Big Board 3.0 with Possible Spurs Smokescreens

[timvp]

https://www.spurstalk.com/spurs-big-board-3-2024-nba-draft/

[DPG21920]

I guess the big question is: Is there anyone SA likes so much more than everyone else that they would trade up for him? Because if you have Sarr as 2nd on the board only way to get him is to move to pick 1. Risacher can probably be had at pick 4 however.

Reed is above all of them IMO and I kind of hope that SA doesnt have Risacher over Reed/Castle.

[Dejounte]

Uriel blows his load over this big board and uses it as confirmation bias even though absolutely no one knows who the Spurs are truly valuing most

Wednesday can’t come soon enough. Will be glad to finish draft day without Zaccharie becoming a Spur and hear no more of this nonsense tbh.

[exstatic]

I guess the big question is: Is there anyone SA likes so much more than everyone else that they would trade up for him? Because if you have Sarr as 2nd on the board only way to get him is to move to pick 1. Risacher can probably be had at pick 4 however.

Reed is above all of them IMO and I kind of hope that SA doesnt have Risacher over Reed/Castle.

It’s his Spurs board, not overall draft board. Other teams boards may, and probably do look different. There are probably 5-6 players who could legit go #1. Sarr could drop like a rock if there are a couple of trades for wants or needs.

[DPG21920]

It’s his Spurs board, not overall draft board. Other teams boards may, and probably do look different. There are probably 5-6 players who could legit go #1. Sarr could drop like a rock if there are a couple of trades for wants or needs.

Sure in this draft that’s possible but by all accounts it seems like WAS will 100% take Sarr at 2 if hes there.

[exstatic]

Sure in this draft that’s possible but by all accounts it seems like WAS will 100% take Sarr at 2 if hes there.

If you believe that’s not a smokescreen, sure. Right up until draft night, Jabari Smith was supposed to go #1, and he fell to #3. Front offices spread disinformation, and flat out lie to pressure trades. Blame Boston and their successful Philly heist. Everyone seems to think they can replicate it.

[SpursFan86]

Sure in this draft that’s possible but by all accounts it seems like WAS will 100% take Sarr at 2 if hes there.

Yeah…for reference, Vegas odds for Sarr to go #2 are at -550 at this point, which implies about 85% probability.

Anyways, outside of Sarr at #2 I’ve almost given up on trying to figure out how it’s all going to play out :lol Put me in the camp of “no one has a fucking clue how this draft is going to go”. Wednesday can’t come soon enough.

[DPG21920]

I don’t think Sarr to WAS or Reed to HOU are smokescreens. They both make a lot of sense to me.

ATL could throw a curveball and take Sarr - it’s a curveball only because Sarr seems to be avoiding them.

[rankingtear]

Castle is their smokescreen. They want the true off ball guys in Knecht, Zacch and Sheppard. They don't want to spend the on ball equity in this draft class with a big 2025 offseason ahead. My opinion.

[mo7888]

Castle is their smokescreen. They want the true off ball guys in Knecht, Zacch and Sheppard. They don't want to spend the on ball equity in this draft class with a big 2025 offseason ahead. My opinion.

Interesting take...

[FireMicoHalili]

Castle is their smokescreen. They want the true off ball guys in Knecht, Zacch and Sheppard. They don't want to spend the on ball equity in this draft class with a big 2025 offseason ahead. My opinion.
They actually want Risacher, Salaun, and Dadiet because France

[Uriel]

Uriel (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=20048) blows his load over this big board and uses it as confirmation bias even though absolutely no one knows who the Spurs are truly valuing most

Wednesday can’t come soon enough. Will be glad to finish draft day without Zaccharie becoming a Spur and hear no more of this nonsense tbh.
:lol You’re just mad because I was right about the Spurs loving Risacher.

[Mr. Body]

Castle is their smokescreen. They want the true off ball guys in Knecht, Zacch and Sheppard. They don't want to spend the on ball equity in this draft class with a big 2025 offseason ahead. My opinion.

How is Castle their smokescreen if they've literally said nothing about Castle.

[Dejounte]

:lol You’re just mad because I was right about the Spurs loving Risacher.
Are you that much of a fool that you think this indicates the Spurs love Risacher? Bro let me guess, you still believe in Santa?

[rascal]

How is Castle their smokescreen if they've literally said nothing about Castle.

Early reports had the Spurs highly interested in Castle and now reports are quiet on Castle, very odd for the spurs to sudenly go quiet on Castle.

[TimmehC]

Spurs love Walter and Carter... while Branham and Wesley are already on the team lmao. I sure hope these are smokescreens or they're trying to get the right bites on a trade-down scenario.

[Mr. Body]

Early reports had the Spurs highly interested in Castle and now reports are quiet on Castle, very odd for the spurs to sudenly go quiet on Castle.

They haven't said anything about any player. Just going by what timvp says, if we believe he has any contacts at all, there are multiple players these supposed contacts have nothing to say about.

[rascal]

They haven't said anything about any player. Just going by what timvp says, if we believe he has any contacts at all, there are multiple players these supposed contacts have nothing to say about.

It's not only what timvp has said. There were several reports that the Spurs were interested in Castle with the 4th pick.

[SPURt]

What no Bronny?! JK :lol

Should be a fun draft, thanks for the grades

[Mr. Body]

It's not only what timvp has said. There were several reports that the Spurs were interested in Castle with the 4th pick.

So what. Do you know what a smokescreen is? What did they say themselves?

[rascal]

They haven't said anything about any player.

If they haven't said anything about any player then there can't be any smokescreens.

