Assuming Topic is a drive and kick player, Washington works well because they have shooters. He and Wemby may not work because they're trying to get to the same places in the paint.
Have yet to see any highlights or write-ups that push me off the opinion that Topic is anything more than an under-the-rim player who can't shoot, doesn't defend, has never shown out against top level compe ion, and has medical flags.
Honestly it's not apparent to me why he was ever talked about as a Top-10 candidate.
Would rather not have the #8 pick and take Ajay Mitc at #35 than take Topic or Salaun there.
There's more impact from first round picks (yes, outliers, but historically earlier the pick, the better the expected player), and more certainty around clear groups who'll be available. At this stage, a month and change out, there's so little certainty over where prospects will go that debating second round picks gets silly. Also, to an extent, second round picks might be fit pieces, and you'd consider who you'd drafted already.
e.g, I think KJ Simpson is good, and looks likely to be available at 35 (and 48, in some places). But, if we drafted Dillingham, I'd probably avoid another small guard who's not a stash, as he'd be strictly a third option as I don't see a lot of options for Simpson / Tre / Dilly to play together. If we went with something like Castle / Reed, I could see it as there's still a bit of value in looking for on ball creation now, as while I think both of those guys are good bets to eventually contribute to some on ball responsibility, they aren't heliocentric options now / pure PGs.
1.) Stephon Castle || FR || UConn || 6'6 || SG/PG
2.) Ron Holland || 18yrs || G-League Ignite || 6'8 || F
3.) Isaiah Collier || FR || USC || 6'3 || PG
4.) Justin Edwards || FR || Kentucky || 6'8 || SF
5.) Aday Mara || FR || UCLA || 7'3 || C
6.) Kel'el Ware || SO || Indiana || 7'0 || PF
7.) Mackenzie Mgbako || FR || Indiana || 6'8 || F
8.) Bobi Klintman || 20yrs || Cairns Taipans || 6'10 || PF
9.) Ja'Kobe Walter || FR || Baylor || 6'5 || SG
10.) Izan Almansa || 18yrs || G-League Ignite || 6'10 || PF/C
11.) Alex Sarr || 18yrs || Perth Wildcats || 7'1 || PF/C
12.) Trentyn Flowers || 18yrs || Adelaide 36ers || 6'8 || SF
13.) Nikola Topic || 18yrs || KK Mega || 6'6 || PG
14.) Zaccharie Risacher || 18yrs || Bourg || 6'8 || SF
15.) Donovan Clingan || JR || UConn || 7'2 || C
16.) Kwame Evans Jr. || FR || Oregon || 6'9 || PF
17.) Baba Miller || SO || Florida State || 6'11 || C
18.) D.J. Wagner || FR || Kentucky || 6'3 || PG
19.) Terrance Arceneaux || SO || Houston || 6'6 || SF
20.) Tyrese Proctor || SO || Duke || 6'5 || G
21.) Cody Williams || FR || Colorado || 6'8 || SF
The above is a random pre-season mock draft. I found others that had Collier up there at number one, Edwards from Kentucky. First of all, a great example of why pre-season mocks are so problematic. Many of the guys we're drooling over for 2025 are not going to show out. This one's fairly unusual in having Castle that high.
Anyway -- many of these players completely tanked. They sucked. But somebody has to move up into the vacuum of the first slots, so it wound up becoming Sarr-Risacher-Topic.
That became the narrative for months, and like many things, the reputation got sticky: these players deserve the top slots because obviously they are the best.
Becomes a self-fulfilling thing: Sarr-Risacher-Topic are clearly the best, or else why was everybody mocking them so high? So I'd better mock them high, too.
As a note, Castle was hurt earlier in the year and didn't start playing until around December. It took him a bit to start getting noticed again.
Are you warming to Castle at 4, or are you still sticking to Dillingham there?
Well, currently they're my two selections, it's a matter of how I can get both of them.
Detroit is a threat to take Dillingham. Charlotte is a dim possibility to take Dillingham. Portland is unlikely.
Detroit is not likely to take Castle. Charlotte is a possibility to take Castle. Portland could take Castle.
I think Detroit's smartest play is to take Dillingham, though Buzelis is getting ink there. And despite shortcomings (heh heh) he's my main target. So I don't futz around and I take my player at 4.
