2024 NBA Draft Thread

[Extra Stout]

Oh, I'd definitely disagree.

The only player I'd cry about missing out on is Castle, and he may just go two or three anyway. So, I don't place a difference between 4 and 7. Maybe I'd game out who I might lose, but one of those players is Clingan, so I'm only losing two spots, right? If I can still manage Castle, then brilliant.

I don't think I actually want to use the 14, necessarily, but it depends on who is there. Carter, brilliant. A guy like Furphy, why not? But I would shop it around.

As for trading up to 2 with the 4 or 8, absolutely not. I can't think of a universe where that's good value, even if I liked Castle so much to ensure Washington or Houston don't take him. Risacher does not move the needle like that at all.

What about 4 + 8 for 2 + 26?

[Extra Stout]

Are the Spurs really going to take TWO point guards at 4 and 8? Seems unlikely. And if not, then doesn’t that make Knecht EXTREMELY likely at 8?

[ChumpDumper]

Are the Spurs really going to take TWO point guards at 4 and 8? Seems unlikely. And if not, then doesn’t that make Knecht EXTREMELY likely at 8?

Well if they actually see Castle as the point guard of the future, someone like Knecht seems like a lock at 8 for almost instant solid production. Howevah, if they want to get a bunch of maybe multiposition guys who can probably pass and maybe shoot someday, then you get hair-raising combos like Castle/Topic.

[mo7888]

Just a random thought- The Spurs typically have little noise re: the player they ultimately draft. Most Press noise concerning players linked to us are usually wrong. So who in the lottery is getting the smallest amount of buzz in connection to us?

I'm gonna say-

Matas Buzelis
Cody Williams
Dalton Knecht
Donovan Clingan


We've obviously talked about a couple of those, but they haven't been linked in the Press I don't believe.

Any others?

[Mr. Body]

What about 4 + 8 for 2 + 26?

I personally wouldn't, no.

Are the Spurs really going to take TWO point guards at 4 and 8? Seems unlikely. And if not, then doesn’t that make Knecht EXTREMELY likely at 8?

To me, it depends on the guards. A Castle/Dillingham or Castle/Sheppard pull would work because of defensive assignments and who can play off-ball. I'm less concerned about total fits at this point; one can come off the bench. And I think Vassell can slide to the wing.

I like Knecht but don't think the Spurs would go for him. He really only does one thing well (two, if driving and shooting). I'd see them go for Carter or Cody Williams first.

Just a random thought- The Spurs typically have little noise re: the player they ultimately draft. Most Press noise concerning players linked to us are usually wrong. So who in the lottery is getting the smallest amount of buzz in connection to us?

As far as I know, the Castle stuff has been the only real buzz, hasn't it? And that's conjecture joining fit and his supposed desire to control workouts. That said, there was a lot of speculation the Spurs would take Sochan in 2022.

[jesterbobman]

Looking at that ESPN mock, I'd be trying to jump up from 35 (with Cash / 48) if Tyler Smith was still there at 31. I think there's a pretty decent argument that him and Salaun are around the same level as prospects, with Salaun having a higher ceiling but Smith being more certain as a decent shooting 3&D 4.

Even if it's not Smith, there are other guys who are falling / later than I think they should go in that mock (Collier, Ware) that I think would be fine to move up for, and 35 + 48 + cash (possibly adding another second from the future) should get you close.

[The Truth #6]

Just a random thought- The Spurs typically have little noise re: the player they ultimately draft. Most Press noise concerning players linked to us are usually wrong. So who in the lottery is getting the smallest amount of buzz in connection to us?

I'm gonna say-

Matas Buzelis
Cody Williams
Dalton Knecht
Donovan Clingan


We've obviously talked about a couple of those, but they haven't been linked in the Press I don't believe.

Any others?

Cody would be my guess based on that theory.

[mo7888]

I personally wouldn't, no.