[Mr. Body]

It's hilarious that the take on Salaun is that he's tall and he plays hard. It's like a Make a Wish kid getting drafted.

[scottspurs]

Teams hire people to do as much digging as possible to figure out what other teams draft plans might be. I’m not buying anything timvp was told. Purposeful leaks. I’m really hoping Buzelis is their secret target then take best guard they have left on their board at 8. I’m also down for some Cody Willams at 4 with same scenario best guard left at 8. If spurs pick a guard at 4 I hope buzelis or Cody Williams fall but if not screw it take a swing on Salaun at 8. As far as Risacher is concerned I can live with it but would rather pass. Definitely would be okay with him at 8. I just think Buzelis and Williams are better. I wouldn’t even mind doubling up on long wings and punting on point guard. Plenty can be found in free agency and plenty of future picks incoming.

[Maddog]

It's hilarious that the take on Salaun is that he's tall and he plays hard. It's like a Make a Wish kid getting drafted.

I think he's going 8th

My confidence is such that I'd wager 5 dollars but not 10.....

[The Truth #6]

I think TimVP even acknowledged in his own draft board that information he's getting might be part of the smoke screen. Spurs are known for being so tight-lipped it would seem weird that anything they tell anyone should be taken at face value.

[Mr. Body]

I think he's going 8th

My confidence is such that I'd wager 5 dollars but not 10.....

If they take Salaun 8, it's solely to give Wemby his Jack Haley. There's no way a serious team takes this guy that high.

[buttsR4rebounding]

How is Castle their smokescreen if they've literally said nothing about Castle.

That proves it!

[SpursFan86]

If they take Salaun 8, it's solely to give Wemby his Jack Haley. There's no way a serious team takes this guy that high.

Yeah I don’t want to be hyperbolic but Salaun at 8 almost seems like such a bad pick that it’d make you seriously question the whole FO. Best case it means they’re absolutely desperate to appease Wemby, worse case it’s just total incompetence.

Just truly think this guy has no business going top 10.

[Mr. Body]

Yeah I don’t want to be hyperbolic but Salaun at 8 almost seems like such a bad pick that it’d make you seriously question the whole FO. Best case it means they’re absolutely desperate to appease Wemby, worse case it’s just total incompetence.

Just truly think this guy has no business going top 10.

He's like the try-hard the coach keeps on a high school team to motivate the actual players. "See? Look at Tidjane. See how he gets here on time and hustles in all the drills? That's what I want from you guys!"

[TDMVPDPOY]

they will surprise everyone by drafting that scrub vietnamese michael tran

[scott]

Given that the things that timvp writes gets reported pretty widely these days (which is awesome, and I'm happy for timvp), I wouldn't believe anything that a source tells timvp at this point. Could easily see the Spurs using timvp (and others) to help with misinformation. hashtag CIAPOP

[tbdog]

This draft is a shit show. So much movement. Going to be a fun watch.

[Chinook]

So what. Do you know what a smokescreen is? What did they say themselves?

A smoke screen doesn't have to come from the team directly and wouldn't. Parker straight-up announced talks of trading him in 2011 were a smokescreen, and the Spurs never once (to my memory) came out and suggested they were trying to trade him. The point of a smokescreen is to get people to believe you're going to do something, not for you to announce it. That has never been part of the requirement. Whatever "tell" rival FOs have come to associate with the Spurs' real interest, that's what the Spurs have to use to mislead them. Whether that is working a guy out and leaking how much they loved him, whether it's working them out and then being conspicuously silent about the results or whether it's not working them out even though it would obviously make sense to do so, I don't know. But if the team has the capacity to play mind-games with their draft interest, this is possibly the most important draft since 2011 to do so.

[SpursBills]

Not surprising to see that Risacher is graded as a second round pick by analytics. The primary measure that's concerning for him is his extremely low AST:TO, which generally indicates poor awareness. The primary argument against this is that a professional league is different from NCAA basketball, and that his role is different than many NCAA freshmen. That being said, I don't think you can completely discount the below list either.

I basically filtered all prior first round draft picks in the last 16 years for the following:
AST:TO < 0.8
3 PT% > 34% on >80 shots taken
Freshmen class
Height > 6'5"
Also used DREB% < 20 to filter out bigs

If I decrease the 3 point filter to 33% or above, you add Jaden McDaniels, Cam Reddish, and Chris Singleton

Basically, I'm looking at wings who could shoot with poor awareness. To say that this list is concerning would be an understatement. If the spurs take him at 4, I am hoping that either international competition stats don't translate at all, or he is the outlier of this group. The interesting thing is that even though many of these guys had good shooting seasons in college, none of that really translated in the NBA.


Also, LOL Josh Primo

EDIT: including sophomores with similar numbers, I get Terrance Ross and Klay Thompson




AST:TO
STL%
3 pt


Zaccharie Risacher
0.56
2.0
0.387


Xavier Henry (https://barttorvik.com/playerstat.php?year=2010&p=Xavier%20Henry&t=Kansas)
0.79
3.1
0.418


Stanley Johnson (https://barttorvik.com/playerstat.php?year=2015&p=Stanley%20Johnson&t=Arizona)
0.77
3.2
0.371


Shabazz Muhammad (https://barttorvik.com/playerstat.php?year=2013&p=Shabazz%20Muhammad&t=UCLA)
0.50
1.3
0.377


Rashad Vaughn (https://barttorvik.com/playerstat.php?year=2015&p=Rashad%20Vaughn&t=UNLV)
0.73
1.3
0.383


