2024 NBA Draft Thread

[Frenchfred]

Pretty much the same. I think we're all tired of the poor play and limitations of the team. It would be nice to know the draft could fix some of these problems and the available players don't look like homerun swings and each has question marks. So it feels like the year was a loss (in that regard). But I feel like the Spurs can get a couple of players in this draft - even not getting the Raptors pick - who will improve the roster.

no matter who the Spurs pick, it is not going to be a high contributor. There is a pretty good chance that the Spurs will run the same show next year with maybe a veteran or two. The 2025 draft has more talent and the pool of free agents has a lot of good names.

[Mr. Body]

Whoever is posting these game clips showing defensive possessions and misses is greatly appreciated.

0:07 Dillingham is taking his may way, way too high out imo. Sheppard does this, too, and I can only guess Calipari wants it. Why? I don't get it!
0:37 This is pretty common for him, doesn't provide resistance and gets blown by. Making it worse, he just ballwatches.
1:45 A good rotation. I don't think he was quite doing this earlier in the year.
2:00 Yes! Effin yes! This is what I want -- he has the quickness to stay in front of guys. Here, he's tuned in and keeps his man in front for a good contest!
2:27 Ivisic takes his man off the pick and Dillingham makes a good rotation to take the kick-out. I don't really have a problem with this. Dillingham seems aware of what's going on.
3:05 Yes! ing yes! He's using his quickness to bother his man, and it's effective!

I won't go through all of it, but to be honest, I really think Dillingham is improving on defense. Remember he went to Donda Academy for one year and then Overtime Elite, so his coaching has been pretty miserable and likely all offense, all individual-skill based.

But what I see in those bolded examples are exactly what I personally love to see from Dillingham. He's never going to overcome his height problems on defense, but if he busts his butt and actually uses his quickness, he can stay in front of guys and bother him, and if he keeps working and gets good coaching, has the quickness to navigate screens and be at least a bit of a pest. I want to get rid of his ball-watching and teach him better rotations, but he's much better in my view in the last few months.

[Frenchfred]

Whoever is posting these game clips showing defensive possessions and misses is greatly appreciated.

0:07 Dillingham is taking his may way, way too high out imo. Sheppard does this, too, and I can only guess Calipari wants it. Why? I don't get it!
0:37 This is pretty common for him, doesn't provide resistance and gets blown by. Making it worse, he just ballwatches.
1:45 A good rotation. I don't think he was quite doing this earlier in the year.
2:00 Yes! Effin yes! This is what I want -- he has the quickness to stay in front of guys. Here, he's tuned in and keeps his man in front for a good contest!
2:27 Ivisic takes his man off the pick and Dillingham makes a good rotation to take the kick-out. I don't really have a problem with this. Dillingham seems aware of what's going on.
3:05 Yes! ing yes! He's using his quickness to bother his man, and it's effective!

I won't go through all of it, but to be honest, I really think Dillingham is improving on defense. Remember he went to Donda Academy for one year and then Overtime Elite, so his coaching has been pretty miserable and likely all offense, all individual-skill based.

But what I see in those bolded examples are exactly what I personally love to see from Dillingham. He's never going to overcome his height problems on defense, but if he busts his butt and actually uses his quickness, he can stay in front of guys and bother him, and if he keeps working and gets good coaching, has the quickness to navigate screens and be at least a bit of a pest. I want to get rid of his ball-watching and teach him better rotations, but he's much better in my view in the last few months.

when I watch this video, that confirms that he is a bad defender, a lot of toreador defense. And he looks more out of control in offense than I thought.

[CGD]

^ it’s sad, but I feel these type of micro non-PG guards are going to obsolete in the next five years.

[Mr. Body]

^ it’s sad, but I feel these type of micro non-PG guards are going to obsolete in the next five years.

People keep saying this, but they're all over the league.

If there's an era where they're more impactful than ever, it's this one.

[Mr. Body]

Just a cursory look at nba.com there are close to 100 players in the NBA who are listed as 6'3" or shorter (with shoes). With 450 players in the NBA, that's around 22%.

[Dejounte]

The sad thing is that even if Dilly gives it his all and stays in front of his man, NBA refs will still be biased when they see a small man get overpowered by a bigger man and call the foul on Dilly. Dilly has a high foul rate as it is in college. I think he’s cursed to be a liability on defense.

[BackHome]

I think the kid has talent but when it comes to measurements he might be 6' feet in shoes and weighing at 165pds - I look how Tre gets picked on and sometimes abused like in last night game and can only imagine what teams will do with him trying to guard down low. Doing what he does in college is one thing but can he do the same thing against NBA talent is another thing.

