2024 NBA Draft Thread

[TD 21]

I don't believe Castle will start for the Spurs if they draft him -- even if he's taken fourth overall. At least he wouldn't start a PG. That would be like starting Sochan at PG all over again. I know a lot of people hate Jones, but he's ... fine. He's solidly above-average in most aspects of being a point-guard. He even shot 39 percent from three as a starter. He has one of the best defensive grades on the team. It's not likely that any PG the Spurs draft would come into the season as a starter. Castle coming off the bench and getting some ball-handler minutes in the second unit seems like the best way to accommodate his desire to play the position, but it should be noted that him wanting to play PG doesn't obligate the Spurs or any other team to play him there. He'll play where he fits best and where his development takes him.

That might be small-forward. Tonight noted that Castle would lose his size advantage if he moved positions, but I think that's an antiquated way to thinking. The Spurs are not going to play straight up against teams with positions direct-guarding their counter parts. Doing so would be a disservice to the generational defender anchoring the paint. The Spurs are absolutely going to be sending guys like Sochan and Castle after the best scorers and rely on their ability to defend multiple positions to give them a ton of flexibility. Castle would bring a level of "stickiness" that would provide the Spurs with better means to deny the ball to certain guys. It would be wasteful to use that ability primarily on PGs, who will likely have the ball to start the possessions.

He probably has a good chance to start because they'll presumably want his POA defense to play more against the best perimeter players, but I don't actually think he'll be the lead guard in a traditional sense to where he's initiating volume p-n-r.

My guess is they acquire a Brogdon or sign a Melton and play a lineup where everyone has interchangeable roles/switch ability.

[R. DeMurre]

I saw a facebook reel this morning where Mark Cuban is talking about the Trae/Luka trade and he says, "my scouts had Deandre Ayton as the #1 guy in the draft, but the Analytics said Luka..." and I pictured a couple of analytics guys being stared down by some grizzled old scouts in meetings, and I wonder now if they are all still on friendly terms...

[exstatic]

I don't believe Castle will start for the Spurs if they draft him -- even if he's taken fourth overall. At least he wouldn't start a PG. That would be like starting Sochan at PG all over again. I know a lot of people hate Jones, but he's ... fine. He's solidly above-average in most aspects of being a point-guard. He even shot 39 percent from three as a starter. He has one of the best defensive grades on the team. It's not likely that any PG the Spurs draft would come into the season as a starter. Castle coming off the bench and getting some ball-handler minutes in the second unit seems like the best way to accommodate his desire to play the position, but it should be noted that him wanting to play PG doesn't obligate the Spurs or any other team to play him there. He'll play where he fits best and where his development takes him.

That might be small-forward. Tonight noted that Castle would lose his size advantage if he moved positions, but I think that's an antiquated way to thinking. The Spurs are not going to play straight up against teams with positions direct-guarding their counter parts. Doing so would be a disservice to the generational defender anchoring the paint. The Spurs are absolutely going to be sending guys like Sochan and Castle after the best scorers and rely on their ability to defend multiple positions to give them a ton of flexibility. Castle would bring a level of "stickiness" that would provide the Spurs with better means to deny the ball to certain guys. It would be wasteful to use that ability primarily on PGs, who will likely have the ball to start the possessions.

Castle was a highly rated overall HS player, and one of the top few PGs. Going to UConn actually hurt his stock, because people like you think he can’t play PG because he was in a system where guards don’t directly attack the rim or hold the ball very long.

[exstatic]

There is much to like about Carter, but I wonder about his shot. The percentages look OK, but his mechanics are weird, so it’s not clear to me he has much room for improvement without totally tearing down and rebuilding his shot.

Halliburton dropped in the draft because of a weird looking shot. Didn’t seem to hurt his percentages at all. The thing is, the most important part of high percentage 3 point shooting is a consistent repeatable form. Is it easier to attain that with a traditional clean form? Yes, but you can also have a different, but quick release form, and if you can be consistent with it, it’s all good.

[SpursBills]

I have no idea what to make of Mogbo but he has a really unusual stat profile. List of guys in NCAA history with combination of lots of dunks (>70) and high AST% (>15) - basically athletic power post players who can pass / have decent bbIQ:

Name (Dunks/AST%)
Zion (72/15)
Trayce-Jackson Davis (80/25)
Obi Toppin (107/15)
DaRon Holmes (71/19)
Mogbo (86/24)

There might be something there as a second rounder. Shout out to DaRon Holmes as well.

[rascal]

Thing is in that scenario where you would find your other star(s) through next year's draft are:

1. You actually have to find said star(s) in next year's draft, which isn't guaranteed, no matter how deep it is.

2. If you actually do find potential star(s), that's still 3 or 4 years (at least) of development before they reach that star level..

So, you have to explain Wemby spurs could start to be compe ive in 4-5 years (and will have to tank, suck, and be bottom of the league next year again). That's some persuasion skills you need there, but who knows where victor's mind will be regarding spurs strategy.

There are several players in next year's draft that will be able to start right away especially for a weak rostered team like the spurs.

