San Antonio Spurs Big Board 1.0 for the 2022 NBA Draft

[scott]

I am with the prevailing train of thought that we should sell Jak now (for the reasons aforementioned by exstatic above, and because he is close to his peak value right now with one more cheap year to go. I'd maybe argue he was more valuable at the deadline last year, but it doesn't matter anymore).

But what's the plan if we do trade Jak? Draft another C? Go after a Thomas Bryant or Mitch Robinson (presumably both will want more money than what Jak makes now)?

[ZeusWillJudge]

I know this is the draft thread.....but what about some of the players who may not get drafted. Who are some potential UDFAs that you would like the Spurs to go after for the SL?

For me,

PG Carlos Alocen (though if he isn't drafted, probably stays in Spain)
SG Allen Flanigan
SF Matthew Mayer
SF Terrence Shannon Jr.
PF Trayce Jackson-Davis

Every year I try to pick out UFA prospects. I screamed for Fred VanVleet, and got laughed at. I called for Max Strus and got laughed at, and now he's starting for the #1 team in the Eastern Conference. Last year Kenyon Martin Jr., but he wound up going at 52 or 53. This year it seems that Andrew Nembhard is being overlooked (though we won't know until draft night). If his name doesn't get called, I would absolutely have some kind of contract waiting for him - at least a two-way to get him into the gym.

I actually like Terrence Shannon. He's a big, strong kid who can handle contact, and he can shoot open 3's. But if I'm being honest, I think he's G-League fodder. Not a bad idea, though.

I'm a HUGE fan of Auburn's program, and I liked Flanigan last year, but I didn't keep up with him. I don't know what happened to him this year, though. Do you? If it was an injury, he might be someone who could make it on someone's bench.

I more than half expect Trayce Jackson-Davis to get called by someone in the second round. If he doesn't, he's probably at least worth a two-way.

I've also been a fan of Baylor products in the recent past, but not Matthew Mayer.

Carlos Alocen? Did you read that in an article somewhere? Be honest.

[rascal]

Agree with that. Although Duren and Williams could be off the board by the time Charlotte picks at 13. I could see the Knicks taking Williams at 11 as a Mitch Robinson replacement and I can see OKC at 12 and a lot of teams from 5-11 taking Duren. Heck OKC may even take Williams at 12 if Duren is off the board. They need a C badly. And a PF.

I doubt the Hornets will see Walker Kessler or any other C as the answer.

Maybe the play for the Spurs is to take Duren at 9 and force Charlotte's hand into a trade for Poeltl if word is the Knicks will take Williams at 11. It would be crazy to land 13 and 15 for Poeltl and 20 or 25.

[XDT76]

Maybe the play for the Spurs is to take Duren at 9 and force Charlotte's hand into a trade for Poeltl if word is the Knicks will take Williams at 11. It would be crazy to land 13 and 15 for Poeltl and 20 or 25.

There is no requirement for the word, they can decide when it's their time on the clock.

[rascal]

There is no requirement for the word, they can decide when it's their time on the clock.

You're right. They can be on the phone with Charlotte and depending what the Knicks and OK do that can decide if Charlotte wants to make the deal.

The Commissioner can announce a trade before Charlotte's pick.

[The Truth #6]

It's worth re-opening talks with CHA (assuming they ever happened), but there's no guarantee of that. Feels like that's going to be a letdown. The Spurs usually surprise us with trades.

[Ariel]

You're right. They can be on the phone with Charlotte and depending what the Knicks and OK do that can decide if Charlotte wants to make the deal.

The Commissioner can announce a trade before Charlotte's pick.

Trades are announced sometime after the pick. The Mikal Bridges situation is very representative of this, and also hilarious. He was picked at 10 by Philadelphia, with him being from Philadelphia and his mother even worked for the 76ers. They even interviewed him and his mom, and they were going overboard about how much it meant to him to be there... only to find out later on during the draft that he was actually part of a trade and on his way to Phoenix. In the end it worked out great for him, but that's one funny draft moment that illustrates these situations that happen with draft day trades.

[wildbill2u]

I am with the prevailing train of thought that we should sell Jak now (for the reasons aforementioned by exstatic above, and because he is close to his peak value right now with one more cheap year to go. I'd maybe argue he was more valuable at the deadline last year, but it doesn't matter anymore).

