Pick #14 - Strategies

[Spursfanfromafar]

Its stupid to call Jalen Williams anything less than a very good player. In just his third season, he has blossomed into an all-Star and an all-Defensive Team presence.

[scott]

Au ious timing for folks to unveil their “Jalen Williams is fools gold” takes

[LeBowen]

Au ious timing for folks to unveil their “Jalen Williams is fools gold” takes

Wow, he finally had a good game after three embarrassing performances.
Not to mention he's been guarded by players who are considered subpar or bad defenders.

We'll see how he does against a team that has a lot of good defenders.

[Dejounte]

Wow, he finally had a good game after three embarrassing performances.
Not to mention he's been guarded by players who are considered subpar or bad defenders.

We'll see how he does against a team that has a lot of good defenders.

I hope none of our core ever experience a bad playoff run. My bet is fans here will show their hypocrisy and be way more forgiving.

[Extra Stout]

Coming soon… the Jalen Williams vs. Julius Randle WCF!

[LeBowen]

I hope none of our core ever experience a bad playoff run. My bet is fans here will show their hypocrisy and be way more forgiving.

He was a non-factor against the Mavs last year, which was fine because those were his first playoffs.
Was great in both no-contest first round matchups that felt like regular season games.
He was a negative on the floor during the most of this series. Had a great G3 and did well in today's blowout.

Nuggets have only one good perimeter defender who was always on SGA.
Williams rarely had a positive defender on him, let alone an elite one.
I'm not saying he's going to be bad against the Wolves, but they have Ant/NAW/McDaniels who are all great defenders and Williams won't have the luxury of easy matchups.

Coming soon… the Jalen Williams vs. Julius Randle WCF!

Double standards are just hillarious.
Randle was consistently very good in both series and yet he's still a choker according to some members.
Williams was non-existant in most games and yet people think he's great after one good game in a blowout.

[scott]

I hope none of our core ever experience a bad playoff run. My bet is fans here will show their hypocrisy and be way more forgiving.

Spurs fans: patience for Devin Vassell’s 5 years of mid… but no patience for an All Star having 3 bad playoff games

[exstatic]

He was a non-factor against the Mavs last year, which was fine because those were his first playoffs.
Was great in both no-contest first round matchups that felt like regular season games.
He was a negative on the floor during the most of this series. Had a great G3 and did well in today's blowout.

Nuggets have only one good perimeter defender who was always on SGA.
Williams rarely had a positive defender on him, let alone an elite one.
I'm not saying he's going to be bad against the Wolves, but they have Ant/NAW/McDaniels who are all great defenders and Williams won't have the luxury of easy matchups.



Double standards are just hillarious.
Randle was consistently very good in both series and yet he's still a choker according to some members.
Williams was non-existant in most games and yet people think he's great after one good game in a blowout.

Julius doesn’t have a playoff history like Playoff Jimmy, and since you brought up matchups, he’s played against Shady Acres retirement homes I and II in the first two rounds.

[LeBowen]

Julius doesn’t have a playoff history like Playoff Jimmy

Who said anything about playoff Jimmy? You're so strange.

and since you brought up matchups, he’s played against Shady Acres retirement homes I and II in the first two rounds.

Yeah, go spin the narrative just to suit your agenda.

[RC_Drunkford]

Maybe my post was inarticulate or somewhat muddled.

But the bottom line is -- I think Jalen Williams is fools gold.

If he isn't a part of your plans when you really get good, then he's actually been a negative -- he's just been taking valuable minutes from someone who might.

In the end, you're not left with nothing, you're left with less than nothing.

he's certainly better than Jeremy Sochan, who we picked 3 spots ahead of Jalen Williams

[exstatic]

Who said anything about playoff Jimmy? You're so strange.



Yeah, go spin the narrative just to suit your agenda.

Are you saying that the Lakers and Warriors aren’t old s? Because they totally are.

[LeBowen]

Are you saying that the Lakers and Warriors aren’t old s? Because they totally are.

Again, what does it have to do with Jimmy?

