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I haven’t watched him at all, but I would absolutely grab a ‘better-offense’ version of Alex Caruso at 8.
Green flags: High volume 3 point shooting bigs who can rebound aren't that common and are surprisingly valuable; his 3 PT% from NBA line and volume are pretty good for a 19 year old big, 9% OREB is surprisingly high and usually translates, positive AST:TO is promising for age and position wrt feel; best on-off metrics on GLI; also more athletic than I thought with 38 inch vert and measured bigger than I expected (6'9" w/o shoes and 7'1" wingspan)
Red flags: High foul rate, low low FT rate means he probably doesn't know how to play defense yet; but his stock % are ok for a non-rim protecting big/wing hybrid
Probably the least obvious appeal of the GLI guys, but also practically speaking has more outs to be a useful player/starter than Holland/Matas
I haven’t watched him at all, but I would absolutely grab a ‘better-offense’ version of Alex Caruso at 8.
Karaban and Sallis go back to school. Obviously because they didn’t get some 1st round buzz.
I thought both would have been interesting options for the Spurs 2nd round picks.
Just going through some scenarios:
My personal (unrealistic) dream scenario:
#4 Risacher
#8 Sheppard
--> nice fit but leaves us short in playmakers...maybe would add one via trade/'25draft...maybe can live without one with Wemby as the central offensive hub and Reed bringing at least somewhing in that regard.
Another unrealistic scenario:
#4 Sarr
#8 Dillinghan
--> Whats better then having one 7 foot defensive specialist to cover up for Dillinghams defense? You you get the idea! ;-)
Most realistic scenario:
#4 Castle
#8 Knecht/Williams
--> Meaning we give Castle a try at showing he can be a big PG while taking some shooting to even things out. Probably fits our lineup best with Castle learning from Tre and the wing shooter helping our spacing. If Castle fails we improve our lottery odds just like last year with Point Sochan.
Defensive scenario:
#4 Castle
#8 Carter
--> This could be the beginning of a defensive juggernaught...considering Blake beeing the 3rd yound defensive guard. Only way Spurs do this is if they REALLY believe at least one of Wesley/Castle can improve its shooting big time...AND Castle is just bluffing about the PG thing.
Shooting scenario:
#4 Sheppard
#8 Knecht
--> This may improve our team the most, as both of them seem ready to help on offense. Wemby probably has a hard time winning DPOY with us having the worst DefRtg.
Upside scenario:
#4 Dillingham
#8 Salaun
--> Imagine things working out...giving us a threesome of Wemby/KentuckyTrèYoung/FrenchGinannis...then again...wake up!
Preparing for the '25 Draft scenario:
#4 Topic
#8 Salaun
--> a little bit like the last scenario, but with even less fit.
Risacher played his last game in the French league play offs yesterday, not as impressive like the games before, 8 points, 4 rebounds.
if I counted right, it was his game number 65 this season.
He will be either pick 1 or 2 in the draft. There are some rumors the Wizards are shopping Kuzma and one reason is to make room for Risacher.
If Castle and Dillingham are there at 4, and you target both, you absolutely need to take Dillingham as there is far better chance that Castle would stay at 8 afterwards than Dillingham if you' go the other way around
The measurements next week at tréviso will be very important for european prospects. Reading and watching a lot about draft prospects i stil have topic as the best pg in the draft and as my favourite target for the spurs but it’s close With castle.1 topic 2 castle 3 sheppard/dillingham 4 Holland then I’m not sure about knecht/buzelis/williams/salaun.
It's the other way around as Ball, Scoot and Cunningham can play with Castle whereas they don't really fit with Dillingham (you could make an argument, that Cunningham can).
And Phoenix always beat the Spurs.
Both not make sense for those teams but other team is more likely to trade up for Dillingham
Now they have Castle at 4
4. San Antonio Spurs
Stephon Castle, PG/SG, UConn | Age: 19.5
The Spurs have been exploring all options with their two top-10 picks as they enter a critical offseason. With Victor Wembanyama on a superstar-level trajectory, San Antonio has an opportunity to accelerate its path toward the playoffs, whether that's via the draft, trades or other means. The biggest roster need is at point guard, and rival teams have connected the Spurs to the Cleveland Cavaliers' Darius Garland as they work to revamp the team.
Keeping both these picks and taking multiple swings in the draft is also an attractive path, with the challenge being nailing the right pairing of players who will fit together with Wembanyama. San Antonio has demonstrated strong interest in Castle, who might well land here if the Spurs stay put. Castle's two-way versatility, playmaking potential and size give him attractive upside, and also make him an easy player to pair with whomever the Spurs draft at No. 8. -- Woo
And Risacher one.
