Should the Spurs tank? 12th seed now. Out of Play-in and not at bottom is the worst place to be...

[spursparker9]

Not too late to tank.

A wasted season if you are not in play-in and also not at bottom.

Just give more playing time to the bench scrubs and hopefully increase their trade value as well.

[cutewizard]

Second the motion

[mudyez]

Not too late to tank.

A wasted season if you are not in play-in and also not at bottom.

Just give more playing time to the bench scrubs and hopefully increase their trade value as well.

Not a fan of tanking especially with some teams in way better position. I don't like the idea of ruining culture and alienating Wemby just to say drafting #7 instead of #10...and maybe taking the same player nonetheless.

Pushing Chicago up a spot might be worth something, but it's too early to tell.

You don't need to go into full tank mode, but yeah...play Castle a lot and ship CP3 to a team of his wishing (and maybe get a 2nd rounder or anything usefull). Hell, I'd even play Collins a lot (meaning north of 20 minutes) just to give him another chance. :wow

Next season is the season of no excuses, as we want the Hawks to get a bad pick while getting our playoff feet wet.

[itzsoweezee]

Fuck no

[z0sa]

Can't tank with Wemby. Never could tank with Wemby. Haven't tanked with Wemby. People who thought we tanked or will tank or are tanking are in denial about how badly formed and coached our roster is.

[Pauleta14]

Should the Spurs do... what they've been doing all along??? :lol

Guys, we've kept the same roster full of morons that allowed to tank despite Wemby last season for a reason...

Cp3 is probably exceeding PATFO's expectations at least in terms of availability, Barnes has bailed us out so countless times and Wemby is the definition of a cheat code, who again has exceeded expectations in year 2 (top5 player already when most optimistics said top10 at best)

WE ARE CURRENTLY (soft) TANKING

[ismael-robert]

They may be seeing the value of their draft capital tanking and realize only way to get decent player now is with their own low pick

[Pauleta14]

If you're not contending, you're either thanking or you're an idiot.

[BackHome]

Probably best we could hope for is the 9th and 10th spot and hope the Basketball Gods gift us a top 5 pick

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

It’s too late to tank. Can’t catch the bottom 7 no matter what.

Besides this draft is very meh outside of the first 3 or 4. Not a big difference whether you draft at 8 or 12.

[baseline bum]

Not too late to tank.

A wasted season if you are not in play-in and also not at bottom.

Just give more playing time to the bench scrubs and hopefully increase their trade value as well.

Only way they could tank is shutting Victor down for the year, which seems like a great way to ensure he signs his QO and walks at the first opportunity. The Spurs have some golden picks they need to use to improve the team around him. Yeah the 2025 ATL pick isn't going to be top 10 most likely but the Spurs can still offer picks that are best of two different teams every year from 2025 through 2031 except 2029. If this is still a one man team by the time Victor is due for his next contract I wouldn't hold it against him if he just signs the qualifying offer and walks the year after. They have the assets to get good players and the patient approach just doesn't seem to be working as Vassell and Keldon Johnson haven't developed into anything valuable in five and six years.

[baseline bum]

Probably best we could hope for is the 9th and 10th spot and hope the Basketball Gods gift us a top 5 pick

LOL getting pick #5 would be cruel in what's starting to look like a four man draft. Not that it would be possible short of Wemby missing the season since you can only move up into the top 4 so guess I shouldn't worry about that. :lol

[TrainOfThought5]

Should the Spurs do... what they've been doing all along??? :lol

Guys, we've kept the same roster full of morons that allowed to tank despite Wemby last season for a reason...

Cp3 is probably exceeding PATFO's expectations at least in terms of availability, Barnes has bailed us out so countless times and Wemby is the definition of a cheat code, who again has exceeded expectations in year 2 (top5 player already when most optimistics said top10 at best)

WE ARE CURRENTLY (soft) TANKING

we’ve definitely won a few games we should not have won because of CP3/Barnes/Wemby going ballistic. We are actually a terrible team and you can tell when Wemby sits.

[SupremeGuy]

I think tanking is probably the best move at this time.