Lakers and Warriors are old s, but that wasn't the narrative before the playoffs.
Randle's matchups were more difficult than Ant's and yet he was the more consistent performer.

[exstatic]

Again, what does it have to do with Jimmy?

Lakers and Warriors are old s, but that wasn't the narrative before the playoffs.
Randle's matchups were more difficult than Ant's and yet he was the more consistent performer.

Do you read for comprehension at all? This all revolves back to Julius.

1. He is not Playoff Jimmy, in spite of one or two good series. Some here were lauding his playoff exploits, saying he should be paid or retained based on those performances.

2. Those two good series were played against teams that could not defend him, old guys, just like Jalen Williams played against sub par defenders, as you pointed out. You can see that, but not that Julius got the same edge, based on bad defense.

Did you really buy the NBA pre-playoff hype about the Lakers and Warriors? If so, that’s just sad.

[LeBowen]

1. He is not Playoff Jimmy, in spite of one or two good series. Some here were lauding his playoff exploits, saying he should be paid or retained based on those performances.

I don't care what others said, I never compared him with Jimmy. His 24/6/6 on solid efficency is definitely worth the $30M he has right now, I never said he should get a max extension or whatever you I did.

2. Those two good series were played against teams that could not defend him, old guys, just like Jalen Williams played against sub par defenders, as you pointed out. You can see that, but not that Julius got the same edge, based on bad defense.

Williams played poorly against poor defenders, Randle dominated better defensive setups. Warriors were tragic offensively without Curry, but they still had Draymond/Jimmy on Randle.

Did you really buy the NBA pre-playoff hype about the Lakers and Warriors? If so, that’s just sad.

I predicted the Wolves to make WCF.

[Russ]

he's certainly better than Jeremy Sochan, who we picked 3 spots ahead of Jalen Williams

But is he better than Lonnie Walker who we picked 15 spots ahead of Jalen Brunson?

[Mr. Body]

You guys can't help jerking off over the Thunder you started doing it in the draft threads.

[CGD]

Agree, when you look at Spurs trade situation, this draft might be the time to do a move.

First, after this draft, Spurs will have 1 first round pick per draft:;
2026: Best of Spurs and Hawks
2027: Hawks
2028: Best of Spurs and Celtics (top1 protected)
2029: Spurs
2030: Best of Spurs, Mavs and Wolves (top1 protected)
2031: Best of Spurs and Kings
Great picks quality wise but Spurs war chest is now average quan y wise. Spurs aren't in a situation were they can throw a couple of future first round picks without hurting that future. If Spurs start trading these picks, even with protections, they will lose a lot of flexibility because of the Ted Stepien rule.

Right now, I would put Spurs trade assets in 3 tiers:

- Premium assets: Spurs might only trade some of them for, maybe a top 20 player: Wembanyama, #2, Fox and Castle.

- Assets with some value: #14, Vassell, Sochan and maybe Champagnie.

- Assets with little to no value: second round picks, Keldon and expiring contracts(Barnes, Branham and Wesley).


Spurs don't really have that much to offer in trades. #14 and Vassell might be the only ones that Spurs are willing to offer and that are interesting for other teams. Trade value of #14 will be at its peak on draft night. I'm not sure how Vassell trade value will evolve. Playing more off the ball should help him but he should have less shots per game to put stats and will play out of position at SF.

Excellent post. Makes clear that while we have definitely improved the quality of our singular picks during key Wemby years, we do lack the quan y after the Fox deal. Puts a Giannis deal into perspective, at least for me.

[Mr. Body]

The 14 looks like a good spot. I feel like the draft starts losing steam pretty quickly thereafter, getting closer to 20. There will be good players here or there, but less interesting prospects overall.

Seems like we'll have a pick of these types of players:

Egor Demin
Liam McNeeley
Rasheer Fleming
Carter Bryant

Possibly Thomas Sorber, etc.

These are all pretty good swings. Players with flawed seasons but enough attractive qualities to be happy with the picks. I feel like some drafts are almost drained by the end of the lottery.

