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I don’t remember talk about Primo with that pick; I just remember Sengun dropping to us, and when Primo’s name was announced, going ballistic (What the %#*~ Spurs? What the %#*~?! This isn’t even funny anymore! Every #%*~ year!!!).
I wouldn’t do it. Too much risk. But I understand the argument. It’s a compelling argument. But super risky.
Last edited by BacktoBasics; 06-23-2024 at 11:02 PM.
I don’t remember talk about Primo with that pick; I just remember Sengun dropping to us, and when Primo’s name was announced, going ballistic (What the %#*~ Spurs? What the %#*~?! This isn’t even funny anymore! Every #%*~ year!!!).
If I'm reading this right . . .
- The Hawks want to trade down to 4 to select Clingan, but obviously can't do that until they're sure the Rockets aren't trading down from 3 to a team trading up for Clingan.
- The Spurs would only trade up to 1 if Murray comes attached, otherwise they'd be comfortable selecting either Castle at 4 or if Risacher or Sheppard is available, possibly one of them.
- The Hawks would only attach Murray to 1 if, among other things, the Spurs put their '25 1st on the table.
Vassell and Sochan were obvious. Primo was a shock (though I never bought Sengun) because of where he was mocked, but the way he presented himself was typical Spur.
I recall leading up to the draft there was talk of Primo being a late riser and the Spurs being on of the teams interested. When the Spurs were finally on the clock, they had a highlight package queued up of possible picks and Primo being one, with talking points about how the Spurs liked his demeanor.
Maybe I’m making all of this up in my mind… but that’s what I seem to recall.
Where did you see the Murray talk?
The Vassell draft was the covid draft and everyone was remote, so there wasn't as much on the ground leaks and reporting. But Vassell was a very common player to mock to SA at the time. I remember wanting Williams but still being happy with Vassell
I remember Vassell sliding down in many mocks just prior to the draft (much like Dillingham is now), only to be picked well within the lottery by the Spurs.
the film sessions and the scouting reports, just make the picks based on the numbers.
depending on what Grizzlies plans with Smart and Kennard are, they might look at McCain at #9.
Givony and Woo's today's mock and "intel".
https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/sto...s-all-58-picks
First round
1. Atlanta Hawks
Zaccharie Risacher, SF, Bourg (France) | Age: 19.2
The Hawks continue to signal that they have not yet determined their draft night direction, which makes sense considering the nature of this draft, how even the talent at the top is and trade opportunities that could unfold once they are on the clock.
They simultaneously have decisions to make with players already on their roster, especially Trae Young and Dejounte Murray, who seem destined to part ways in the not-too-distant future. The New Orleans Pelicans loom as a potential destination for one of them, with Brandon Ingram the most attractive and attainable target on the Pels' roster. Jalen Johnson appears to be the only player the Hawks will not consider moving.
Risacher, as he has for much of the pre-draft cycle, continues to hold firm as the choice at No. 1 following a positive workout with Atlanta. The feedback from those who have seen him in the United States is that he is a better passer and does a better job of initiating contact and playing through physicality than is expected with his lean frame.
Donovan Clingan, another favorite of the Hawks' coaching staff, remains in play at No. 1, but he might be a more realistic option if the Hawks trade down a few spots with the San Antonio Spurs, something that might not materialize until the Spurs are on the clock at No. 4.
The Hawks getting back their 2025 unprotected first-rounder from San Antonio would be a huge boon, but it isn't clear whether the Spurs would be willing to pay such a high price, while other great trade opportunities do not appear to have materialized thus far.
NBA teams say the Hawks are indicating they could take Alex Sarr at No. 1, which some speculate might be more an attempt to force the Washington Wizards to trade up. -- Jonathan Givony
Last edited by JPB; 06-24-2024 at 07:38 AM.
