Spurs Big Board 2.0 with Latest Intel

[Spurs9]

kinda funny that people are freaking out about Dillingham's weight. Like that's the easiest thing to fix. Just hit the gym and eat protein

He just needs a week in San Antonio to get 10lbs.

[Dex]

By specialist they likely mean 1 way players...all offensive or all defensive. They want 2way players. In age of 3 pt chucking u need length to get shots off n length to affect shots on defense.

I don't know. I feel like the Spurs have become enamored with these "all-around players", but then when you need a guy to excel at something like shooting or defense, they go wanting.

Keldon, Vassell, Branham, Wesley, Sochan....all show flashes of greatness, but haven't quite put it together yet. They are jacks of all trades, but masters of none.

At a certain point, I'd rather just draft a guy who you know will shoot 40% from three instead of a player who "may be able to do that some day"

[rjv]

“Spurs haven’t shown outward interest.” -timvp

Spurs were one of two teams out of 12 to send three scouts. Most of the rest sent 1 scout.

i think this needs context. is this unusual for the spurs? how many scouts do they usually send? what exactly does timvp mean by "interest" and is this so called lack of "interest" a more recent development or has the spurs level of interest always been somewhat tepid?

[montgod]

i think this needs context. is this unusual for the spurs? how many scouts do they usually send? what exactly does timvp mean by "interest" and is this so called lack of "interest" a more recent development or has the spurs level of interest always been somewhat tepid?

Good questions, but only context needed is probably this was in Dec....

[Brazil]

I don't think he's a safe pick whatsoever. What is happening, imo, is that he's solidifying as a top 2 pick. That's just what happens with 'conventional wisdom.' The tank/failure possibility for him is as high as for anyone else. In fact, I'd say his bottom is much worse than a lot of other players. If his shooting doesn't translate, he's dead wood.

He is not a safe pick by any stretch of the imagination but in this particular draft he seems to be the guy with less question marks which again sounds crazy

[Mr. Body]

He is not a safe pick by any stretch of the imagination but in this particular draft he seems to be the guy with less question marks which again sounds crazy

That's what I'm saying. I think he has profound question marks. He's historically not been a good shooter and has metrics that give pause. Free throw shooting is fairly poor, for example, and his shot to me doesn't actually look great. He's not a volume shooter. When he misses, he misses badly and there's not a lot of forgiving touch. He has zero self-creation, no ball-handling in space, his defense is fairly theoretical. His assist/turnovers is negative. And he generally doesn't rebound.

This is a player who should not be a top 3 pick whatsoever. He's very easy to bust. If he doesn't shoot well, then it's dunzo. If he's not a great defender, he's problematic. He really should be closer to 10. The bust potential is pretty significant. The 'he's utterly mediocre' potential is extremely high.

[RC_Drunkford]

I don't know. I feel like the Spurs have become enamored with these "all-around players", but then when you need a guy to excel at something like shooting or defense, they go wanting.

Keldon, Vassell, Branham, Wesley, Sochan....all show flashes of greatness, but haven't quite put it together yet. They are jacks of all trades, but masters of none.

At a certain point, I'd rather just draft a guy who you know will shoot 40% from three instead of a player who "may be able to do that some day"

aside from Vassell none of these guys are complete players though. They either can‘t shoot or can‘t play defense, which are the 2 Main things they should be able to do if we’re talking about complete players

[BatManu20]

Castle/Dillingham would be a good outcome. Means they aren’t trying to jam the square peg into the round hole by sticking Castle at point full time

ive already let go of the risacher pipe dream

This is my dream draft. And yea, Risacher is going top-2.

[BatManu20]

He just needs a week in San Antonio to get 10lbs.

Not even. 3-4 days with some of the tortas we got down here in SA and he'll be good to go.

[BatManu20]

I can’t believe the Spurs would have Topic that low on their big board. Isn’t it more likely they’re deliberately hiding their interest in him?

Maybe. But Spurs desperately need defense and shooting, both of which are Topic's weaknesses. The fit really isn't great tbh. Dillingham and/or Castle make more sense beside Wemby. Not to mention Topic is already looking injury prone at just 19 years old.

[BatManu20]

Good stuff.

Danny Green is a good comp for Risacher. Risacher plays small, so the size difference matters little, and he can't dribble to save his life. I guess the size difference lets him get shots off slower while Green was faster. The thing, of course, is paying such a high pick on a role-player, but it's one that's needed.

I'm glad to see Topic rated so low. His fit doesn't make sense.

Glad to see Buzelis above Salaun. A wild swing at a 'raw tools' player isn't needed right now. Buzelis has a way to go, but has a higher floor. Salaun just reads as a physical marvel who will never put it together.

