bueckers shooting lights out with a career high 36 points 6-8 3PM wonder where she would go in the NBA draft lol

something about those UCONN #5 GOATs as we know

[scott]

Markannen is definitely expensive but not $55M a year expensive. Even the last year of his deal is less than that. His deal goes:

2025-26: $46.4M
2026-27: $46.1M
2027-28: $49.8M
2028-29: $53.5M

Not sure how Ainge managed to negotiate that dip in 2026-27. Also I think $30 million starting might be a little low for Naz, not to mention he is super unlikely to be available. What if Naz costs $35M starting with 8% Bird raises on a four year deal?

2025-26: $35M
2026-27: $37.8M
2027-28: $40.6M
2028-29: $43.4M

Still rather have him than Mark at those prices? I wonder if even $35M starting may be low though tbh.

We'll just have to see this summer, but I don't think Naz will get $35MM starting. If we had the cap space, I wouldn't want us to spend that on him.

Not interested in Lauri at $46.4MM anymore either. Would rather have a good $25MM and a $21MM player. We're talking about our 4th and 5th options here, after all.

[LeBowen]

We'll just have to see this summer, but I don't think Naz will get $35MM starting. If we had the cap space, I wouldn't want us to spend that on him.

Not interested in Lauri at $46.4MM anymore either. Would rather have a good $25MM and a $21MM player. We're talking about our 4th and 5th options here, after all.

My concern with Naz is if he can be consistent as a starter. He's got way too many games without much impact. Can't have a $30M a year player not doing much in like a third of his games, that's exactly what we criticize Devin for.

[baseline bum]

We'll just have to see this summer, but I don't think Naz will get $35MM starting. If we had the cap space, I wouldn't want us to spend that on him.

Not interested in Lauri at $46.4MM anymore either. Would rather have a good $25MM and a $21MM player. We're talking about our 4th and 5th options here, after all.

Well this Markannen talk was based on the Spurs getting the #3 pick. And short of trading that pick plus the Frienship Crew to NOP for TMIII and Herb Jones not sure how you'd put a package together meeting that desire that's better than Mark. What's your we got the #3 pick but don't like Bailey trade? Assuming NOP told BWright to piss off with that deal I suggested. :lol

Reid and McDaniels maybe? I would love that.

[baseline bum]

My concern with Naz is if he can be consistent as a starter. He's got way too many games without much impact. Can't have a $30M a year player not doing much in like a third of his games, that's exactly what we criticize Devin for.

Reid seems to be a pretty solid defender (84th percentile CraftedDPM per Crafted NBA) and shoots the three better than Evin though. I think I'd be pretty happy with him at PF though see no good way to land him.

[LeBowen]

Reid seems to be a pretty solid defender (84th percentile CraftedDPM per Crafted NBA) and shoots the three better than Evin though. I think I'd be pretty happy with him at PF though see no good way to land him.

I see that you mentioned McDaniels, I'd maybe even prefer him.
Mentioned him in that other topic, he's having one of the best months of his career, finally found his shot.

Idk what's Randle planning to do, but if we assume he leaves and Naz gets ~$30M Randle is on, they'll still be at ~$175M payroll for the next season with just 7 current rotation members still on the roster, one of them being washed Conley.
NAW is surely gone, another player I'm interested in.

Idk if offering them their swap back and Evin for McDaniels would be worth it, I guess maybe with a third team involved.
Tbh, if we have to take Conley, I'd be fine with it. He can be the backup PG for the next season.

[Manu&Duncan fan]

We'll just have to see this summer, but I don't think Naz will get $35MM starting. If we had the cap space, I wouldn't want us to spend that on him.

Not interested in Lauri at $46.4MM anymore either. Would rather have a good $25MM and a $21MM player. We're talking about our 4th and 5th options here, after all.

Totally agree with Scott here.

[scott]

Well this Markannen talk was based on the Spurs getting the #3 pick. And short of trading that pick plus the Frienship Crew to NOP for TMIII and Herb Jones not sure how you'd put a package together meeting that desire that's better than Mark. What's your we got the #3 pick but don't like Bailey trade? Assuming NOP told BWright to piss off with that deal I suggested. :lol

Reid and McDaniels maybe? I would love that.

If we landed #3, then my ideal trade would be #3 and Devin to NOP for TMIII. I think we'd get some additional compensation coming back, so maybe IND's pick next year (protected top 4) or a future Lotto Protected NOP pick, or maybe just some more SRPs. I like TMIII way more than Dev, but I don't think the gap between them is worth #3.

Maybe instead it's just Keldon and #3 for TMIII with no additional picks coming back, and then you still have Vassell to move in a separate trade?

I have honestly not put much thought into this, but its a fun scenario. I'd have to think about it more.

But all else equal, I'd put TMIII >>>>> Lauri, and (as I think everyone knows) I like Lauri a lot. This is based solely on their contracts, TMIII is $20MM/yr cheaper. They rate pretty similarly offensively, though Lauri is significantly better on the offensive boards. Trey's defense has fallen off a cliff this season (it's actually worse than Lauri's this year, about on par with Devin's), but he was a positive defender previous to this year. I'm slightly concerned that the drop off might be like when Devin's fell off when he started focusing on his offensive game. Trey improved his defense every year until this one though, where's Devin's progressively got worse every year.

[spurraider21]

Nips continues to impress

[benefactor]

He will be gone by the time the Spurs pick tbh

[spurraider21]

Also 35 as the first year salary would be an overpay for Naz

[Dejounte]

https://x.com/marchmadnessmbb/status/1906189689788510448?s=46

Folks would take 2 good games from a 6’9” guy and run with it, meanwhile a guy like Kon who clearly has “it” will take people 2 seasons to buy in.

[ismael-robert]

What's with pronouncing his name K-nuppel just like K-nect...we dont do that with knock and knight...the k is silent...???

[Snaq O'Meal]

What's with pronouncing his name K-nuppel just like K-nect...we dont do that with knock and knight...the k is silent...???

Maybe they just don't want to say "Nipple" openly.

[CGD]

Nips continues to impress

Yup. He does all the little effort things to help the team win. Reminiscent of Manu in that particular way. Never stops moving.

[Mr. Body]

What's with pronouncing his name K-nuppel just like K-nect...we dont do that with knock and knight...the k is silent...???

They're German names. Knecht actually means knight in German.

[Uriel]

https://x.com/marchmadnessmbb/status/1906189689788510448?s=46

Folks would take 2 good games from a 6’9” guy and run with it, meanwhile a guy like Kon who clearly has “it” will take people 2 seasons to buy in.
Serious question, though. Like I’ve said many times before, I like Kon a lot, but how do you know that he’s not just an elite college player and that his game will actually translate to the next level, considering his relative lack of size and length?

[exstatic]

Serious question, though. Like I’ve said many times before, I like Kon a lot, but how do you know that he’s not just an elite college player and that his game will actually translate to the next level, considering his relative lack of size and length?

That’s always the question. It’s also one of the cautions about going Gaga over 4th or 5th year seniors, especially ones who have never been on the radar before.

[rascal]

Kon has a game similar to Cam Spencer. Both on championship teams with very similar games/stats.

Would you have used a top 10 pick on Cam Spencer last year? If not then why use one on Kneuppel this year. Same type of game/player.

[mo7888]

Kon has a game similar to Cam Spencer. Both on championship teams with very similar games/stats.

Would you have used a top 10 pick on Cam Spencer last year? If not then why use one on Kneuppel this year. Same type of game/player.

That's like saying Michael Jordan and JR Rider are the same type of player.... We'll, yea they're the same archetype, but the difference is astronomical.

[mo7888]

Double post

[rascal]

That's like saying Michael Jordan and JR Rider are the same type of player.... We'll, yea they're the same archetype, but the difference is astronomical.

No it isn't.

Where is the big difference? Similar stats and similar games, compare stats. Spencer even slightly better.

[Mr. Body]

Serious question, though. Like I’ve said many times before, I like Kon a lot, but how do you know that he’s not just an elite college player and that his game will actually translate to the next level, considering his relative lack of size and length?

Knueppel is pretty big. He's SF size, he's not really a SG.

As for the comparison to Cam Spencer, Spencer was a five year senior and Knueppel is a freshman. There's a full four year plus difference between them at time of draft.

[rascal]

Knueppel is pretty big. He's SF size, he's not really a SG.

As for the comparison to Cam Spencer, Spencer was a five year senior and Knueppel is a freshman. There's a full four year plus difference between them at time of draft.

Age and height difference Spencer is 6'4 but Kon will measure smaller than his listed 6'7. Both play as guards with similar games and stats.

