Second Round International Targets

[Russ]

The 2nd Round is where bargains can be found.

But last year the Spurs arguably passed on some opportunities while possessing both pick #33 (a very coveted spot) and #44. They traded #33 and used #44 on Sidy Cissoko. Cissoko may become a solid NBA player (although I remain a bit skeptical). But all is forgiven since the Spurs were still in the glow of the Wemby selection that night.

This year is different. Performance required.

Simply put, even the 1st Round is a crapshoot this year. But if you’re gonna be in a crapshoot you might as well get your money’s worth (as opposed to a lot of 1st Round anxiety) – that’s why the 2nd Round may be a lot of fun. Especially the international guys (who always seem to be a bit more under the radar).

Possibilities at #35:

Pacome Dadiet SG | Ratiopharm Ulm 6'9" 217 lbs 18.9 yrs

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Think Risacher or Salaun but at a Dollar Store price. Dadiet moves better than Risacher and shoots almost as well. (I confess I just don’t get Salaun so we’ll leave it at that.) Dadiet is a certified bargain at 35 – that’s why he may not be there. Trading up to the late 1st by packaging #35 and a few of the endless supply of 2nds might make sense.

Nikola Djurisic SG/SF | KK Mega Basket 6'8.25" 209 lbs 20.3 yrs

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Another Serbian bargain? Another Serbian enigma? He passes the eyeball test by a lot. He can shoot, pass, is deceptively athletic and has a feel for the game. Looks like a 6’8” gym rat who can do a little bit of everything. Just a natural-born basketball player. Seems to be quite underrated in most of the mocks. Looks like he could work out nicely at a very low price.

Bobi Klintman SF/PF | Cairns 6'10" 212 lbs 21.3 yrs

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Bertans II? Loved him last year until he pulled out of the draft at the last minute. He’s 6’10” and he can shoot. Could be a great role player for a Wemby-led team. A bit gangling but he’ll fit in somewhere.

Possibilities at #48:

Melvin Ajinca SG/SF | Saint-Quentin 6'8.5" 214 lbs 19.9 yrs

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Looks pretty good to me. Moves very well. Terrible overall shooting % of .399 but hit a semi-respectable .357 from three and .817 from the line. Not a sure thing but could be a steal at #48.

Now to the others:

Juan Núñez PG | Ratiopharm Ulm 6'5.25" 206 lbs 20.1 yrs

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He makes Kyle Anderson look like Speedy Claxton. This guy is slow. And for a shooter, he doesn’t shoot that well. That said, he’s listed on all the mocks so he deserves a mention but . . .

Ulrich Chomche PF/C | NBA Academy Africa 6'11.5" 232 lbs 18.5 yrs

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I don’t believe in the idea that level of competition defines players – you play whose in front of you and some guys just keep doing the same high-level things as they move up in class. But the highlight videos from this guy put the lie to all that – the NBA Africa Academy is just a glorified rec league. He looks pretty nice, moves fairly well, seems to have some skills. He could end up looking quite good down the road. Maybe you take a shot on this guy at #48 but it’s a wing and a prayer.

So Dadiet, Djurisic, Klintman and maybe Ajinca look promising.

And in the end, hopefully the Spurs will find some diamond(s) in the rough in the 2nd Round.

In the meantime, just peruse these international 2nd Round steals:

Manu Ginobili #57 1999
Luis Scola #56 2002
Marc Gasol #48 2007
Goran Dragic #45 2008
Patty Mills #55 2009
Bojan Bogdanović #31 2011
Nikola Jokic #41 2014

[SpursFan86]

Yeah I don’t see him falling to 35 but Dadiet would be a steal there. Very much on board with packaging 35 with a future SRP or two to move up and grab him though.

[jjspur]

Bobi Klintman or Nikola Djurisic would be great 2nd round pickups.

[scott]

Who doesn't love a good Spurs international gem in the second round? I certainly do... BUT, I think this year I'd like to use those picks (if not traded to move up for another FRP) on older NCAA players who will challenge for a roster spot. The Branhams, Wesleys, and Cissoko's of the team need to compete for their roles going forward. Roll the dice on some guys who might be able to do it.

[fafo]

Would include AJ Johnson and Ajay Mitchell on this list as well.

