Dejounte Murray was age 22 when he tore his ACL & came back and became an allstar, Topic will be just fine & #8 pick

[C-Dub]

Topic is 3 years younger than DJM was at the time of the injury and has a partially torn ACL in lieu of completely torn like DJM. He has a great chance to heal just like Murray did and come back completely healthy. Kids heal quicker and better than older adults. The Spurs will draft Topic with their 8th pick and stash him while he heal for a year, and at the same time learning the game and Spurs way - Similar to Chet's 1st year with the Thunder. This move will give PATFO the perfect opportunity to see who they should keep on the roster after this upcoming between Malaki & Blake. In year 3 or 4, at the age of 21 or 22, Topic will be the staring PG alongside Wemby, who will be age 23. With saying that, my mock lottery draft is,

1. Hawks - Zachary
2. Wizards - Sarr
3. Rockets - Reed
4 Spurs - Castle
5. Pistons - Matas
6. Hornets - Knecht
7. Blazers - Williams
8. Spurs - Topic
9. Grizzlies - Clingan
10. Jazz - Carter
11. Bulls - Holland
12. Thunder - Kel'el
13. Kings - Filipowski
14. Blazers - Dillingham

[R. DeMurre]

I don't think I've seen anyone else suggest a Castle/Topic duo as the two picks, but it wouldn't shock me. The Spurs probably had their minds relatively made up on Topic's potential in December, and I don't think they'll be as fickle as the fans are with regard to how popular/fashionable that pick might be now. If they thought he was a potential top pick then, they probably won't let 6 months of rehabbing a ligament at age 19 change their position-- especially at #8-- and especially since they're on record per Manu as having a three year plan. The Spurs have seemed obsessed with positional guard size, and Castle + Topic would be a giant back court. Granted, both needing to improve their respective 3pt shooting could make the pairing a bit risky, but they didn't let that stop them from experimenting with Sochan as a lead guard.

[BatManu20]

Don't see it happening tbh. Not with Salaun, Williams, and Carter all in the mix.

[stnick2261]

That was literally my dream draft combination for most of the year, so I won’t cry if it happens. 3 vastly different 6’6” guards rotating through PG/SG.

[spurraider21]

Taking 2 non shooters for the spurs is basically arson

[John B]

Don't see it happening tbh. Not with Salaun, Williams, and Carter all in the mix.

I think Topic has a more straight path to greatness than Salaun/Williams if ever. But I’d be happy with either of the 3. Carter is not sexy but could be Spursy tbh.

[baseline bum]

Topic's ACL isn't why I don't want to piss away a pick on him. It's the T-Rex arms. All along we were sold a bill of goods that Topic is long and can finish at the rim, turns out that was a lie from his agent with his negative wingspan which probably explains why he sucked in Euroleague when he wasn't going against scrubs in the lane any more. The length was a big part of this supposed potential that would help him possibly become a good defender one day and would give him a chance to finish at the rim in the NBA. Topic is like taking the worst parts of Castle and none of the good . I don't want him unless the Spurs can get him dirt cheap, say trading up into the late first with a couple of seconds or something like that.

[rascal]

Topic is 3 years younger than DJM was at the time of the injury and has a partially torn ACL in lieu of completely torn like DJM. He has a great chance to heal just like Murray did and come back completely healthy. Kids heal quicker and better than older adults. The Spurs will draft Topic with their 8th pick and stash him while he heal for a year, and at the same time learning the game and Spurs way - Similar to Chet's 1st year with the Thunder. This move will give PATFO the perfect opportunity to see who they should keep on the roster after this upcoming between Malaki & Blake. In year 3 or 4, at the age of 21 or 22, Topic will be the staring PG alongside Wemby, who will be age 23. With saying that, my mock lottery draft is,

1. Hawks - Zachary
2. Wizards - Sarr
3. Rockets - Reed
4 Spurs - Castle
5. Pistons - Matas
6. Hornets - Knecht
7. Blazers - Williams
8. Spurs - Topic
9. Grizzlies - Clingan
10. Jazz - Carter
11. Bulls - Holland
12. Thunder - Kel'el
13. Kings - Filipowski
14. Blazers - Dillingham

I can see the logic behind this and a real possibility.
Don't count Topic out. He's going to find his way on the Spurs.

