2024 NBA Draft Thread

[rascal]

If Topic is there at 4 the Spurs shouldn't draft him at 4.

Take the gamble that Det, Char and Portland won't draft Topic.

Spurs will still have a shot at Topic at 8.

[buttsR4rebounding]

If Topic is there at 4 the Spurs shouldn't draft him at 4.

Take the gamble that Det, Char and Portland won't draft Topic.

Spurs will still have a shot at Topic at 8.

[Mugen]

Devin Carter is gonna rise up the boards and I think will be a real consideration at #8 come draft day tbh.

[DesignatedT]

If Castle is undersized what does that make Dillingham and Sheppard? Lol. Castle is a legit 6'6+ in shoes with a +4 wingspan.

[exstatic]

If Castle is undersized what does that make Dillingham and Sheppard? Lol. Castle is a legit 6'6+ in shoes with a +4 wingspan.

He doesn’t consider Castle to be a PG.

[DesignatedT]

I mean Castle pretty much has the exact same measurements as Manu did.

[Mugen]

Castle is an interesting pick at #4 because even if he never becomes a PG, he still has a pretty high floor as a wing + secondary playmaker. If his shooting ever becomes passable and his lead playmaking develops to allow him to play point then he's a home run pick.

I think the Spurs would draft him in hopes of turning him into a PG but it wouldn't necessarily preclude them from picking Dillingham at #8 and just sliding Castle into the starting 3 spot.

The shooting is a major concern but he's a good enough cutter that you could get away with it for a few years. The Spurs would absolutely need another shooter at the 3 spot though.

[CorrectCrusader]

I feel like Castle is the no brainer pick BWright would make at 4

[Dejounte]

Castle is an interesting pick at #4 because even if he never becomes a PG, he still has a pretty high floor as a wing + secondary playmaker. If his shooting ever becomes passable and his lead playmaking develops to allow him to play point then he's a home run pick.

I think the Spurs would draft him in hopes of turning him into a PG but it wouldn't necessarily preclude them from picking Dillingham at #8 and just sliding Castle into the starting 3 spot.

The shooting is a major concern but he's a good enough cutter that you could get away with it for a few years. The Spurs would absolutely need another shooter at the 3 spot though.

This is exactly my line of thinking. There’s multiple ways to make Castle work before he’s declared a bust, and that’s what makes him a good and safe pick. Others only have one way: if Zaccharie’s shot isn’t falling, he’s useless everywhere else. If Topic is not finding others on offense, then he’s useless. Etc. etc.

[CorrectCrusader]

This is exactly my line of thinking. There’s multiple ways to make Castle work before he’s declared a bust, and that’s what makes him a good and safe pick. Others only have one way: if Zaccharie’s shot isn’t falling, he’s useless everywhere else. If Topic is not finding others on offense, then he’s useless. Etc. etc.

Nah he's still a good defender and off ball player.

[Dejounte]

Nah he's still a good defender and off ball player.

The guy who falls on his ass after a dunk every time and gets shoved out of position on defense a lot… Yeah, I just don’t think so. He looks like a lesser Keita Bates Diop on that end.

[mo7888]

This is exactly my line of thinking. There’s multiple ways to make Castle work before he’s declared a bust, and that’s what makes him a good and safe pick. Others only have one way: if Zaccharie’s shot isn’t falling, he’s useless everywhere else. If Topic is not finding others on offense, then he’s useless. Etc. etc.

Even though I think Risacher will be the better player, I can't argue that Castle is a safer pick if Risacher's shot doesn't fall.

[Manu20]

I like Nikola Topic but I do believe he won't be NBA ready right away like a Castle, Sheppard, or Dillingham. Topic is a High Risk High Reward type of pic but considering that Wemby is already playing at a superstar level the Spurs need to draft players that can contribute right away.

[LeBowen]

Even though I think Risacher will be the better player, I can't argue that Castle is a safer pick if Risacher's shot doesn't fall.

Is he? Even though he could play at SF, he's still a guard and having a non-shooting guard is way worse than having a non-shooting wing.
Until they become servicable shooters, Castle and Jeremy wouldn't be able to share the floor.

I'd rather have Castle who's guaranteed to be good at one aspect of the game than some other projects who need to put everything together.