One is being mocked inside the top 10 and Spencer was drafted 53rd in the 2nd round. I don't believe Kon warrants such a high pick and should be mocked inside the top 10. Another case like sheppard being over valued although Kon has more upside and is better than Sheppard.

[exstatic]

Age and height difference Spencer is 6'4 but Kon will measure smaller than his listed 6'7. Both play as guards with similar games and stats.

One is being mocked inside the top 10 and Spencer was drafted 53rd in the 2nd round. I don't believe Kon warrants such a high pick and should be mocked inside the top 10. Another case like sheppard being over valued although Kon has more upside and is better than Sheppard.

You absolutely cannot categorize a 19 and a 24 YO together. 19 year olds FAR outperform their draft spots compared to 24 year olds. There’s a growth and development curve left that 24 Year olds just don’t have.

[CGD]

They're German names. Knecht actually means knight in German.

Does Knuepple mean The Nipple in German?

[Dejounte]

Serious question, though. Like I’ve said many times before, I like Kon a lot, but how do you know that he’s not just an elite college player and that his game will actually translate to the next level, considering his relative lack of size and length?

Why do you think a guy who’s athletic and doesn’t have much skill has a better chance at making it in the NBA vs a guy who’s not as athletic but has a lot more skill? This is likely the two choices the Spurs will have come draft time. It’s easy to look at a list of guys who have “made it” and see that the guys who have had skill have found more success than their counterparts.

[rascal]

Why do you think a guy who’s athletic and doesn’t have much skill has a better chance at making it in the NBA vs a guy who’s not as athletic but has a lot more skill? This is likely the two choices the Spurs will have come draft time. It’s easy to look at a list of guys who have “made it” and see that the guys who have had skill have found more success than their counterparts.

The lack of athleticism can hurt you in a league full of athleticism(The NBA).

Kon should be a solid bench player and those players hold value to rosters.
Spurs should also be set at starting guard with Fox and Castle as the starters unless you get Harper or Edgecombe who have high all star upside potential.
I don't see Kon supplanting either Fox or Castle as a starter.

I'd rather shoot for a player with starter upside with what could be the Spurs last top 10 pick in a long time.

[Manu&Duncan fan]

The lack of athleticism can hurt you in a league full of athleticism(The NBA).

Kon should be a solid bench player and those players hold value to rosters.
Spurs should also be set at starting guard with Fox and Castle as the starters unless you get Harper or Edgecombe who have high all star upside potential.
I don't see Kon supplanting either Fox or Castle as a starter.
Somehow I agree with this. I want to gamble for size, athleticism and potential upside, like Mosenge, Carter Bryant, Fleming, Sorber. I fully understand anyone of them can be a bust.

I'd rather shoot for a player with starter upside with what could be the Spurs last top 10 pick in a long time.

Somehow I still agree with this. I want to gamble for size, athleticisms and high upside, like Mosenge, Carter Bryant, Fleming, Sorber. I fully understand anyone of these can be a bust.

[Mr. Body]

Does Knuepple mean The Nipple in German?

I didn't know that word but apparently means something like cudgel.

[Mr. Body]

Drafting athletes instead of basketball players is classic smooth brain behavior. Leave that to the Phoenix Suns and get real instead.

[Dejounte]

-Moved Demin down. His tournament play to me was disappointing
-Moved VJ down. His lack of urgency during the tournament was also disappointing
-Moved Fleming and Carter Bryant down for the same reason: I think the Spurs will aim for more “ready” guys



Tier 1 - No brainer
Flagg
Harper


Tier 2 - Oozing talent
Kon
Jase Richardson


Tier 3 - Talented & decent fit
Sorber
CMB


Tier 4 - Talented, but I have serious concerns
VJ Edgecombe
Fleming
Bailey
Tre Johnson
Saraf
Demin


Tier 5 - Talented, but the fit is terrible
Queen
Wolf


Tier 6a - High risk, high reward
Carter Bryant
Demin
DeLarrea
Hugo
Noa


Tier 6b - Safe picks
Riley
Kasparas
Maluach


Tier 7 - Meh
Asa Newell
Fears
Traore


Tier 8 - Bust
McNeeley

…Like I said in another thread… get one of either Kon or Jase and one of either Sorber or CMB and that to me, is a dream draft.

[John B]

…Like I said in another thread… get one of either Kon or Jase and one of either Sorber or CMB and that to me, is a dream draft.

I finally agree with you with these picks. Sorber getting hurt could be a blessing to land him at ATL pick. He easily could go top 10 otherwise.

[John B]

…Like I said in another thread… get one of either Kon or Jase and one of either Sorber or CMB and that to me, is a dream draft.

I finally agree with you with these picks. Sorber getting hurt could be a blessing to land him at ATL pick. He easily could go top 10 otherwise.

[Russ]

I finally agree with you with these picks. Sorber getting hurt could be a blessing to land him at ATL pick. He easily could go top 10 otherwise.

I second that.

(Sorry, you already seconded it.)

[Mr. Body]

In terms of a board for the Spurs, I'm somewhere like this:

Flagg
Harper
Edgecombe
Tre Johnson
Knueppel
Jakucionas
Richardson

I might slide Kneuppel above Edgecombe, although I think VJ has a ton of potential. Richardson may go above Jakucionas. Johnson may drop behind Kneuppel, too. I'm a KK believer at this point.

Maluach is interesting, but hard to take as a back-up. I have no big interest in Ace Bailey but at some point you have to take him, I guess.

[pad300]

@ Dejounte,
Where do you fit Jeremiah Fears? Yaxel Lendeborg?

[TD 21]

Once Fox was acquired, Wembanyama was shut down for the season and their range came into focus, Knueppel followed by Maluach were always the most logical targets. The problem is, they're unlikely to be available and I'll believe the Spurs trading up when I see it.

The only current consensus top 7 pick who I don't see them taking at 8 or thereafter is Johnson.


They're German names. Knecht actually means knight in German.

Are you German? Speaking as someone who is part, it's not exactly the most aesthetic language.

[John B]

I’d be thrilled with Kon for Spurs own pick, and Sorber/CMB/Wolf for ATL pick. If Wolf is my consolation price as my big (and he is not projected Top 15) then I’m good. If Spurs are trying to be cute, they could trade down and get extra picks to get him. Wolf is a high Bball IQ, with handles, passing, 7 footer 250 lbs. Wemby is a great help defender to swat anything Wolf slows down. He averages almost 2blks and almost 10 rebounds. He’s not really a pushover on defense.

By the end of the day, they get a shooter SF and a big. It’s a successful draft for me. A backup PG in the 2nd round will be a bonus.

[Vienna]

They're German names. Knecht actually means knight in German.

no it doesn‘t. Knecht means farm hand or farm servant. „Jemanden knechten“ means to opress someone, or to hold someone under.
„Landsknecht“ was a German mercenary in the 15th century, he was on foot and carried a pike, not to confuse with a knight.

[Mr. Body]

You're right, Ritter is knight.

[SpursBills]

The lack of athleticism can hurt you in a league full of athleticism(The NBA).

Kon should be a solid bench player and those players hold value to rosters.
Spurs should also be set at starting guard with Fox and Castle as the starters unless you get Harper or Edgecombe who have high all star upside potential.
I don't see Kon supplanting either Fox or Castle as a starter.

I'd rather shoot for a player with starter upside with what could be the Spurs last top 10 pick in a long time.

Real talk who do you have higher on your board, Knueppel or Tre Johnson and why? Or would you take Rasheer Fleming over both of them?

[rascal]

Real talk who do you have higher on your board, Knueppel or Tre Johnson and why? Or would you take Rasheer Fleming over both of them?

I would take Fleming over both of them. He's a better fit for the Spurs. His shooting is just as good as the guards for the position. Fleming could be a starter with the spurs. Spurs need a starting SF and PF.

It's a toss up between Johnson and Knueppel. I see Johnson more as a primary scorer/gunner than Knueppel, Knuepple as a better complimentary player. Fleming is a better fit than either one.

[heyheymymy]

Easily taking Knueppel over Tre Johnson at this stage and I like Tre Johnson.

Kon Knueppel has shown himself to be such an intuitive player and I love his potential right now.

[spurraider21]

Why do you think a guy who’s athletic and doesn’t have much skill has a better chance at making it in the NBA vs a guy who’s not as athletic but has a lot more skill? This is likely the two choices the Spurs will have come draft time. It’s easy to look at a list of guys who have “made it” and see that the guys who have had skill have found more success than their counterparts.
the short version is you can find a kid with great athleticism and limited skill and reasonably expect his skill to improve with time. on the other hand, taking a guy with high skill but low athleticism, you are a lot closer to being tapped out as athletic ability is a much less malleable attribute than skill

but to your point, we've seen hyper athletic guys who flame out because they never develop either the requisite skill or bbiq, but at the same time we have also seen high skill guys who are just sub-par NBA ahtletes that arent able to carve out a career either.