Kevin Knox (https://barttorvik.com/playerstat.php?year=2018&p=Kevin%20Knox&t=Kentucky)
0.61
1.5
0.341


Kelly Oubre (https://barttorvik.com/playerstat.php?year=2015&p=Kelly%20Oubre&t=Kansas)
0.67
3.3
0.358


Joshua Primo (https://barttorvik.com/playerstat.php?year=2021&p=Joshua%20Primo&t=Alabama)
0.57
1.3
0.381


James Anderson (https://barttorvik.com/playerstat.php?year=2008&p=James%20Anderson&t=Oklahoma%20St.)
0.55
1.6
0.396


Harrison Barnes (https://barttorvik.com/playerstat.php?year=2011&p=Harrison%20Barnes&t=North%20Carolina)
0.74
1.4
0.387


Donte Greene (https://barttorvik.com/playerstat.php?year=2008&p=Donte%20Greene&t=Syracuse)
0.77
1.4
0.344


Dariq Whitehead (https://barttorvik.com/playerstat.php?year=2023&p=Dariq%20Whitehead&t=Duke)
0.71
2.0
0.345


Brice Sensabaugh (https://barttorvik.com/playerstat.php?year=2023&p=Brice%20Sensabaugh&t=Ohio%20St.)
0.60
2.2
0.429


Andrew Wiggins (https://barttorvik.com/playerstat.php?year=2014&p=Andrew%20Wiggins&t=Kansas)
0.65
1.3
0.405

[Ariel]

The primary measure that's concerning for him is his extremely low AST:TO, which generally indicates poor awareness. The primary argument against this is that a professional league is different from NCAA basketball, and that his role is different than many NCAA freshmen. That being said, I don't think you can completely discount the below list either.
I think you just answered yourself, he's playing in a professional league where no one cares about him racking up assists, he plays a very defined role that suits the team and that's it. Most guys in your list would have racked up DNP/CD in Risacher's situation. It's legitimate to say it's an area for improvement, but I think reading too much into it could be a mistake given his age and situation.
PS: why isn't Cam Whitmore, for instance, in that list? Also, by using that 3P% lower bound you're penalizing Risacher for being a good shooter by, for instance, leaving out Jaylen Brown and Tari Eason out of the list, among many others.

[Mr. Body]

I think it's preposterous to blame Risacher's terrible feel for the game on his role. A better explanation is that his role is so reduced because he cannot be trusted to do anything beyond standing in the corners. This is evidenced by how terrible he is when he tries to do basic actions like attack closeouts, move the ball, or dribble around more than one defender. He's really bad at this, and no doubt his coaches recognized this. We can't pretend Euro leagues are prehistoric in their roles. I'm sure they'd love to have him do more; he just can't.

My problem is not simply that he's bad at anything beyond shooting on offense, it's that his shooting isn't really certain. He's been good in a pretty good, but limited amount of time. He gets pretty bad as a movement shooter and he's moderate as a volume shooter. Historically he hasn't been great, so that if he reverts to a .350 shooter (or, egads, worse) in the NBA, he's not a good player at all, because he doesn't do anything else. More concerning is that he's never been a good free throw shooter. Also, by the eye test, his shot doesn't look great in terms of touch. They can go in, or... clang. That's not a good sign to me.

I've asked before how much better is he than Julian Champagnie. Often this is met with incredulity -- of course he's better than Champagnie. But... is he? By that much? Look at Champ's stats coming out of St Johns. Admittedly he was older, but he was putting up more comprehensive stats. Not to mention a positive A/TO ratio, wasn't turning the ball over or fouling out the ass. Eye test, too, Champ can actually do things with the ball in his hands.

I submit that Zaccharie is going to have a really hard time in the NBA.

https://tankathon.com/players/compare?players=zaccharie-risacher--julian-champagnie

[TrainOfThought5]

Uriel (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=20048) blows his load over this big board and uses it as confirmation bias even though absolutely no one knows who the Spurs are truly valuing most

Wednesday can’t come soon enough. Will be glad to finish draft day without Zaccharie becoming a Spur and hear no more of this nonsense tbh.

I remember when people said this about the lottery and the spurs getting Victor Wembenyama.

[Dejounte]

I remember when people said this about the lottery and the spurs getting Victor Wembenyama.
These are two vastly different points. One is about being pessimistic about the Spurs’ chances of getting the #1 pick, and the other one is whether the Spurs value Risacher as #1 on their board as most here perceive without actual proof.

[BacktoBasics]

If there’s a smokescreen I’d think Buzelis. Haven’t heard shit about that kid and he wouldn’t be a bad fit and he’d be a tad bit more interesting than Risacher.

[poopbox]

Uriel (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=20048) blows his load over this big board and uses it as confirmation bias even though absolutely no one knows who the Spurs are truly valuing most

Wednesday can’t come soon enough. Will be glad to finish draft day without Zaccharie becoming a Spur and hear no more of this nonsense tbh.

I hope we take Topic or Buzelis with the 8th pick just for the board meltdown tbh. We might get another "gutless worms" classic out of it

[Mr. Body]

If there’s a smokescreen I’d think Buzelis. Haven’t heard shit about that kid and he wouldn’t be a bad fit and he’d be a tad bit more interesting than Risacher.

The fact that some players aren't mentioned at all is provocative.

[spurraider21]

really just have to pray Portland takes Salaun tbh

hopefully the guests can continue doing guest things

[NASpurs]

Not shitting on timvp but it seems like no one knows shit about anything. Should be a fun draft at least.