Fucking trade everyone not named Wemby or Castle.

[Splits]

No need to tank

https://i.ibb.co/xCKCCGP/image.png

[mo7888]

LOL getting pick #5 would be cruel in what's starting to look like a four man draft. Not that it would be possible short of Wemby missing the season since you can only move up into the top 4 so guess I shouldn't worry about that. :lol

It's a 5 man draft....drops off significantly at #6..

[mudyez]

No need to tank

https://i.ibb.co/xCKCCGP/image.png

Imagine how many 2031 and beyond picks we can get for those!

[spursparker9]

No need to tank

https://i.ibb.co/xCKCCGP/image.png

:lol nba is really rigged if this come true.

[LeBowen]

Some of you people are just hopeless.
From Amen trade topic to this, it's really hard to reply without being condescending.

We can get 8th best odds and that's it. There's no way to catch bottom 7 unless Wemby suffers a serious injury.
We'll have 8th-12th best odds depending on how Sixers, Bulls and Warriors situation plays out.
Bulls will probably get rid of Lavine and Vucevic so they can tank, Sixers and Warriors are garbage for different reasons.

We already have #1, #4, #9 and #11 picks on the roster.
Just because of the tanking crowd I hope Spurs fall as far back as possible in the draft.
We need actual NBA players who are ready to contribute, not more projects who will take 3 years to develop.

And what happened to PATFO being able to select the right players with subpar picks? Every single year there are legit starters drafted outside the lottery, it's time for the scouting department to earn their salaries.

[Mal]

This roster is not winning many games, but tanking is never good idea. Just let them play, just see who fits with Wemby going forward, test stupid stuff.

[KingKev]

Tanking will make very little difference. I suspect we are locked in the 8-12ish range. Definitely should be trying to throw some games down the last stretch to secure the lottery but other than that just keep playing hard and let the chips fall where they fall.

[lebomb]

LOL getting pick #5 would be cruel in what's starting to look like a four man draft. Not that it would be possible short of Wemby missing the season since you can only move up into the top 4 so guess I shouldn't worry about that. :lol

My projected draft order:

1. Cooper Flagg
2. Dylan Harper
3. Ace Bailey
4. VJ Edgecombe
5. Tre Johnson

If we can get into the top 5, I think we aight.

[mo7888]

Some of you people are just hopeless.
From Amen trade topic to this, it's really hard to reply without being condescending.

We can get 8th best odds and that's it. There's no way to catch bottom 7 unless Wemby suffers a serious injury.
We'll have 8th-12th best odds depending on how Sixers, Bulls and Warriors situation plays out.
Bulls will probably get rid of Lavine and Vucevic so they can tank, Sixers and Warriors are garbage for different reasons.

We already have #1, #4, #9 and #11 picks on the roster.
Just because of the tanking crowd I hope Spurs fall as far back as possible in the draft.
We need actual NBA players who are ready to contribute, not more projects who will take 3 years to develop.

And what happened to PATFO being able to select the right players with subpar picks? Every single year there are legit starters drafted outside the lottery, it's time for the scouting department to earn their salaries.

I'm not sure the Bulls can get lower than 7 even if they trade away talent. They 'might' even prefer to be outside the top 10 and take the hit now with this draft instead of possibly letting it convey next year. The problem with that is that I'm not sure if they can climb out of the bottom 10 and I'd say their range is 7-11 no matter what they do.

[baseline bum]

It's a 5 man draft....drops off significantly at #6..

IDK Flagg/Harper/Jak/Bailey seem head and shoulders above everyone else.

[CGD]

IDK Flagg/Harper/Jak/Bailey seem head and shoulders above everyone else.

Interesting, sounds like that very good 2021 draft class. Had the clear top 4 (Cade Mobley etc) and good 5-8 (Suggs, Frank), and 2-3 good role players thereafter.

[Tyronn Lue]

Some of you people are just hopeless.
From Amen trade topic to this, it's really hard to reply without being condescending.