2. Washington Wizards
Alex Sarr, PF/C, Perth (Australia) | Age: 19.1
With days to go until the draft, rival teams are viewing Washington as Sarr's likely destination. Sarr still has not worked out for Atlanta at No. 1, although the Hawks have continued to try to bring him in. He is thought to be comfortable coming off the board one spot later, with the Wizards' younger roster offering a clearer path to playing time and an opportunity to grow into an expanded role. It's worth noting that Risacher visited the Wizards over the weekend, meeting team brass and touring the city.
The Wizards have been quiet throughout the pre-draft process. But they had a consistent scouting presence in Perth this season, and they are thought to be keen on Sarr's long-term upside. His availability here remains contingent on there being no surprises at No. 1, but the widely held belief around the league is that Washington is Sarr's floor. Amid a full-scale rebuild, Washington has the runway to be patient with Sarr's development, making it a strong fit for him -- and vice versa -- on paper.
Sarr arguably has the greatest upside available here, with the physical attributes to be a top defender as well as the makings of a useful offensive skill set as a finisher and improving floor spacer. -- Jeremy Woo
3. Houston Rockets (via Nets)
Reed Sheppard, PG/SG, Kentucky | Age: 19.9
This pick has been in trade conversations since the moment the Rockets got it in the draft lottery (14 teams), and it likely will continue to be attainable until NBA commissioner Adam Silver announces the selection at No. 3. Many NBA teams are operating under the assumption it will be moved in their internal mock drafts, but that's difficult to plan for considering how rare these types of trades are from a historical perspective.
The Rockets are clearly in win-now mode and would love to add star power to their roster, with players such as Kevin Durant, Jimmy Butler, Mikal Bridges and Brandon Ingram as well as role players including Brook Lopez and Marcus Smart being some that other teams say the Rockets could have interest in targeting (with some names more far-fetched than others).
Several of the teams rumored to be exploring the cost of moving up in the draft -- for example, the Memphis Grizzlies and Oklahoma City Thunder -- appear to have interest in selecting Clingan (the No. 3 player on the ESPN Top 100 Big Board), who has not worked out for the Rockets. Clingan getting selected at No. 3 would have a cascading effect, sending the draft in an entirely different direction than the one we have mapped out below.
Should the Rockets stand pat, Sheppard has been the favorite here since draft lottery night. Houston's ownership group traveled to meet with him in Los Angeles fairly early in the process, and he visited the Rockets' facility to make his case as the best shooter in the draft. -- Givony
4. San Antonio Spurs
Stephon Castle, PG/SG, UConn | Age: 19.6
The Spurs got an up-close look at Risacher in a private workout this past weekend, which should help them determine how aggressive they want or need to be in trade talks for moving up to No. 1, where the French wing is currently favored to be drafted. The Spurs have the assets to do so if they want, holding the Hawks' unprotected 2025 and 2027 first-round picks as well as a pick-swap option in 2026 thanks to the Dejounte Murray trade.
The Spurs are telling rival teams they will be taking a best-player-available approach at picks No. 4 and No. 8 despite having backcourt needs and a lack of shooting and playmaking -- areas they'll need to address in due time. Taking a patient approach seems to be San Antonio's strategy for now, as there are plenty of scenarios in which more attractive options become available in the near future.
San Antonio has expressed increasing interest in Clingan as of late, even going as far as interviewing him in recent days to get to know him better. Some think this might be a case of the Spurs signaling to rivals that the No. 4 pick is where they need to get to if they want to draft Clingan, as opposed to real interest in a fascinating twin-towers lineup with the 7-foot-3 UConn champion and 7-foot-5 Victor Wembanyama.
They also brought Reed Sheppard, Rob Dillingham, Matas Buzelis, Dalton Knecht and others in for workouts.
With Risacher and Sheppard off the board in this scenario, Castle appears to be a strong candidate to hear his name called here. -- Givony
8. San Antonio Spurs
Rob Dillingham, PG, Kentucky | Age: 19.4
Dillingham conducted his first visits of the pre-draft process this past week with San Antonio, before moving on to Detroit and also meeting with Utah. An ankle injury he suffered prior to the NBA draft combine prevented him from conducting any compe ive workouts for teams.