But like I said this draft is terrible and I do think he would be an excellent change of pace type of guard who can be an excellent spark of the bench or start when someone is injured. To me Dily and Sheppard are two guys who I would love to be our bench players after we find our starters for all the other positions...

[baseline bum]

Welp, let's see the Spurs next project in Cody Williams right now.

[TD 21]

The sad thing is that even if Dilly gives it his all and stays in front of his man, NBA refs will still be biased when they see a small man get overpowered by a bigger man and call the foul on Dilly. Dilly has a high foul rate as it is in college. I think he’s cursed to be a liability on defense.

It'll be the exact opposite considering they cater the rules towards smalls.

[Degoat]

Welp, let's see the Spurs next project in Cody Williams right now.

At first glance I wasn’t a fan of Williams, but he’s growing on me. The spurs really need a safe high upside guy in this draft because it could be the last time we draft this high.

[Ariel]

At first glance I wasn’t a fan of Williams, but he’s growing on me. The spurs really need a safe high upside guy in this draft because it could be the last time we draft this high.

Funny, I just got the opposite feeling. I watched only the first half, was so underwhelmed that didn't stay for the 2nd. I'm out on Cody Williams.

[Ariel]

Has anyone looked into PG Juan Nuñez, who was named MVP of the FIBA U20 European Championship 2022 when he was 18? Playing for a Spanish club now at 20 years old, 6'4" 190. Projected late 2nd round, interesting highlights. Decent handles, scores on drives with a solid burst. Some loose ball/poke away fast breaks, nice finishes, and basic distribution with a few nifty passes. Has this sling pass that looks kind of sneaky. Seems like a Spursy project pick. Nuñez is teammates with 18 year old SF/PF Pacome Dadiet 6"8" 187 also projected around mid 2nd as of now and has been mocked to SA with #44. When you watch Pacome highlights, some of his offense starts with a Nuñez pass. Nuñez/Dadiet is my new irrational overhype of the week lol

Would be cool to target them both as a chemistry duo. Says they played Bourg which has Risacher and I'm looking at film on that. Some of the most promising names in Europe. Pretty good tape (Nov. 2023) as it has all 3 on court: https://youtu.be/AGJWiTikiiY

Was looking at second round and wondering who everyone liked there? Looks loaded with nice names. Collin Murray-Boyles, KJ Simpson, Kyshawn George may fall around #33 and Tyler Kolek, Trey Alexander around #44.

Probably see Spurs punt #33 in a trade for a future 2nd tbh but figure they pick one 2nd rounder who would you prefer?

Didn't watch him to have an opinion, but the Spurs can't possibly roster all future incoming picks, so they either move some or they get creative, and one possible way out is using one of those 2nd rounders on a draft & stash Euro, like it happened recently with Procida, Kamagate, or Vukcevic. Nuñez could be one such guy.

[heyheymymy]

Was thinking the same thing Ariel

Stash rights might work with either Dadiet or Nuñez since perhaps they may be down to stay in Spain another year or so with Ratiopharm Ulm. Both 20 or under so there's time to develop for sure.

[Bruno]

Has anyone looked into PG Juan Nuñez, who was named MVP of the FIBA U20 European Championship 2022 when he was 18? Playing for a Spanish club now at 20 years old, 6'4" 190. Projected late 2nd round, interesting highlights. Decent handles, scores on drives with a solid burst. Some loose ball/poke away fast breaks, nice finishes, and basic distribution with a few nifty passes. Has this sling pass that looks kind of sneaky.

Nuñez is a true good young player. He was the starting PG of the Spanish national team last summer at the world cup while being only 19 years old. He is a good pick and roll PG with a questionable jump shot. I haven't seen enough of him to really tell you more. BTW, he isn't playing in Spain, Ratiopharm Ulm is a German team.

What Spurs will do with their two second round picks will obviously depend a lot on the available roster spots they have. Draft and Stash might be an option but signing a two way contract might be another one. Spurs' three two way players (Bouyea, Duke Jr. and Gray) aren't really legit NBA prospects: the two-way pipeline is empty.
I think the most likely for the Lakers second round pick is a two way player.
For their own second round pick, I guess it will depend a lot on whether or not Spurs get the Raptors first round pick.

[CGD]

Just a cursory look at nba.com there are close to 100 players in the NBA who are listed as 6'3" or shorter (with shoes). With 450 players in the NBA, that's around 22%.

But isnt the concern with this guy — setting aside defense and that at the combine he’ll come in closer to 6’0” + 0 wingspan than 6’3” with a positive WS— that he’s not really a PG/set up guy?

Most of that 22% I’ll venture to say are lead or back up PGs no? I’m curious what subset of that group are basically short SGs, or microwave off the bench types. I think those are the guys that are falling out of favor bc they’re the ones that get mercilessly hunted in meaningful basketball games.