Castle is perfect, if there's clarity about this desire to play point guard.

And places like reddit think Dillingham is the worst player in the world. He's a better pick than Sheppard for us.

Ultimately, glad to hear they're very optimistic with this draft. It's much better than how much it's getting on. Would I be happy being Washington, having to pick between two tightly restricted role-players in Clingan or Risacher? No. Would I be happy picking as the Spurs, who know very clearly what is working now, and can place two good prospects around their centerpiece? Absolutely.

Agree with everything you said here Body, but especially these parts. Been saying it for weeks now -- Don't want Topic on the Spurs. Too many players who I think are a better fit beside Wemby. Would also much rather Buzelis over Salaun, who scouts are saying is a really poor defender. He's also just really raw. Seems like he's 2 years away from being 2 years away. No thanks. Castle is my #1 target at Pick 4. If he's there, I think he's our guy.

[Mr. Body]

Agree with everything you said here Body, but especially these parts. Been saying it for weeks now -- Don't want Topic on the Spurs. Too many players who I think are a better fit beside Wemby. Would also much rather Buzelis over Salaun, who scouts are saying is a really poor defender. He's also just really raw. Seems like he's 2 years away from being 2 years away. No thanks. Castle is my #1 target at Pick 4. If he's there, I think he's our guy.

Someone just pointed out that Salaun has blocked 10 shots in 51 games this season. That's incredibly concerning. A player that size should accidentally block more than 10 shots.

[Ocotillo]

The more I think about it, I think Risacher, Castle and Sarr will go 1-2-3. Risacher has the power of recency going for him, he has had some good games lately in the playoffs. Even though Washington could use a big man, they also could use a point guard and Castle says that's what he wants to play so they may draft him and sign a big in free agency or draft a project later. With Sarr falling to 3 Houston goes ahead and grabs him.

I hope that doesn't happen because then the two Kentucky guards will be up next if OP is correct. I am wanting Castle at 4 and maybe Carter at 8 but if we take a guard at 4, I pick Dilly.

[exstatic]

One or both of Sarr & Risacher will most likely be gone by #4, that's almost a given. In that cir stance it's Castle at #4 and the BPA at 8. So long as the spurs don't reach like they did with Primo or Samanic. The spurs aren't very good when they reach, drafting a player several if not many spots before even an amateur GM would. If they want to reach for a player use the 48th pick and select a player based on potential then. In the lottery, go with a safer pick. Years later they'll be glad they did.

By the way, aren't Primo and Samanic just about out of the league yet ? Great job spurs, for reaching for those two clowns. Their next job will probably be in Europe, China, or managing a Subway.

We’re going to have to disagree on this, because I don’t believe that a “reach” is even possible at 19, and I don’t believe in busts at that slot, either,since so many back half first rounders don’t get to their second contracts. It’s kind of the expected outcome.

[DAF86]

0% of us have watched all these prospects, and btw 95% of people who get paid to talk about his haven’t either. We all fall in love with our guys, but hopefully people come up with reasonable criteria for getting there (not simply “he throws a nice lob pass”).

Here’s my process:

- is there a transcendent player: (No)

- what are the team’s positional needs: (SF; PG)

- best archetypes next to our offensive engines: (doesnt need ball; positional size; solid D)

- game theory— whose picking around us and how does that impact selections

Apply these filters to the class, watch the videos, and fall in love with your guys lol.

You are forgetting the most important need in "best archetypes": shooting.

[DAF86]

One or both of Sarr & Risacher will most likely be gone by #4, that's almost a given. In that cir stance it's Castle at #4 and the BPA at 8. So long as the spurs don't reach like they did with Primo or Samanic. The spurs aren't very good when they reach, drafting a player several if not many spots before even an amateur GM would. If they want to reach for a player use the 48th pick and select a player based on potential then. In the lottery, go with a safer pick. Years later they'll be glad they did.

By the way, aren't Primo and Samanic just about out of the league yet ? Great job spurs, for reaching for those two clowns. Their next job will probably be in Europe, China, or managing a Subway.

Seems like it. If there are no trades, I see the draft panning out this way, so far:

1-Atl: Sarr.
2-Was: Risacher.
3-Hou: Sheppard.
4-SAS: Castle.
5-Det: Buzelis.
6-Cha: Clingan/Williams/Holland/Knecht (maaaaybe Topic or Dillingham)
7-Por: Williams/Holland/Knecht/Salaun (definitely not a guard, likely not a center either)
8-SAS: Dillingham/Topic

My dream scenario would be Washington or the Rockets going for Clingan so that Risacher falls to 4.