[spurraider21]

i went from being concerned that dillingham wont be on the board at 4 to being bummed that he may not even be on the spurs board

shame

[rankingtear]

The same 4 guys that ESPN said are the more likely at 4 are the same sauces refuse to comment about. And their gassing up guys who are in the 8+ range.

[Mr. Body]

i went from being concerned that dillingham wont be on the board at 4 to being bummed that he may not even be on the spurs board

shame

My prophecy is we'll draft Buzelis and Topic and someday Dillingham will drop a 40-piece on our heads.

[Ignazzz]

Spurs are targeting Risacher. Period.

[BatManu20]

Drafting Salaun at 8 would be such a kick in the nuts tbh. Kid is such a project and his defense and bball IQ are depressing. I'd almost rather just trade 4 + 8 for the top pick and select our guy if that's the case tbh.

[BatManu20]

really just have to pray Portland takes Salaun tbh

hopefully the guests can continue doing guest things

Not sure the Guests are even dumb enough to do that tbh. Clingan, Castle, or Buzelis would all be better picks than the G-League experiment that is Salaun. One of those guys should be available at 7.

[spurraider21]

Drafting Salaun at 8 would be such a kick in the nuts tbh. Kid is such a project and his defense and bball IQ are depressing. I'd almost rather just trade 4 + 8 for the top pick and select our guy if that's the case tbh.
not only is he such a project but im struggling to see why he has particularly great upside... its not like Giannis who was showing some guard-tier ballhandling ability while not really knowing what he was doing. its not like he's an impactful defender. he's not really an outlier athlete.

its like... boom or bust, but when the boom isnt even special.

[John B]

Clingan makes more sense to WAS than Sarr. HOU picks Reed, which drops Sarr to the Spurs. If that happens, I’m taking the more defensive guard with shooting range Carter at 8th.

If WAS takes Sarr, again HOU takes Reed. SAS takes Castle for that big defensive guard. I’d take the upside of Salaun at 8th. I think his shooting would improve. Already he’s a big athletic body. If he grows to 6’11” would be a plus.

WAS will go for the hype. They’ll pick Sarr. SAS will get Castle, what they’re hoping for in Primo, a big defensive PG. and Salaun hopefully what Samanic should have been, that athletic mobile PF.

[itzsoweezee]

No matter what, this is going to be a really entertaining draft. Every one of these guys has big weaknesses, so there will be no end to the whining

[KobesAchilles]

Why wouldn’t Houston take Risacher? Don’t they need a SF? My hope is that it goes Clingan, Sarr, Risacher, then Sheppard.

If we take Risacher over Sheppard I’m gonna lose it. Nothing about him seems that good when you look into him. He is like a MPJ lite player but without the dog and confidence of MPJ. Why would we want that on our team? I think we should get Sheppard and Knecht. The in next years draft get our wing player.

[T Park]

Are you that much of a fool that you think this indicates the Spurs love Risacher? Bro let me guess, you still believe in Santa?

They’ve scouted him multiple times, like multiple.

Buford doesn’t go to see guys unless they like them…

[JPB]

I think TimVP even acknowledged in his own draft board that information he's getting might be part of the smoke screen. Spurs are known for being so tight-lipped it would seem weird that anything they tell anyone should be taken at face value.

Timvp like any blogger, Twitter guys or whoever isn't getting "information" from PATFO or guys in the know in spurs organsiation.

He's chatting with other bloggers, scouts eventually or fringe NBA teams people (eventually from the spurs) who are chatting with other bloggers, scouts or fringe NBA guys who are chatting with bloggers, scouts, or fringe NBA guys... then reading stuff right and left, including here, all that mass of non professional people filling up their blogs or social media with that "information" or "intel"...

And that's the same with (most) media.

Absolutely nobody knows, close or far, what the spurs want to do and will do in this draft... Only 3 pêople maybe know it on this planet and that's RC, Pop and Wright (and maybe Holt at the end). All the rest is just speculation, assumptions, hashing, rehashing, and filling up blanks.

Don't get my wrong, it has its virtue, and that's the game, trying to imagine and playing the little GMs or NBA people but that's just that, a game. Nobody knows. Only in the last couple days or few hours before the draft you start hearing legit stuff from guys like Woj. or a few others really connected guys (OLR leaning towards Banchero rather than Chet for example).

[Dejounte]

They’ve scouted him multiple times, like multiple.

Buford doesn’t go to see guys unless they like them…

Did you miss my point about other prospects likely being scouted by Buford “multiple times” going unreported? Also I’ve only seen one report of Buford being out there, so no need to stretch things.

Just because that’s the only information we have, doesn’t mean that those are the only facts.

[LeBowen]

Why wouldn’t Houston take Risacher? Don’t they need a SF? My hope is that it goes Clingan, Sarr, Risacher, then Sheppard.

If we take Risacher over Sheppard I’m gonna lose it. Nothing about him seems that good when you look into him. He is like a MPJ lite player but without the dog and confidence of MPJ. Why would we want that on our team? I think we should get Sheppard and Knecht. The in next years draft get our wing player.

Your post is kind of contradicting itself.
You want Houston to take Risacher over Sheppard, but then you say Sheppard is a way better prospect.
Rockets have Jabari, Amen, Eason and Whitmore. Four young wings in the rotation. Brooks might not be a long-term piece, but he's still there and has a contract up until 2027.
I see no reason for Rockets to draft a wing unless there's one with superstar potential. They don't need any more 3-D wings.
This also applies to Castle, I don't think they're taking him with Amen on the roster. Pointless to have two non-shooters with such similar skillset on the roster.