No, the Spurs won't need to tank next year too. There are studs in the top of next year's lottery.
Players with more upside than anyone currently on the Spurs outside Wermby.

If the Spurs end up with a low lottery pick of their own and atlanta makes the playoffs spurs will add similar level talent to what they are running out there now.

[Mr. Body]

Tre will run the team for a while regardless, which is fine. That Castle would even be in the conversation about starting is great.

There's a difference between what a player does on offense and on defense. In most sets that we should expect to see with Castle for a while, he may be a secondary but active playmaker. The huge difference is that he'll be assigned to the most difficult perimeter player, whether that's a point or a SG. So, he could be slotted as a 2/3 on offense but still stay on Trae Young.

In fact, if he's in and Young has to cover him, that's a pretty bad matchup given his rim running, strength, and Young losing track of his man.

If, by further example, the Spurs happen to play Dillingham and Castle against Atlanta, you put Dilllingham on their worst offensive perimeter player and Castle still has Young.

[exstatic]

There are several players in next year's draft that will be able to start right away especially for a weak rostered team like the spurs.

No, the Spurs won't need to tank next year too. There are studs in the top of next year's lottery.
Players with more upside than anyone currently on the Spurs outside Wermby.

If the Spurs end up with a low lottery pick of their own and atlanta makes the playoffs spurs will add similar level talent to what they are running out there now.

. ATL ain’t making the playoffs. As sucky as the East was this year, ATL couldn’t even manage. The best thing for us is if they stand pat. That’s a team that finishes in the 7-10 lottery range.

[Chinook]

Castle was a highly rated overall HS player, and one of the top few PGs. Going to UConn actually hurt his stock, because people like you think he can’t play PG because he was in a system where guards don’t directly attack the rim or hold the ball very long.

"Holding the ball very long" isn't a requirement to be a PG. I don't really care if UConn's system emphasizes that or not. Nor am I actually saying anything about whether Castle will or won't play, except that he'll play where his talents work best and not merely where he wants to play.

I do think Jones would still over him though. A new PG SHOULD have to beat out Jones rather than be handed the spot. The team badly needs to start having accountability and compe ion. As I said before, Jones is a fine starting PG, and most rookies aren't. The Spurs aren't likely going to completely turn over the offense to a limited shooter and expect things to run smoothly. They just did that with Sochan, and it hurt the team. I don't believe the Spurs are willing to take such a step back in order to progress. Jones has another year on his deal; thus the team has a year to get the new PG ready to go and should use that while also giving Wemby, Vassell and the rest of the players the best chance they have to win games.

And to the poster who thinks Castle should start because he could beat Jones one-on-one, WTF does that even mean? Sochan could probably beat Jones one-on-one too.

[Mr. Body]

. ATL ain’t making the playoffs. As sucky as the East was this year, ATL couldn’t even manage. The best thing for us is if they stand pat. That’s a team that finishes in the 7-10 lottery range.

A lot of teams will have to make big decisions this summer, it'll be fascinating. Lakers, Golden State, Atlanta, New Orleans, Minnesota, Philadelphia, New Jersey, are all teams that may have to do something big. Houston may be included.

Best thing for us is if Atlanta decides getting Sarr is all they need, but they will probably move Murray. If they don't get much for him, they're back to the questionable Trae-centric team that was struggling in the first place. If they, say, get Karl Anthony-Towns and Risacher, this is a team that looks good on paper but I'm not sure about the results.

[exstatic]

A lot of teams will have to make big decisions this summer, it'll be fascinating. Lakers, Golden State, Atlanta, New Orleans, Minnesota, Philadelphia, New Jersey, are all teams that may have to do something big. Houston may be included.

Best thing for us is if Atlanta decides getting Sarr is all they need, but they will probably move Murray. If they don't get much for him, they're back to the questionable Trae-centric team that was struggling in the first place. If they, say, get Karl Anthony-Towns and Risacher, this is a team that looks good on paper but I'm not sure about the results.

While the 25 pick, and the 26 swap are for projected good to great drafts, Trae won’t be in ATL longer than June of 2026, meaning that team could crater for the 26-27 season, and give us an excellent pick in 27.

[rascal]

. ATL ain’t making the playoffs. As sucky as the East was this year, ATL couldn’t even manage. The best thing for us is if they stand pat. That’s a team that finishes in the 7-10 lottery range.

They sure can sneak into the playoffs.

They won't have any incentive to tank and if a team or two has some injuries I can see Atlanta jumping them in the standings with so many teams tanking for the deep draft class.

[exstatic]

They sure can sneak into the playoffs.

They won't have any incentive to tank and if a team or two has some injuries I can see Atlanta jumping them in the standings with so many teams tanking for the deep draft class.

Few paths to playoffs,many paths to the lottery.

[jesterbobman]

I don't think Castle would start at PG, mostly as he's still developing, and whilst Tre isn't sexy and is a bottom tier starting caliber PG / high end backup, that's probably better than what Castle would be in that role in year 1.