But what's the plan if we do trade Jak? Draft another C? Go after a Thomas Bryant or Mitch Robinson (presumably both will want more money than what Jak makes now)?

Good questions. I'm not down with the trade Poertle crowd yet. Granted his value is at a peak now because of his cheap contract and his rise to a premium center statwise. But who will replace those stats and defensive abilities, not to mention he has great hands and is invaluable on the P&R with Murray. Are we to be left with Zach and Jock? These three are the only players we have at the 5 with known abilities. Would some of the potential trades for Poertle that are being discussed give us a realistic shot at a super/much better player at that position?

Center is certainly not the problem position that we have at PF and, to a lesser extent, at SF. Not only do we not have WOW players at those positions, we barely have acceptable players on the floor at times because of inconsistency (Vassell) and the continuing 'tweener" problem with Keldon.

[Ariel]

I am with the prevailing train of thought that we should sell Jak now (for the reasons aforementioned by exstatic above, and because he is close to his peak value right now with one more cheap year to go. I'd maybe argue he was more valuable at the deadline last year, but it doesn't matter anymore).

But what's the plan if we do trade Jak? Draft another C? Go after a Thomas Bryant or Mitch Robinson (presumably both will want more money than what Jak makes now)?

That's highly contingent on whichever deal gets done, if any. I'm in favor of exploring options that add youth and talent at positions in need of it, but it's not like we need to dump him, so unless the right offer comes along (again, the proposed Charlotte deal seemed good all around IMO) you hold on to him. Boston extended Robert Williams at around $ 12 M per year, so I believe that's about market value for a good but non star center and, barring some desperate GM, something along those lines should be enough to keep Poeltl long term.

[BackHome]

Trade Poodle and we will definitely tank and 2023 hopefully get us a All Star or at least something close to an All Star - Were not close to winning or even beating Play In teams so why get stuck drafting in 9, 10, 11, 12, range? I am for tearing the band aid off real fast which means trade him and Landale and Collins can play Center so be it.

[CGD]

I am with the prevailing train of thought that we should sell Jak now (for the reasons aforementioned by exstatic above, and because he is close to his peak value right now with one more cheap year to go. I'd maybe argue he was more valuable at the deadline last year, but it doesn't matter anymore).

But what's the plan if we do trade Jak? Draft another C? Go after a Thomas Bryant or Mitch Robinson (presumably both will want more money than what Jak makes now)?

I’m increasingly of the view that spurs should consider extending Jak at this point. They missed the window to trade him at the deadline, and he’s the only other player that is on “Murray’s timeline” at this point.

[Seventyniner]

I’m increasingly of the view that spurs should consider extending Jak at this point. They missed the window to trade him at the deadline, and he’s the only other player that is on “Murray’s timeline” at this point.

Getting him to sign an extension would probably make him even more valuable in a trade. At least if I'm right about how non-rookie contract extensions work, where they can only start at a certain percentage (120%?) of the salary at the end of the existing contract.

Poeltl at $9.4M is a bargain, but he will be an expiring contract next season without an extension. With one he can provide several years of good value to another team, potentially increasing what they would be willing to offer.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

That's highly contingent on whichever deal gets done, if any. I'm in favor of exploring options that add youth and talent at positions in need of it, but it's not like we need to dump him, so unless the right offer comes along (again, the proposed Charlotte deal seemed good all around IMO) you hold on to him. Boston extended Robert Williams at around $ 12 M per year, so I believe that's about market value for a good but non star center and, barring some desperate GM, something along those lines should be enough to keep Poeltl long term.

Agree about Poeltl, if they can keep him at around $12-14 mil per this would be good value, especially considering the increasing cap in the next few years.

[mystargtr34]

Great point about Jak. He’s at the tipping point now where his contract situation starts reducing his trade value due to it becoming expiring.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

Extend Poeltl, but I don’t get too excited about trading him unless the Spurs have fully addressed the giant void that will then exist trying to defend the paint without him. He’s on another level from our other fives, and this team will be taking a big step back without someone of his caliber inside.