1. Atlanta Hawks
Zaccharie Risacher, SF, Bourg (France) | Age: 19.1
The intel out of the Atlanta Hawks continues to indicate that their front office is at an early stage in its decision-making process and there likely won't be clarity on which way the team is leaning with this pick until closer to draft night. It's unclear how much of an appe e ownership has for entering a rebuilding mode, and that might be difficult to avoid depending on what the team does in regard to the futures of stars Trae Young and Dejounte Murray,
Trading this pick for more immediate contributors or moving down to take multiple swings in this relatively flat lottery class are options. Take for example a scenario in which San Antonio would trade the No. 4 and No. 8 selections for the right to move up and draft Risacher.
Should Atlanta stand pat at No. 1, Risacher is looking like an increasingly attractive option. His season came to a close with Bourg's semifinal loss to No. 1 seed Monaco, capping off a playoff run in which he averaged 15.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, shooting 67% from the field and 38% on 3-pointers; all outstanding numbers for a 19-year-old at this level of compe ion. His next stop is the NBA Global Camp in Treviso, Italy, where he'll have a medical examination and undergo draft combine activity including interviews with interested teams.
Every team in the top five has significant interest in Risacher, and it is looking highly unlikely, barring a major surprise, that he'll drop out of the top two. -- Givony
It’s looking increasingly likely that Castle will be the pick at #4. At this point; the only real drama left will be figuring out who they pick at #8 (and the second round).
I could see Washington or even Houston take Castle.
Frankly Risacher ain't gonna do much for Washington. He's borderline top lotto as it is, much more debatable than we admit. He's not a centerpiece for a building team in any way. He's just a guy you stick in the corner for kickouts. They already have that player. Either get a defensive focal point who can control the boards, Clingan, or a strong connective piece with good foundations.
Houston? Have a strong need for shooting, to be sure, and obviously the fit with Amen is rough, but they may go with the high quality multi-dimensional guy who fits their philosophy completely. If they trade for a Mitc or similar, he's 100 percent perfect.
Givony is reading me tbh
8. San Antonio Spurs
Tidjane Salaun, PF, Cholet (France) | Age: 18.8
Salaun has arrived in the U.S. for workouts, but will head back overseas next week to the NBA's pre-draft camp in Treviso, Italy, to complete his required medicals and testing. He has gained steam as a lottery candidate after finishing his season in strong form, showcasing his physical tools and potential versatility at either forward spot.
Salaun, yet to turn 19, is still a ways away from contributing at a high level, but the room for long-term growth makes him an appealing development pick in the mid-to-late lottery. His familiarity with Victor Wembanyama likely doesn't hurt his case as an option for San Antonio, but the Spurs are considering a handful of prospects at this spot, including Dillingham, Nikola Topic, Cody Williams and Dalton Knecht. -- Woo
Interesting.
Would you guy do #4 for #7 and #14?
Bulls and Grizzlies don't really have anything Spurs would want and they'd be willing to give up.
I would absolutely be open to what packages these teams might like to use to get Clingan but this is where Houston will jump in.
I wonder if it's possible to trade #4 to the Bulls for #11 and removing the protections from the 2025 pick to make it unprotected.
Still could possibly draft Castle or Dilly at 8 then can draft Carter or Salaun at 11.
They would have to be brain dead to remove those protections. Not going to happen.
Ja, Bane, JJJ and Smart should be off limits, I haven't seen much of their G-league roster this season to know who's valuable. I don't think they'd be willing to trade that GG Jackson kid.
Blazers don't really have anyone Spurs would want except maybe Brogdon, but he's not worth trading down. 7+14 for 4 would be the only option.
Chicago won't remove protection for 2025 pick, I doubt they'd give up Caruso or White, other assets don't interest Spurs.
I wasn't really thinking existing players, tbh. That gets pretty complicated, like, just for example if the Spurs wanted Dyson Daniels or Jordan Hawkins, I think they're worth more than jumping five spots, so the Spurs would have to include more. But then jumping those spots is valuable...
Reading what Memphis has/is owed for future picks I run into something like this:
2026 first round draft pick from Phoenix, Washington or Orlando (Memphis outgoing to Phoenix)
Washington has the right to swap its 2026 1st round pick, protected for selections 9-30 if Washington does not convey a 1st round pick to New York in 2025, for Phoenix's 2026 1st round pick; Orlando then has the right to swap its 2026 1st round pick for the less favorable of the Phoenix pick and the Washington pick if conveyable; Memphis then has the right to swap its 2026 1st round pick for the least / less favorable of the Phoenix pick, the Washington pick if conveyable and the Orlando pick; if the Washington pick is not conveyable, then Phoenix's obligation to Washington will be extinguished and Orlando will instead have the right to swap its pick for the Phoenix pick [Indiana-Phoenix-Washington, 6/23/2023; Orlando-Phoenix, 7/17/2023; Brooklyn-Memphis-Phoenix, 2/8/2024]
Which is barely comprehensible.
I do think this has the Houston Rockets written all over it, which sucks. The bidding war probably goes to them.
Portland owes a 1st round pick to Chicago protected for 1-14 from 2025 through 2028. Basically can't trade their own first round pick until 2030. Except they get picks in 2029. I think this means they can trade their own? I'm not clear on how thatworks.
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