Mock Draft 2.0 - Who Would Spurs Pick with Top Choices Off the Board?

[timvp]

https://www.spurstalk.com/spurs-mock-draft-2024-nba-draft-2/

[DPG21920]

Bruh this is like my dream scenario tbh :lol

I would love a Reed + Holland combo

[LeBowen]

If we're to get a theoretical wing, I'd rather have Williams than Ignite duo.
He might even be the player with highest upside in this draft, but surely wouldn't contribute much right away.

If he could develop into 6'8 version of his brother, it would be scary and a perfect fit with Sheppard, Devin and Wemby.

[Ariel]

This is my worst case scenario, Sarr, Castle and Risacher going top 3. If this is the way the board shapes up, I'd try to see if I can trade down from 4. Possible scenarios:
1) Offer Portland 4 x 7 + 14. Then you have 7, 8, 14, going by your board (Buzelis and Dillingham are gone by 7) I'd take Clingan at 7 forcing another team to trade for him (Chicago, Memphis), and use 8 on Cody Williams and 14 on Topic.
2) Offer 4 o 8 to Chicago, in exchange for reducing the protections on the '25 pick (top 4?) and either #11 or a '26 swap. Say it's 4 x 11 + renegotiate '25 (say lower the protections to 4-unpr.), then going by your board take Cody Williams at 8 and Devin Carter at 11
3) Offer 4 to Charlotte in exchange for 6 plus renegotiate the pick they owe (extend period, reduce protections... say top 8-8-8). Then, going by your board, take Dillingham at 6 and Cody Williams at 8.

Bottom line, if Risacher/Castle are gone then the appeal of #4 goes down the drain and I'd ty to get some combination of wing (Cody Williams?) and guard (Dillingham, Devin Carter, Topic?) plus an extra asset.

[mo7888]

https://www.spurstalk.com/spurs-mock-draft-2024-nba-draft-2/

Not my ideal scenario, but I wouldn't hate it..

[lefty20]

I'm cool with Reed + any non-shooting athletic project, tbh.

[SOMA Spur]

If Clingan's on the board at #4, things gonna get wild. Draft him and trade him to the highest bidder. Extract maximum value. And 100% agree with this nugget "But, for example, getting Risacher and Carter sounds like one of the better results from this draft."

[spurraider21]

I'd much rather come away with Sheppard (or Dillingham) than Castle with the top pick, and i'd much rather have Williams/Holland/Knecht than Salaun at 8. so having both Castle and Salaun "sniped" is one of the better scenarios as far as im concerned

[Uriel]

While I'm no big fan of Cody Williams, I think getting Sheppard at #4 isn't a bad outcome at all. While we can harp on size and athletic measurements all day long, at the end of the day, what we're looking for is a good basketball player, and by all analytics accounts, Sheppard is the best basketball player in this draft.

[Extra Stout]

So the best player in the draft per analytical models is the consolation prize? Oh no.

[Strategic]

Sheppard is the physical opposite of Wemby. Not sure about the pick but in a crappy draft let’s do it.

[Mr. Body]

To me, the story here is Timvp really doesn't think the Spurs are going to draft Topic.

[CGD]

I’d instead shop 4 to a team that wants Clingon. Forgot where I heard this, but this would be good:

CHI: 4 + SRP
SAS: Ayo Dusumno +11

Take Williams (8) and Carter (11).

[CGD]

To me, the story here is Timvp really doesn't think the Spurs are going to draft Topic.

Good point. Not even at 8

[spurraider21]

To me, the story here is Timvp really doesn't think the Spurs are going to draft Topic.
https://y.yarn.co/987c8d80-84d7-4f75-8ebf-0101081c6170_text.gif

[C-Dub]

Castle @ 4

Saluan or Edey @ 8

[Eaglenole2002]

I’d instead shop 4 to a team that wants Clingon. Forgot where I heard this, but this would be good:

CHI: 4 + SRP
SAS: Ayo Dusumno +11

Take Williams (8) and Carter (11).

Ayo is that good? Feels like Chicago should be throwing in instead of San Antonio. 4 to 11 is a steep drop.

[scott]

I could live with this, though probably prefer Holland to Williams.

[Knoxxx]

Cody Williams has always been a nice option at the #8.

[Chinook]

I’d instead shop 4 to a team that wants Clingon. Forgot where I heard this, but this would be good:

CHI: 4 + SRP
SAS: Ayo Dusumno +11

Take Williams (8) and Carter (11).

You could switch 4 with 8, and I still wouldn't do it. MAYBE if Chicago altered their 2025 pick to make it much more likely to convey (like top-7. top-5, top-3) it would make sense.

[Darkwaters]

I've been pondering the Spurs making some kind of move to get Sarr lately.

I just think of all the players in this draft, Sarr is the guy with the least amount of questions and he'd make a really nice twin tower next to Wemby.

You see people say silly things like "trade 4 and 8 to get the #1". That's a serious overpay. Especially in a draft without clear superstars. But I wonder what would be realistic?

