San Antonio Spurs Big Board 1.0 for the 2022 NBA Draft

[jeebus]

I can see the Spurs trading their lottery pick and Vassell for a 6'5 guard.

[BatManu20]

A name nobody’s really mentioned but that I’m intrigued by is Blake Wesley from Notre Dame. Just turned 19 last month. 6’5 with a near 7-foot wingspan and one of the best athletes in this draft. His shooting numbers have to improve obviously as his splits were 40/30/66 this season, but he’s got the tools to be special at the next level with lots of upside. Very springy athlete. Reminds me a bit of Mathurin in that regard. He’s moving up draft boards at the moment. Currently projected to go mid-late First Round.

[Ariel]

A name nobody’s really mentioned but that I’m intrigued by is Blake Wesley from Notre Dame.

I did, as an option for the 20ish picks. He's interesting for the reasons you posted, he's low cost - high reward potential. But to make room for these kind of bets you can't keep stockpiling Lonnie Walkers, Bates-Diops, Landales... clearing out some of those contracts would be necessary. Some would be easier (not resigning Lonnie), some harder (moving McDermott) but still doable.

[Atl Spur]

Give me Malik Monk over Wesley. Our draft assets need to be used on front court mostly.

[Dejounte]

Blake Wesley is a similar prospect to when DJ Murray came out. Both share a borderline street baller aesthetic to their game. Like Murray used to be, Wesley plays very loose and could use a lot of refinement. With strict coaching and a decent developmental program, he could turn out into something special. I think he’s the pick with one of our later first rounders if they are kept.

[Degoat]

I like Blake Wesley a lot, I just worry his stock might go up as we get closer to the draft if we can get him at 20 that would be terrific!

[Biggems]

My main concern with Sharpe is that he could turn into Wiseman part 2. Yes, he has some elite skills, but will that carry over to the NBA. After sitting out for a year, will he be a beast or just the latest over-inflated bust?

[rascal]

My main concern with Sharpe is that he could turn into Wiseman part 2. Yes, he has some elite skills, but will that carry over to the NBA. After sitting out for a year, will he be a beast or just the latest over-inflated bust?

Too talented to be a bust. It'll take a couple years but I see a player the Spurs will regret passing up on if he's there at 9.

[KobesAchilles]

We don't have 17 & 22, we have 20 & 25

Those too

My point is that I don't know these college players at all this year outside of like 10 names

[KingKev]

My main concern with Sharpe is that he could turn into Wiseman part 2. Yes, he has some elite skills, but will that carry over to the NBA. After sitting out for a year, will he be a beast or just the latest over-inflated bust?

Too early to call Wiseman a bust. Look at the rest of the Warriors youth. When Wiseman gets healthy he is in the best system in the NBA with no pressure to be great. Recipe for success.

[Uriel]

A name nobody’s really mentioned but that I’m intrigued by is Blake Wesley from Notre Dame. Just turned 19 last month. 6’5 with a near 7-foot wingspan and one of the best athletes in this draft. His shooting numbers have to improve obviously as his splits were 40/30/66 this season, but he’s got the tools to be special at the next level with lots of upside. Very springy athlete. Reminds me a bit of Mathurin in that regard. He’s moving up draft boards at the moment. Currently projected to go mid-late First Round.

I've seen Blake Wesley play in person. He's a great penetrator, uber fast and athletic. And when he gets steals in the open court and drives to the rim for a vicious fast break dunk, he reminds me almost of a 6"5 Kawhi Leonard.

[rascal]

I can see the Spurs trading their lottery pick and Vassell for a 6'5 guard.

The only trade I can see the Spurs making is trading the 25 away for a future pick.

[KingKev]

The only trade I can see the Spurs making is trading the 25 away for a future pick.

Jak and one the late FRPs and SRP and/or JRich and one of the late FRPs or SRP might get you something nice.

[baseline bum]

there's no way he can survive physically at the NBA level. , he struggled in the tournament against collegiate-level athletes.

Then again, I remember hearing the same about Durant when he couldn't bench 185.

[ZeusWillJudge]

I've seen Blake Wesley play in person. He's a great penetrator, uber fast and athletic. And when he gets steals in the open court and drives to the rim for a vicious fast break dunk, he reminds me almost of a 6"5 Kawhi Leonard.