They're either taking Sheppard or trading their pick. I actually think trade is a more likely scenario.
A lot of teams would want Clingan and trading down wouldn't be the worst thing for the Rockets if they can get a good player in return.


As for Spurs pick. I honestly don't know what to think anymore. Just get it over with.
It's obviously going to be Risacher/Sheppard/Castle with #4 and then it's a toss up for #8.

We need a shooter like Sheppard, but he's an undersized shooting guard with questionable handle and would need to make some big improvements to develop into an actual point guard.
Sheppard+Castle would be a perfect fit, but we won't get both without moving up.

If it's between Sheppard at #4 or Dillingham at #8, I'd rather have Dillingham because he's easily the best offensive player in this draft.
Defense is a huge red flag, but I'd rather risk it with his defense than draft fundamentally flawed players at #4.

I'm somewhat over Risacher as of now, so my preference would be Castle and one of Sheppard/Dillingham, depending on if Spurs are willing to trade up.

[kobyz]

Why wouldn’t Houston take Risacher? Don’t they need a SF? My hope is that it goes Clingan, Sarr, Risacher, then Sheppard.

If we take Risacher over Sheppard I’m gonna lose it. Nothing about him seems that good when you look into him. He is like a MPJ lite player but without the dog and confidence of MPJ. Why would we want that on our team? I think we should get Sheppard and Knecht. The in next years draft get our wing player.

And what if Risacher is a 6'9" KCP?

[SpursBills]

I think you just answered yourself, he's playing in a professional league where no one cares about him racking up assists, he plays a very defined role that suits the team and that's it. Most guys in your list would have racked up DNP/CD in Risacher's situation. It's legitimate to say it's an area for improvement, but I think reading too much into it could be a mistake given his age and situation.
PS: why isn't Cam Whitmore, for instance, in that list? Also, by using that 3P% lower bound you're penalizing Risacher for being a good shooter by, for instance, leaving out Jaylen Brown and Tari Eason out of the list, among many others.

These are very valid points, thanks for making me go back and looking more closely - Cam Whitmore should have been included, but he got filtered out by mistake due to my rebounding filter to try and weed out bigs. Tari Eason didn't shoot enough 3s to meet this criteria, while Jaylen Brown shot too poorly. Interestingly enough, if you look at poor shooting freshmen with these filters, you also get Franz Wagner 1 year before his draft year.

Regarding international competition vs college, this is where I have a harder time trying to use a stats-based analysis to project players. If he played NCAA with these numbers I would have a very very hard time taking him anywhere in the lottery, but there's just so much more variation and less data for the various international leagues. His closest prior doppelgänger is probably Batum who had AST:TO of 1.5 at the same age, which at least gives us some clue to the style of player he will most likely be at the next level.

[AFBlue]

Lots of interesting tidbits here, but the Walter one is probably the most fascinating. At #8, I wouldn't hate it, but the "top 5" comment from Harris and now this has me a little worried.

[KobesAchilles]

I think they see Amen as their future PG tbh. And he can’t shoot so pairing a wing with him that can is helpful. I don’t really care about Eason. But I did forget about Whitmore. He had a nice solid rookie season. I think Greem is a part of their future going forward so I don’t know if they will draft Sheppard. He wouldn’t start for them over Green and FVV. And I think it would be Amen and Green backcourt going forward. But a Sengun, Smith, Amen, Green, Reed starting line up of the future sounds pretty nice as well tbh. So idk. I just thought that Ime wants defense and Risacher is the best 3&D prospect. Houston should make a trade tbh.

[BatManu20]

Lots of interesting tidbits here, but the Walter one is probably the most fascinating. At #8, I wouldn't hate it, but the "top 5" comment from Harris and now this has me a little worried.

No way they take Walter at 4 tbh. Doubt they do at 8 either, though I'd rather them take him at 8 over Salaun. Walter's shooting is legit and he has good size at 6'5.5 with shoes. Only issue is he plays the same position as Devin so he'd be a bench piece.

[baseline bum]

Lots of interesting tidbits here, but the Walter one is probably the most fascinating. At #8, I wouldn't hate it, but the "top 5" comment from Harris and now this has me a little worried.

Nothing about the disappointing season Walter had says top 5; wouldn't trust Harris at all here.

[MultiTroll]

I heard someone might get drafted by the Spurs and someone might not.

[AFBlue]

I heard someone might get drafted by the Spurs and someone might not.

Maybe two someones....or maybe not.

[AFBlue]

Nothing about the disappointing season Walter had says top 5; wouldn't trust Harris at all here.

I don't trust Harris necessarily, but LJ talking about the workout buzz is a little corroboration. All said, I don't think they'll overrate a good shooting performance in individual workouts over the tape at Baylor.

[Ditty]

I think they are in love with Carter. Starting to feel like he will be the lock at 8 even if they take Castle at 4.

[DPG21920]

I have some reservations about Risacher (just like I do all prospects in this draft tbh) but here’s a few things that make me feel good if he’s the guy for Spurs at 4:

1) so many ATL and WAS fans dismiss him that it makes me feel better about him lol

2) spurs know EVERYTHING about him. He plays for Tony Parker’s freaking team and they have scouted him extensively. If they draft him it’s because they truly believe in him and it’s probably the most informed decision any team can make this draft due to how much info Sa has on him.

3) He just fits. Great size, known quality defensive floor and a solid shooter that has a great base vs needing huge improvement to be “good”

I have reservations and questions about his lack of playmaking, varied shooting and pretty meh athleticism but the 3 things above are why I have confidence IF SA were to draft him (especially point 2)

[AFBlue]

I think they are in love with Carter. Starting to feel like he will be the lock at 8 even if they take Castle at 4.