Castle is pretty malleable as a prospect, so what minutes he gets / what position he plays depends on other selections and draft decisions. If Dillingham is the pick at 8, you probably run Castle mostly as an offball wing stopper, and have him handle the ball a bit as a secondary playmaker. If you get a SF at 8, or Reed who tilts a little more off ball than Dilly, Castle probably takes more backup PG minutes.

The other thing...There's no guarantee that any rookie gets big, consistent minutes. They probably will, but there are rookies that are good prospects who don't get consistent, early minutes for teams every year, like Jarace Walker and Taylor Hendricks this year.

[Uriel]

I saw a facebook reel this morning where Mark Cuban is talking about the Trae/Luka trade and he says, "my scouts had Deandre Ayton as the #1 guy in the draft, but the Analytics said Luka..." and I pictured a couple of analytics guys being stared down by some grizzled old scouts in meetings, and I wonder now if they are all still on friendly terms...

That settles it then. Reed Sheppard is the best player in this draft.

[CGD]

It would be incredibly frustrating if the spurs took one of the UK guards at 4. Different story at 8 — where at least one will be there — but not at 4. That would suck.

[C-Dub]

When Wemby is subbed out the game, the Spurs defense falls off of the cliff. That's detrimental to the success of the team. That has to matter and be addressed asap because Wemby will get worn down over time having to cover up other players mishaps on the defensive end. I believe that it's wise to select Edey, even if it's with the 8th pick and select either Castle, Dillingham, or Shepard with the 4th pick.

[benefactor]

When Wemby is subbed out the game, the Spurs defense falls off of the cliff. That's detrimental to the success of the team. That has to matter and be addressed asap because Wemby will get worn down over time having to cover up other players mishaps on the defensive end. I believe that it's wise to select Edey, even if it's with the 8th pick and select either Castle, Dillingham, or Shepard with the 4th pick.

Stop spamming this weak trolling in multiple threads got

[alfahdlan]

I have no idea what to make of Mogbo but he has a really unusual stat profile. List of guys in NCAA history with combination of lots of dunks (>70) and high AST% (>15) - basically athletic power post players who can pass / have decent bbIQ:

Name (Dunks/AST%)
Zion (72/15)
Trayce-Jackson Davis (80/25)
Obi Toppin (107/15)
DaRon Holmes (71/19)
Mogbo (86/24)

There might be something there as a second rounder. Shout out to DaRon Holmes as well.

I like the rebound rate of Mogbo, can he play spot minutes at SF?

[SpursBills]

I like the rebound rate of Mogbo, can he play spot minutes at SF?

I personally don't think so. Probably more Gen-Z Manimal/Dejuan Blair

[Chinook]

This really does feel like a year where a lot of teams might just throw out this past season and pick the guys based on their previous tape. If that's true, guys like Topic, Holland and Collier might be getting slept on a bit. That might end up being a mistake in the same way that Shadeon Sharpe hasn't proven to be a great pick. But DJM is an example of the strategy working out. I don't know where the Spurs are going to land on this, but I wouldn't be surprised to see a number of surprise picks that completely mess up the board. Given the utter failure of the Ignite program combined with its ability to attract elite talent, the d-league prospects may well get drafted higher than they're currently slated.

[alfahdlan]

I personally don't think so. Probably more Gen-Z Manimal/Dejuan Blair

The selling point of Kawhi then was that he had absurd rebound rate for an SF. Good enough, we need rebounding also on our team plus the bunos dunks.

[sfernald]

This really does feel like a year where a lot of teams might just throw out this past season and pick the guys based on their previous tape. If that's true, guys like Topic, Holland and Collier might be getting slept on a bit. That might end up being a mistake in the same way that Shadeon Sharpe hasn't proven to be a great pick. But DJM is an example of the strategy working out. I don't know where the Spurs are going to land on this, but I wouldn't be surprised to see a number of surprise picks that completely mess up the board. Given the utter failure of the Ignite program combined with its ability to attract elite talent, the d-league prospects may well get drafted higher than they're currently slated.

as long as we don’t get Tiddy ed! That will be the worst pick of the year. That guy truly can not even dribble without taking his eye off the ball for Christ Sake!

[Uriel]

This really does feel like a year where a lot of teams might just throw out this past season and pick the guys based on their previous tape. If that's true, guys like Topic, Holland and Collier might be getting slept on a bit. That might end up being a mistake in the same way that Shadeon Sharpe hasn't proven to be a great pick. But DJM is an example of the strategy working out. I don't know where the Spurs are going to land on this, but I wouldn't be surprised to see a number of surprise picks that completely mess up the board. Given the utter failure of the Ignite program combined with its ability to attract elite talent, the d-league prospects may well get drafted higher than they're currently slated.

GG Jackson is another example of this. He was garnering buzz us a top overall pick when he was in high school, slipped considerably in big boards after a mediocre college season, and just made the all-rookie team.

[cutewizard]

When Wemby is subbed out the game, the Spurs defense falls off of the cliff. That's detrimental to the success of the team. That has to matter and be addressed asap because Wemby will get worn down over time having to cover up other players mishaps on the defensive end. I believe that it's wise to select Edey, even if it's with the 8th pick and select either Castle, Dillingham, or Shepard with the 4th pick.

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