Atlanta probably would insist on some of their picks back. Which I don't think that'd be worth it in any scenario. But what if Sarr isn't the #1 pick and now we're trading up from #4 to #2 with Washington? Would the #35 this year (and maybe a couple other future 2nds) be enough ballast to move to #2? I can't imagine the cost is nearly as high as in more formidable drafts.

[CGD]

Ayo is that good? Feels like Chicago should be throwing in instead of San Antonio. 4 to 11 is a steep drop.

Yeah he’s pretty good actually. And they’ll have to decide what to do between him, White, and Caruso.

[CGD]

You could switch 4 with 8, and I still wouldn't do it. MAYBE if Chicago altered their 2025 pick to make it much more likely to convey (like top-7. top-5, top-3) it would make sense.

Ayo had a great year this past season, and has been comp’ed to Jrue. I just think most of us don’t watch Bulls basketball to know.

That, and isn’t the premise here that the top guys are gone by 4? So from the Spurs’ perspective (who don’t want Clingan) the choices get pretty flat over the next 8 picks or so.

I mean, outside of a very few number of folks here, does Reed freaking Shepard at 4 really make anyone that excited?

[Darkwaters]

I mean, outside of a very few number of folks here, does Reed freaking Shepard at 4 really make anyone that excited?

You wouldn't be excited by Sheppard? Strange. The dude can play.

[Spurs Homer]

Sheppard would be good-

a sniper on a spurs team of bricklayers?

yes please

[Eaglenole2002]

Yeah he’s pretty good actually. And they’ll have to decide what to do between him, White, and Caruso.

I would think trading Caruso would be the obvious move in that case. Ayo is on a nice contract too.

[Chinook]

Ayo had a great year this past season, and has been comp’ed to Jrue. I just think most of us don’t watch Bulls basketball to know.

That, and isn’t the premise here that the top guys are gone by 4? So from the Spurs’ perspective (who don’t want Clingan) the choices get pretty flat over the next 8 picks or so.

I mean, outside of a very few number of folks here, does Reed freaking Shepard at 4 really make anyone that excited?

I would prefer him to Dosunmu, yes.

We don't know what the Spurs want or don't want. This was timvp's board, and there's no reason to believe Sheppard isn't higher than one or more of those on the Spurs' board. For me, there are a number of players I'd be glad to pick and hope the Spurs get one they like. Dosunmu taking up cap space really isn't my idea of great move.

[DPG21920]

I could live with this, though probably prefer Holland to Williams.

A man of culture

[rascal]

I mean, outside of a very few number of folks here, does Reed freaking Shepard at 4 really make anyone that excited?

I wouldn't

Like you I'd rather have Castle as he'll be a better overall player than Sheppard who will be just a player who comes off the bench, limited upside.

[Knoxxx]

I wouldn't

Like you I'd rather have Castle as he'll be a better overall player than Sheppard who will be just a player who comes off the bench, limited upside.

Sheppard is projected higher than Castle and the idea that he can never start is dubious. Now if both fell that is an interesting question as I have them about in coin flip status.

[ulosturedge]

They would draft Clingan and either keep him or trade him. There would be enough guards for one to be had at #8. Sheppard, Dillingham, Topic, Carter, or Carrington. I would actually prefer this but that is my opinion. If they pick guard at 4, then I would say Knecht, Holland, or Salaun with the 8th.

[rascal]

Sheppard is projected higher than Castle and the idea that he can never start is dubious. Now if both fell that is an interesting question as I have them about in coin flip status.

Doesn't look dynamic(big enough, quick enough, athletic enough) enough to be a starter in the NBA. Will be a shooter who comes off the bench. Like Pritchard in Boston.

Is Pritchard worth the 4th pick in this draft?

[Notorious H.O.P.]

Feels like you take two dartboards. Put Shep, Riz and Castle on one and throw your #4 dart. Put Williams, Carter, Dilly and maybe Sal, if the Spurs interest is there, and throw your #8 dart. In a draft this flat, it feels like two random throws has a similar chance of success as weeks of research.

[Obstructed_View]

Feels like you take two dartboards. Put Shep, Riz and Castle on one and throw your #4 dart. Put Williams, Carter, Dilly and maybe Sal, if the Spurs interest is there, and throw your #8 dart. In a draft this flat, it feels like two random throws has a similar chance of success as weeks of research.
Most drafts end up that way. Nobody sniffed out Manu or Kawhi or Jokic. Sure things are very rare. Most of the time you have to navigate who will handle sudden wealth and still work to improve.

[AFBlue]

Sheppard at 4 is a win. I'd personally go Holland at 8, since he's the more naturally aggressive player.

[SpursFan86]

Yeah, pretty funny that this is spun as a “less than ideal” scenario :lol Would be thrilled if Sheppard falls to us at 4. Williams isn’t my first choice at 8 but he’s not melt-down material. *cough*Salaun*cough*

Sheppard/Holland or Sheppard/Carter would be fantastic.

[PhantomDashCam]

Put me in the camp of Sheppard and either Castle or Buzelis first round and Dillon Jones in the second.

[heyheymymy]

If Risacher, Castle, Sarr are gone by #4 Reed Sheppard is a nice consolation prize at least. Wouldn't be surprised to see SA pick Clingan there either.