I watched ND several times, but never in person. And since it's you, I'll give that some extra weight. But let me give you a couple of things to consider - food for thought.

I've heard that "small Kawhi Leonard" about several players over the last few years. My belief is that you can't have a small Kawhi Leonard, because Kawhi's size is part of what lets him do what he does. Kawhi was a walking double-double in college - at least in his sop re year. That's a facet that Wesley would never have developed in another year in college, and never will in the NBA.

The other thing is that no matter how you parse this, he's still another 6'5" player. If he really is destined to be a great player at the next level, he can still only be an upgrade to a single existing position. So I assume you're thinking of him as a LWIV replacement? I don't mind that, but do you think he's ready this year to step in as the starting 2 guard for an NBA team? And if he does step into that role here, how does that affect the team's horizon?

I wasn't mesmerized by his defense, but that's hard to gauge in small samples. BUT... it you look at the team stats for the whole season, he was one of the very few players whose DRtg was lower than his ORtg, and his DBPM was by far the lowest on the team other than a couple of bench rats. Strangely, since he's being billed as a serious offensive piece, his ORtg was by far THE lowest on the whole team. Put all that together, and it's at least a yellow flag.

He's got jets, I'll give you that. But he's not how I would want to see a FRP spent - this season, especially. I guess, like DPG is fond of saying, if the Spurs' FO sees something in him and decides to draft him, I would have to think they had a reason. But he wouldn't be on my board.

[BatManu20]

Kofi burn just declared for the Draft this morning. One of my favorite players in college basketball last season. Dude is a beast. He was a First Team All-American this season. He’s 21 so a little older than you’d like, but he’s a monster inside at 7’0 290 lbs with athleticism. Old-school Center who plays with his back to the basket. Very physical inside which I love. Doesn’t get pushed around (look at him). He’s going in the First around for sure.

[BatManu20]

Kofi averaged 21/11/1/1/1 on nearly 60% shooting this season. Majority of his shots are at the rim dude to his old-school playing style, though he does have a mid-range jumper he likes to use from time to time. He also has a reported 7’4 wingspan. His biggest weakness, however, is going to be foot-speed and defending the PnR. Teams will likely try to exploit him there.

[duncan2150]

Imo the problem with Kofi will be the perimeter D, he can be out of gas a little bit quickly during games. Other than that he's biiiig and can dominates the paint. Not a rim protector but he can rebound pretty well.

[Ariel]

Kofi averaged 21/11/1/1/1 on nearly 60% shooting this season. Majority of his shots are at the rim dude to his old-school playing style, though he does have a mid-range jumper he likes to use from time to time. He also has a reported 7’4 wingspan. His biggest weakness, however, is going to be foot-speed and defending the PnR. Teams will likely try to exploit him there.

Yes. He's likely to find his role very limited because of that, but someone will give him a chance with a late second rounder, or even if he goes undrafted. Not what we need, but should be fun to watch.

[Mr. Body]

burn is going to make money playing basketball somewhere, just don't know if it's in the NBA. I can see a team struggling with interior defense (against Embiid et al) grabbing him. A team like Chicago.

[BatManu20]

burn is going to make money playing basketball somewhere, just don't know if it's in the NBA. I can see a team struggling with interior defense (against Embiid et al) grabbing him. A team like Chicago.

Or Charlotte, who desperately wants a Center. I think there’s a good chance they take Williams from Duke at 14 though.

[BatManu20]

Imo the problem with Kofi will be the perimeter D, he can be out of gas a little bit quickly during games. Other than that he's biiiig and can dominates the paint. Not a rim protector but he can rebound pretty well.

Will definitely be attacked in the PnR at the next level. That’s why he’s not a lottery pick or even top-20. But I still think a team might fall in love with him and pick late in the First.

[BatManu20]

[Ariel]

Or Charlotte, who desperately wants a Center. I think there’s a good chance they take Williams from Duke at 14 though.

Charlotte needs a center who can defend. He's not the type.

[Mr. Body]

Another guy testing the waters that might be had late is Trayce Jackson-Davis. Great athlete, very good weak side shot blocker, some good skills. If he developed a jump shot he'd be a lottery pick but now he could be a bargain.