To me, it depends on the guards. A Castle/Dillingham or Castle/Sheppard pull would work because of defensive assignments and who can play off-ball. I'm less concerned about total fits at this point; one can come off the bench. And I think Vassell can slide to the wing.

I like Knecht but don't think the Spurs would go for him. He really only does one thing well (two, if driving and shooting). I'd see them go for Carter or Cody Williams first.



As far as I know, the Castle stuff has been the only real buzz, hasn't it? And that's conjecture joining fit and his supposed desire to control workouts. That said, there was a lot of speculation the Spurs would take Sochan in 2022.

I think ots all conjecture at this point, but there's been plenty of reports linking us to Dilly, Sheppard, Risacher, Castle, and Salaun. I'm not saying they're credible.

[Extra Stout]

Is Pacome Dadiet any good

[BackHome]

This draft is going to be I think a little crazy as we going to probably see two teams trade for someone in the top 10 - I still have no idea who the Spurs will be taking but that is OK as in this draft I am not really feeling anyone

[heyheymymy]

Even with Castle saying he wants to play PG you could draft say Castle + Dillingham and run Dilly at PG and Castle at SG while Castle still was the de facto PG and Dillingham could play PG too but mostly focus on scoring.

This would hide Dillingham defensively at the 1 PG slot on the smallest opponent, allow Castle to bring the ball up and set offense like he says he wants, but defensively on the opposing SG or SF possibly since Castle can guard 1-3 or situationally switch onto the opposing PG to bring some defensive length advantage if Dilly can handle that opposing SG. Plus Dilly can bring up and run some traditional PG occasionally to throw a different look and Castle can come off screens and baseline cuts to the basket as a dump off option if Dilly's primary play call stalls out.

[Eaglenole2002]

Yep. Castle having wing size opens up the possibility to play with a smaller SG/PG type that can act as a SG on offense or be Wemby’s PNR partner late in games. We don’t necessarily need a true PG. we simply need shooters and creators in the backcourt.

[heyheymymy]

At least to start the season until rookies settle in you could have a starting 5 of Jones, Vassell, Champ, Sochan, Wemby but run two groups with


Dilly/Jones
Castle/Vassell
Johnson/Champ
Mamu/Sochan
Wemby/Zollins


And while Castle is slotted at the 2 he is the de facto PG while Dilly slotted at the one can run PG some but also focus on scoring mostly and hides defensively on the opposing PG so size greatly neutralized. Or let Dillingham run traditional PG and Castle can create secondarily within that as I suspect will be his more realistic strong suit as a playmaker anyway at least at first.


Both groups dilute non shooters to some degree though not perfectly. I don't know that kinda sucks. Just really like Castle + Dillingham as a realistic best possible outcome at least for now barring changes but lots of time for things to change and I suspect Castle could rise top 3 out of reach or other prospects values rise or fall or SA could make additional moves, trades FAs different draft positions etc may be in play here.


Jones/Dillingham/Wesley
Vassell/Castle/Branham
Champagnie/Johnson/Cissoko
Sochan/Mamu/Barlow
Wemby/Zollins/Bassey

[TrainOfThought5]

my bet is on Castle plus Cody Williams.

I’d pop a bottle for that.

[Knoxxx]

Even with Castle saying he wants to play PG you could draft say Castle + Dillingham and run Dilly at PG and Castle at SG while Castle still was the de facto PG and Dillingham could play PG too but mostly focus on scoring.

This would hide Dillingham defensively at the 1 PG slot on the smallest opponent, allow Castle to bring the ball up and set offense like he says he wants, but defensively on the opposing SG or SF possibly since Castle can guard 1-3 or situationally switch onto the opposing PG to bring some defensive length advantage if Dilly can handle that opposing SG. Plus Dilly can bring up and run some traditional PG occasionally to throw a different look and Castle can come off screens and baseline cuts to the basket as a dump off option if Dilly's primary play call stalls out.

Thank you for summarizing why I’ve been saying Castle then see if Dilly falls to 8 because I see them as complementary and not a compromise to Castle expressed desire for a shot a primary PG duties. Dilly just guards the smallest guard in the other end either way, it’s not rocket science.

