Yup. And don't pass on any opportunities to draft at his position, if it's the best talent available. That's one of the most tempting and damaging things that overvaluing your own prospects can do for you.
You know its funny but the reason primo was picked, size, intelligence, and saavy did not disappear. The whole skepticism about primo is based on him reworking his shot and playinglimited role in Murray's offrense, playing behind keldon, vessel and rich. The spurs could have force fed him. But the spurs seem fine with slow growth.
I don't think anyone here is suggesting that someone is going to trade for Primo. I took rascal's question as an attempt to evaluate how much we as fans that like Primo value him.
Disagree.
The skepticism was there already but magnified with the rework of his shot. Couple that with a consistent role the last 15 games or so where he showed very little and the skeptisim remain warranted for a lottery pick that probably could have been had much later. He wasn’t playing behind anyone to close out there year. If anything we needed him to show something when Walker was out.
Slow growth is the best we can hope for.
Completely disagree about Primo not showing much - by the end of the season he was the best perimeter defender on the team and was clearly more comfortable driving a bit compared to earlier, passing better and getting used to NBA athleticism and speed. We all know about his shot mechanics changing, I'm pretty sure he'll be fine in this regard. He was expected to spend the whole season in Austin but ended up logging close to 1000 NBA minutes as a 18 year old. He seems to be valued very highly and with good reason.
Spurs like off the chart draft plays from outside the US. If you could get the odds right from Vegas, a small bet on someone like Dieng might bring good dividends. Just sayin'
That's exactly correct.
I wanted to gauge how much people in here valued Primo as compared to the players I listed.
Yes, Primo won't have much trade value at this time and another two year investment should be put into him but I'm not sold he's the answer for a top level 2 guard talent on a winning team.
His ceiling at this time appears to be a solid contributor off the bench for a good team.
I rewatched the Pelicans game and one thing came to mind is that Primo looked like a dwarf and Tre looked like a Hobbit compared to the Pelicans players. All I know we got to get more length and speed at certain positions.
CBS | 2022 NBA Mock Draft: Auburn's Jabari Smith fits Magic's needs, projects as top pick ahead of Chet Holmgren
David Cobb, May 20, 2022
Round 1 - Pick 9
Jeremy Sochan PF
Baylor • Fr • 6'9" / 230 lbs
Projected Team
San Antonio
PROSPECT RNK
12th
POSITION RNK
4th
PPG
9.2
RPG
6.4
APG
1.8
3P%
29.6%
Sochan is a nimble power forward who is comfortable shooting from the outside and guarding players at any position. Assuming he improves on the 29.6% 3-point mark he posted in one season at Baylor, Sochan should play in the league for a long time.Round 1 - Pick 20
Jean Montero SG
Overtime Elite • 6'2" / 180 lbs
Projected Team
San Antonio
PROSPECT RNK
20th
POSITION RNK
7th
Montero, who has been playing for Overtime Elite, looks the part of a future starting NBA point guard offensively with his ability to distribute the basketball and high-level handle. He put those traits on display in a Nike Hoop Summit exhibition vs. some of college basketball's top incoming freshmen. The questions here are whether his offense is good enough to outweigh some potential defensive limitations that come with being 6-2 and slender.Round 1 - Pick 25
E.J. Liddell PF
Ohio State • Jr • 6'7" / 240 lbs
Projected Team
San Antonio
PROSPECT RNK
29th
POSITION RNK
8th
PPG
19.4
RPG
7.9
APG
2.5
3P%
37.4%
Liddell is like a slightly more athletic version of third-year Celtics forward Grant Williams, who is playing a big role for Boston in the NBA Playoffs after he was taken with the No. 22 pick in 2019. He's got a stocky build reminiscent of a traditional post player but can shoot 3-pointers and is agile enough to hold his own as a versatile weapon in the NBA.
Sochan is going to be the Spurs pick at 9.
Everything is pointing to that as the pick.
Not trilled with just missing out on higher potential players just a couple of picks before.
Fansided Busting Brackets | NBA Draft 2022: Updated mock draft post combine and lottery results
Brandon Simberg, 50 seconds ago, AKA 23 May 2022
9. San Antonio Spurs – Jeremy Sochan – Baylor – Forward – Freshman
Another team I’m not exactly sure what their end goal is. They shocked everyone by taking Josh Primo at No. 12 last year, and he still looks a ways away developmentally. They are probably looking for a wing or four-man here, so I think they’ll go with Sochan.
Sochan was a late-riser in the season as his minutes and usage increased. He’s the most versatile defender in this class, having legitimate All-Defense potential down the line. The offense is raw right now, but he had some encouraging flashes as a ball-handler and playmaker. The shot needs work but I think he can become passable. Sochan is a good athlete, with long arms, and plus movement skills so the hope is that he is an elite defender with the ability to play finish, operate in the short roll and in dribble-handoffs, and hit some threes. The Spurs spacing isn’t great already, meaning Sochan would muddy things up a bit. But the defensive potential with him, Dejounte Murray, and Devin Vassell could be really interesting.20. San Antonio Spurs – Jalen Williams – Santa Clara – Wing – Junior
Filling out their front-court depth with Sochan at No. 9, they opt for a safe plug and play option on the wing. Admittedly, I need to do more of a deep dive on Williams after an impressive combine week. He measured in well, at just under 6’6, but with a 7’2 wingspan. Williams had a productive season while showing he’s a good defender. Williams had two strong combine scrimmage games, scoring 15 points on a good percentage.