Spurs appear high on Castle and Salaun and only Risacher may get them off of Castle at 4 but Risacher isn't likely going to be there at 4.

But they also will want to add Topic and they'll look for a trade partner to also land Topic outside the top 8.

[rascal]

Taking 2 non shooters for the spurs is basically arson

Topic won't even play this year so its only one non shooter added to the roster for this year and next years' draft gives you a great chance for adding shooting.

[rascal]

I don't think I've seen anyone else suggest a Castle/Topic duo as the two picks, but it wouldn't shock me. The Spurs probably had their minds relatively made up on Topic's potential in December, and I don't think they'll be as fickle as the fans are with regard to how popular/fashionable that pick might be now. If they thought he was a potential top pick then, they probably won't let 6 months of rehabbing a ligament at age 19 change their position-- especially at #8-- and especially since they're on record per Manu as having a three year plan. The Spurs have seemed obsessed with positional guard size, and Castle + Topic would be a giant back court. Granted, both needing to improve their respective 3pt shooting could make the pairing a bit risky, but they didn't let that stop them from experimenting with Sochan as a lead guard.

I suggested this as a possibility weeks ago.

[spurraider21]

Topic won't even play this year so its only one non shooter added to the roster for this year and next years' draft gives you a great chance for adding shooting.

using 2 picks and not coming away with a single shooter for the spurs is basically arson

[ginobilized]

I could see this scenario unfolding, for sure. It's just so hard to know how teams are going to draft. I see Topic as a shorter Josh Giddey.
Not sure that prototype is at the top of the Spurs list. But, then again, who knows?

[T Park]

using 2 picks and not coming away with a single shooter for the spurs is basically arson

Castle’s shooting will be fine and there’s free agency

[spurraider21]

Castle’s shooting will be fine

well thats a relief

[scott]

well thats a relief

Bruh he's got the T Park seal of approval. Nothing to worry about.

[R. DeMurre]

Interesting measurement that I just noticed: Topic and Castle have an identical standing reach of 8'6". You'd think being about the same height, Castle would have a higher standing reach because of wingspan, but his shoulders are wider. In fact, all of the players around Topic in the 8'6" range are either small forwards or shooting guards.


https://www.nba.com/stats/draft/comb...STANDING_REACH

[baseline bum]

Interesting measurement that I just noticed: Topic and Castle have an identical standing reach of 8'6". You'd think being about the same height, Castle would have a higher standing reach because of wingspan, but his shoulders are wider. In fact, all of the players around Topic in the 8'6" range are either small forwards or shooting guards.


https://www.nba.com/stats/draft/comb...STANDING_REACH

Was he reaching with his neck?

[R. DeMurre]

Was he reaching with his neck?

I know you don't like Topic, but you gotta admit that's an interesting measurement.

[baseline bum]

Castle’s shooting will be fine and there’s free agency

Free agency is a waste with Monk sticking in Sacramento; he was the one worthwhile target that the Spurs could have had a real shot at but he took less to stay in Sacramento. De'Angelo Russell, Tobias Harris, Buddy Hield, Bruce Brown, Klay Thompson?

Anunoby would be awesome but NY is going to pay him and KCP would necessitate a massive overpay to get him out of championship contention in Denver I'd expect. After that it's old mother ers like PG13, Harden, DeRozan, LeBron, etc.

[Seventyniner]

Was he reaching with his neck?

Some people make a big deal of Topic having a negative wingspan, i.e. relative to his height, but his absolute wingspan and standing reach compare favorably to most PGs in the league. Him having a long neck doesn't factor into either of those things.

[baseline bum]

Some people make a big deal of Topic having a negative wingspan, i.e. relative to his height, but his absolute wingspan and standing reach compare favorably to most PGs in the league. Him having a long neck doesn't factor into either of those things.

It was supposed to be one of the things that made him worth taking a wild swing on. He shoots like crap, has no in-between game, doesn't play defense, so the hope was at least having a really good wingspan would let his scoring at the rim from the ABA translate. But nope nothing special there on his wingspan so probably won't translate here just like it didn't in Euroleague. He's worth a pick in the 20s and that's about it. At point now I'd rather have Sheppard, Castle, Dillingham, Carter, Collier, and McCain.