Definitely think he's in play 8, but I'm not sure they double up with Castle and Carter. They seem to be evaluating and rating multiple wing/forwards highly as well. I know they're in BPA talent accumulation mode, so it's possible. I definitely want one of the two, assuming Sheppard is off the board.

[rascal]

I have some reservations about Risacher (just like I do all prospects in this draft tbh) but here’s a few things that make me feel good if he’s the guy for Spurs at 4:

1) so many ATL and WAS fans dismiss him that it makes me feel better about him lol

2) spurs know EVERYTHING about him. He plays for Tony Parker’s freaking team and they have scouted him extensively. If they draft him it’s because they truly believe in him and it’s probably the most informed decision any team can make this draft due to how much info Sa has on him.

3) He just fits. Great size, known quality defensive floor and a solid shooter that has a great base vs needing huge improvement to be “good”

I have reservations and questions about his lack of playmaking, varied shooting and pretty meh athleticism but the 3 things above are why I have confidence IF SA were to draft him (especially point 2)

After Primo I don't trust 2) at all. And even less because of the baked in bias of playing for Parker's team.

[Uriel]

I firmly believe that prospects the Spurs are tight-lipped about are the prospects they genuinely love. So Sheppard, Castle, Risacher, Knecht, and… Matas Buzelis.

[Uriel]

While it’s true that no one knows with 100% certainty how the Spurs will act on draft night, that doesn’t mean we’re totally clueless and don’t know anything. It’s reasonable to make educated guesses on how they will act based on team needs, logic, and the construction of the roster. For example, it’s reasonable to infer that the Spurs will likely pick a guard in this draft. You don’t have to be Wright, RC, or Pop to infer that.

[spurraider21]

i think the main route for Sheppard to fall to 4 is if the rockets trade out of the pick to a team moving up for Clingan

So you'd need the Hawks to take Risacher, Wizards to take Sarr (or vice versa, though this seems more likely), and then a team like Memphis or someone else moving up to take Clingan at 3

with Clingan/Sarr going top 2... I think the Rockets would choose Sheppard over Risacher

[ulosturedge]

Well one of Sheppard or Castle will be available at #4. If not that means either Risacher or Sarr will be there. More then likely Risacher if it's the second scenario. The curve ball here would be the Spurs taking Clingan if he is available. Which I don't have a problem with but I know others do.

[heyheymymy]

really just have to pray Portland takes Salaun tbh

hopefully the guests can continue doing guest things

well he is at least 6'10" and currently injured so this may work lol

[rankingtear]

Buzelis confirmed workout per BSPN.

[Dejounte]

Buzelis confirmed workout per BSPN.
scott (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=150) scottspurs (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=17106)
@ all other scotts on this website

wouldn’t be surprised if mo7888 ‘s first name is scott. And if it isn’t, i bet that was your mom’s first choice ;)

[mo7888]

scott (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=150) scottspurs (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=17106)
@ all other scotts on this website

wouldn’t be surprised if @mo788’s first name is scott. And if it isn’t, i bet that was your mom’s first choice ;)

It's Martin fwiw

[rankingtear]

ATL forcing WAS to trade for 1 with Sarr smokescreen.
SAS forcing ATL to not pick Zacch with Clingan smokescreen.

ATL wants one of their picks back, SAS saying no, ATL threatening picking Zacch for a trade down with POR at 7, SAS saying Cling Kong won't last till 7.

[scottspurs]

scott (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=150) scottspurs (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=17106)
@ all other scotts on this website

wouldn’t be surprised if mo7888 (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=43104) ‘s first name is scott. And if it isn’t, i bet that was your mom’s first choice ;)

Nice!!!! Glad the Spurs are at least doing their due diligence on the best player in this draft. I did kind of like the narrative that Buzelis was a secret target and they didn’t work him out to conceal that haha! When you are drafting this high though it’s best to get all the information you can

[Dejounte]

Nice!!!! Glad the Spurs are at least doing their due diligence on the best player in this draft. I did kind of like the narrative that Buzelis was a secret target and they didn’t work him out to conceal that haha! When you are drafting this high though it’s best to get all the information you can

Believe it or not, some people here believe that if it was never reported, it never happened. Like the only sighting of Buford being in France means that was the only scouting he did on all players :lmao

[Splits]

-Outside of Carter, the other player Spurs sources are raving about is Ja’Kobe Walter. Multiple sources say the Baylor product shot extremely well in his Spurs workout.

Oh just kill me if this happens

[scott]

scott (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=150) scottspurs (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=17106)
@ all other scotts on this website

wouldn’t be surprised if mo7888 (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=43104) ‘s first name is scott. And if it isn’t, i bet that was your mom’s first choice ;)

Buzelis gang mount up!

[spurraider21]

Oh just kill me if this happens
Buzelis and Walter for the spurs

1627365961396326400

[Mr. Body]

Buzelis and Walter for the spurs

1627365961396326400

I'd take this over Salaun and Topic.

[DAF86]

Early reports had the Spurs highly interested in Castle and now reports are quiet on Castle, very odd for the spurs to sudenly go quiet on Castle.

Probably because of how much Carter shat on him during workouts, tbh.

[mo7888]

I'd take this over Salaun and Topic.

Me too

[spurraider21]

I'd take this over Salaun and Topic.
i probably would too, especially since i think Salaun is tantamount to throwing the pick away

[Splits]

I'd take this over Salaun and Topic.

