Official 2022 NBA Draft thread

[exstatic]

I'm early into doing my research for the draft but I posit this question to those who follow the College game and Spurs closely....

Are the Spurs still in BPA mode or are they looking for help in a position of need? (and I tend to think that is a starting 4).

I know how redundant this may sound considering we're likely a lottery team, without a play in game too; but I wonder how the Spurs key Brass feel on this topic.

Would the Spurs still look at Ivey and Mathurin for example, if they feel comfortable with a combination of KJ, Vassell and Primo (perhaps even Lonnie) as the youth to bypass such a pick?

The Spurs have drafted players 6’4”-6’6” in the first round for 6 consecutive drafts. They’ll go BPA, like always. They not only drafted Primo last year with a glut of guards and wings, they reached for him.

[FutureMan]

The Spurs have drafted players 6’4”-6’6” in the first round for 6 consecutive drafts. They’ll go BPA, like always. They not only drafted Primo last year with a glut of guards and wings, they reached for him.

Not sure you can call it BPA straight out. It’s some kind of mixture of BPA and something else. Them skipping Haliburton and choosing Vassell is a good example of what I’m talking about. I can’t describe the secondary thought that goes into their decision making but I’m definitely use to it by now

[Thomas82]

The Spurs have drafted players 6’4”-6’6” in the first round for 6 consecutive drafts. They’ll go BPA, like always. They not only drafted Primo last year with a glut of guards and wings, they reached for him.

That's depressing to think about.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

They have 3 FRPs. Their own which will be late 20s, LAL which should be 10-15 and likely low to mid 20s. They also culd clear up to 40mm in cap quite easily this offseason.

If I'm Memphis I'm sending all of these picks to Indiana for Sabonis, even add another FRP in 2024, throw the kitchen sink. He'd be a perfect fit for them.

[ZeusWillJudge]

Kendall Brown's freshman numbers (on a Baylor team that's better than Primo's Alabama team) might not look overly impressive, but they're better than Primo's were in almost every way-- points, rebounds, assists, steals, WS, ORtg, DRtg, BPM, per game, per minute, etc... hard to argue that casuals don't understand why Primo might be so great while also saying Brown doesn't have potential.

Assume the Spurs win just enough games to wind up with a late lottery pick, which seems likely:

Brown is better than he's being given credit for (so far). But I hate to see this team take a guy who isn't much of a 3P threat. I don't think he'll ever be that.

Patrick Baldwin Jr. is also better than he's being given credit for, but he's got a better 3P stroke than Brown, and a coach for a dad. If he doesn't stick around one more year to help Sr. out, he's probably on the list.

If Jabari Walker remembers where he left his 3P stroke, he could be a good value in the late 1st or early 2nd. If the Spurs do a deal that gets them an extra pick in that range, I wouldn't mind seeing him be their second pick. But... if Walker does find that outside shot again, he's a guy I could see flaring up later in the season, and playing his way up aroun 10-12. I'm a big believer in guys who show talent AND have a father who was a player.

I could say all those same things about Caleb Houstan, except the bit about his dad. So if the Spurs are stuck in Late Lottery Limbo, or if they maneuver their way into a late 1st or early 2nd, and Walker or Houstan are there, they would both be value picks for the Spurs. I know everybody wants a franchise guy, but they aren't likely to find one that far down, even if Kawhi did fall to 15.

Hunter inson and Johnny Juzang - either or both could be there when the Spurs take their own second round pick. Both would be worthwhile as second rounders.

And if he gets overlooked - the Spurs should have a contract (at least a 2-way) ready for Mason Gillis the moment the draft is over.

I don't like to waste a lot of time with players who aren't likely to be around when the Spurs will be picking. And I always try to find value second round picks, and at least one who is likely to go undrafted. I cried for the Spurs to sign Fred VanVleet when he went undrafted, and Max Struss is doing a of a job for Miami as an undrafted player. And I still think Jordan Nwora was a great value at 45 - especially if he hadn't gotten injured in his rookie season.