[exstatic]

Trades are announced sometime after the pick. The Mikal Bridges situation is very representative of this, and also hilarious. He was picked at 10 by Philadelphia, with him being from Philadelphia and his mother even worked for the 76ers. They even interviewed him and his mom, and they were going overboard about how much it meant to him to be there... only to find out later on during the draft that he was actually part of a trade and on his way to Phoenix. In the end it worked out great for him, but that's one funny draft moment that illustrates these situations that happen with draft day trades.

Which is why people need to temper their reactions to any of our picks until the draft is over and they turn out the lights. Anywhere between 1 and 3 picks could be on the move.

[Dejounte]

Basketball is a team sport. Increased synergy elevates individual performances. Better help defense and boxing out will make Poeltl look a lot better.

[Dejounte]

With that said, folks who say the Spurs have to be more talented from #1 to #15 are clueless and misguided. You only have to be talent heavy at the top. From there, it trickles down and makes everyone better.

[exstatic]

Extend Poeltl, but I don’t get too excited about trading him unless the Spurs have fully addressed the giant void that will then exist trying to defend the paint without him. He’s on another level from our other fives, and this team will be taking a big step back without someone of his caliber inside.

That would have been true in November or February, but Zollins showed himself to be a plus paint protector.

Sell high on Jak. Draft a young center, and have him apprentice under Zollins for the remainder of his bargain contract.

[SAGirl]

Extend Poeltl, but I don’t get too excited about trading him unless the Spurs have fully addressed the giant void that will then exist trying to defend the paint without him. He’s on another level from our other fives, and this team will be taking a big step back without someone of his caliber inside.

I agree 100%.
Consider that in the White trade, the Spurs got back a suitable replacement for his minutes in Richardson. I believe the Spurs specifically asked for him back in that trade.
I believe in a Jakob trade they’ll want some center back that can give them some minutes. Even if they draft a center, which they might very well do, rookies usually need some seasoning and you also aren’t sure how good they will be until you see them in games, so it’s a risk to go into the season without any veteran center in the team, even a mediocre one. The hope is your rookie shows promise and you can start feeding him starter minutes, but if he’s not ready and needs some time, you have somebody that can keep you afloat.

If Jakob is traded without a suitable replacement for him, the team will definitely take a step back. I wouldn’t mind the tankathon, but I worry about Murray at this point. He’s also coming up on his own extension next season and I think he’ll want to at least see the Spurs have some plan and semblance to get better within his timeline (kind of like Lavine did putting the pressure on Chicago to make moves to get better and not just rely entirely on the draft.) Specially for a team that will not tank, they will have to turn their assets into some help, not simply “reset the clock on Jakob because we don’t want to pay him.”

Who are the Spurs going to be paying instead tbh? So just his contract is not enough to not resign Jakob IMO. Now, if his agent is telling you he wants to test the market next summer as an UFA, then that’s a reason to trade him though I am not sure what you will get back at that point.

[Ocotillo]

I dunno about relying Collins. I liked what I have seen from him but I always feel like I am holding my breath waiting for an ankle to explode.

[Ariel]

Which is why people need to temper their reactions to any of our picks until the draft is over and they turn out the lights. Anywhere between 1 and 3 picks could be on the move.

[rascal]

I said before and during that draft that the Spurs should have targeted Mikal Bridges in a trade and I said this before the draft(trade into a position to draft him as he is the target) or if not then during the draft.

[JPB]

I say extend Jak. Not because he's a this peak value that you should trade him for the sake of it, with no real alternative to take his spot other than Collins (33) who isn't better and would then leave a hole and the bench...

He's culture now with DJM and will play more freely if he knows he's there for the long term... There's a reason why his value is at its peak, that's because he's pretty good at what he does. Centers take longer time to develop and I'm not really confident with Collins+ a rook as our center rotation.

[rascal]

Trades are announced sometime after the pick. The Mikal Bridges situation is very representative of this, and also hilarious. He was picked at 10 by Philadelphia, with him being from Philadelphia and his mother even worked for the 76ers. They even interviewed him and his mom, and they were going overboard about how much it meant to him to be there... only to find out later on during the draft that he was actually part of a trade and on his way to Phoenix. In the end it worked out great for him, but that's one funny draft moment that illustrates these situations that happen with draft day trades.

Did the NBA change the rules for trading picks recently? I know they do it the way you stated above now. I do remember in the past David Stern announcing a trade of the pick to another team and the new team then makes the draft pick.