[rascal]

the short version is you can find a kid with great athleticism and limited skill and reasonably expect his skill to improve with time. on the other hand, taking a guy with high skill but low athleticism, you are a lot closer to being tapped out as athletic ability is a much less malleable attribute than skill

but to your point, we've seen hyper athletic guys who flame out because they never develop either the requisite skill or bbiq, but at the same time we have also seen high skill guys who are just sub-par NBA ahtletes that arent able to carve out a career either.

Exactly

Lower level athletes are closer to being tapped out on how good they can be.

The high level athletes have the higher potential.

[exstatic]

the short version is you can find a kid with great athleticism and limited skill and reasonably expect his skill to improve with time. on the other hand, taking a guy with high skill but low athleticism, you are a lot closer to being tapped out as athletic ability is a much less malleable attribute than skill

but to your point, we've seen hyper athletic guys who flame out because they never develop either the requisite skill or bbiq, but at the same time we have also seen high skill guys who are just sub-par NBA ahtletes that arent able to carve out a career either.

Yeah, there’s a reason that Flagg is #1, and it’s the combination of his athleticism and skills. Those guys always go 1-2. After that,it’s a philosophical choice. My thought is that if you’re drafting an undeveloped player at a young age, and most lottery teams do, you have a better chance to hit the jackpot if you draft a guy with some skills and loads of athleticism than if you draft a guy with mega skills and limited athleticism.

[BackHome]

I don't want a Deer "Athlete", I want a baller someone who understands the game and actually loves the game. I am hoping we get someone who has good court vision and can actually shot

[Gibbz]

I don't want a Deer "Athlete", I want a baller someone who understands the game and actually loves the game. I am hoping we get someone who has good court vision and can actually shot

Sounds like Knueppel

[Manu&Duncan fan]

For spurs', need, Fleming > Kon> Tre Johnson.

Dejounte and Lebowen analyzed in a separate topic, both of them are right. We need both shooters and big defenders who can bang inside and chase guards outside. Fleming will serve both purpose. So, I hope we draft him. Plus, trade Keldon for Naz Reed.

[Mr. Body]

What's with the obsession with Fleming? He's good, I guess, and an archetype, but I swear no one here every saw a single St Joe's game.

[Dejounte]

the short version is you can find a kid with great athleticism and limited skill and reasonably expect his skill to improve with time. on the other hand, taking a guy with high skill but low athleticism, you are a lot closer to being tapped out as athletic ability is a much less malleable attribute than skill

but to your point, we've seen hyper athletic guys who flame out because they never develop either the requisite skill or bbiq, but at the same time we have also seen high skill guys who are just sub-par NBA ahtletes that arent able to carve out a career either.

The problem is this…
When a low-medium athlete, high skill athlete hits— you get your Lukas, Doncics, Currys, and many more

when your low skill, high athlete hits— you get your Giannises, Siakams, (I would have said Kawhi, but his talent level in college was higher than anyone actually remembered)…and that’s it?

yet you guys are fantasizing that there’s a lot more similar types that come out of group B when most of the stars you’re thinking these top athletes can become were already skilled from the getgo

[John B]

Yeah, there’s a reason that Flagg is #1, and it’s the combination of his athleticism and skills. Those guys always go 1-2. After that,it’s a philosophical choice. My thought is that if you’re drafting an undeveloped player at a young age, and most lottery teams do, you have a better chance to hit the jackpot if you draft a guy with some skills and loads of athleticism than if you draft a guy with mega skills and limited athleticism.

And then you have Jokic, Luka. Bird wasn’t a leaper either. Andre Miller. Agree it’s a mixture of both with BBIQ having the more weight consideration for me.

[SpursBills]

High basketball IQ will always take priority over everything else just because it's faster to be in the right position than it is to be in the wrong position and have to move the right position

However, this year I've leaned slightly more in the rascal direction - whereas last year I didn't give a shit about physical characteristics/athleticism at all, this year I'm trying to find a balance. In Dejounte's IQ/Skill/Athleticism heuristic (and I'd probably add "motor" as the 4th element), I weigh skill and athleticism / physical characteristics about equal, with skill probably taking a slight precedence.

But I'd probably take a medium skill/medium physical characteristics guy over a high skill/low physical characteristics guy all things being equal.

In this case, physical characteristics is anything that can give a physical advantage over an opponent relative to skill, including length, strength, explosiveness, agility, endurance, etc.

Also, so long as a prospect shows some amount of touch indicators relative to position, I still don't care whether a prospect can shoot the 3 or not - especially not underclassmen

EDIT:
Was just thinking about this some more, skill and physical characteristics actually go hand in hand to some degree. In general smaller guys are more skilled, but if a bigger guy shows himself to be as skilled other guys who are much smaller, that inherently gives him a size physical advantage over his peers. In this way, guys like Jokic and Luka actually have more physical advantages than originally thought. Curry is the only exception but honestly this preference list really only applies to the non GOAT level outliers

[spurraider21]

What's with the obsession with Fleming? He's good, I guess, and an archetype, but I swear no one here ever saw a single St Joe's game.
It’s the archetype and his positional size.

I want him as well. You don’t find many guys that can offer legitimate rim protection while being able to defend the perimeter, while also providing floor spacing and interior finishing offensively in one player

its the unicorn PF that would fit great with Wemby

caveat that he’s not really a great interior “finisher” as other thank dunks i don’t think he has shown great touch around the rim. But he knows how to timely cut and is a very good athlete so he’s able to dunk fairly often

[exstatic]

I don't want a Deer "Athlete", I want a baller someone who understands the game and actually loves the game. I am hoping we get someone who has good court vision and can actually shot

I don’t want a deer, either. I consider Bailey to nearly fall in this category, with his horrible asst/TO ratio. Do not want. I hated Cam Reddish when he came out, and that’s the vibe I get from Bailey, the scary low floor. I just think with our last lotto pick for a while, we should take a swing. We’ll have plenty of time for high IQ safe picks when we’re stuck in the 20s for a decade or more.

It’s funny, because this board used to bitch about drafting high IQ, high character guys, and passing on athletes. Now, the board bitches about drafting raw athletic prospects, and wants high IQ guys. Basically, this board hates however the team currently drafts.

[rascal]

High basketball IQ will always take priority over everything else just because it's faster to be in the right position than it is to be in the wrong position and have to move the right position

However, this year I've leaned slightly more in the rascal direction - whereas last year I didn't give a shit about physical characteristics/athleticism at all, this year I'm trying to find a balance. In Dejounte's IQ/Skill/Athleticism heuristic (and I'd probably add "motor" as the 4th element), I weigh skill and athleticism / physical characteristics about equal, with skill probably taking a slight precedence.

But I'd probably take a medium skill/medium physical characteristics guy over a high skill/low physical characteristics guy all things being equal.

In this case, physical characteristics is anything that can give a physical advantage over an opponent relative to skill, including length, strength, explosiveness, agility, endurance, etc.

Also, so long as a prospect shows some amount of touch indicators relative to position, I still don't care whether a prospect can shoot the 3 or not - especially not underclassmen

EDIT:
Was just thinking about this some more, skill and physical characteristics actually go hand in hand to some degree. In general smaller guys are more skilled, but if a bigger guy shows himself to be as skilled other guys who are much smaller, that inherently gives him a size physical advantage over his peers. In this way, guys like Jokic and Luka actually have more physical advantages than originally thought. Curry is the only exception but honestly this preference list really only applies to the non GOAT level outliers

Yes, size, height, wingspan all can add a physical advantage and plays into how a prospect can overcome some limitations in athleticism.

[Snaq O'Meal]

It’s the archetype and his positional size.

I want him as well. You don’t find many guys that can offer legitimate rim protection while being able to defend the perimeter, while also providing floor spacing and interior finishing offensively in one player

its the unicorn PF that would fit great with Wemby

caveat that he’s not really a great interior “finisher” as other thank dunks i don’t think he has shown great touch around the rim. But he knows how to timely cut and is a very good athlete so he’s able to dunk fairly often

I was also bullish on Fleming, until his recent poor showing against Axel Lendeborg. The latter has a similar physical profile but with much higher BBIQ. Perhaps this one bad game is merely an outlier and not indicative of any red flags.

[spurraider21]

Bailey is no brainer #3 tbh

hes not a bad defender and even if he’s not a lockdown man defender he’s disruptive on that end.

[scott]

I'd take Flagg and Harper well above anyone from last year's draft... but I'm officially less excited about the rest of this class than I was last year's class.