Williams isn’t a freak athlete, but has a great mix of dribbling, passing, and shooting that will help attack tilted defenses and hit shots off of lead guard creation. Stockpiling wings with these tools is super important in team creation and I doubt Williams falls out of the first round.25. San Antonio Spurs – Christian Braun – Kansas – Wing – Junior
Taking Sochan that early makes me think San Antonio won’t want to overlap and take a Tari Eason or Patrick Baldwin Jr. here. I think they’ll continue to stockpile good wings and go with Braun. Braun was instrumental in Kansas’ national championship run, hitting threes at a decent clip, playing good defense on and off the ball, and being a plus college finisher. His combine week only helped him as he showed off his athleticism in the testing and played well in the scrimmages.
Measuring in at 6’7 was also a pleasant surprise. Like their earlier pick Jalen Williams, I believe Braun will be able to do some good things with the ball too. I’d like to see him become a more-willing shooter and quicken his release, but everything about Braun screams rotational wing.
Fansided Sir Charles in Charge | NBA Mock Draft 8.0: Pistons take a gamble; Magic find their cornerstone
Michael Saenz, 1 day ago, AKA 22 May 2022
9. San Antonio Spurs – Bennedict Mathurin, F, Arizona
The San Antonio Spurs are at a bit of a crossroad this offseason. They have the Gregg Popovich question hovering over the team and plenty of personnel decisions to make as well. With a top 10 pick, the Spurs will have a chance to pick a promising prospect.
Bennedict Mathurin is a player that is likely not going to receive a ton of publicity heading into the NBA Draft, but he’s a prospect that could develop into one of the better players from this class. He has great size, is a great athlete, and flashed some offensive brilliance during his freshman year at Arizona.
Mathurin could be the next great developmental prospect for the Spurs and would be a great next addition for a team that is trying to build a young, promising core.20. San Antonio Spurs – Jeremy Sochan, F, Baylor
You absolutely know that the San Antonio Spurs are going to make a wise pick late here in the first round. One option for the team is to add depth to the backcourt. Jeremy Sochan could be a fit. He’s a versatile forward that has the potential to be a do-it-all big in the modern game.25. San Antonio Spurs – Jaden Hardy, G, G Leauge Ignite
Once again, it’s really difficult to gauge what the San Antonio Spurs are going to do this offseason. But they’re always looking to build and Jaden Hardy could be a long-term investment.
Hardy is a player that needs a lot of development, but there may not be a better landing spot for him than San Antonio. The team is young, is one of the best developmental franchises in the league, and could use another young guard to solidify their foundation.
Love the fact that the mocks are all over the place...
That seems quite optimistic (even though ideally Sharpe might be better at 9).
But it's pretty damn hard to believe they're gonna get all three of those guys.
Watch Stadium | Jeff Goodman’s 2022 NBA Mock Draft 2.0
Jeff Goodman, May 20, 2022
9. San Antonio Spurs – AJ Griffin, 6-6, 222, SF, Fr., Duke
The Spurs need a lot. They have Dejounte Murray, and not a ton else to build around. RC Buford needs to just go with the best player on the board, and that might be Griffin. He missed much of the preseason with a leg injury, and while he showed glimpses, he never quite put it all together. But Griffin, the son of former NBA player Adrian Griffin, has the size and shooting ability. He shot 45 percent from deep as a freshman — which is extremely impressive.
2021-22 Stats: 10.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 45% 3-pointers (71-159)20. San Antonio Spurs (from Toronto) – Tari Eason, 6-8, 215, F, Soph., LSU
The Spurs could use a big-time defender, and that’s what Eason will bring right away. He’s an athletic forward who can guard multiple positions. Think of a Pascal Siakam-type of player. Long, athletic, plays hard and can really defend.
2021-22 Stats: 16.9 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 36% 3-pointers (28-78)25. San Antonio Spurs (from Boston) – Patrick Baldwin Jr., 6-10, 230, PF, Fr., Milwaukee
Baldwin chose to play for his father at Milwaukee instead of Duke coming out of high school, and it was a tough season to say the least. Baldwin is regarded as a big-time shooter, but he made only 27 percent of his threes. He only played 11 games due to injury, but he’s got size and can make shots.
