Spurs needs to tank hard and target Wembanyama un 2023

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Exhibit A

They're currently only 3 spots above us in the standings. Outside of the playoffs as we speak. In our WORST year in the last ~25 seasons. And they have largely been healthy all year. And are chock full of veterans. They shouldn't be below a 4 or 5 seed, at WORST, right now.

Yet they remain outside the playoffs?!?

Haha.

And you want to look down your nose at those of us wanting to maybe take a gamble on the next potential Lebron and Michael? For a guy that isn't doing much of for his team right now?


ST indeed has no limits.

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That, the 5 year age gap (though you could argue Doncic is young enough and Wembanyama's body type worrisome enough to offset it) and the fact that the latter's two-way ceiling is in another galaxy.

With the exception or Jordan and James, I still think a two-way center is and always will be the most valuable archetype in the sport.

This.

[benefactor]

Counterpoint: You take Wemby and you have him for at least a few years on a rookie contract with a good chance at extension. You can build around that.

You trade the pick for Luka, and you're also trading for the $180M he is owed over the next 4 years (with a player option in the 4th).

I understand Luka is a known commodity, but he could also be a malcontent who wants to force his way out of San Antonio when the going gets tough. He's already obviously frustrated with the Mavs.

I'm not saying your logic is wrong, but it's also not as simple as you seem to be making it out to be.

It is that simple. You are arguing semantics in a scenario that involves a top three/five player in the league against a kid who hasn't played a single minute. He's trapped on one of the most dysfunctional franchises in the league. He's suddenly a diva because he's not Dirk and won't just sit around and take a flogging from Cuban and stay loyal no matter what? Cir stances be damned you go with Luka over rolling the dice on film from a rookie that for now is nothing but hype.

[benefactor]

Ceiling....

We have seen Lukas ceiling. He's a ing superstar right now. You mother ers are like Pistons fans waiting on Darko to arrive.

I'm not saying Wemby won't be good. His potential is God level. But the much better gamble is taking a real superstar out of a toxic environment and giving him a coach who has been working with overseas players his whole ing coaching career. Let's be serious, Parker could have very easily become a Luka under Cuban. And yes, Pop got to mold him from a kid. But betting on a superstar who will likely become one of the best players ever is far and away better than betting on an unknown.

I honesty have no idea why this needs to be explained.

Oh yeah, Spurs Forum.

[benefactor]

And please, keep that age-old Spurs Forum money argument out if it. He's Luka ing Doncic. He deserves every penny.

calling him a known commodity like he's a bag of chips on the shelf. Jesus listen to yourself

[benefactor]

They're currently only 3 spots above us in the standings. Outside of the playoffs as we speak. In our WORST year in the last ~25 seasons. And they have largely been healthy all year. And are chock full of veterans. They shouldn't be below a 4 or 5 seed, at WORST, right now.

Yet they remain outside the playoffs?!?

Haha.

And you want to look down your nose at those of us wanting to maybe take a gamble on the next potential Lebron and Michael? For a guy that isn't doing much of for his team right now?


ST indeed has no limits.

...indeed it has no limits. I look down my nose at you because of garbage posts like this. And the sad thing is you typed it thinking it was a decent take. Horse like you just spewed is a big reason I abandoned the upstairs long ago. But hey, keep ing that chicken if it makes you feel good.

[benefactor]

And it's funny you bring up Jordan. Your ing ass would have probably been ready to bail on him after his first four seasons with no real playoff success.

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...indeed it has no limits. I look down my nose at you because of garbage posts like this. And the sad thing is you typed it thinking it was a decent take. Horse like you just spewed is a big reason I abandoned the upstairs long ago. But hey, keep ing that chicken if it makes you feel good.

Typed it feeling like it was an awesome take...then you ruined my confidence.

And don't knock chicken- in until you've tried it.

Wembanyama is the proper pick.

[baseline bum]

It's a fun thought exercise. Let's take a look at the choice going into the 2003 draft and you've got #1 (LeBron).

Do you trade the rights to LeBron for these guys:

All NBA First Team was: Kobe, TMac, Tim, KG, Shaq. I'm going to assume Kobe and Tim are off the table here.
All NBA Second Team was: JKidd, AI, Chris Webber, Dirk, Ben Wallace.

Assuming Kobe and Tim are off the table, I'm not sure I am trading LeBron for any of those guys (and I would trade Bron for Tim but not sure about Kobe, that's a tough one). KG might be the only other question mark in there, but I'm still taking Bron.

In the modern example, I think you have to trade Wemby for Giannis. I prob don't trade Wemby for Jokic. I'm still a toss up on Luka. Tatum might honestly be the only other guy I'd consider. Steph, Durant, LeBron are out based on age. Ja is out based on off the court and position value. I'd also rather take Wemby than Embiid at this point in Embiid's career, but that's another close one.

No chance whatsoever I'd trade Wembanyama for Tatum. Tatum's not a franchise guy, he's a second tier star. Tatum's a nice guy to have if you have depth but he's not a turn the franchise around kind of guy. Embiid is when healthy but he's a China doll so no upside in taking him over Wemby. Doncic is about as close as you can get to say Miami LeBron (no way he's as good as first stint in Cleveland LeBron) and at age 24 I'd definitely want a happy to be here version of him over all the uncertainty with Wemby. Especially if the Spurs could convert some of that stash of first round picks into quality 25-32 year old vets.

[Rocalcio]

Luka is Luka but the #1 pick could be anything. It could even be another Luka!

Or even better

[heyheymymy]

Sorry I'm rolling the dice on Wemby over a trade for Luka D but it has more to do with Luka being specifically Luka than the value exchange being debated. Luka is expensive, malcontented, physically a ticking time bomb, and not transcendent enough on the court for me. Wemby is a fresh start.