We can get 8th best odds and that's it. There's no way to catch bottom 7 unless Wemby suffers a serious injury.
We'll have 8th-12th best odds depending on how Sixers, Bulls and Warriors situation plays out.
Bulls will probably get rid of Lavine and Vucevic so they can tank, Sixers and Warriors are garbage for different reasons.

We already have #1, #4, #9 and #11 picks on the roster.
Just because of the tanking crowd I hope Spurs fall as far back as possible in the draft.
We need actual NBA players who are ready to contribute, not more projects who will take 3 years to develop.

And what happened to PATFO being able to select the right players with subpar picks? Every single year there are legit starters drafted outside the lottery, it's time for the scouting department to earn their salaries.
When the core of the team is one person (Victor), a couple people need to step up to complete the set. Who would that be on the Spurs? Their best non-journeyman player not named Victor is a rookie. So the core consists of a 2nd year guy and a rookie. I think it will be alright.

[ffadicted]

Dumb idea. We aren't in a great spot atm, but developing our players and a winning mentality is so much more beneficial than going from #12th pick to #9th pick lol We aren't getting in play for any of the top players.

[BatManu20]

This roster is not winning many games, but tanking is never good idea. Just let them play, just see who fits with Wemby going forward, test stupid stuff.

I agree we won’t tank the rest of the way, but to say tanking is “never a good thing” when tanking literally got us Victor 2 years ago and Timmy 30 years ago is pretty erroneous. Tanking consistently is trash, but there’s definitely a time and a place for it tbh.

[LeBowen]

When the core of the team is one person (Victor), a couple people need to step up to complete the set. Who would that be on the Spurs? Their best non-journeyman player not named Victor is a rookie. So the core consists of a 2nd year guy and a rookie. I think it will be alright.

The one person core wants to win every game he can and that's where the tanking discussion stops.
His only reliable teammate also wants to win every game.
That's enough to not be able to catch up to teams that are intentionally losing games since November.

[scott]

No need to tank

https://i.ibb.co/xCKCCGP/image.png

Can you imagine? No team would ever trade with us again simply out of spite :lol

[baseline bum]

Can you imagine? No team would ever trade with us again simply out of spite :lol

Wouldn't need them to with a core of Harper/Castle/Barnes/Flagg/Wemby. :lol

[scott]

Wouldn't need them to with a core of Harper/Castle/Barnes/Flagg/Wemby. :lol

Right up until after we threepeat in the final three years of Flagg and Harper's rookie deals and our poverty owners refuse to go into the tax to pay any of these guys :lol

[baseline bum]

Right up until after we threepeat in the final three years of Flagg and Harper's rookie deals and our poverty owners refuse to go into the tax to pay any of these guys :lol

We'll still be good as it'll be 20131 by then

[Spurminator]

For fans of a team that has such a low NBA Draft batting average, some of you sure do place a lot of priority on picks. I don't understand it.

Whatever players we're rolling with long term will gain far more from experience playing important games with Playoff implications than they will with a random #8 pick we're not even sure is going to pan out.

[onechance87]

For fans of a team that has such a low NBA Draft batting average, some of you sure do place a lot of priority on picks. I don't understand it.

Whatever players we're rolling with long term will gain far more from experience playing important games with Playoff implications than they will with a random #8 pick we're not even sure is going to pan out.

i agree....But its so obvious we need more talent bad.With this young core of young players aint it with wemby.

[spurraider21]

nope. we knew based on the schedule this would be a brutal month. even the rush to end the season and fight for a playoff spot is going to be good experience for the young guys. havent had a true must win game for most of their careers

[Mal]

I agree we won’t tank the rest of the way, but to say tanking is “never a good thing” when tanking literally got us Victor 2 years ago and Timmy 30 years ago is pretty erroneous. Tanking consistently is trash, but there’s definitely a time and a place for it tbh.

I tend to differentiate shuting down your good players vs putting shitty roster and trying really hard to win. Spurs tanked, using 2nd approach

[Brazil]

Victor has been quite vocal about the fact he wants the play in and make the POs in his second season, I don't believe Spurs going tanking mode for the second half of the year. They won't take any health risks or impose more minutes to achieve that but the play in is the objective.