Williams, Carter, Dillingham with #8 is a pretty comfortable best case of a worst case scenario if it happens. Worst case scenario is getting cute with it and picking some left field shit like JaKobe Walter lol. Or spending too much capital to move up.

I'm waiting for a miracle on Risacher + Castle though.

[itzsoweezee]

There’s more and more buzz about Castle getting picked before Sheppard. If Atlanta takes Clingan, and Risacher goes in the top three, the spurs are going to have a tough decision on their hands

[CGD]

There’s more and more buzz about Castle getting picked before Sheppard. If Atlanta takes Clingan, and Risacher goes in the top three, the spurs are going to have a tough decision on their hands

On the contrary, i’ll be giving a sigh of relief if Clingan goes in the Top 3. Means one of Castle, ZR, or Castle will be there form us. If Clingan goes 1, WAS is sprinting to the podium to take Sarr btw, so really means one of Castle or ZR will be there.

[Mugen]

Would be pretty pumped to end up with Sheppard. I'm low on Williams, would rather just go Holland if Saluan wasn't available tbh.

[Mugen]

People who don't like Saluan but would be happy with Buzelis or Cody Williams tbh :lol

[objective]

I think Cody Williams graded out highest of any NCAA or G-league player in David Locke's analytics model, which while simple does tend to identify and delineate between valued players and busts/reaches like Primo

[objective]

I think Cody Williams graded out highest of any NCAA or G-league player in David Locke's analytics model, which while simple does tend to identify and delineate between valued players and busts/reaches like Primo

I should note that I'm going off of what Locke reported over a month ago, for some reason Locked on Jazz has been missing from my pod feed for over a month, so I've missed the recent shows where he's been more focused on the draft

[John B]

With Luka, Ja,SGA, Fox, Green out there for years to come, it would be nice to get a POA defender on Castle

Sochan is fine defending Luka and big guards, but he’s not fast enough to stay in front of nimble athletic guards.

My most ideal combination would be Risacher and Castle. If Risacher is available at 4, it’s a no brainer. I’ll be hoping that Castle slips to 8th which is unlikely. Does Spurs pick Dilly at 8th or a complimentary defensive PG like Devin Carter? Hmmm.. can’t wait.

[The Truth #6]

Buzelis vs Reed would be an interesting meltdown moment.

[The Truth #6]

Holland seems super polarizing. Hoop Intellect has #2. Others like around 14.

[Degoat]

I’m starting to come around on Buzelis, he doesn’t have a ton of weaknesses (gives me some Gordon Hayward vibes) think he’d be a good fit with wemby.

As long as the spurs don’t do something crazy we should come away with two really solid prospects

[dbestpro]

I like the idea of basketball IQ trending to the top of the list.

[4lifecowboy]

I’m starting to come around on Buzelis, he doesn’t have a ton of weaknesses (gives me some Gordon Hayward vibes) think he’d be a good fit with wemby.

As long as the spurs don’t do something crazy we should come away with two really solid prospects

With the scenario presented that's who I'm taking at 4, Sheppard Dillingham or Carter will be there at 8.

[The Truth #6]

With the scenario presented that's who I'm taking at 4, Sheppard Dillingham or Carter will be there at 8.

Same. Could get two starters out of that.

But I could see Buz and then Cody if they really want to go all in on this archetype. Personally, I think that would be a bad idea to get to fixated on a certain type of player, especially after you just drafted such an incredible talent in VW. The focus now should be what they had said last year, building around him, and hopefully not obsessively sticking to some prior notion of how to build a team.

[DPG21920]

I feel like too many here are too low on Cody Williams tbh…I think theres very solid odds SA really likes him and ends up with him

[spurraider21]

People who don't like Saluan but would be happy with Buzelis or Cody Williams tbh :lol
https://media.tenor.com/WVdx1Muv6OcAAAAM/yes-memes.gif
i'd rather have holland or castle (not as a point guard) than either of them, though

i dont see any measure by which salaun should be considered a better prospect than samanic was, and we thought samanic was a reach at 19 and should have been targeted with the #29 pick in that draft. even in a weak draft where you move everybody up by 8-10 spots for arguments sake, salaun should still be going early 20's at best

he doesnt have any tangible skills. ball handling? positioning/feel? passing? shot creation/scoring? finishing? defensive awareness? defensive production? rebounding?

the one skill people like out of him is his 3pt shooting, and even then he was a 33% shooter, so its not like he's a specialist (even though he's young and a willing shooter and volume usually is a solid predictor as well, like with wemby). and they talk about his defensive potential because he hustles or whatever but he's not a good defender. he has good length but isnt a great athlete either. for a guy who "tries" on defense as much as he supposedly does, with a 7'2 wingspan, how does he only block 8 shots all season? he's not very athletic nor does he have any feel or timing.

he has so far to go to even be a role player, that i just think the risk is too high and reward too low. i really dont understand the "he has star potential" stuff whatsoever. at least with a lump of clay like giannis we saw intriguing ballhandling/passing/finishing skills in addition to him being a great athlete

i dont think salaun even belongs in the conversation for #8

[The Truth #6]

I feel like too many here are too low on Cody Williams tbh…I think theres very solid odds SA really likes him and ends up with him

Buz and Cody could be awesome and definitely a logic to prioritizing size. But at some point they need a point guard is my ultimate point.