Trade both picks, tbh

[ismael-robert]

Even if they dont pronounce the k unless eu is an i sound in German id pronounce it knupel or knoopel in English

[RC_Drunkford]

They're German names. Knecht actually means knight in German.

no it doesn‘t :lol Knecht means servant and the K is loud, not silent

[Dejounte]

@ Dejounte,
Where do you fit Jeremiah Fears? Yaxel Lendeborg?

Fears just seems like a bad fit

Yaxel… seems reminiscent of our very own Mamu. If he’s bigger and stronger than I think, everything about him seems like the archetype the Spurs are looking for at PF. He’s old, which sucks, but if the Spurs see something there I would be excited. Either the Spurs believe Yaxel has something Mamu doesn’t and he’s everything they were trying to looking for from Mamu OR they have seen enough of what someone like Mamu would bring to this team and it’s not the path they want to go for.

If Yaxel is merely a clone copy of Mamu, then I think they’ll pass.

why hasn’t Mamu gotten consistent playing time? It’s either he’s not passing the Spurs’ eye test on defending perimeter players OR they feel he’s not doing an effective job when he’s switched onto an opposing C and he’s being pushed over or scored on easily. If Yaxel passes both of these tests, then he’s a Spurs pick, IMO.

[LeBowen]

Raptors have found themselves on an unexpected 4W streak.
They're just 3Ws behind the Spurs and have the easiest schedule remaining, with Pistons being the only playoff team and they'll probably have some suspensions due to Timberwolves brawl.

We might find ourselves in an epic tank-off for 7th best odds on the last day of the season.

On the other hand, Blazers have 4L streak and we simply can't afford to win our h2h against them since they're just 1W ahead.

Bulls and Heat should be out of the picture with their easy schedules, we're more or less guaranteed to be in #7-9 range. Hopefully Mitch can pull off a miracle and get us 7th best odds.

[Dejounte]

Raptors have found themselves on an unexpected 4W streak.
They're just 3Ws behind the Spurs and have the easiest schedule remaining, with Pistons being the only playoff team and they'll probably have some suspensions due to Timberwolves brawl.

We might find ourselves in an epic tank-off for 7th best odds on the last day of the season.

On the other hand, Blazers have 4L streak and we simply can't afford to win our h2h against them since they're just 1W ahead.

Bulls and Heat should be out of the picture with their easy schedules, we're more or less guaranteed to be in #7-9 range. Hopefully Mitch can pull off a miracle and get us 7th best odds.

#tank4Kon

[heyheymymy]

Raptors have found themselves on an unexpected 4W streak.
They're just 3Ws behind the Spurs and have the easiest schedule remaining, with Pistons being the only playoff team and they'll probably have some suspensions due to Timberwolves brawl.

We might find ourselves in an epic tank-off for 7th best odds on the last day of the season.

On the other hand, Blazers have 4L streak and we simply can't afford to win our h2h against them since they're just 1W ahead.

Bulls and Heat should be out of the picture with their easy schedules, we're more or less guaranteed to be in #7-9 range. Hopefully Mitch can pull off a miracle and get us 7th best odds.

Reminds me of the tank thriller against who was it DET maybe where both teams were tanking and it was a close loss lol

is it this one maybe: https://www.nba.com/game/sas-vs-det-0022100540

[LeBowen]

Reminds me of the tank thriller against who was it DET maybe where both teams were tanking and it was a close loss lol

is it this one maybe: https://www.nba.com/game/sas-vs-det-0022100540

I think I remember that one.
Brent Forms with 22 FGA, Saddiq Bey with 23 and Hamidou Diallo with 32. :lmao

[heyheymymy]

I think I remember that one.
Brent Forms with 22 FGA, Saddiq Bey with 23 and Hamidou Diallo with 32. :lmao

holy shit haha man it was a real dark ages for spurs fans. Can't believe I watched so many Forbes games lol.

[Mr. Body]

no it doesn‘t :lol Knecht means servant and the K is loud, not silent

Yeah, someone corrected me. Do you not read the threads? What's interesting is that our knight does come from the German Knecht, so somehow the meaning slid.

And yes, my point was that in German the K is pronounced.

[Mr. Body]

It’s the archetype and his positional size.

I want him as well. You don’t find many guys that can offer legitimate rim protection while being able to defend the perimeter, while also providing floor spacing and interior finishing offensively in one player

its the unicorn PF that would fit great with Wemby

caveat that he’s not really a great interior “finisher” as other thank dunks i don’t think he has shown great touch around the rim. But he knows how to timely cut and is a very good athlete so he’s able to dunk fairly often

Just feel like there's a lot of excitement about a player no one has actually watched solely because he seems to play a position of need. He's definitely not a unicorn.

[mo7888]

No it isn't.

Where is the big difference? Similar stats and similar games, compare stats. Spencer even slightly better.

There's not really any real comparison. You just don't like him because he doesn't fit your archetype. I'm willing to bet you that he has a better pro career than your boy Shaden Sharpe..

[rascal]

There's not really any real comparison. You just don't like him because he doesn't fit your archetype. I'm willing to bet you that he has a better pro career than your boy Shaden Sharpe..

Sharpe will be better

[scott]

Reminds me of the tank thriller against who was it DET maybe where both teams were tanking and it was a close loss lol

is it this one maybe: https://www.nba.com/game/sas-vs-det-0022100540


I think I remember that one.
Brent Forms with 22 FGA, Saddiq Bey with 23 and Hamidou Diallo with 32. :lmao

There was also the De'vonte Graham debut game versus Detroit in an epic 2OT tankathon thriller. https://www.espn.com/nba/game/_/gameId/401468990/spurs-pistons

Imagine how terrible your roster construction needs to be to be led by Graham with 31, Zollins with 29 and Branhim with 27.

[rjv]

I don’t want a deer, either. I consider Bailey to nearly fall in this category, with his horrible asst/TO ratio. Do not want. I hated Cam Reddish when he came out, and that’s the vibe I get from Bailey, the scary low floor. I just think with our last lotto pick for a while, we should take a swing. We’ll have plenty of time for high IQ safe picks when we’re stuck in the 20s for a decade or more.

It’s funny, because this board used to bitch about drafting high IQ, high character guys, and passing on athletes. Now, the board bitches about drafting raw athletic prospects, and wants high IQ guys. Basically, this board hates however the team currently drafts.

ST does have strong contrarian tendencies, that's for sure.

[scott]

I don’t want a deer, either. I consider Bailey to nearly fall in this category, with his horrible asst/TO ratio. Do not want. I hated Cam Reddish when he came out, and that’s the vibe I get from Bailey, the scary low floor. I just think with our last lotto pick for a while, we should take a swing. We’ll have plenty of time for high IQ safe picks when we’re stuck in the 20s for a decade or more.

It’s funny, because this board used to bitch about drafting high IQ, high character guys, and passing on athletes. Now, the board bitches about drafting raw athletic prospects, and wants high IQ guys. Basically, this board hates however the team currently drafts.

Just curious who we've drafted that you consider to fall in this category? DJM and Lonnie are the only two that come to mind for me. I'm mostly tired of drafting the raw, mid-athleticism, low IQ guys.

The last two drafts have been wonderful, but that I suppose is the benefit of picking at the top. But I think the folks who point to our development staff as the problem, more so than the scouting staff, are probably right. Devin, Jeremy, Bran, Blake and heck even Primo are all picks I'm okay with... they just haven't developed enough for my liking (I recognize that your post was not about me, just sharing my opinion here).

[LeBowen]

Devin, Jeremy, Bran, Blake and heck even Primo are all picks I'm okay with...

I know they were looking for upside, but Primo was an awful pick even if he wasn't a degenerate.
Branham and Wesley are also looking bad since a lot of players in #20-35 range from that draft have turned out to be good and two of them are scrubs.
Yeah, you miss some, but completely whiffing both picks hurts.

[The Truth #6]

Just throwing out random ideas. Would anyone trade our pick for Tari Eason? Houston has too many guys. I'm still committed to a defensive identity, especially with Wemby. And our top 3 will be putting up plenty of shots. Just spitballing.

[exstatic]

Just throwing out random ideas. Would anyone trade our pick for Tari Eason? Houston has too many guys. I'm still committed to a defensive identity, especially with Wemby. And our top 3 will be putting up plenty of shots. Just spitballing.

The ONLY player I want off that roster of chucklefucks is Jabari.

[exstatic]

I know they were looking for upside, but Primo was an awful pick even if he wasn't a degenerate.
Branham and Wesley are also looking bad since a lot of players in #20-35 range from that draft have turned out to be good and two of them are scrubs.
Yeah, you miss some, but completely whiffing both picks hurts.

I think you’re confusing 2022 with 2020, which actually had some decent action 25-30. Nobody to lose any sleep over in that range for 2022.