[scott]

For those of you with already established big boards/prospect rankings, I’m curious: how many of you have actually watched these prospects and seen them play as opposed to just reading mock drafts/internet forums?

I'll be the first to admit that my opinions are based on reading scouting reports and watching highlights... and for this reason my personal board/opinions aren't worth much (and I recognize as much). Kentucky is the only team I saw a few full games of.

But, since no one asked, this is my current board with the Spurs in mind:

TIER I (Meaning I take any player on this list, regardless of fit, before I take any player in the next tier. Note, players are listed by rank within a tier, but the "tags are all touching" meaning the order is pretty interchangable)

Buzelis
Holland
Dillingham
Sheppard
Castle
Risacher

Tier II

Sarr
Carter
Williams
Clingan
Knecht

Tier III

Salaun
Topic
Collier
Tyler Smith
McCain

Perfectly content with this being considered one of the worst rankings of all time, I make no claims at being an NBA Scouting Professional

[DAF86]

Bub Carrington

I had never heard of this guy untill today.



He seems like everything we are looking for. A tall, 3 level scorer, PG that can create for himself and others. Why isn't he mentioned more as a lottery pick? Has anyone seen this guy play?

[scott]

Where are the posters with the real Intel?

I'm talking about TSpence!

Got to head to Twitter for that. Eric Zhang is your man.

[jjspur]

We’re going to have to disagree on this, because I don’t believe that a “reach” is even possible at 19, and I don’t believe in busts at that slot, either,since so many back half first rounders don’t get to their second contracts. It’s kind of the expected outcome.

I can see your logic, the draft is a crapshoot. Its just that the spurs had such a reputation for drafting decent players even in the mid twenty's to the end of the first round and beyond. Guys like Slo Mo, Murray, Derrick white, Keldon are valuable players still. Even inconsistent Lonnie Walker who was drafted around 18 is still a somewhat viable player. None of these guys were reaches and are still playing, while Samanic and Primo are pretty close to being out of the league. For another perspective, think of how many players drafted after Primo & Samanic are still in the league and doing well.

I would venture to say that several of the above players would be easily welcomed back on the team, Primo and Samanic not so much. So yeah, you can have a bust in the teens even in the top 10 - it happens probably more than teams care to admit, but if the spurs really do their homework or do less reaching especially in the lottery, the chances of drafting guys like Primo and Samanic or busts in general are minimized and we get a valued player for many seasons. Again, its a crapshoot no matter where you draft - but if we minimize the mistakes or reaches, the team will be more successful in less time.

[mo7888]

I'll be the first to admit that my opinions are based on reading scouting reports and watching highlights... and for this reason my personal board/opinions aren't worth much (and I recognize as much). Kentucky is the only team I saw a few full games of.

But, since no one asked, this is my current board with the Spurs in mind:

TIER I (Meaning I take any player on this list, regardless of fit, before I take any player in the next tier. Note, players are listed by rank within a tier, but the "tags are all touching" meaning the order is pretty interchangable)

Buzelis
Holland
Dillingham
Sheppard
Castle
Risacher

Tier II

Sarr
Carter
Williams
Clingan
Knecht

Tier III

Salaun
Topic
Collier
Tyler Smith
McCain

Perfectly content with this being considered one of the worst rankings of all time, I make no claims at being an NBA Scouting Professional

It looks logical to me. Here's where mine currently stands. I rank the top 30 in tiers and then have my Spurs board at the bottom using the Tiers as a guide and then Spurs fit/need within those Tiers to round out my Spurs top 10.

2024 NBA Draft Board
Tier 1:
1. Zaccharie Risacher
2. Alex Sarr
3. Matas Buzelis
Tier 2:
4. Reed Shephard
5. Cody Williams
6. Stephen Castle
7. Dalton Knecht
8. Tidjane Salaun
9. Donovan Clingan
10. Nikola Topic
Tier 3:
11. Isaiah Collier
12. Robert Dillingham
13. JaKobe Walter
14. Kyle Filipowski
15. Ron Holland
16. Johnny Furphy
17. Jared McCain
18. Devin Carter
Tier 4:
19. Tyler Smith
20. Ke'lel Ware
21. Yves Missi
22. Zach Edey
23. Bobi Klintman
24. Kyshawn George
Tier 5:
25. Pacome Dadiet
26. Trevon Brazile
27. Baylor Scheierman
28. Melvin Ajinca
29. Tristan Da Silva
30. Pelle Larsson

My Spurs Board Top 10

1. Zaccharie Risacher
2. Matas Buzelis
3. Alexander Sarr
4. Reed Shephard
5. Stephen Castle
6. Cody Williams
7. Dalton Knecht
8. Donovan Clingan
9. Tidjane Salaun
10. Robert Dillingham

Note- I should have Topic at 10 according to my tiers, but I've kinda got him on a 'do not touch list' for the Spurs until we get more info on those injuries.