I'd be open to consider trading the Wemby pick for a different established superstar besides Luka though, just no actual player in the league right now that checks all my boxes to do the deal for.

[mo7888]

This has been a fascinating discussion... Luka vs Wembanyama... I'm not sure which way I'd go...the sure thing or the much higher ceiling... but the discussion has been enlightening..

[MultiTroll]

And don't knock chicken- in until you've tried it.

Wembanyama is the proper pick.

The chicken rejected benefactors advances.

But did tell him to come back when he wasn't inebriated / steroid rage fueled.

[barakz21]

So assuming we end up picking 3, who’s do you guys think the spurs will likely pick? I know posters were thinking Miller was the likeliest pick at 3, but are divided on whether the Spurs will actually pick him due do that issue he had. But that was before Bama got upset.

[exstatic]

So assuming we end up picking 3, who’s do you guys think the spurs will likely pick? I know posters were thinking Miller was the likeliest pick at 3, but are divided on whether the Spurs will actually pick him due do that issue he had. But that was before Bama got upset.

Kind of a rash assumption. If you're looking at individual pick odds, the highest for the 3rd spot is #6 overall, at 26%. That might be the place to start if you're looking at one individual pick.

[Mr. Body]

So assuming we end up picking 3, who’s do you guys think the spurs will likely pick? I know posters were thinking Miller was the likeliest pick at 3, but are divided on whether the Spurs will actually pick him due do that issue he had. But that was before Bama got upset.

I don't think Miller or Amen/Ausar are out of the question. The team will dive deeply into them, give interviews, and so on. There's a contingent here that thinks they might try to trade down from that spot, but who knows.

[MultiTroll]

So assuming we end up picking 3, who’s do you guys think the spurs will likely pick? I know posters were thinking Miller was the likeliest pick at 3, but are divided on whether the Spurs will actually pick him due do that issue he had. But that was before Bama got upset.

Millers stock def dropped after the tournament choker.

I don't want to think about anything else until the Wama fantasy is fulfilled -or not.

[exstatic]

I don't think Miller or Amen/Ausar are out of the question. The team will dive deeply into them, give interviews, and so on. There's a contingent here that thinks they might try to trade down from that spot, but who knows.

After drafting a great kid out of a decent program (LW IV) with incandescent athleticism and no understanding of the game, I have a hard time seeing them pick one of the Twins in the first round. I mean Lonnie could at least shoot well, and wasn't playing against HS kids. We picked Lonnie at 18 with much more to go on, and he was a buster.

[Mr. Body]

After drafting a great kid out of a decent program (LW IV) with incandescent athleticism and no understanding of the game, I have a hard time seeing them pick one of the Twins in the first round. I mean Lonnie could at least shoot well, and wasn't playing against HS kids. We picked Lonnie at 18 with much more to go on, and he was a buster.

I don't disagree. I'm just saying the Spurs will check them out if they get that pick or #3. I'm not sure they can trade down. If they can't, then it's one of those guys or it's reaching for a Jarace Walker type.

[exstatic]

I don't disagree. I'm just saying the Spurs will check them out if they get that pick or #3. I'm not sure they can trade down. If they can't, then it's one of those guys or it's reaching for a Jarace Walker type.

“It’s one of those guys” kind of implies that their draft board looks like everyone else’s. It likely really doesn’t, and unless they have a trade lined up, they won’t just draft one of the Twins because teams behind them covet them. The Spurs always set up a complete draft board, and they draft the highest remaining player on their board if it’s a pick for themselves, and not a trade.

[rascal]

After drafting a great kid out of a decent program (LW IV) with incandescent athleticism and no understanding of the game, I have a hard time seeing them pick one of the Twins in the first round. I mean Lonnie could at least shoot well, and wasn't playing against HS kids. We picked Lonnie at 18 with much more to go on, and he was a buster.

Bad comparison, Thompson twins are both better, far more athleticism than Walker and are expected top 10 lottery picks.

[exstatic]

Bad comparison, Thompson twins are both better, far more athleticism than Walker and are expected top 10 lottery picks.

They can't shoot, and they're 20, playing against HS players. Lonnie already had an NBA season behind him when he was 20. Their athleticism is the only thing that stands out, and you can't lean into that in the NBA if you have no other fundamental skills.

Walker had a 40 inch vertical. Don't hype these kids over him unless you have receipts. That was the official draft combine measurement.

[spurraider21]

brandon miller had a god awful tournament. i liked him as the clear #3 in the draft until the off-court stuff became a huge issue. if that's tapered down, i still like miller at 3, but man the last couple weeks has been rough to watch

imo trade down from 3 would make sense, but i dont know that anybody is going to be looking to trade up

[K...]

Do people who put miller at 2 not realize that scoot Henderson had an amazing tourney run? Oh wait that didnt happen. And miller is saying he was injured. The virtue signaling fans need to STFU about Miller. Nobody knows what the spurs will do and the spurs haven't had a high pick in nearly forever (duncan was a lock).

Furthermore draft guides are fake.

Its a weird draft about half the top 10 could be foreign or G league

[heyheymymy]

Yeah I mean I wouldn't rule anything out. Time changes things and suppose I could see the vibe being different come draft day. If Spurs conduct interviews I bet they'll ask the right questions after all they've been through no doubt a high barrier for sure. If they're satisfied and select Brandon Miller it's gotta mean they felt comfortable. I'd support Miller. He'd be great on the court. Just feel like after all I've seen from SSE over the years drafting Miller would seem pretty unlikely at least with what we know now.