[onechance87]

Buz and Cody could be awesome and definitely a logic to prioritizing size. But at some point they need a point guard is my ultimate point.

yup...A pg is a must.Just dont know who would fit best next to wemby.Castle,dilly,reed or carter.Not sure about topic.

[Mr. Body]

I always thought Buzelis would rise a bit. I'd take him before Risacher, probably. Just think there's more upside.

[kobyz]

I don't understand why there is no hype for Clingan at 4, if KAT and Gobert pairing can work, why not believe in Wemby/Clingan?

[4lifecowboy]

Same. Could get two starters out of that.

But I could see Buz and then Cody if they really want to go all in on this archetype. Personally, I think that would be a bad idea to get to fixated on a certain type of player, especially after you just drafted such an incredible talent in VW. The focus now should be what they had said last year, building around him, and hopefully not obsessively sticking to some prior notion of how to build a team.

I'm really starting to like Devin Carter @ 8. I think he is going to be an long time NBA starter. I like is attitude and his athletic attributes. He is a leader.

[onechance87]

I don't understand why there is no hype for Clingan at 4, if KAT and Gobert pairing can work, why not believe in Wemby/Clingan?

yea dont understand it either.Wemby has also said he prefers not to play center.Clingan along with dilly or carter would
be cool.

[CGD]

I always thought Buzelis would rise a bit. I'd take him before Risacher, probably. Just think there's more upside.

How would you rank these guys: ZR, Buz, Saluan, and Cody?

[Degoat]

I don't understand why there is no hype for Clingan at 4, if KAT and Gobert pairing can work, why not believe in Wemby/Clingan?

It’s just because we have so many glaring needs tbh Clingan is going to be good but finding another big isn’t at the top of the needs list.

[Mr. Body]

How would you rank these guys: ZR, Buz, Saluan, and Cody?

Dunno. Probably Buzelis, Risacher, Williams, with Saluan far behind. I hope the best for him, but don't think he'll be any good.

[Mugen]

https://media.tenor.com/WVdx1Muv6OcAAAAM/yes-memes.gif
i'd rather have holland or castle (not as a point guard) than either of them, though

i dont see any measure by which salaun should be considered a better prospect than samanic was, and we thought samanic was a reach at 19 and should have been targeted with the #29 pick in that draft. even in a weak draft where you move everybody up by 8-10 spots for arguments sake, salaun should still be going early 20's at best

he doesnt have any tangible skills. ball handling? positioning/feel? passing? shot creation/scoring? finishing? defensive awareness? defensive production? rebounding?

the one skill people like out of him is his 3pt shooting, and even then he was a 33% shooter, so its not like he's a specialist (even though he's young and a willing shooter and volume usually is a solid predictor as well, like with wemby). and they talk about his defensive potential because he hustles or whatever but he's not a good defender. he has good length but isnt a great athlete either. for a guy who "tries" on defense as much as he supposedly does, with a 7'2 wingspan, how does he only block 8 shots all season? he's not very athletic nor does he have any feel or timing.

he has so far to go to even be a role player, that i just think the risk is too high and reward too low. i really dont understand the "he has star potential" stuff whatsoever. at least with a lump of clay like giannis we saw intriguing ballhandling/passing/finishing skills in addition to him being a great athlete

i dont think salaun even belongs in the conversation for #8

I'd be fine with Holland at 8. I don't think Cody Williams would even be in the lottery convo if his brother wasn't JDub. And how you feel about Saluan is how I feel about Buzelis tbh.

[Eaglenole2002]

yea dont understand it either.Wemby has also said he prefers not to play center.Clingan along with dilly or carter would
be cool.

I would take Sarr without hesitation because he projects to be a more versatile offensive and defensive piece, similar to supercharged Porzingis and Horford if Sarr hits his ceiling. Clingan would be fine at 8 because I’m confident he will be a quality NBA player. But at 4, I prefer the other prospects because Clingan is a clunky fit with Wemby since Wemby is unlocked at center, and Clingan can’t defend 4s.

[baseline bum]

I feel like too many here are too low on Cody Williams tbh…I think theres very solid odds SA really likes him and ends up with him

He definitely took Topic's place on my shortlist of guys I wouldn't mind taking a HR swing on at 8. Would probably lean Holland here but good chance he's gone by 8.

[spurraider21]

I'd be fine with Holland at 8. I don't think Cody Williams would even be in the lottery convo if his brother wasn't JDub. And how you feel about Saluan is how I feel about Buzelis tbh.
the hypothetical part about buzelis' game is mostly his outside shooting. he can create looks for himself, can handle the ball well for his position (better than sochan, for instance), can actually finish around the rim, and was a plus defender.

my biggest concern with him is his strength/rebounding, but strength is one of the things you can pretty reliably bank on improving with such young players

im not a big buzelis fan, but he has actual tangible basketball skills you can point to, unlike salaun

[Mr. Body]

the hypothetical part about buzelis' game is mostly his outside shooting. he can create looks for himself, can handle the ball well for his position (better than sochan, for instance), can actually finish around the rim, and was a plus defender.

my biggest concern with him is his strength/rebounding, but strength is one of the things you can pretty reliably bank on improving with such young players

im not a big buzelis fan, but he has actual tangible basketball skills you can point to, unlike salaun

I'll have to disagree with a bit here. Buzelis really suffers in comparison to Sochan. First of all, Sochan was a much better outside shooter than Buzelis was, if you can believe it. That's how bad Buzelis was.