[exstatic]

I can see your logic, the draft is a crapshoot. Its just that the spurs had such a reputation for drafting decent players even in the mid twenty's to the end of the first round and beyond. Guys like Slo Mo, Murray, Derrick white, Keldon are valuable players still. Even inconsistent Lonnie Walker who was drafted around 18 is still a somewhat viable player. None of these guys were reaches and are still playing, while Samanic and Primo are pretty close to being out of the league. For another perspective, think of how many players drafted after Primo & Samanic are still in the league and doing well.

I would venture to say that several of the above players would be easily welcomed back on the team, Primo and Samanic not so much. So yeah, you can have a bust in the teens even in the top 10 - it happens probably more than teams care to admit, but if the spurs really do their homework or do less reaching especially in the lottery, the chances of drafting guys like Primo and Samanic or busts in general are minimized and we get a valued player for many seasons. Again, its a crapshoot no matter where you draft - but if we minimize the mistakes or reaches, the team will be more successful in less time.

Oh, I agree with that 100%. There were good reason both were cut loose. I was just discussing semantics of the term bust, and only regarding Samanic.

[scott]

It looks logical to me. Here's where mine currently stands. I rank the top 30 in tiers and then have my Spurs board at the bottom using the Tiers as a guide and then Spurs fit/need within those Tiers to round out my Spurs top 10.

One thing I love about this draft is that I can look at my ranking (which obviously make sense to me, because I made it), and then look at yours and say "yeah - this makes sense to me". This draft is a lot of fun in that regard in that there are fine differences at the margins and reasonable, objective looks at it can come up with very different results as opposed to last couple of years where the Top 3 was definitely locked in stone and there was only slight variation in the Top 10.

For example, in 2022 it was very easy to project Sochan to the Spurs at 9 because the Top 8 ahead of him was a lot more predictable. Murray going at 4 was a little bit of a surprise, but most mocks had nailed some combination of Murray-Ivey-Mathurin at 4-5-6. Banchero was kind of a draft day surprise at #1, but only because the Magic tried to play some weird smokescreen game instead of making their intentions known with the clear #1. (Note, here is the last consensus mock: https://www.nba.com/news/2022-consensus-mock-draft)

Last year, the Top 5 was pretty locked in... Ausar might have been a little bit of a surprise for DET, I guess.

Anyway... just a long winded way of once again saying that this draft is a lot of fun.

[mo7888]

One thing I love about this draft is that I can look at my ranking (which obviously make sense to me, because I made it), and then look at yours and say "yeah - this makes sense to me". This draft is a lot of fun in that regard in that there are fine differences at the margins and reasonable, objective looks at it can come up with very different results as opposed to last couple of years where the Top 3 was definitely locked in stone and there was only slight variation in the Top 10.

For example, in 2022 it was very easy to project Sochan to the Spurs at 9 because the Top 8 ahead of him was a lot more predictable. Murray going at 4 was a little bit of a surprise, but most mocks had nailed some combination of Murray-Ivey-Mathurin at 4-5-6. Banchero was kind of a draft day surprise at #1, but only because the Magic tried to play some weird smokescreen game instead of making their intentions known with the clear #1. (Note, here is the last consensus mock: https://www.nba.com/news/2022-consensus-mock-draft)

Last year, the Top 5 was pretty locked in... Ausar might have been a little bit of a surprise for DET, I guess.

Anyway... just a long winded way of once again saying that this draft is a lot of fun.

That's a great way to look at it. I concur!

[rjv]

I'll be the first to admit that my opinions are based on reading scouting reports and watching highlights... and for this reason my personal board/opinions aren't worth much (and I recognize as much). Kentucky is the only team I saw a few full games of.

But, since no one asked, this is my current board with the Spurs in mind:

TIER I (Meaning I take any player on this list, regardless of fit, before I take any player in the next tier. Note, players are listed by rank within a tier, but the "tags are all touching" meaning the order is pretty interchangable)

Buzelis
Holland
Dillingham
Sheppard
Castle
Risacher

Tier II

Sarr
Carter
Williams
Clingan
Knecht

Tier III

Salaun
Topic
Collier
Tyler Smith
McCain

Perfectly content with this being considered one of the worst rankings of all time, I make no claims at being an NBA Scouting Professional

but at least you call yourself out while putting your opinion out there. some posters on this site act as if they're not only GMs, but also GMs who are batting a thousand. i appreciate your insight and forecasts, for what it's worth.