[LeBowen]

I think you’re confusing 2022 with 2020, which actually had some decent action 25-30. Nobody to lose any sleep over in that range for 2022.

https://i.imgur.com/nNpiNna.png

We haven't missed out on anyone with star potential, but you can't tell me it wouldn't be better if we had at least one of those decent role players instead of those two scrubs.
A lot of solid players were drafted in that range.

[scott]

https://i.imgur.com/nNpiNna.png

We haven't missed out on anyone with star potential, but you can't tell me it wouldn't be better if we had at least one of those decent role players instead of those two scrubs.
A lot of solid players were drafted in that range.

I'd argue that anyone on that list taken instead of Blake or Bran would have had the same outcome as Blake and Bran (and those two may have turned out better elsewhere). It's a development issue, not a scouting issue, IMO.

[heyheymymy]

There was also the De'vonte Graham debut game versus Detroit in an epic 2OT tankathon thriller. https://www.espn.com/nba/game/_/gameId/401468990/spurs-pistons

Imagine how terrible your roster construction needs to be to be led by Graham with 31, Zollins with 29 and Branhim with 27.

thanks, actually yours is the one I was thinking of tbh. Both are oddly similar, OT Ls against DET. That game thread was popping lol. It really illustrates how far we've come. Wemby/Castle/Fox now, unthinkable back then at the time.

[twodeep]

Ok question since I watch zero NCAA hoops and have not for a long time If things play out and we don't get the lucky ping pong for Flagg and we end up where the current projections. They have us at 8 and then somewhere between 14-16 for the hawks pick who are the players in those slots the Spurs should look at and if not who should they be trying to trade for

[scott]

I know they were looking for upside, but Primo was an awful pick even if he wasn't a degenerate.


I'm okay with passing on Sengun. The real miss is TMIII. Jalen Johnson, Santi and Herb would have also been reaches but are the next best guys drafted after Primo. But I'd also argue that we would have failed to develop these guys as well. Since we took Derrick in 2017, Keldon is the only non top-5 pick we've successfully developed to significantly out perform their draft position. I'd say Devin has hit median expectation. Blake and Bran have also probably hit median expectation for a late FRP. Luka, Primo, Sochan are all under-performers.

[exstatic]

Ok question since I watch zero NCAA hoops and have not for a long time If things play out and we don't get the lucky ping pong for Flagg and we end up where the current projections. They have us at 8 and then somewhere between 14-16 for the hawks pick who are the players in those slots the Spurs should look at and if not who should they be trying to trade for

You probably need to ask these questions after the combine. For example, in 2019, Brandon Clarke was mocking in the top 10, and had good shot blocking numbers, so people figured that at 6’8”, his wingspan was 7’0”-7’’2”. It measured at 6’8”, just like his height, and he dropped to pick #21, and has had kind of a mid career so far.

[CGD]

Saw Wasserman's latest had us taking Tre Johnson. I know little about him, but based on the bit I've read its the type of pick they make if they are also ready to move on from Devin. Basically "resetting" the Dev contract, while ideally also using Dev to get another player. They appear to have a similar offensive profile of this version of Dev (not the draft one that was supposed to be good at D too).

If Dev returns as solid starter in a trade (that also doesnt involve sending this pick out), I wouldnt mind have a gunner like Tre off the bench tbh.

[LeBowen]

Saw Wasserman's latest had us taking Tre Johnson. I know little about him, but based on the bit I've read its the type of pick they make if they are also ready to move on from Devin. Basically "resetting" the Dev contract, while ideally also using Dev to get another player. They appear to have a similar offensive profile of this version of Dev (not the draft one that was supposed to be good at D too).

If Dev returns as solid starter in a trade (that also doesnt involve sending this pick out), I wouldnt mind have a gunner like Tre off the bench tbh.

Then we'd have to keep Keldon for Johnson & Johnson bench duo.

Tbh, I'd be content with one of Kon, Johnson or Maluach.

[CGD]

Then we'd have to keep Keldon for Johnson & Johnson bench duo.

Tbh, I'd be content with one of Kon, Johnson or Maluach.

Bruh, this team will never trade Keldon so your J&J dream is alive.

[baseline bum]

Then we'd have to keep Keldon for Johnson & Johnson bench duo.

Tbh, I'd be content with one of Kon, Johnson or Maluach.

Bend over, I'll give you a Johnson to be content with

[baseline bum]

Bruh, this team will never trade Keldon so your J&J dream is alive.

Wasn't Kelon initially going to go out in the Fox trade?

[exstatic]

Wasn't Kelon initially going to go out in the Fox trade?

The scuttlebutt was that the original trade had Dejounte going to Sacto, and KJ to the Pels. That one went out the window when Dejounte’s Achilles popped.

[CGD]

Wasn't Kelon initially going to go out in the Fox trade?

Yeah, I was just being dumb — Mr. culture, cowboy boots, hunter/fishman etc etc

[CGD]

The scuttlebutt was that the original trade had Dejounte going to Sacto, and KJ to the Pels. That one went out the window when Dejounte’s Achilles popped.

Interesting. Hadn’t heard that one. Curious what it would have cost in terms of picks. The Chicago thing was perfect since we owned their pick.

[Dejounte]

If this thread makes it to 100 pages, we’re drafting Kon. So it shall be written

[BackHome]

I just want a shooter and a big who can rebound and play defense

[ismael-robert]

If this thread makes it to 100 pages, we’re drafting Kon. So it shall be written

Helping write it

[mo7888]

Sharpe will be better

So...what do you wanna bet? Cause I'm game for easy money...

[scott]

If this thread makes it to 100 pages, we’re drafting Kon. So it shall be written

Needs a deadline to be effective, tbh.

[ambchang]

Just throwing out random ideas. Would anyone trade our pick for Tari Eason? Houston has too many guys. I'm still committed to a defensive identity, especially with Wemby. And our top 3 will be putting up plenty of shots. Just spitballing.

I’m not sure the rockets will trade with a division rival. I checked and the last time we had a trade with them was for scola. In fact we only had four trades with them ever, according to bkref.

Eason is nice but if rockets are willing to trade or try to get Jabari smith. I think hed be awesome next to wemby.

[thOOdee]

haven't heard much here on the following players: johni broom, alex condon, and nique clifford. What are some of yalls thoughts, and would anybody be on board if one fell to the spurs with the 38th pick. (assuming no one better lands in their lap at that point[including carter bryant]).

[spurraider21]

clifford is not falling to the 2nd round

[rascal]

There's not really any real comparison. You just don't like him because he doesn't fit your archetype. I'm willing to bet you that he has a better pro career than your boy Shaden Sharpe..

I don't make bets with people I don't know and who I'm not even sure will pay out. Also how would you set the parameters as who is better and when will the bet be determined. After 3 years? 5 years?

It's just going to have to stay your opinion vs my opinion.

Go ahead and go for the limited upside player in Kon and I'll go for the athletic freak who still needs to improve areas on defense and 3p shooting %.

[mo7888]

I don't make bets with people I don't know and who I'm not even sure will pay out. Also how would you set the parameters as who is better and when will the bet be determined. After 3 years? 5 years?

It's just going to have to stay your opinion vs my opinion.

Go ahead and go for the limited upside player in Kon and I'll go for the athletic freak who still needs to improve areas on defense and 3p shooting %.

I'm good with 3 or 5. Also, I'll use DPG as a reference, we bet on something draft oriented a few years ago with the winner making a contribution to St Judes. He won... I paid...and then he matched me... it was a win for what mattered most.

The 'role player' will play a real role that contributes to winning and the 'athletic freak' won't ever be more than a role player that doesn't contribute to winning basketball.

[The Truth #6]

I’m not sure the rockets will trade with a division rival. I checked and the last time we had a trade with them was for scola. In fact we only had four trades with them ever, according to bkref.

Eason is nice but if rockets are willing to trade or try to get Jabari smith. I think hed be awesome next to wemby.

Yeah, unlikely. But Eason would be a different vibe than Devin, that's where I'm at. Jabari is obviously the higher ceiling player but Eason might not fit into their budget unless they move on from Jalen Green or others.

[Biggems]

I see Fears from OU is entering the draft. I didn't watch OU at all this season. I read a little about him. Does anyone have a fair player comparison for him? Also, how does his game compare to another former Sooner, Trey Young?

[Biggems]

haven't heard much here on the following players: johni broom, alex condon, and nique clifford. What are some of yalls thoughts, and would anybody be on board if one fell to the spurs with the 38th pick. (assuming no one better lands in their lap at that point[including carter bryant]).

I am big on Broom, have been for the last few months. I doubt we use either top 20 pick on him though.

[exstatic]

I see Fears from OU is entering the draft. I didn't watch OU at all this season. I read a little about him. Does anyone have a fair player comparison for him? Also, how does his game compare to another former Sooner, Trey Young?