That aside, Sochan is a far, far better ballhandler than Buzelis is. There's no real comparison. He was also a better rebounder, even in the inflated-stats of Ignite. He was also a much, much better all-around defender.

I get that people are super-revisionist about Sochan and try not to recognize his strengths at all possible, but Buzelis's skillset is entirely theoretical at this point. He's very good in the open court (like Risacher). He's fast for his size. He can possibly develop a good amount of skills. But Sochan is a far better defender, ball-handler, and creator. The only place Buzelis has him is weak-side shotblocking.

[Knoxxx]

Doesn't look dynamic(big enough, quick enough, athletic enough) enough to be a starter in the NBA. Will be a shooter who comes off the bench. Like Pritchard in Boston.

Is Pritchard worth the 4th pick in this draft?

If Sheppard is the pick that could mean that the draft went Sarr—Risacher-Castle top 3 in any particular order. From there I could pose the same question, do you have a different top 4 then those 3 and Sheppard? If not, Sheppard is the pick. Otherwise, who are you proposing is #4 after those 3 I just mentioned? I am comfortable with that as my top 4, opinions can vary of course.

[exstatic]

I'll have to disagree with a bit here. Buzelis really suffers in comparison to Sochan. First of all, Sochan was a much better outside shooter than Buzelis was, if you can believe it. That's how bad Buzelis was.

That aside, Sochan is a far, far better ballhandler than Buzelis is. There's no real comparison. He was also a better rebounder, even in the inflated-stats of Ignite. He was also a much, much better all-around defender.

I get that people are super-revisionist about Sochan and try not to recognize his strengths at all possible, but Buzelis's skillset is entirely theoretical at this point. He's very good in the open court (like Risacher). He's fast for his size. He can possibly develop a good amount of skills. But Sochan is a far better defender, ball-handler, and creator. The only place Buzelis has him is weak-side shotblocking.

You can say that about anyone who has played for the GLI. Fortunately,, with their disbandment, this is the lasy year we have to deal with undisciplined, uncoached, unskilled low IQ players from there.

[spurraider21]

I'll have to disagree with a bit here. Buzelis really suffers in comparison to Sochan. First of all, Sochan was a much better outside shooter than Buzelis was, if you can believe it. That's how bad Buzelis was.

That aside, Sochan is a far, far better ballhandler than Buzelis is. There's no real comparison. He was also a better rebounder, even in the inflated-stats of Ignite. He was also a much, much better all-around defender.

I get that people are super-revisionist about Sochan and try not to recognize his strengths at all possible, but Buzelis's skillset is entirely theoretical at this point. He's very good in the open court (like Risacher). He's fast for his size. He can possibly develop a good amount of skills. But Sochan is a far better defender, ball-handler, and creator. The only place Buzelis has him is weak-side shotblocking.
then we just disagree i guess. i agree sochan is the better passer, but buzelis is the better ballhandler and creator, imo. sochan is also a stronger defender.

matas scores in isolation in ways that sochan has simply never shown, even at the collegiate level

[Knoxxx]

I feel like too many here are too low on Cody Williams tbh…I think theres very solid odds SA really likes him and ends up with him

Im in the camp of Williams has the bloodlines and better size than his very talented older brother. I don’t have CW at 12 or whatever, that’s too low IMO. And if the top 10 also includes Clingan and Topic, the math suggests CW could indeed be our pick at 8. I have not really come around to Salaun, I’d lean to putting him in the 12-15 range and mainly due to the hype he’s gotten as top 10 or better.

[rascal]

If Sheppard is the pick that could mean that the draft went Sarr—Risacher-Castle top 3 in any particular order. From there I could pose the same question, do you have a different top 4 then those 3 and Sheppard? If not, Sheppard is the pick. Otherwise, who are you proposing is #4 after those 3 I just mentioned? I am comfortable with that as my top 4, opinions can vary of course.

If that happens best to trade the pick to a team that wants Clingan.

[kobyz]

If that happens best to trade the pick to a team that wants Clingan.

And giving them a potential Wemby stopper?

[scott]

We're one of the worst teams in the league. I'm not super concerned about other teams getting a Wemby stopper or us finding a Luka/SGA/whoever stopper. For now, let's just focus on getting a base level of talent on our roster.

[baseline bum]

If that happens best to trade the pick to a team that wants Clingan.

Can't say I'd want to hand Clingan to OKC or Memphis

[Knoxxx]

And giving them a potential Wemby stopper?

You serious, you’ve seen Wemby play haven’t you?