[KingKev]

I tend to differentiate shuting down your good players vs putting shitty roster and trying really hard to win. Spurs tanked, using 2nd approach

I don’t disagree; they indirectly tanked through PATFO’s ineptness.

[Spurminator]

i agree....But its so obvious we need more talent bad.With this young core of young players aint it with wemby.

100%. Which is why I'm hoping we can package some of these picks for known talent.

[rascal]

Dumb idea. We aren't in a great spot atm, but developing our players and a winning mentality is so much more beneficial than going from #12th pick to #9th pick lol We aren't getting in play for any of the top players.

You never know, more ping pong balls is always better to increase the odds for a top four player who should have a higher chance to be a difference maker for the Spurs.

[rascal]

For fans of a team that has such a low NBA Draft batting average, some of you sure do place a lot of priority on picks. I don't understand it.

Whatever players we're rolling with long term will gain far more from experience playing important games with Playoff implications than they will with a random #8 pick we're not even sure is going to pan out.

Believing that indicates you believe this core is good enough as is and just needs more experience.

Some of us want upgrades to the current core and the draft is the primary source for the Spurs as the spurs don't make huge splash trades for current stars and don't sign free agents other than average role player type journeymen.

Getting a top four pick in the 2025 draft (with this draft top heavy with talent) will do more for the overall future of the team than a few more wins during the season.

[Allan Rowe vs Wade]

Whatever wemby wants, I want

maybe in the past I'd say patfo knows better but ......

[ismael-robert]

We're at where we belong but Philly is messing with the order...no way they deserve a good pick n I hope league is investigating those medical records

[z0sa]

We're at where we belong but Philly is messing with the order...no way they deserve a good pick n I hope league is investigating those medical records

League exists to maximize profits for owners. Never forget that.

[Spurminator]

Believing that indicates you believe this core is good enough as is and just needs more experience.

lol no it doesn't. It means I don't want to waste years three and four of his rookie contract developing teenagers.

[rascal]

lol no it doesn't. It means I don't want to waste years three and four of his rookie contract developing teenagers.

You will be more certain to be wasting three or more years if the draft picks are outside the top picks and that happens with more meaningless wins at the end of the season. Lower draft picks have lower hit rates.

Spurs have shown no interest in trading their draft picks for high end talent and even said to be patient which means they are building through the draft.

[Spurminator]

You will be more certain to be wasting three or more years if the draft picks are outside the top picks and that happens with more meaningless wins at the end of the season. Lower draft picks have lower hit rates.

Spurs have shown no interest in trading their draft picks for high end talent and even said to be patient which means they are building through the draft.

The draft is not the only way to add talent to a team.

[rascal]

The draft is not the only way to add talent to a team.

The draft looks to be the way the Spurs want to build the core of their team. People still hoping for a major impact trade for a star player when the Spurs have made it clear to be patient and they want to build through the draft.

[SpursBills]

The draft looks to be the way the Spurs want to build the core of their team. People still hoping for a major impact trade for a star player when the Spurs have made it clear to be patient and they want to build through the draft.

What is your draft/trade preference for this offseason if both of the spurs’ picks end up in the 10-18 range?

[Spurminator]

The draft looks to be the way the Spurs want to build the core of their team. People still hoping for a major impact trade for a star player when the Spurs have made it clear to be patient and they want to build through the draft.

I'm not involved in the Spurs organization, thus my opinions are not bound by their philosophy. Still, even if this team is refusing to trade or sign known talent, I don't trust the FO enough to bet that getting a 7th pick instead of 14th will make this team substantially better versus giving the core experience in important games down the stretch.

[T Park]

This fanbase is addicted to losing and it fucking sucks

[rascal]

What is your draft/trade preference for this offseason if both of the spurs’ picks end up in the 10-18 range?

What I really want is for the Spurs to lose enough to get enough ping pong balls and strike luck again to get into the top four.

Drafting 10 or lower would be a disappointing result as the players in that range are not as good not as much upside as the players inside the top 10.

I like Tre Johnson's speed and quick release and think he can end up being a great number 2 offensive scorer for the spurs if the spurs land outside the top 4 but inside the top 10.