Toolsy, young, undeveloped player. Super quick, but kind of a loose handle, not a great 3 point shooter, but 85% FTs on over six attempts per game, so a strong shooting signal. He’ll be 18 on draft night. He’s raised a few eyebrows by being #40 in his HS recruiting class, and now mocking around #10.

[rascal]

I see Fears from OU is entering the draft. I didn't watch OU at all this season. I read a little about him. Does anyone have a fair player comparison for him? Also, how does his game compare to another former Sooner, Trey Young?

Spurs won't draft him. A small offensive minded guard that has quickness. Spurs already have that with Fox.

[exstatic]

Spurs won't draft him. A small offensive minded guard that has quickness. Spurs already have that with Fox.

Fears is 18. Fox is 27, and at some point will need replacing.

It’s kind of crazy to enter college at 17 in a D1 power conference and do what he’s done already.

[rascal]

Fears is 18. Fox is 27, and at some point will need replacing.

It’s kind of crazy to enter college at 17 in a D1 power conference and do what he’s done already.

Spurs are still in the process of putting a balanced winning team together and aren't yet at the point of trying to think long term of players who will replace current all star core starters.

Upgrades at the 3 and 4 are top priorities at this time.

[Biggems]

Thanks guys

[Biggems]

Not only am I high on Broome, also JT Toppin. I would stoked if we walked out of the draft with both. It would involve a trade or two, but so be it.

[scottspurs]

This is how I have it as of now having watched at least 4 games of each prospect. Would be happy with the spurs ending up with 3 of these guys if they keep their picks. Have not watched international guys

2025 NBA Draft Board


1. Cooper Flagg-potential Franchise Guy
2. Derik Queen-potential all-star
3. Dylan Harper potential all-star
4. Tre Johnson potential all-star
5. Kon Knueppel potential all-star
6. Jase Richardson potential all-star
7. Vj Edgecombe potential all-star
8. Ace Bailey potential all-star
9. Rasheer Fleming potential starter
10. Thomas Sorber potential starter
11. Kasparas Jakucionis potential starter
12. Nique Clifford potential starter
13. Collin Murray-Boyles potential starter
14. Jeremiah Fears potential starter
15. Egor Denim potential starter
16. Khaman Maluach potential starter
17. Asa Newell potential role player bench
18. Carter Bryant potential role player bench
19. Isaiah Evans potential role player bench
20. Sion James potential role player bench
21. Walter Clayton Jr. potential role player bench
22. Tyrese Proctor potential role player bench
23. Will Riley developmental prospect
24. Darrion Williams developmental prospect
25. Ian Jackson developmental prospect
26. Yaxel Lendeborg developmental prospect
27. Chaz Lanier developmental prospect
28. Maxime Raynaud developmental prospect
29. Thomislav Ivisic developmental prospect
30. Ryan Kalkbrenner developmental prospect

Im out on Wolf because for a guy that will need the ball he sucks at free throws. Broome and Congdon I think are shorter than listed. Also out on Mcneely because he is a shooter that can’t shoot. Measurables could change things and I’ll watch some of the international guys later but yeah I would be happy with 3 of these

[spurraider21]

i dont think McNeeley "cant shoot" but he was on an abysmal cold streak for the last month and a half, not unlike what we saw from Risacher last year. and his entire season was 27 games

for the first half of the season or so he was around 37-38% from 3, and for the full season hes an 87% free throw shooter i think if his role simplifies in the NBA (as it should, UConn had him on-ball too much), he should bounce back. he has a quick and crisp release.

my questions with him are really on the other end. he's not a very good defender, but him getting 6 rebounds per game tells me he's a reasonable athlete. i think measurements will go a long way in determining if he could survive as a 3. i wouldnt mind landing him with the hawks pick (depending on what happens with our earlier pick)

[scottspurs]

i dont think McNeeley "cant shoot" but he was on an abysmal cold streak for the last month and a half, not unlike what we saw from Risacher last year. and his entire season was 27 games

for the first half of the season or so he was around 37-38% from 3, and for the full season hes an 87% free throw shooter i think if his role simplifies in the NBA (as it should, UConn had him on-ball too much), he should bounce back. he has a quick and crisp release.

my questions with him are really on the other end. he's not a very good defender, but him getting 6 rebounds per game tells me he's a reasonable athlete. i think measurements will go a long way in determining if he could survive as a 3. i wouldnt mind landing him with the hawks pick (depending on what happens with our earlier pick)

to be fair the games I watched of him were later in the season but yeah don’t love his defense. I wouldn’t be super upset if the Spurs drafted him with hawks pick but I think there are better prospects. When I have time I’ll go watch his early season stuff

[Seventyniner]

Im out on Wolf because for a guy that will need the ball he sucks at free throws. Broome and Congdon I think are shorter than listed. Also out on Mcneely because he is a shooter that can’t shoot. Measurables could change things and I’ll watch some of the international guys later but yeah I would be happy with 3 of these

The Spurs only have two firsts and their own second in this draft. Your list would need to go to around #38 or 39 for the Spurs to be guaranteed to get 3 off of it.

[CGD]

Today, I have a hard time seeing, once it’s all said and done, how a player outside of the two Rutgers kids, the 3 Dookies, and VJ goes is the Top 6. I think the “champions” narratives will be too strong in favor of the non-Cooper Duke guys, and Queen will get dinged on his fitness.

[ginobilized]

[QUOTE=scottspurs;11225429]This is how I have it as of now having watched at least 4 games of each prospect. Would be happy with the spurs ending up with 3 of these guys if they keep their picks. Have not watched international guys

2025 NBA Draft Board


1. Cooper Flagg-potential Franchise Guy
2. Derik Queen-potential all-star
3. Dylan Harper potential all-star
4. Tre Johnson potential all-star
5. Kon Knueppel potential all-star
6. Jase Richardson potential all-star
7. Vj Edgecombe potential all-star
8. Ace Bailey potential all-star
9. Rasheer Fleming potential starter
10. Thomas Sorber potential starter
11. Kasparas Jakucionis potential starter
12. Nique Clifford potential starter
13. Collin Murray-Boyles potential starter
14. Jeremiah Fears potential starter
15. Egor Denim potential starter
16. Khaman Maluach potential starter
17. Asa Newell potential role player bench
18. Carter Bryant potential role player bench
19. Isaiah Evans potential role player bench
20. Sion James potential role player bench
21. Walter Clayton Jr. potential role player bench
22. Tyrese Proctor potential role player bench
23. Will Riley developmental prospect
24. Darrion Williams developmental prospect
25. Ian Jackson developmental prospect
26. Yaxel Lendeborg developmental prospect
27. Chaz Lanier developmental prospect
28. Maxime Raynaud developmental prospect
29. Thomislav Ivisic developmental prospect
30. Ryan Kalkbrenner developmental prospect

Good list!
I'm not high on Derik Queen at all. To see him in an NCAA tournament game walking back on D and having his hands down when he finally gets back in the play is so against the grain of the game in my mind. His inside and mid-game on O is great, however. Going against NBA quality bigs might be too much for a guy like that. I might've said the same of Sengun, but, he at least tries, he's just shitty at D. Queen wasn't even trying in an NCAA tourney game. Yikes.

[scottspurs]

The Spurs only have two firsts and their own second in this draft. Your list would need to go to around #38 or 39 for the Spurs to be guaranteed to get 3 off of it.

yeah but I’m also assuming one of those guys would be there in 2nd round. If not you are looking at a 2-way Gleague player anyway. Also haven’t watched international prospects

[BatManu20]

McNeely is 100% a better shooter than he showed this season. As spurraider21 mentioned, he shot it really poorly down the backstretch of the season, but that's not indicative of the type of shooter he really is. He can usually stroke it (pause) from deep. My bigger concern with him by far is on the defensive side of the ball, where his athletic limitations and lack of length will hinder him at the next level.