Dillingham's dynamic ballhandling, playmaking and shot-making prowess could be a natural fit for the Spurs with the creativity he offers in the open court and the pick-and-roll. Pairing him with a veteran mentor guard such as Chris Paul -- whom Dillingham has known from a young age, having played for his grassroots EYBL team (Team CP3) -- could make sense should the Golden State Warriors elect to waive Paul's non-guaranteed contract prior to their June 28 deadline.
Buzelis, Knecht, Williams, Tidjane Salaun and Nikola Topic are said to be other prospects under consideration here. Should the Spurs pass on Dillingham, Utah at No. 10 and the Miami Heat at No. 15 are viewed by teams as strong suitors, but there also could be trade opportunities that arise in the late lottery for the No. 8 prospect on our big board. -- Givony
Twitterverse rumor SAS picking a guy that is dropping at 8. GoatInsider : Topic, Givony : Dilly.
I fear the tsunami of smokescreens and virtual silence about him has the Spurs getting "their guy" at 8, Nikola Topic. He might be the connector this team needs or he might get the Beno treatment.
This has the potential to be the most unpredictable draft I can recall. So many options, angles and team needs in play.
One possibility that seems obvious to me is that the Thunder need a strong rebounding, defensive center. Clingan would put them in a better position to compete with the Twolves, Nuggets and Mavs. If he's on the board at 3 and the Rockets are willing to trade with a rival, I could see Presti making that heist.
Love to hear that Spurs are drafting best player available. I hate narratives that the Spurs have to come away with this or come away that. Whether it be a shooter, a point guard or whatever. You don’t draft for need unless you are a contender. Spurs won 22 games. Draft the best talent and figure the rest out later. If they have Clingan as their top player when they are on the clock do it. Same for Sarr. Fit be damned because this was not a good team last year. You may not be drafting starters in this draft. That is okay.
Definitely think Topic at 8 is in play, especially if they’re super happy with the selection at 4. RC won’t be able to help himself.
I’ve never thought Dillingham was a serious option but we’ll see.
Believe this is the first confirmation we’ve gotten that the Spurs worked out Buzelis.
Timvp is the smokescreen agent for Topic.
Topic went from top 3 to possibly out of the lottery in like a month. No one's talking about him, not even the big mock guys.
I still don't think the Spurs go with him for the reasons I've had for a long time. He doesn't fit either of what the Spurs need from the role - shooting or defense - and his playstyle seems to be both limited and will get in the way of where Wembanyama works best. It's hard for Topic to get into the lane when Wemby wants to go there. It's hard for Wemby to use the lane when Topic wants to get there.
Ultimately I don't think Topic is such a good prospect after all that he survived another deeply concerning injury. This isn't Kenyon Martin (in a weak draft) who was still considered so good he was worth waiting a year to play and went number one.
Not happening tbh. Posting anyways.
Topic at 8 means the Spurs really like this guy. But would they select regardless who they got at 4? Castle at 4 could play SF in the future. Sarr at 4 is possible with Clingan in the mix
I think Topic at 8 is okay if he’s viewed as the future starting PG despite not playing this coming season. He’s viewed as the player who is the best passing guard, and who can also put up points in many ways.
Yeah I’m not buying it. JPB posted the excerpt of it above from his mock draft…in the full context he even admits that some people think it’s more to show teams that they’re not going be able to get Clingan at 5 or beyond.
San Antonio has expressed increasing interest in Clingan as of late, even going as far as interviewing him in recent days to get to know him better. Some think this might be a case of the Spurs signaling to rivals that the No. 4 pick is where they need to get to if they want to draft Clingan, as opposed to real interest in a fascinating twin-towers lineup with the 7-foot-3 UConn champion and 7-foot-5 Victor Wembanyama.
Topic very much feels like a "who the is this guy?" when it comes to next season's offseason as we get two picks in the new, great lottery and maybe three, and suddenly having to make adjustments to his reduced playstyle and needs.
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