Right now, I think it's at least a coin toss that Jabari Walker plays his way into the top 15, barring injury or Colorado missing the tourney, which they could well do.

[buttsR4rebounding]

I’ve been intrigued by John Butler from FSU. Son of a coach and at 7’1” moves very well on the perimeter. I can’t recall a 7 footer that gets his butt down and slides his feet so well. I like him in the 2nd round.

[Seventyniner]

If Jabari Walker remembers where he left his 3P stroke, he could be a good value in the late 1st or early 2nd. If the Spurs do a deal that gets them an extra pick in that range, I wouldn't mind seeing him be their second pick.

Good news: the Spurs get the better of Detroit's and Chicago's seconds this year, which will be Detroit's pick and thus an early second (#31-34).

Evidently the Wizards/Hutchison and DeRozan S&T deals combined to assure the Spurs of that pick.

https://basketball.realgm.com/nba/draft/future_drafts/detailed

Edit: the Spurs owe their own 2022 second to Cleveland (via Utah, Diaw salary dump in 2016) so they won't get to double-dip at the top of the second round.

[The Truth #6]

Assume the Spurs win just enough games to wind up with a late lottery pick, which seems likely:

Brown is better than he's being given credit for (so far). But I hate to see this team take a guy who isn't much of a 3P threat. I don't think he'll ever be that.

Patrick Baldwin Jr. is also better than he's being given credit for, but he's got a better 3P stroke than Brown, and a coach for a dad. If he doesn't stick around one more year to help Sr. out, he's probably on the list.

If Jabari Walker remembers where he left his 3P stroke, he could be a good value in the late 1st or early 2nd. If the Spurs do a deal that gets them an extra pick in that range, I wouldn't mind seeing him be their second pick. But... if Walker does find that outside shot again, he's a guy I could see flaring up later in the season, and playing his way up aroun 10-12. I'm a big believer in guys who show talent AND have a father who was a player.

I could say all those same things about Caleb Houstan, except the bit about his dad. So if the Spurs are stuck in Late Lottery Limbo, or if they maneuver their way into a late 1st or early 2nd, and Walker or Houstan are there, they would both be value picks for the Spurs. I know everybody wants a franchise guy, but they aren't likely to find one that far down, even if Kawhi did fall to 15.

Hunter inson and Johnny Juzang - either or both could be there when the Spurs take their own second round pick. Both would be worthwhile as second rounders.

And if he gets overlooked - the Spurs should have a contract (at least a 2-way) ready for Mason Gillis the moment the draft is over.

I don't like to waste a lot of time with players who aren't likely to be around when the Spurs will be picking. And I always try to find value second round picks, and at least one who is likely to go undrafted. I cried for the Spurs to sign Fred VanVleet when he went undrafted, and Max Struss is doing a of a job for Miami as an undrafted player. And I still think Jordan Nwora was a great value at 45 - especially if he hadn't gotten injured in his rookie season.

Right now, I think it's at least a coin toss that Jabari Walker plays his way into the top 15, barring injury or Colorado missing the tourney, which they could well do.

Any thoughts on AJ Griffin? His dad was an NBA player, I believe.

[exstatic]

Good news: the Spurs get the better of Detroit's and Chicago's seconds this year, which will be Detroit's pick and thus an early second (#31-34).

Evidently the Wizards/Hutchison and DeRozan S&T deals combined to assure the Spurs of that pick.

https://basketball.realgm.com/nba/draft/future_drafts/detailed

Edit: the Spurs owe their own 2022 second to Cleveland (via Utah, Diaw salary dump in 2016) so they won't get to double-dip at the top of the second round.

We own the Lakers SRP as part of the same trade. That looks to be in the mid 40s.

[Dejounte]

Last year, comments from Pop were all about the team lacking in 3 point shooting, and they addressed that in the offseason.

This year, the comments from Pop are that the team is being outrebounded and that the team needs a scorer.

You can connect the dots here and filter out draft prospects/ free agents/ trade targets who do not meet this criteria.