[Pauleta14]

I like Dadiet and if still available Nunez is worth the bet, already Spain's starting PG means something

[objective]

Re: Nunez, he's not Anderson slow in game imo

And he's never been a shooter. So there's no, "For a shooter". He's expressed in interviews how in real life he's right handed but he's chosen to shoot left handed. Why he does this when he can't even get out of the 60s in free throws is beyond me, but he does things differently, as evidenced by leaving Spain for Germany

[Russ]

Re: Nunez, he's not Anderson slow in game imo

And he's never been a shooter. So there's no, "For a shooter". He's expressed in interviews how in real life he's right handed but he's chosen to shoot left handed. Why he does this when he can't even get out of the 60s in free throws is beyond me, but he does things differently, as evidenced by leaving Spain for Germany

Yeah, he's never been known as a shooter. :tu

But he does seem pretty slow, especially for someone who can't shoot.

He'll get drafted.

[heyheymymy]

I wonder if AJ Johnson would take a Euro Stash deal (OZ Stash?) from SA

Lets him get back to NBL for 1-2 seasons while SA figures out Tre Jones, Blake Wesley and Malaki Branham situations and then backfills if applicable. Not sure he'd go for that as an early to mid second guy who could land on a roster elsewhere as immediately active.

I see a lot of the Primo mold with AJ, big guard with somewhat positional size that's not a trad primary playmaker but Spurs will force him to be anyway. Maybe this one can keep the Johnson in name only lol

[Leetonidas]

Really hope Djurisic is there at 35. I'm surprised he isn't getting more 1st round buzz

[heyheymymy]

Who doesn't love a good Spurs international gem in the second round? I certainly do... BUT, I think this year I'd like to use those picks (if not traded to move up for another FRP) on older NCAA players who will challenge for a roster spot. The Branhams, Wesleys, and Cissoko's of the team need to compete for their roles going forward. Roll the dice on some guys who might be able to do it.

Cam Christie
Baylor Scheierman
Dillon Jones
Jaylen Wells

Not against actually keeping #35 this time and picking both 2RPs. Could use the 2RPs on a shooter too esp if we pick developing shooters in the first round.

[Russ]

Would include AJ Johnson and Ajay Mitchell on this list as well.

I wonder if AJ Johnson would take a Euro Stash deal (OZ Stash?) from SA

Lets him get back to NBL for 1-2 seasons while SA figures out Tre Jones, Blake Wesley and Malaki Branham situations and then backfills if applicable. Not sure he'd go for that as an early to mid second guy who could land on a roster elsewhere as immediately active.

I see a lot of the Primo mold with AJ, big guard with somewhat positional size that's not a trad primary playmaker but Spurs will force him to be anyway. Maybe this one can keep the Johnson in name only lol

AJ's stats were so bad in the NBL -- 8 minutes a game, .355 FG, .278 from 3, .538 FT -- it just seemed like he should be left off.

But actually it just shows how tough the NBL is. And further shows that Sarr's stats in that league, although not eye-popping, are really pretty impressive for a guy his age.

[mo7888]

Not sure you'd call him international, he went to Arizona, but is from Sweden. Pelle Larsson would be a nice 2nd rd pick. Decent athleticism and nice deep game..

[Russ]

It aint over yet.

All these guys except Dadiet are still out there.

Do something.

[Splits]

package both of the 2nds for 2040 2nds.

do it Bwrong.

[Russ]

If you consider Furphy an international, he's still out there too.

[TekXX]

package both of the 2nds for 2040 2nds.

do it Bwrong.

You know damn well that's has an actual possibility of happening

[objective]

Spurs on the clock at 8: " Everyone left sucks ass. We're not touching any of this garbage."

Spurs at 48: "We've wanted Scrubby McScruberton for years, he was high on our boards. We love his potential ... There was a lot of great talent to choose from, we're happy he made it to us in a draft as deep as this."

[Russ]

Would include AJ Johnson and Ajay Mitchell on this list as well.

Yeah, I should have included Ajay Mitchell (even though he's technically a US college guy).

He looks damn good.

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[adonis827]

In the meantime, just peruse these international 2nd Round steals:

Manu Ginobili #57 1999
Luis Scola #56 2002
Marc Gasol #48 2007
Goran Dragic #45 2008
Patty Mills #55 2009
Bojan Bogdanović #31 2011
Nikola Jokic #41 2014

Patty Mills went to a USA college so technically not international. And you forgot the goat who was picked during a taco bell commercial