But who the knows. This all seems like a crap shoot this draft cycle.

[sfernald]

I don’t, but it’s just my opinion.

Here is a solid scouting report on Sarr. I think he’s one of the more sure thing prospects in this draft full of uncertainty.

[LeBowen]

Here is a solid scouting report on Sarr. I think he’s one of the more sure thing prospects in this draft full of uncertainty.

Even if he's a bad fit, he'd get at least 20mpg here the next season and if he proves to be the real deal, Spurs could easily trade him for the help Wemby needs.
Similar to Haliburton-Sabonis trade.

[Pauleta14]

Here is a solid scouting report on Sarr. I think he’s one of the more sure thing prospects in this draft full of uncertainty.

Thx for sharing

Sarr is intriguing tbh. He could be the best pick on the long term. His mobility/quickness for his size could be too rare to pass on.

He has post up moves I wish Vic had, like his up and under

But anytime I watch him, the opposition looks really weak, contrary to Europe, the paint isn’t packed in Australia and it doesn’t make him work on bigs fundamentals much imo.

[Russ]

I like Sarr next after Topic but he's no sure thing (nor is even Topic for that matter).

Sarr seems like a potential D-Rob light, a lean athletic big who will probably never have the offensive skills of a Duncan or Wemby. But still effective.

Sarr may not have a go-to move on offense but neither did D-Rob, he just scored a lot. That's good enough.

On the other hand, Sarr could be another Wiseman (who I erroneously favored once), i.e., a meandering underachiever.

It all depends upon his motor and commitment. He looks like he's engaged but you can't really tell that until you see him play for long stretches.

Pairing Sarr with Wemby could create one of the best defenses in the league -- rim protection in the extreme.

The Spurs need to create an iden y to become a great team -- these two guys on the defensive end could give them that.

The league is about ready to move to the next phase, a return to bigs after the Steph era of 3-point snipers.

Don't fight the last revolution, you'll always be scrambling to catch up -- create the next revolution, the next archetype, and you'll be on the ground floor.

[Mr. Body]

The first part of the year pretty much showed that Wembanyama can't co-exist with another big, much less a non-shooter.

[rascal]

Even if he's a bad fit, he'd get at least 20mpg here the next season and if he proves to be the real deal, Spurs could easily trade him for the help Wemby needs.
Similar to Haliburton-Sabonis trade.

If he proves to be the real deal you trade Sochan.

[rascal]

The first part of the year pretty much showed that Wembanyama can't co-exist with another big, much less a non-shooter.

Wemby didn't play with a real big the first part of the year. Collins is worthless.

[objective]

One of the reasons I'm not big on Sarr is my French Foreign Fraud theory, which hasn't really failed me with regard to first round picks

The theory goes that the domestic French league is plenty good with exposure, coaching, and money that legit French prospects stay in France and get noticed and scouted appropriately.

But players who leave France for other lesser leagues do it because they're not good enough to stand out in France. So by leaving for other leagues, they get noticed and pop with that extra notoriety of, "ooh, he's french!". And that is what happens and people defend it not realizing that the most legit French guys don't need to go elsewhere. Wemby was fine in France, Batum, Fournier, Coulibaly, Gobert, Parker, if a French player in a French league is legit, he'll get a first round grade.

When a player goes somewhere else, that should be a red flag: Timothy Luwawu-Cabarot, ABA fraud. Killian Hayes: German league fraud. Ousmane Dieng, on his way to being an Australian fraud. And now Sarr. Even Cissoko, if taken in the first round, probably would have been a g-league fraud.

Just a theory I have but I think it works.

[exstatic]

One of the reasons I'm not big on Sarr is my French Foreign Fraud theory, which hasn't really failed me with regard to first round picks

The theory goes that the domestic French league is plenty good with exposure, coaching, and money that legit French prospects stay in France and get noticed and scouted appropriately.

But players who leave France for other lesser leagues do it because they're not good enough to stand out in France. So by leaving for other leagues, they get noticed and pop with that extra notoriety of, "ooh, he's french!". And that is what happens and people defend it not realizing that the most legit French guys don't need to go elsewhere. Wemby was fine in France, Batum, Fournier, Coulibaly, Gobert, Parker, if a French player in a French league is legit, he'll get a first round grade.

When a player goes somewhere else, that should be a red flag: Timothy Luwawu-Cabarot, ABA fraud. Killian Hayes: German league fraud. Ousmane Dieng, on his way to being an Australian fraud. And now Sarr. Even Cissoko, if taken in the first round, probably would have been a g-league fraud.

Just a theory I have but I think it works.

Cissoko did play in Spain before the gleague, and that’s pretty good. He was on loan, which is why he had to be signed to an NBA contract to do his Spain buyout.