I'd still feel out whether Charlotte, who may not be in love with any player at 6 and be okay waiting out Portland, would trade from 6 to 8, likely still get a guy they like (Holland or Williams, say). Last year, Indiana got Washington's 2028 SRP and the Suns' 2028 SRP to swap the 7/8 first round picks, so I'd see what it would take to do this.
Basically, I value Dillingham the most, so make sure I get him. I like Castle from this bunch, too. I think there's risk Dilly gets nabbed at 4-7 and I can potentially control for getting Castle. But if I can get Castle then Dillingham, then that works, too.
Tbh I think the Spurs go for Risacher or Castle with the 4 and don't have Dillingham on their radar.
He's holding a starting spot (and playing effectively) against much better compe ion. At 18, a year younger than the NCAA guys.
He's physically the largest of the PG prospects (Assuming reported measurements are correct). Could easily play up at the 2 or even the 3.
He has 2 NBA level tools already: 1) Drive and Finish, 2) Passing. His shot is likely to develop, as he shoots .878 on free throws. His defense is not strong, but the issue is overstated. Like just about every prospect, I expect his defense to get better with more experience. Also, unlike the NCAA guards, he is playing against men and pro offenses now, not college ball; that makes him look worse than he is, relative to the college guys.
The Spurs would like to play 5 out primarily so I don't think this is really an issue. Also, I think Topic showed some flashes of high-level playmaking and IQ during his time with Mega. That's probably the one thing that is easily translatable to the NBA. It's everything else that you have to have some concerns about.
Makes sense. I wouldn’t hate the combo, but my preference would be to wait on Dillingham (or best of him/reed/topic) at 8. I’m on the Castle at 4 bandwagon, but definitely think the Spurs take ZR if he’s still there. And if they do that, I hope they move up for Castle as you suggest.
The point is, it's a flawed premise. If you're going to expend high and mid lottery picks on defensive players, they better at least have the potential to be elite ones, not just average - good.
No, I don't and I'm basing this off of their own comments/actions over the years. They clearly have this pie in the sky fantasy of building this supposedly idealistic Celtics/Thunder style roster (where every core player can guard and has to be guarded) and think they can make it happen by sprinkling their magic pixie dust on non shooters, which usually fails.
I don't see Castle as a great role player, at least within' the context of this roster.
One of topic's main strenght is the pick and roll, he could be deadly with victor.
It's funny that pretty all the draft analysts or scouts value topic and here he's a scrub. For me watching him reminds me of sengun : different positions, different qualities and weaknesses but high IQ players with a lot of fundamentals killing it on some grown men league. I also think people really understimate playing in french or serbian league while having some good productions at 18 tough i can agree for salaun it will be early at 8
Last edited by duncan2150; 3 Weeks Ago at 04:44 PM.
if you're an 18-year old playing for Red Star you're definitely not a scrub
Here's a write up on the UCONN kids
I would. I like Castle, and I think he could be a PG, but Topic IS a PG, right now, and a pick and roll master. People who like him aren’t neccessarily talking about him because there’s a strong possibility that he goes 2 to Washington.
He had one injury, which he then re-aggravated. It’s the same one that Blake had, an MCL, and if you’re going to have a knee ligament injury, that’s the way to go. If he needs surgery, and we don’t know that, it’s a 3-6 month recovery, not a year like an ACL. And what are these character issues you’re babbling about?
Even with the injury issues? I definitely get it if they aren't a concern, but right now they are concerning..
I’m not sure they should. Their listed Cs are Bagley III and some rookie named Vukcevic.
I addressed my feelings on that in the next post below the one you quoted.
Zaccharie Risacher is 6'10, not 6'8.
(I dit the same thing when someone ask me about my ex-wife bra size. It didn't work. Someone took her in the first round.)
i really like this post by SpursBills. He gave a somewhat tangible structure/scheme on how those two picks can impact winning. I expect another to give an alternative structure/scheme to choose from.
Spurs trade #8 & #35 for Giddey and #12. Does OKC hang up the phone? Would the spurs consider that? If Donovan Clingan falls to #8 I think a lot of teams will be calling the spurs
Well, I hope they learned their lesson then.
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