[tonight...you]

Thank you for summarizing why I’ve been saying Castle then see if Dilly falls to 8 because I see them as complementary and not a compromise to Castle expressed desire for a shot a primary PG duties. Dilly just guards the smallest guard in the other end either way, it’s not rocket science.

I just don't like taking away Castle's size advantage, thus weakening his D advantage like how Dejounte's D is weakened doing the same thing for Trae.

[Uriel]

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

Notice the order in which those names are mentioned. I think that’s the Spurs’ internal ranking of them as well.

Assuming Castle is the pick at 4, the Spurs’ big board for #8 is most likely:

1. Rob Dillingham
2. Tidjane Salaun
3. Nikola Topic
4. Cody Williams
5. Dalton Knecht

That means Brian Wright’s dream draft is Castle at 4 and Dillingham at 8, which incidentally, is also the outcome of timvp’s mock draft.

[BacktoBasics]

Notice the order in which those names are mentioned. I think that’s the Spurs’ internal ranking of them as well.

Assuming Castle is the pick at 4, the Spurs’ big board for #8 is most likely:

1. Rob Dillingham
2. Tidjane Salaun
3. Nikola Topic
4. Cody Williams
5. Dalton Knecht

That means Brian Wright’s dream draft is Castle at 4 and Dillingham at 8, which incidentally, is also the outcome of timvp’s mock draft.

I would be thrilled with Castle and Dilly

[Degoat]

I’m starting to really believe the spurs will use both picks to draft guards… even tho we need upgrades at the wings were at least competent there between Dev, KJ, Champ, and Branham, (Sochan/Sidy all being guys that can play wing)

you can always add a guy like Gary Trent, Buddy hield, Okoro, etc. in free agency

[Eaglenole2002]

I just don't like taking away Castle's size advantage, thus weakening his D advantage like how Dejounte's D is weakened doing the same thing for Trae.

While I don’t have an issue with it, I think that’s the best argument against it.

[Eaglenole2002]

I’m starting to really believe the spurs will use both picks to draft guards… even tho we need upgrades at the wings were at least competent there between Dev, KJ, Champ, and Branham, (Sochan/Sidy all being guys that can play wing)

you can always add a guy like Gary Trent, Buddy hield, Okoro, etc. in free agency

I think the guards in the draft are just better prospects than the wings too.

[Big Empty]

Hard to go wrong with the 4th & 8th pick, then next year we could potentially have 3-4 first round draft picks and Collins expiring contract for a huge trade. We’re gonna have a ton of options to round out this team with all the peices to be a contender in as quick as 2 years. I hope Wemby is patient. 2 years to atleast be a 1st - 2nd round playoff team.

[rascal]

I just don't like taking away Castle's size advantage, thus weakening his D advantage like how Dejounte's D is weakened doing the same thing for Trae.

Yes, no need for Dilling ham.

They can find shooting without sacrificing positional size in the future.

I don't think Dilly is good enough to be a big time offensive force in the league so not worthy of sacrificing team positional size when he's on the court and at a high draft pick cost.

[Knoxxx]

Notice the order in which those names are mentioned. I think that’s the Spurs’ internal ranking of them as well.

Assuming Castle is the pick at 4, the Spurs’ big board for #8 is most likely:

1. Rob Dillingham
2. Tidjane Salaun
3. Nikola Topic
4. Cody Williams
5. Dalton Knecht

That means Brian Wright’s dream draft is Castle at 4 and Dillingham at 8, which incidentally, is also the outcome of timvp’s mock draft.

Dilly plus Castle is nice and a worthwhile gambit.

[Knoxxx]

Yes, no need for Dilling ham.

They can find shooting without sacrificing positional size in the future.

I don't think Dilly is good enough to be a big time offensive force in the league so not worthy of sacrificing team positional size when he's on the court and at a high draft pick cost.

Castle + Williams/Knecht/Buzelis works for me too.