[scottspurs]

[QUOTE=scottspurs;11225429]This is how I have it as of now having watched at least 4 games of each prospect. Would be happy with the spurs ending up with 3 of these guys if they keep their picks. Have not watched international guys

2025 NBA Draft Board


1. Cooper Flagg-potential Franchise Guy
2. Derik Queen-potential all-star
3. Dylan Harper potential all-star
4. Tre Johnson potential all-star
5. Kon Knueppel potential all-star
6. Jase Richardson potential all-star
7. Vj Edgecombe potential all-star
8. Ace Bailey potential all-star
9. Rasheer Fleming potential starter
10. Thomas Sorber potential starter
11. Kasparas Jakucionis potential starter
12. Nique Clifford potential starter
13. Collin Murray-Boyles potential starter
14. Jeremiah Fears potential starter
15. Egor Denim potential starter
16. Khaman Maluach potential starter
17. Asa Newell potential role player bench
18. Carter Bryant potential role player bench
19. Isaiah Evans potential role player bench
20. Sion James potential role player bench
21. Walter Clayton Jr. potential role player bench
22. Tyrese Proctor potential role player bench
23. Will Riley developmental prospect
24. Darrion Williams developmental prospect
25. Ian Jackson developmental prospect
26. Yaxel Lendeborg developmental prospect
27. Chaz Lanier developmental prospect
28. Maxime Raynaud developmental prospect
29. Thomislav Ivisic developmental prospect
30. Ryan Kalkbrenner developmental prospect

Good list!
I'm not high on Derik Queen at all. To see him in an NCAA tournament game walking back on D and having his hands down when he finally gets back in the play is so against the grain of the game in my mind. His inside and mid-game on O is great, however. Going against NBA quality bigs might be too much for a guy like that. I might've said the same of Sengun, but, he at least tries, he's just shitty at D. Queen wasn't even trying in an NCAA tourney game. Yikes.

Queen is definitely not the perfect prospect but his skill level at that size is rare. I don’t think he makes it to the Spurs if they don’t move up. Also probably best suited for him to go to a franchise that doesn’t have any expectations so he can grow his game.

[SpursBills]

i dont think McNeeley "cant shoot" but he was on an abysmal cold streak for the last month and a half, not unlike what we saw from Risacher last year. and his entire season was 27 games

for the first half of the season or so he was around 37-38% from 3, and for the full season hes an 87% free throw shooter i think if his role simplifies in the NBA (as it should, UConn had him on-ball too much), he should bounce back. he has a quick and crisp release.

my questions with him are really on the other end. he's not a very good defender, but him getting 6 rebounds per game tells me he's a reasonable athlete. i think measurements will go a long way in determining if he could survive as a 3. i wouldnt mind landing him with the hawks pick (depending on what happens with our earlier pick)

Interesting, because I came to the exact opposite conclusion regarding McNeeley's athleticism - his athleticism indicators (BLK%, OREB%, dunks) are concerningly low for a guy who's legitimately 6'8+ in shoes (UConn doesn't typically fudge numbers if you look at how their players measure out at the combine)

McNeeley - 3.7 OREB%, 0.6 BLK%, 4 dunks @ 6'8" (legitimately)
Jeremiah Fears (a decent athlete) - 3.1 OREB%, 0.5 BLK%, 9 dunks @ 6'4" (generously)
Kon Knueppel (the poster child for unathletic) - 4.2 OREB%, 0.6 BLK%, 2 dunks @ 6'7" (also generously)

For comparison of what high level athleticism looks like from a numbers standpoint:
Rasheer Fleming - 7.6 OREB%, 4.9 BLK%, 43 dunks @ 6'9"

I am actually very concerned about McNeeley's athleticism at the next level. It's not so much that he's bad at 1 of the 3 categories, but more the overall picture that his numbers paint.

[rascal]

McNeely is 100% a better shooter than he showed this season. As spurraider21 mentioned, he shot it really poorly down the backstretch of the season, but that's not indicative of the type of shooter he really is. He can usually stroke it (pause) from deep. My bigger concern with him by far is on the defensive side of the ball, where his athletic limitations and lack of length will hinder him at the next level.

McNeeley was asked to do too much at UCONN.

UCONN was short on talent this year. McNeeley struggled as the primary scorer down the stretch but is now under rated for the NBA draft. Put in a position not to be the primary scorer he will be fine.

[LeBowen]

Today, I have a hard time seeing, once it’s all said and done, how a player outside of the two Rutgers kids, the 3 Dookies, and VJ goes is the Top 6. I think the “champions” narratives will be too strong in favor of the non-Cooper Duke guys, and Queen will get dinged on his fitness.

Imo, it's about fit.
Knueppel looks great, but I don't think he's got star potential. High end role player, borderline all-star looks to be his best case.
For example, I don't see why would Raptors draft him. They have so many of those guard hybrids and small forwards, but they don't have a floor general.

If they're outside of top4, I don't see them getting Knueppel or Tre Johnson over Jakucionis or Fears.
Even Maluach to take over from Poeltl who has a lot of value would be a great pick for them.

Nets will have literally nothing and Knueppel isn't the guy you take a swing on after you bottom out. They need someone with superstar upside.
Blazers also have too many SG/SFs, but then again, they seem to be well-rounded and in need of a franchise player.
Pelicans are similar to Raptors, they need a PG while Dejounte is out or another big.

Sixers and Hornets are our main Knueppel rivals, imo. If they're in #5-7 range and ahead of us, he's gone, tbh.

[spurraider21]

Imo, it's about fit.
Knueppel looks great, but I don't think he's got star potential. High end role player, borderline all-star looks to be his best case.
For example, I don't see why would Raptors draft him. They have so many of those guard hybrids and small forwards, but they don't have a floor general.

If they're outside of top4, I don't see them getting Knueppel or Tre Johnson over Jakucionis or Fears.
Even Maluach to take over from Poeltl who has a lot of value would be a great pick for them.

Nets will have literally nothing and Knueppel isn't the guy you take a swing on after you bottom out. They need someone with superstar upside.
Blazers also have too many SG/SFs, but then again, they seem to be well-rounded and in need of a franchise player.
Pelicans are similar to Raptors, they need a PG while Dejounte is out or another big.

Sixers and Hornets are our main Knueppel rivals, imo. If they're in #5-7 range and ahead of us, he's gone, tbh.
hornets saved us from ourselves by taking Salaun last year. lets see what happens this time :lol

[Dejounte]

Boom. 100. We’re locked in on Kon now. Thanks to everyone who participated.

[spurraider21]

Boom. 100. We’re locked in on Kon now. Thanks to everyone who participated.
whats the boom?

[Manu&Duncan fan]

Boom. 100. We’re locked in on Kon now. Thanks to everyone who participated.

I started liking Kon because of you. I'll come back hunt you down if he is proven not as good. :spin

[mystargtr34]

If the draft order stays as is I think the top 8 plays out like this

Jazz - Flagg
Obvious.

Wiz - Harper
Obvious.

Hornets - VJ
Equal as a prospect to Ace imo. Better fit in backcourt next to Lamelo. Plus Hornets already have a slightly better version of Ace in Brandon Millers.

Pels - Ace Bailey
Best available.

Sixers - Maluach
Embiid insurance. Sixers need a big forward but the next best one is CMB and that’s a reach at 5.

Nets - Tre Johnson
This could go a number of ways. I can see them taking Tre, Fears or Queen here. Don’t think they go with Kon as they are better of shooting for upside.

Raptors - Fears or Queen
I think the Raptors would LOVE Maluach But he’ll be gone. They have a glut of wings/forwards so they’ll take either a C or PG. Possibly Jaku but doubtful.

Spurs - Kon
I could also see CMB here tbh.

[scott]

If it played out that way mystargtr34, I wonder if the Spurs would consider Jaku. Not what we need, but if he is seen as clearly the best player, the Spurs could see it as a way to lock down a 3-man guard rotation with Jaku's rookie extension kicking in around the time (though not perfectly) Fox's max deal would be kicking in. Would be quite the rich pick at #8... but for example the #8 pick last year was taken on a bench guard so I don't think it's crazy to consider.

[Dejounte]

I started liking Kon because of you. I'll come back hunt you down if he is proven not as good. :spin

https://youtu.be/5dlfz_1Xv2g?feature=shared

I’m going to get you to like Sorber, too. He’s the real deal.

[exstatic]

If the draft order stays as is I think the top 8 plays out like this

Jazz - Flagg
Obvious.

Wiz - Harper
Obvious.

Hornets - VJ
Equal as a prospect to Ace imo. Better fit in backcourt next to Lamelo. Plus Hornets already have a slightly better version of Ace in Brandon Millers.

Pels - Ace Bailey
Best available.

Sixers - Maluach
Embiid insurance. Sixers need a big forward but the next best one is CMB and that’s a reach at 5.

Nets - Tre Johnson
This could go a number of ways. I can see them taking Tre, Fears or Queen here. Don’t think they go with Kon as they are better of shooting for upside.

Raptors - Fears or Queen
I think the Raptors would LOVE Maluach But he’ll be gone. They have a glut of wings/forwards so they’ll take either a C or PG. Possibly Jaku but doubtful.

Spurs - Kon
I could also see CMB here tbh.

I don’t see Tre as an upside shot for the Nets. I think his ceiling is a catch and shoot guy. If they want an upside pull, they should go with Fears.