”you scared, you scared…”

Wemby is a pimp nobody I see coming in this league any time soon can guard him. He will rain 3s on a perimeter oriented center like Clingan and run him off the court in transition.

Now, getting assets and a later pick, that does have intrigue. Any pick exactly high enough to get Edey would be the goal there.

[jjspur]

In this strange draft, I'm starting to think there will be a number of surprises in the draft - meaning that players won't be going where we think they will go. This draft is just that wonky.

[TD 21]

We're one of the worst teams in the league. I'm not super concerned about other teams getting a Wemby stopper or us finding a Luka/SGA/whoever stopper. For now, let's just focus on getting a base level of talent on our roster.

Which is why they should be exploring something along the lines of Graham, 4, 8 and the Hawks '26 and '27 1sts for Murray and 1 to select Risacher.

Fill the two biggest needs, have a roster that fits much better, hopefully play meaningful games deep into the regular season and still have plenty of draft capital left over.

[baseline bum]

Which is why they should be exploring something along the lines of Graham, 4, 8 and the Hawks '26 and '27 1sts for Murray and 1 to select Risacher.

Fill the two biggest needs, have a roster that fits much better, hopefully play meaningful games deep into the regular season and still have plenty of draft capital left over.

You mean rip up the 26 swap or give Atlanta the right to swap in 26?

[Chinook]

We're one of the worst teams in the league. I'm not super concerned about other teams getting a Wemby stopper or us finding a Luka/SGA/whoever stopper. For now, let's just focus on getting a base level of talent on our roster.

I agree to a large extent, but there is more than one way to skin a cat. The Spurs can put together a great defensive squad that lacks offensive firepower and have that be a very good second season in the rebuilding process. I don't think the Spurs should get Clingan to avoid another team getting "a Wemby stopper", but I am on record for thinking getting an elite backup center would be a good investment. The most important thing the concept of "a Wemby stopper" gives to the Spurs is that opposing teams may draft Cllngan and maybe Edey higher than expected, shifting the board in the Spurs' favor.

I'm down with getting Holland, Castle, Buzelis or Carter with their potential as a man-defender being in the forefront of their appeal. Simply being a good man defender combined with being a horrible shooter is unacceptable. The modern NBA just doesn't allow such a player to be a positive. But being unable to blunt good offensive players is why the team has been even more inept than the sum of their talent recently. They don't need to prioritize a theoretical WCF match-up, but they should be able to avoid giving scrubs career nights game in and game out.

[scott]

Which is why they should be exploring something along the lines of Graham, 4, 8 and the Hawks '26 and '27 1sts for Murray and 1 to select Risacher.

Fill the two biggest needs, have a roster that fits much better, hopefully play meaningful games deep into the regular season and still have plenty of draft capital left over.

I hadn't thought about this specific machination of an ATL trade before, but I would think this framework would be very interesting from ATL's POV while leaving the Spurs with the 2025 upside we very likely value and want to preserve.

Even though the Hawks would out of luck for 2025, they'd still be able to immediately enter a multi-year rebuild if they could find an different taker for Trae (and maybe get some different 2025 draft capital, in addition to later years). Yeah, they won't have the upside of their own pick in 2025... but it's a one-year scenario and they can still begin their own "process". Maybe with 4+8 they take Clingan and Topic, move Trae elsewhere and really rebuild that team from scratch. It's an interesting proposition.

I don't particularly care for Risacher in this draft, but he would fill the SF role nicely and be a 4th option behind Wemby, DJ and Devin. I don't love the idea of using the #1 pick on your 4th option 3&D SF, but that's kind of the cards this draft has dealt... so it has some intrigue.

For me personally, I think I'd rather just roll the dice that Risacher will be there at 4 if he's really who the Spurs want... but this is interesting. I'm also of the mind that we need a bigger shake-up than just filling holes at PG and SF... that's why I proposed the idea of Devin straight up for Garland while making a move for Lauri in the Ideal Off-Season thread. I kind of feel like we are focused to much on polishing a turd when we need to be thinking of completely overhauling everything around Wemby.

[scott]

I agree to a large extent, but there is more than one way to skin a cat. The Spurs can put together a great defensive squad that lacks offensive firepower and have that be a very good second season in the rebuilding process. I don't think the Spurs should get Clingan to avoid another team getting "a Wemby stopper", but I am on record for thinking getting an elite backup center would be a good investment. The most important thing the concept of "a Wemby stopper" gives to the Spurs is that opposing teams may draft Cllngan and maybe Edey higher than expected, shifting the board in the Spurs' favor.

I'm down with getting Holland, Castle, Buzelis or Carter with their potential as a man-defender being in the forefront of their appeal. Simply being a good man defender combined with being a horrible shooter is unacceptable. The modern NBA just doesn't allow such a player to be a positive. But being unable to blunt good offensive players is why the team has been even more inept than the sum of their talent recently. They don't need to prioritize a theoretical WCF match-up, but they should be able to avoid giving scrubs career nights game in and game out.