High scoring potential:
Ivey
Banchero
PBJ
Keegan Murray
Maybe Mathurin

My bets are on these guys to be drafted by the Spurs.

[BackHome]

If we have the 4th pick and Ivey is available I am picking him without hesitation

[The Truth #6]

I can see the Spurs having a high pick and doing something unexpected. Like, I could see Chet falling and the Spurs take Keegan Murray instead. Or something like that.

[exstatic]

I can see the Spurs having a high pick and doing something unexpected. Like, I could see Chet falling and the Spurs take Keegan Murray instead. Or something like that.

Doubtful. They’re going to pick the highest talent that matches the culture, not just pick a culture guy.

[The Truth #6]

Doubtful. They’re going to pick the highest talent that matches the culture, not just pick a culture guy.

Do you not see Keegan as a high talent player, then?

[exstatic]

Do you not see Keegan as a high talent player, then?

I’m more optimistic than most about our pick. I think we have a good chance at the top 4, and he’s not a top 4 player. The scenario was Chet, and he’s not better than Chet.

[The Truth #6]

Yeah, that’s the consensus. Still, I expect the Spurs to do something unexpected. But best talent with good character makes sense on paper.

[KingKev]

Yeah, that’s the consensus. Still, I expect the Spurs to do something unexpected. But best talent with good character makes sense on paper.

Character needs to take a backseat to talent. It’s starting to get ridiculous.

[bluebellmaniac]

Character needs to take a backseat to talent. It’s starting to get ridiculous.

Just stop. Go back to your YMCA 12 and under league and recruit the out of your league. And stay off the internet.

[buttsR4rebounding]

Just stop. Go back to your YMCA 12 and under league and recruit the out of your league. And stay off the internet.

What are you talking about? This team lacks TALENT! It needs to be the top priority. Kingkev is right on the money.

[KingKev]

Just stop. Go back to your YMCA 12 and under league and recruit the out of your league. And stay off the internet.

I’m not saying draft Dennis Rodman Jr but we need a shakeup of culture. The good guy thing is great when you have guys like David Robinson and Tim Duncan leading by example (even those days had some bad boys) but we need to make some compromises if we’d like to be compe ive again.

[bluebellmaniac]

I’m not saying draft Dennis Rodman Jr but we need a shakeup of culture. The good guy thing is great when you have guys like David Robinson and Tim Duncan leading by example (even those days had some bad boys) but we need to make some compromises if we’d like to be compe ive again.

No. You recruit Rajon Rondo for your team. We need players with BBIQ. We need motors. We also need the maturity to go out and learn the SYSTEM we operate in. If they want to ball like it is a playground, that is not going to work. They have to know rotations, how to pass, how to know what the options are and in what order. They need to be willing to play defense and know how (learn). No, they are re-building and they are doing it the correct way. It isn't re-built in a day.

[Dejounte]

The Spurs should go against the grain if they feel that they should. They make the right pick most of the time, so there’s really no reason to doubt that area of the organization.

but of course we’ll hear moaning on here like they did for Sengun, a player who probably won’t be as good as they thought. Let’s not forget Poku either.

[KingKev]

No. You recruit Rajon Rondo for your team. We need players with BBIQ. We need motors. We also need the maturity to go out and learn the SYSTEM we operate in. If they want to ball like it is a playground, that is not going to work. They have to know rotations, how to pass, how to know what the options are and in what order. They need to be willing to play defense and know how (learn). No, they are re-building and they are doing it the correct way. It isn't re-built in a day.

BBIQ is absolutely welcomed. Maturity can be learned. Talent can’t. We have some very poor defenders on the last few teams so defense is only a consideration and not a necessity for PATFO as evidenced by Walker, Johnson, DDR, Forbes, McDermott etc.

[exstatic]

Spurs have already proved they will pass on talent when the character isn’t there. Of course, so did 19 other teams. A lot of mock’s had Jalen Johnson ranked as a top 5-7 talent, but he fell all the way To 20.

[RC_Drunkford]

Just get a top 5 pick. That should be the focus. I‘m good with any of the top 5 in this draft