[100%duncan]

For fans of a team that has such a low NBA Draft batting average, some of you sure do place a lot of priority on picks. I don't understand it.

Whatever players we're rolling with long term will gain far more from experience playing important games with Playoff implications than they will with a random #8 pick we're not even sure is going to pan out.

End of thread

[ismael-robert]

4-7 games are more important than a player who can play for 15+ years, got it.

[ismael-robert]

Making late season changes to improve a team is for playoff teams n contenders...not only does it hurt draft position but does it improve us enough to really improve playoff seeding this late in year? And then ok we improved playoff seeding, did we do enough to become contenders? So the same arguments of fruitlessness can be made from both sides. We've already wasted over half a season let's get decent pick n see what they do in off season or any decent waiver pickups

[ambchang]

I don’t mind losing this year to get good odds but this is it. I am more and more convinced the spurs problems are developmental issues with young players. Not the players. Even if the spurs drafted exactly the same as OKC did with the same players, we’d be a treadmilling 25 win team because the players can’t play together or rung any sets with any consistency.

[Spurminator]

4-7 games are more important than a player who can play for 15+ years, got it.

lol what percentage of NBA draft picks play 15+ years?

Pretty fool proof argument if you always assume the best case scenario instead of the odds.

[spursparker9]

Tanking is a legit option guys. This season is gone tbh

[mystargtr34]

I was in the tank after the Bulls loss a few weeks ago and said so in the game thread. Nothing has changed. Get that 8th draft slot and hope to jump in the top 4 and get one of Flagg, Harper, Ace, Veejay, Fears, Jaku.

[scott]

I was in the tank after the Bulls loss a few weeks ago and said so in the game thread. Nothing has changed. Get that 8th draft slot and hope to jump in the top 4 and get one of Flagg, Harper, Ace, Veejay, Fears, Jaku.

And then what? With the exception of Flagg and maybe Harper, all of these guys are going to be several years away from being viable players who turn this team around. Even if we land one of these guys, we've still got to quickly make moves to improve the rest of the roster. I don't want to wait until Wemby's extension kicks in to make the playoffs.

[spursparker9]

Past few days have been fun with the Luka-AD Trade and us acquiring Fox.

But back to reality guys.

Still at 12th seed and 4 games behind the very tight play-in race.

Even if addition of Fox, do you think he can overcome the dead weights of Vassell and Keldon clanging up shots and will the Spurs into the playoffs? :lol

Still not too late to tank tbh

[Death In June]

I’m in the camp that shuts down Fox until his surgery is done. Get a back up C and try to win games and naturally come in outside of the play in. Hopefully comfortably make the playoffs next season.

[rascal]

Yes, get Fox's finger fixed and go for two top 10 picks this year and hopefully get one top 4 pick and all chips in starting next year.

[Mal]

I would say give it a go. If it looks like, it would need more than plug and play type adjustments, then shut him down.

[CGD]

I think the best outcome is: play-in where Spurs lose one or two very hard fought games, ATL continues to fall, Spurs keep combined odds of around 20% of landing a top 4 pick.

[onechance87]

Lets see how we do today against atl and the next few games

[thOOdee]

don't see how people can't smell the Chris Paul/spurs underdog/narrative from a mile away headed into the playoffs. bookmark this, and think spurs making another move soon. Going to be scary for whoever is in first.

[Knoxxx]

I’m in the camp that shuts down Fox until his surgery is done. Get a back up C and try to win games and naturally come in outside of the play in. Hopefully comfortably make the playoffs next season.

We also need to give fair tryouts to our end of the bench guys like Mamu, Wesley, Branham down the stretch. Which can be conducive to losing more games. Assuming more of those end of bench guys aren't traded this week. Also if you feature those guys down the stretch, every other game or whatever, could boost their future trade value in offseason.

Edit: yes I know Mamu...Branham have had multiyear tryouts by now, but this is a wink wink hey let's accidentally not win too many games strategy also. Noted that Duke and Ingram played a little last game, time to call them up some more and see if they are worth keeping around or churning for other prospects.