Just devilish to think of any of these 4 ending up on this team. But yeah, Salaun in my #1 Avoid Big Board so I guess this would be going from an F- to an F

[DPG21920]

Give me Reed + Castle PLEASE

HOU trade out of 3 for a team that wants Clingan, Spurs get Reed at 4 and trade 8 for 5 to secure Castle with him. MAKE IT HAPPEN

[Seventyniner]

Give me Reed + Castle PLEASE

HOU trade out of 3 for a team that wants Clingan, Spurs get Reed at 4 and trade 8 for 5 to secure Castle with him. MAKE IT HAPPEN

That's about the only way the Spurs can get both Reed and Castle. I don't mind it depending on what the Spurs have to give up to move from 8 to 5.

[Mugen]

i probably would too, especially since i think Salaun is tantamount to throwing the pick away

Nah throwing the pick away would be picking Clingan and keeping him. Not something I'd put past BWrong tbh.

[BatManu20]

Give me Reed + Castle PLEASE

HOU trade out of 3 for a team that wants Clingan, Spurs get Reed at 4 and trade 8 for 5 to secure Castle with him. MAKE IT HAPPEN

I’d be elated with this too, but it ain’t happening tbh. I don’t see anyone trading up to 3 for Clingan. Much more likely somebody trades up to picks 5 or 6 for him if it’s going to happen. Just don’t buy the “Clingan going top-3” narrative. Think it’s all part of smokescreen season to see if teams will bite on a trade-up, but it’s highly unlikely.

[BatManu20]

I do think there will be at least one trade in the lottery tbh. Maybe Memphis, who knows. Either way I think it’ll happen, and it may not even be for Clingan.

[DPG21920]

That's about the only way the Spurs can get both Reed and Castle. I don't mind it depending on what the Spurs have to give up to move from 8 to 5.

Another plausible scenario maybe?

SA trades 4 + CHA pick + 35 + maybe 2 more 2nds for pick 1 and SA takes Reed. This allows ATL to comfortably do the trade and SA pay less as if ATL truly wants Risacher or Clingan, they can guarantee that by SA taking Reed 1 and WAS taking Sarr 2. So ATL gets one of their 2 guys and pays much less and gets some extra draft capital too.

Then when the draft goes: Reed to SA, Sarr to WAS, Clingan/Risacher to HOU and Clingan/Risacher to ATL, SA then trades 8 + 3 2nds (or 1 future heavily protected first) to DET for pick 5 and takes Castle.

Spurs come away with Reed + Castle.

[DPG21920]

I’d be elated with this too, but it ain’t happening tbh. I don’t see anyone trading up to 3 for Clingan. Much more likely somebody trades up to picks 5 or 6 for him if it’s going to happen. Just don’t buy the “Clingan going top-3” narrative. Think it’s all part of smokescreen season to see if teams will bite on a trade-up, but it’s highly unlikely.

If SA can trade 4 for pick 1 and takes Reed it can happen. ATL would still then be guaranteed Clingan or Risacher at 4 as long as WAS sticks to taking Sarr.

[playblair]

How is Castle their smokescreen if they've literally said nothing about Castle. timvp literally has pics celebrating in the locker room with tim duncan after a championship..........

[offset formation]

I'd take this over Salaun and Topic.

in their current states?

[Uriel]

I’m beginning to feel like this draft is everyone thinks no one knows what’s really gonna happen on draft night because of all the posturing and the smokescreens, and then come draft day itself, the picks go exactly as expected.

[mudyez]

Everything, everywhere and all at once.

But surely Castle. (even though I'd prefer Reed).

[Baam]

Anyone but Castle. Feel Sarr and Reed are both safe and high upside so worth trading up for. There's not a lot a talent in this draft so don't get too smart...

[lebomb]

I am 100% sure that no one knows WTH is gonna happen on draft night. :claw

[djohn2oo8]

I am 100% sure that no one knows WTH is gonna happen on draft night. :claw
:lol true

[baseline bum]

I am 100% sure that no one knows WTH is gonna happen on draft night. :claw

I'm 100% confident the board will melt down at the picks; only 50% I do I think.

[ginobilized]

I can see the draft being a real head-scratcher and then the trades get announced and we'll need an air traffic controller to sort out the re-routes.
Might be a double meltdown here of Irwin Allen-sized proportions. I can't wait!!!

[stnick2261]

Someone here mentioned that it might be smart to focus on off-ball players this draft and wait for an on-ball player next year (like Nolan Traore).

The best outcome for the Spurs (long term) may be Risacher & Sheppard

I'd still hope for Risacher & Castle

I'm expecting Castle & Salaun

[mudyez]

Yeah that sums it up very nicely.

It feels like there is about a 50% chance, we will end up with Castle (big PG experiment 1.3...Primo...Sochan) and Salaun (going for upside while pleasing Wemby).

Risacher beeing pushed out by Clingan to #4 while Castle scaring the PG teams at #5-7 away is a dream scenario.

And I personally still hope for Reed (I really fear, that he could become someone resembeling 90% of what Curry became...while falling for the KOC hype) and Salaun.

Biggest question is how the Spurs rank Zacc, Reed and Castle on their board. Probably we will never find out, but if Clingan pushes out one of them, we at least know a little bit. I personally would have them Reed->Zacc->Castle, but my bet would be on the FO having them Zacc->Castle->Reed.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

I guess the big question is: Is there anyone SA likes so much more than everyone else that they would trade up for him? Because if you have Sarr as 2nd on the board only way to get him is to move to pick 1. Risacher can probably be had at pick 4 however.