[Dejounte]

https://youtu.be/S3h02rBx2KY?feature=shared

Here’s my mythical creature scott (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=150)

It’s very easy for the Spurs to find success with a non shooting big like Sorber

If Sochan had more of a rebounding presence (and post defender) on top of everything he is, he would make the team so much better than if he was the shooter everyone wants him to be. His shooting gets emphasized because the aesthetic of it is so poor that it gets everyone’s attention. But if we expand our imagination past what we see and visualize a tougher, bigger version of him that swallows up second chance rebounds and basically moves everyone out of the way inside… that lineup would be a FORCE. It’s a much more effective lineup than plugging in a 3 pt shooting PF whose shots are being taken by Wemby because Wemby loves to chuck it up and make everyone else streaky while making it difficult for anyone to get any rhythm shooting-wise (unless they are a primary or secondary ball handler like Fox and Castle are).

… Wemby is a nightmare for any spot up shooter. They won’t make their money on a team with Wemby. It’s just not that kind of team. That’s why the team needs to hope they can keep finding players who are a penny on the dollar like Champagnie. Any big investment on a shooter would be bad for the team.

[spurraider21]

https://youtu.be/5dlfz_1Xv2g?feature=shared

I’m going to get you to like Sorber, too. He’s the real deal.
i like sorber a lot and he would be an outstanding backup center. but i dont see a path to him coexisting with wemby. his perimeter defense is poor and he doesnt have an outside shot. but id feel comfortable taking a backup with the hawks pick based on the board. i'd rather swing for a forward like Fleming/Bryant though. i'd put sorber in the next tier ahead of somebody like Clifford

[Dejounte]

i like sorber a lot and we would be an outstanding backup center. but i dont see a path to him coexisting with wemby. his perimeter defense is poor and he doesnt have an outside shot. but id feel comfortable taking a backup with the hawks pick based on the board. i'd rather swing for a forward like Fleming/Bryant though. i'd put sorber in the next tier ahead of somebody like Clifford

I figured. I just don’t think we’ll find a middle ground on roster construction between you and I, lol, and that’s ok.

the good news (for me and fans of Sorber) is I found someone who reports that the Spurs were in attendance to watch Sorber play a few months ago. I am happy they are interested.

[spurraider21]

I figured. I just don’t think we’ll find a middle ground on roster construction between you and I, lol, and that’s ok.

the good news (for me and fans of Sorber) is I found someone who reports that the Spurs were in attendance to watch Sorber play a few months ago. I am happy they are interested.
do you think sorber can defend the perimeter or operate offensively on the perimeter?

offensively i think he's a superior version of what sochan is offering us. occupying the dunker spot, finishing down low against smaller mismatches. he's a superior interior scorer by far. and he actually his a nice middy jumper. neither spaces the floor from behind the line so ill give that a draw. and one thing he does do well that we need is interior defensive help. right now when wemby flies over to contest a shot, we give up offensive rebounds, easy putbacks, etc. sorber gives us another presence down there. but if we all agree wemby is at his best being the primary paint defender, is sorber going to defend forwards out on the perimeter?

roster construction aside, those are legitimate questions.

[Dejounte]

https://x.com/adamzagoria/status/1870985145592750311?s=46

first actual report of the Spurs showing any interest in one of the 2025 draft prospects. Have not seen any reports like this in this entire 100 page thread

[spurraider21]

https://x.com/adamzagoria/status/1870985145592750311?s=46

first actual report of the Spurs showing any interest in one of the 2025 draft prospects. Have not seen any reports like this in this entire 100 page thread
you cant seriously think sorber is the only prospect for whom the spurs have sent scouts to see in person :lol

its one tweet from december, cmon man

[Dejounte]

you cant seriously think sorber is the only prospect for whom the spurs have sent scouts to see in person :lol

its one tweet from december, cmon man

What do you mean I embedded it incorrectly?

of course I don’t think he’s the only one they’ve scouted. I said it’s the first actual report. Reports like this are hard to come by when it comes to the Spurs if you pay attention from previous years.

[spurraider21]

What do you mean I embedded it incorrectly?

of course I don’t think he’s the only one they’ve scouted. I said it’s the first actual report. Reports like this are hard to come by when it comes to the Spurs if you pay attention from previous years.
you initially had the full twitter link which is why it wasnt showing up. when i was mid-comment i think you went back to edit it and only include the tweet number, so its good now

[Dejounte]

you initially had the full twitter link which is why it wasnt showing up. when i was mid-comment i think you went back to edit it and only include the tweet number, so its good now

I think I know what you’re talking about. I’m not gaslighting you when I say I didn’t edit the link. This site loads the embed all delayed and shit, that I have tried to do it different ways to see which way works. If you look back about 10 pages, I embedded the same tweet three or four different times because it wasn’t loading. Then, five minutes later they were all showing up.

[exstatic]

I think I know what you’re talking about. I’m not gaslighting you when I say I didn’t edit the link. This site loads the embed all delayed and shit, that I have tried to do it different ways to see which way works. If you look back about 10 pages, I embedded the same tweet three or four different times because it wasn’t loading. Then, five minutes later they were all showing up.

Yup. This happens all the time, the delayed tweet appearance.

[spurraider21]

i thought you edited because based on your comment i could tell a tweet was missing. when i clicked "reply with quote" i saw within your comment the text that looked like

[ tweet] twitter.com/sidkfjsdfikjsadfjsf [/ tweet]

so it looked like you just typed in the full link instead of just the number. i guess ST is just buggy

[Manu&Duncan fan]

If it played out that way mystargtr34 (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=9039), I wonder if the Spurs would consider Jaku. Not what we need, but if he is seen as clearly the best player, the Spurs could see it as a way to lock down a 3-man guard rotation with Jaku's rookie extension kicking in around the time (though not perfectly) Fox's max deal would be kicking in. Would be quite the rich pick at #8... but for example the #8 pick last year was taken on a bench guard so I don't think it's crazy to consider.

You're correct. If both are available, spurs will pick Jaku.

[thOOdee]

If the draft order stays as is I think the top 8 plays out like this

Jazz - Flagg
Obvious.

Wiz - Harper
Obvious.

Hornets - VJ
Equal as a prospect to Ace imo. Better fit in backcourt next to Lamelo. Plus Hornets already have a slightly better version of Ace in Brandon Millers.

Pels - Ace Bailey
Best available.

Sixers - Maluach
Embiid insurance. Sixers need a big forward but the next best one is CMB and that’s a reach at 5.

Nets - Tre Johnson
This could go a number of ways. I can see them taking Tre, Fears or Queen here. Don’t think they go with Kon as they are better of shooting for upside.

Raptors - Fears or Queen
I think the Raptors would LOVE Maluach But he’ll be gone. They have a glut of wings/forwards so they’ll take either a C or PG. Possibly Jaku but doubtful.

Spurs - Kon
I could also see CMB here tbh.


and with the 16th pick?? Any noa essengue votes. Or roll the dice on egor? Or is a center the biggest priority at that point?

[scott]

https://youtu.be/S3h02rBx2KY?feature=shared

Here’s my mythical creature scott (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=150)

It’s very easy for the Spurs to find success with a non shooting big like Sorber

If Sochan had more of a rebounding presence (and post defender) on top of everything he is, he would make the team so much better than if he was the shooter everyone wants him to be. His shooting gets emphasized because the aesthetic of it is so poor that it gets everyone’s attention. But if we expand our imagination past what we see and visualize a tougher, bigger version of him that swallows up second chance rebounds and basically moves everyone out of the way inside… that lineup would be a FORCE. It’s a much more effective lineup than plugging in a 3 pt shooting PF whose shots are being taken by Wemby because Wemby loves to chuck it up and make everyone else streaky while making it difficult for anyone to get any rhythm shooting-wise (unless they are a primary or secondary ball handler like Fox and Castle are).

… Wemby is a nightmare for any spot up shooter. They won’t make their money on a team with Wemby. It’s just not that kind of team. That’s why the team needs to hope they can keep finding players who are a penny on the dollar like Champagnie. Any big investment on a shooter would be bad for the team.

I fundamentally disagree that this player doesn't need to be a 3pt threat, but I appreciate your take.

I like Sorber and would take him with the ATL pick, but not to be our starting PF next to Wemby.

[baseline bum]

hornets saved us from ourselves by taking Salaun last year. lets see what happens this time :lol

Still not buying that the Spurs were actually taking him when the other piece of info leaked by them was how bad Devin Carter whooped Castle in individual workouts.

[Mr. Body]

Still not buying that the Spurs were actually taking him when the other piece of info leaked by them was how bad Devin Carter whooped Castle in individual workouts.

Same. I don't believe they had any great interest in Salaun. That's a myth.

[rascal]

and with the 16th pick?? Any noa essengue votes. Or roll the dice on egor? Or is a center the biggest priority at that point?

I'd take McNeeley over those guys.