[Pauleta14]

The more I learn about those prospects and the more I read this thread, the less I know

[R. DeMurre]

Devin Carter is giving me Jose Alvarado vibes... and a Jose Alvarado who's a hair under 6'4" in shoes (with nearly a 6'9" wingspan) instead of 6' could potentially be a big time steal in the draft. He dominated the draft combine physical testing, at or near the top in every category.

[Atl Spur]

What does KAT have to do with this?
You asked about Edey. I replied that size doesn't matter when matching up against Wemby.
OKC won't draft a non-shooter. They gave Sengun to Houston just because he can't shoot. Presti is very rigid with his roster building ideas.

Two teams have definitive unicorn's ( sa & okc) that can be devastating weak side defenders! Okc doesn’t need five shooters on the court more than they need a big presence in the paint. SGA, Dort,Williams,Chet,Edey is a problem!

[LeBowen]

Two teams have definitive unicorn's ( sa & okc) that can be devastating weak side defenders!

Wemby is a devastating defender either way. Playing him alongside another big just ruins the spacing on offense.

Okc doesn’t need five shooters on the court more than they need a big presence in the paint. SGA, Dort,Williams,Chet,Edey is a problem!

That's not the way Presti sees it, it's obvious they're going for maximum spacing and switchability.

[Atl Spur]

Wemby is a devastating defender either way. Playing him alongside another big just ruins the spacing on offense.



That's not the way Presti sees it, it's obvious they're going for maximum spacing and switchability.

Who else can run an iso big man pick and roll like Wemby / Edey pairing? Only Okc surrounded by three shooters…..

[The Truth #6]

Devin Carter is giving me Jose Alvarado vibes... and a Jose Alvarado who's a hair under 6'4" in shoes (with nearly a 6'9" wingspan) instead of 6' could potentially be a big time steal in the draft. He dominated the draft combine physical testing, at or near the top in every category.

Same. I'm opening up to him as a prospect. The combine results help him be seen as a safer pick in that at least no physical limitations. 8 would be the highest he goes and only if Reed, Castle, and Dillingham are gone already.

[Mugen]

I've never seen a more on brand post than Miss Cleo advocating for the Spurs to pick Boban Edey at #4

[R. DeMurre]

Same. I'm opening up to him as a prospect. The combine results help him be seen as a safer pick in that at least no physical limitations. 8 would be the highest he goes and only if Reed, Castle, and Dillingham are gone already.

Definitely feels like a Miami Heat pick, with him being slightly older and maybe more likely to contribute immediately.

[exstatic]

I like Nikola Topic but I do believe he won't be NBA ready right away like a Castle, Sheppard, or Dillingham. Topic is a High Risk High Reward type of pic but considering that Wemby is already playing at a superstar level the Spurs need to draft players that can contribute right away.

I’m going to quote this and respond every time anyone posts this.

NO ONE IN THIS DRAFT IS NBA READY.

[spurraider21]

Remember that Matt Bonner was one of the strongest players in the NBA and that Grayson Allen could outjump Lonnie Walker. I don't put a lot of stock in any of these times, because there always seems to be some expected workout warrior who doesn't translate that gym athleticism into on-court explosiveness.

Also Castle isn't an SF. I would hope he could guard most small-forwards, but he looks to be a guard. At that size, Knecht has to play the three, but he'll have to show he can defend there. His cone agility doesn't erase the shaky defensive tape.

yeah i agree in not getting too caught up in combine stuff. i think the most misleading is often the verticals. volleyball athleticism isnt the same as basketball athleticism. the measurables dont define how good the player is, but they can often be indicators that there is room for improvement.

but they're most useful to confirm priors. "oh, this guy looks like he overwhelms players with size, so he can get away with his ballhandling deficiencies" and then the combine shows mediocre to sub par length numbers and you second guess what he can get away with

[heyheymymy]

Same. I'm opening up to [Devin Carter] as a prospect. The combine results help him be seen as a safer pick in that at least no physical limitations. 8 would be the highest he goes and only if Reed, Castle, and Dillingham are gone already.

Considering this path too. Saw Devin Carter mocked #13 by The Ringer. It's a reach but the 6'8.75" wingspan, offense, solid but basic passing and decent defense help justify it in the case you miss out on Sheppard, Castle and Dilly. I like Carter next even before McCain now. Could see that being the Spursy move out of left field and I can live with it.

Devin Carter does have a wonky shot mechanics and he's 22 though.