Reed is above all of them IMO and I kind of hope that SA doesnt have Risacher over Reed/Castle.

I fear Houston will draft Reed.

[DPG21920]

I fear Houston will draft Reed.

Agree, but I think theres a chance SA can trade up to 1 and get Reed if they want and/or HOU takes Clingan (although I agree they likely take Reed)

[DPG21920]

1805753495213293787

[SpursFan86]

Agree, but I think theres a chance SA can trade up to 1 and get Reed if they want and/or HOU takes Clingan (although I agree they likely take Reed)

The most likely way to get Sheppard is if Memphis or someone trades up to 3. From all accounts, the Rockets are in win-now mode and looking to add veterans. I don’t think they want to pick at 3, even if they like Sheppard.

As for SA trading up: the first question is obviously whether they are that high on Sheppard in the first place. But then once you get past that, you have to decide how likely the scenario above might be. If you think there’s a 50% chance Houston trades out of that pick and the new team takes Clingan, do you like Sheppard so much that you still trade up to grab him at #1?

Ultimately I really don’t see SA moving up but it would be exciting for sure. Any outcome where we end up getting Sheppard would be huge but at this point I feel like it’s a decent long shot (20%?).

edit: As soon as I say this you post the tweet about Woj saying Houston could pick Clingan :lol Even better - give us two different decent likelihood routes to land Sheppard.

[spurraider21]

1805753495213293787
i hope he's right. i just dont buy it.

if houston is letting this be known, more likely its them signaling they want to trade down. teams who want cleveland (likely portland, memphis... possibly charlotte if the health concerns around Williams are legit) are weighing how long they can wait before pulling the trigger to trade up. the clingan-hawks stuff peaked last week but has kind of simmered down. houston feels like a bizarre fit since they love sengun and there's no world where he can play the 4. then teams know that SAS and DET arent likely to take clingan at 4, so theyre thinking they can wait till 6. houston wanting to move down needs to make it known that he's a threat to not make it there.

[Dejounte]

https://x.com/dardzel/status/1805729283651878927?s=46

[DPG21920]

Gawd I cannot believe we are 24 hours away.

[benefactor]

https://x.com/dardzel/status/1805729283651878927?s=46
prayingdog.jpg

[offset formation]

I'll be totally happy with Reed at #4 too. Just like Matas' upside a hair more.

[rascal]

Really don't want Sheppard.

I don't see any difference between Sheppard and Cam Spencer(Spencer can dribble the ball just as good as sheppard, even better) who are mostly just going to be spot up perimeter shooters in the NBA and you can get Spencer far lower in the draft.

Why burn a top 4 pick on this type of player.

I still think the Spurs draft Castle over Sheppard if they are both on the board at 4.

[scott]

Really don't want Sheppard.

I don't see any difference between Sheppard and Cam Spencer(Spencer can dribble the ball just as good as sheppard, even better) who are mostly just going to be spot up perimeter shooters in the NBA and you can get Spencer far lower in the draft.

Why burn a top 4 pick on this type of player.

Thanks for posting this for the 800th time. Missed it the first 799.

[rascal]

Thanks for posting this for the 800th time. Missed it the first 799.

Thought you missed it

Just amazes me how what poor taste in players some on this site have.
Let's burn our 4th pick on a player who is going to come off the bench as a spot up shooter because his game lacks in other areas and hope this guy is going to shoot at the same %s he did in college.

When you can get this type of player much later in the draft or maybe even the second round.

[SpursBills]

Thanks for posting this for the 800th time. Missed it the first 799.

I think rascal secretly loves Sheppard but can't bring himself to admit it. He keeps implying over and over that 19 year old Sheppard could have been the second most impactful player on a dominant national championship team. That's pretty high praise last time I checked

:spin

[R. DeMurre]

Thought you missed it

Just amazes me how what poor taste in players some on this site have.
Let's burn our 4th pick on a player who is going to come off the bench as a spot up shooter because his game lacks in other areas and hope this guy is going to shoot at the same %s he did in college.

When you can get this type of player much later in the draft or maybe even the second round.

801

[rascal]

I think rascal secretly loves Sheppard but can't bring himself to admit it. He keeps implying over and over that 19 year old Sheppard could have been the second most impactful player on a dominant national championship team. That's pretty high praise last time I checked

:spin

Sheppard couldn't even help his team beat Oakland on the big stage.

[quentin_compson]

Personally, I don't like the idea of trading up in this draft - especially not if it means having to give up both 4 and 8 to get 1 or whatever. In a draft like this, having two shots in the top 10 is likely going to be more valuable in the end than having one "big shot".

[Dejounte]

Thought you missed it

Just amazes me how what poor taste in players some on this site have.
Let's burn our 4th pick on a player who is going to come off the bench as a spot up shooter because his game lacks in other areas and hope this guy is going to shoot at the same %s he did in college.

When you can get this type of player much later in the draft or maybe even the second round.

You seriously repeat the same shit over and over again, it’s like a meme at this point. You must be like 90 years old with too much time on your hands

[RC_Drunkford]

Thought you missed it

Just amazes me how what poor taste in players some on this site have.
Let's burn our 4th pick on a player who is going to come off the bench as a spot up shooter because his game lacks in other areas and hope this guy is going to shoot at the same %s he did in college.

When you can get this type of player much later in the draft or maybe even the second round.

kinda weird that you don't like him, since he can jump high. That's usually your main criteria.

[Ef-man]

Spurs are the masters of 3D smokescreens.