I'm of similar mind. I think getting a good defensive prospect is just good strategy, but not because we need a "Luka stopper" - we just need to play better defense. Likewise, we should consider good C prospects because it is sound practice to have a good backup for Wemby, but not because we are playing 4D chess and preventing another team from getting a Wemby stopped (nevermind that I don't think Clingan, or Edey, or Sarr will be Wemby stoppers. The most effective "Wemby stopper" we saw this year was Dillon Brooks, not a big body C).

[Knoxxx]

Which is why they should be exploring something along the lines of Graham, 4, 8 and the Hawks '26 and '27 1sts for Murray and 1 to select Risacher.

Fill the two biggest needs, have a roster that fits much better, hopefully play meaningful games deep into the regular season and still have plenty of draft capital left over.

ATL won’t go for that but throwing in Keldon Johnson and or Zack Collins could generate more interest. Adding Sarr and Murray at the cost of the 4 and the 8 sounds way too good to be true. Yes you throw in the 27 pick but that’s a bit down the road and the 26 pick is a coin flip though we’d like think they still crash and burn while we go the opposite direction.

To get the #1 and Murray, I don’t see a scenario ATL agrees to that doesn’t involve getting their 25 pick back, seems like wishful thinking. For all the world it seem like the teams SHOULD be able to find a deal but not sure I see any happening.

I’ll add that any deal to add Sarr could also consider including Sochan, but Sochan would still retain situational value with his ability to cover SFs and larger guards.

[poopbox]

Dilli or Castle at 4. Who cares who we take at 8. I halfway want them to take Topic just to see the board melt down.

[TD 21]

You mean rip up the 26 swap or give Atlanta the right to swap in 26?

What's the difference?


I'm also of the mind that we need a bigger shake-up than just filling holes at PG and SF... that's why I proposed the idea of Devin straight up for Garland while making a move for Lauri in the Ideal Off-Season thread. I kind of feel like we are focused to much on polishing a turd when we need to be thinking of completely overhauling everything around Wemby.

I'd rather have Vassell than Garland and adding two defensive liabilities to the core, while expending most-all of the "good" draft capital doesn't make sense.

Overhauls generally happen incrementally and here they happen glacially.


ATL won’t go for that but throwing in Keldon Johnson and or Zack Collins could generate more interest. Adding Sarr and Murray at the cost of the 4 and the 8 sounds way too good to be true. Yes you throw in the 27 pick but that’s a bit down the road and the 26 pick is a coin flip though we’d like think they still crash and burn while we go the opposite direction.

To get the #1 and Murray, I don’t see a scenario ATL agrees to that doesn’t involve getting their 25 pick back, seems like wishful thinking. For all the world it seem like the teams SHOULD be able to find a deal but not sure I see any happening.

I’ll add that any deal to add Sarr could also consider including Sochan, but Sochan would still retain situational value with his ability to cover SFs and larger guards.

Maybe not. I'd be amendable to including Johnson, but I'd want something back at that point, even if it's just a flyer on Griffin. Collins has negative value and they have Capela (for now), Okongwu and would select Clingan in this scenario.

'25 instead of either '26 or '27 would be an interesting debate. If the Spurs get the sense that the Hawks intend to remain pseudo competitive (I realize they just jumped from 10 to 1, but what are the odds it happens again?), I'd probably relent.

If it were anybody but the Spurs in this position, I'd feel much more confident in some sort of trade between the two teams.

[scott]

What's the difference?

The difference is each team keeping it's own pick versus ATL getting the better of the two picks. Doesn't matter if you assume the Spurs will be the better team, but you never know.




I'd rather have Vassell than Garland and adding two defensive liabilities to the core, while expending most-all of the "good" draft capital doesn't make sense.

In my proposal I actually expended slightly less Draft Capital than you are here, and I got one extra pick this year in addition to Garland and Lauri instead of just DJM.

Whether CLE would view Garland for Vassell straight up as fair value is debatable, but I think they should. Also don't get how you view Lauri as a defensive liability. He's largely viewed as an average defender, and I think that is about right.

[TD 21]

The difference is each team keeping it's own pick versus ATL getting the better of the two picks. Doesn't matter if you assume the Spurs will be the better team, but you never know.





In my proposal I actually expended slightly less Draft Capital than you are here, and I got one extra pick this year in addition to Garland and Lauri instead of just DJM.

Whether CLE would view Garland for Vassell straight up as fair value is debatable, but I think they should. Also don't get how you view Lauri as a defensive liability. He's largely viewed as an average defender, and I think that is about right.

:lol Yeah, I don't know why I didn't comprehend that, but obviously it'd be the Hawks getting the better of the two picks. Boiled down: They add 3 1sts, including the guy (Clingan) they're not necessarily targeting, but seemingly would at least be comfortable with + significant financial relief.

It's fair value, I just don't see a big enough gap offensively to where I'd just rather have the less expensive, bigger player, who at least won't be targeted defensively.

Liability might have overstated it, but Markkanen is a minus defender. He's not a rim protector/defensive rebounder and while not immobile, he's still someone who'll be targeted in a playoff setting.

[spurs1990]

Reed turning 20 before September means he’s a year behind his classmates. Maybe an advantage in his play ala Shabaz Muhammad minus the fake age.

Sub 6’4 white guards. Not much of a track record the last 30 years since DRob’s MVP year.