2021-22 Stats: 12.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 27% 3-pointers (17-64)
NBC Sports Edge | 2022 NBA Mock Draft, Vol. 1
Raphielle Johnson, May 22, 2022
9. San Antonio: SG Johnny Davis (Wisconsin)
Davis had a very good sop re season at Wisconsin, averaging 19.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.7 blocks, and 1.2 3-pointers per game. If there was an issue it was the percentages, as he shot 42.7% from the field and 30.6% from three, but he's an athletic swingman who can play through contact. The perimeter shooting will need to improve, but Davis is the kind of player who can benefit from the improved spacing for the NBA game. Playing alongside a natural playmaker in Dejounte Murray would benefit Davis, who did have occasional issues with turnovers once asked to take on more of the playmaking responsibilities for the Badgers.20. San Antonio (via Toronto): SF Kendall Brown (Baylor)
The 6-foot-8, 205-pound Brown didn't offer much as a perimeter shooter this season, doing a lot of his work offensively when in transition. Brown's combination of size and athleticism make him an intriguing forward prospect, as he can even be used at the four in smaller lineups. He can defend multiple positions without much trouble, with the five being the only spot that teams would not ask him to handle. The key for Brown early in his NBA career will be to become a more consistent player on the offensive end, especially when it comes to his ability to create quality scoring opportunities for himself in the half-court.25. San Antonio (via Boston): SG Max Christie (Michigan State)
Christie's season at Michigan State wasn't as productive as many hoped, as he struggled with inconsistency on the offensive end of the floor. He shot 38.2% from the field and 31.7% from three, but his 82.4% mark from the foul line shows that he's capable of being an effective shooter in time. Christie has good size for a shooting guard, as he's listed at 6-foot-6, 190 pounds, and his form is solid. He's a player who stands to benefit from the spacing of the NBA game, especially if paired up with a quality perimeter creator. And San Antonio has one of those in Dejounte Murray.
Sochan available at 20? Yeah, sure, sounds good. Why not.
The Sochan/Brown situation shows just how tenuous player analysis in the NCAA can be. Early in the year, Brown had more popular chatter with better impact stats, but then by the end of the college season Sochan had passed him... What's the variance there--10 games, maybe 12? That's a pretty small sample size. In the old days when college guys played multiple years, it was easier to see development and growth, but now with so many top guys being one-and-done, it's a much tougher call with more guess work. If Brown has one big game in a high profile tournament match up and Sochan has a single clunker, their positions possibly change again, and that would be based on 30 minutes of action.
Last edited by R. DeMurre; 05-23-2022 at 01:35 PM.
File this one under, SIGN ME UP (No Way It Happens)
Mathurin + Sochan + Hardy sounds orgasmic. Mathurin may go earlier than 9, Sochan for sure will go earlier than 20... but:
Washington @ 10 has too many wings who can't shoot to add another
NY @ 11 might work but they have so many needs they may just go Duren / TyTy Washington or simple waste the pick on someone dumb
OKC @ 12 would be a natural fit but Presti might go for a higher upside guy like Dieng
Charlotte @ 13 may target a center (Williams?)
Cleveland @ 14 needs shooting more than length and defense (Agbaji?)
Charlotte @ 15 would be a good value pick. This is where it seems unlikely he keeps dropping.
Atlanta @ 16 definitely should grab him if available, given their defensive and IQ woes.
There might be a chance he lasts to 15. Making a deal with Charlotte for 15 could give us a chance at Sochan IMO.
If they like Poeltl, we can ask for 13. If they choose to use it on a center, they may go for Richardson + 38 (or 25, worst case scenario)
And we can still use 20 to trade up with Portland (or send Richardson to Portland and 20 to Charlotte, whichever works).
So that COULD be a realistic path to land both Mathurin & Sochan, IMO.
Last edited by Ariel; 05-23-2022 at 01:17 PM.
I get your concern with not getting an elite scorer at 9 (which we need to be higher than 9 to get). But what do you think about the idea of Sochan (or Eason, for that matter) in the context of signing Lavine?
Given we are picking 9, that still feels like the ideal outcome. Lavine signs. We draft Sochan at 9. If you can get Eason too at 20, even better, otherwise Jalen Williams or Jaden Hardy might be good to look at down there. Still got to trade one of TOR/BOS.
Fantasy Pros | 2022 NBA Mock Draft: First Round Picks & Predictions
Kyle Williams, May 23, 2022
9. San Antonio Spurs – Jeremy Sochan (G – Baylor)
We know how much the Spurs like polished NBA-ready players. That’s exactly what Jeremy Sochan is; a high motor, intelligent, and safe player. His flashy defense and playmaking ability would pair nicely with Dejounte Murray20. San Antonio Spurs – E.J. Liddell (F – Ohio State)
25. San Antonio Spurs – Nikola Jovic (G – KK Mega Basket [Serbia])
Fansided King James Gospel | Mock Draft 3.0: NBA Draft comes into focus with lottery set
Josh Cornellissen, 4 minutes ago AKA 23 May 2022
9
Tari Eason
Forward, San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs
This is the first instance where my personal draft board clashes a bit with consensus, and it results in Tari Eason leaping up to ninth and the San Antonio Spurs. The former LSU Tiger was the centerpiece of their offense and defense, and in particular racked up a high number of steals and blocks doing everything on defense. His jumpshot needs some work, but that is San Antonio’s specialty, and he looks like a true difference-maker defensively.
Trying to sign Levine seems harder than trying to move up two or three spots in the draft.
Spurs can dangle an extra pick this year and if that doesn't work add a player or a protected FRP pick next year.
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