Jeff Horncek, Steve Nash, Kirk Henrich, Dragic are the best of the lot in that span. Only two made any all NBA team.

Interesting pick but odds are stacked against anything more than All-Star reserve status.

[couchman]

Glad to see some of y’all coming around to the reality that Clingan may be the BPA at 4.
Sheppard at 4 would be awesome and Risacher would be an absolute coup!

My big board remains:
1. Risacher
2. Sheppard
3. Clingan
4. Sarr

I’d take whichever one of those is left at 4 over Castle or anyone else

[T Park]

There’s more and more buzz about Castle getting picked before Sheppard. If Atlanta takes Clingan, and Risacher goes in the top three, the spurs are going to have a tough decision on their hands

nah.

its Castle.

[Splits]

then we just disagree i guess. i agree sochan is the better passer, but buzelis is the better ballhandler and creator, imo. sochan is also a stronger defender.

matas scores in isolation in ways that sochan has simply never shown, even at the collegiate level

oh yeah, that 26% 3p shot on Ignite is so attractive

[spurraider21]

oh yeah, that 26% 3p shot on Ignite is so attractive
Do you think the only way to score in isolation is a step back 3?

[Mugen]

the hypothetical part about buzelis' game is mostly his outside shooting. he can create looks for himself, can handle the ball well for his position (better than sochan, for instance), can actually finish around the rim, and was a plus defender.

my biggest concern with him is his strength/rebounding, but strength is one of the things you can pretty reliably bank on improving with such young players

im not a big buzelis fan, but he has actual tangible basketball skills you can point to, unlike salaun

From what I've seen from Buzelis, the self creation wasn't there. Didn't have the ball skills/first step to beat guys his size and doesn't yet have the strength to make guys smaller than him pay. If the outside shot never develops, I just don't see the self creation upside tbh.

To that, I think Saluan has better potential as an outside shooter. He improved throughout the season (40% over his last 100 attempts). I'll give you that Buzelis is on a different stratosphere as a defender than Saluan.

With Buzelis being almost a year older, I'd rather just take the home run swing at #8 with Saluan than just draft white Sochan tbh.

[spurraider21]

From what I've seen from Buzelis, the self creation wasn't there. Didn't have the ball skills/first step to beat guys his size and doesn't yet have the strength to make guys smaller than him pay. If the outside shot never develops, I just don't see the self creation upside tbh.

To that, I think Saluan has better potential as an outside shooter. He improved throughout the season (40% over his last 100 attempts). I'll give you that Buzelis is on a different stratosphere as a defender than Saluan.

With Buzelis being almost a year older, I'd rather just take the home run swing at #8 with Saluan than just draft white Sochan tbh.
i dno, i thought buzelis was able to beat guys his size with the dribble. imo it was kind of just a better version of what sochan does. sochan resorts to basically a bunch of slow "spins" (really just putting his back to the basket to protect the ball since his handle isnt great) and then burps up a turnaround shot. i thought buzelis was much better at driving without having to turn his back to the basket and had a wider array of moves and finishing with pull up jumpers, footwork, an actual layup package, etc.

like i said, im not crazy high on buzelis. i have him in tier 3


from a spurs-centric perspective, here's probably how i do it

Tier 1 - I would be happy if we selected him at #4 overall

Risacher
Sheppard
Dillingham

Tier 2 - I would be content with selecting him at #4, but would be happy getting him at #8

Sarr
Holland
Castle* (not point guard)

Tier 3 - I would be content with selecting him at #8
Buzelis
Cody Williams
Clingan

Tier 4 - I could live with selecting him at #8

Knecht
Topic
Collier
Carter
anybody else (read: Salaun) would be :pctoss

sarr is a weird one because the fit isnt obvious but at some point you bet on the player talent and figure it out later. its also why i have clingan in tier 3

[BackHome]

My top 3 for Spurs 1st pick:

* Castle
* Sheppard
* Holland

Eighth pick:

* Carter
* Knecht
* Da Silva

[Duncan2177]

My top 3 for Spurs 1st pick:

* Castle
* Sheppard
* Holland

Eighth pick:

* Carter
* Knecht
* Da Silva

My top 3 are

4th Pick
Castle
Reed
Sarr

8th Pick
Buzelis
Coby
Dillingham

[T Park]

Which is why they should be exploring something along the lines of Graham, 4, 8 and the Hawks '26 and '27 1sts for Murray and 1 to select Risacher.

Fill the two biggest needs, have a roster that fits much better, hopefully play meaningful games deep into the regular season and still have plenty of draft capital left over.

all of that for Murray? fuck no

[AFBlue]

Pick 4:
Risacher
Sheppard
Castle
Sarr

Pick 8:
Carter
Holland
Dillingham
Salaun

[Ignazzz]

Almost same

Zach
Sarr
Castle
Shep

Carter
Sal
Dilli
Holland
Will

[99 Problems]

Dilli or Castle at 4. Who cares who we take at 8. I halfway want them to take Topic just to see the board melt down.


:pop: Ohh I like this, this is wot I was thinking to. I’m doing it Brian……