[Vienna]

I wonder why the potenial #14 pick is often discussed, as if only a plug in starter would justify using the pick.
if they use the pick at all, whoever will be draftet, he will be drafted based on his potenial and a role he might get in three years.
Vassell and Primo were 20 MPG players and the only reason, why Sochan became a starter immediately, was the fact that it was the worst Spurs roster ever.

so, he will be a project anyway, the fit with the current roster is more or less irrelevant, when talking about depth charts. even if it means, that the player won't see many minutes.
so it's less about fit regarding positions, it will me more about fit regarding abilities. shooting, defense, BBIQ, intangibles.
btw. there will be minutes to get, even if the player is a SF.
Keldon, Champagnie, Harrison and Sochan, that's 100 minutes, we don't know if either will be on the roster and if so, how many minutes the player will get next season.

considering the status as a project, Bryant makes the most sense. Coward checks the most boxes, but Bryant might offer more upside in the long run. McNeeley is the fall back option, if both guys are gone.

[Degoat]

I wonder why the potenial #14 pick is often discussed, as if only a plug in starter would justify using the pick.
if they use the pick at all, whoever will be draftet, he will be drafted based on his potenial and a role he might get in three years.
Vassell and Primo were 20 MPG players and the only reason, why Sochan became a starter immediately, was the fact that it was the worst Spurs roster ever.

so, he will be a project anyway, the fit with the current roster is more or less irrelevant, when talking about depth charts. even if it means, that the player won't see many minutes.
so it's less about fit regarding positions, it will me more about fit regarding abilities. shooting, defense, BBIQ, intangibles.
btw. there will be minutes to get, even if the player is a SF.
Keldon, Champagnie, Harrison and Sochan, that's 100 minutes, we don't know if either will be on the roster and if so, how many minutes the player will get next season.

considering the status as a project, Bryant makes the most sense. Coward checks the most boxes, but Bryant might offer more upside in the long run. McNeeley is the fall back option, if both guys are gone.

Good points, as much as I’d like to see the spurs grab a big to develop, drafting for potential with Carter, Coward, etc would be the route to go. I still anticipate the spurs moving off this pick tho

[RC_Drunkford]

I wonder why the potenial #14 pick is often discussed, as if only a plug in starter would justify using the pick.
if they use the pick at all, whoever will be draftet, he will be drafted based on his potenial and a role he might get in three years.
Vassell and Primo were 20 MPG players and the only reason, why Sochan became a starter immediately, was the fact that it was the worst Spurs roster ever.

so, he will be a project anyway, the fit with the current roster is more or less irrelevant, when talking about depth charts. even if it means, that the player won't see many minutes.
so it's less about fit regarding positions, it will me more about fit regarding abilities. shooting, defense, BBIQ, intangibles.
btw. there will be minutes to get, even if the player is a SF.
Keldon, Champagnie, Harrison and Sochan, that's 100 minutes, we don't know if either will be on the roster and if so, how many minutes the player will get next season.

considering the status as a project, Bryant makes the most sense. Coward checks the most boxes, but Bryant might offer more upside in the long run. McNeeley is the fall back option, if both guys are gone.

Sorber, Bryant and Coward are my top 3 in that range as of now. Sorber could get back up C minutes instantly as well.

[cutewizard]

[Spurs Brazil]

Today's NBA Mock Draft

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/...llas-mavericks

14. San Antonio Spurs (via Atlanta)
Carter Bryant, SF/PF, Arizona
Freshman | TS%: 59.9

Combine measurements:
Height without shoes: 6-6½ | Weight: 214
Standing reach: 8-10 | Wingspan: 6-11¾

Intel and fit: Even before the prospective addition of Harper at No. 2 became plausible, the Spurs needed maximum spacing around Victor Wembanyama and their guards. They should have an opportunity to address that with their second first-round pick. Bryant is a strong fit on paper if he's available at No. 14.

Although his box score production was modest in a supporting role at Arizona, NBA teams have been intrigued all season, drawn to his promising shooting stroke, passing feel and a strong physical frame with similar measurements to Los Angeles Lakers forward Dorian Finney-Smith.

Bryant has room to pack on significant strength that would give him some defensive versatility, as well. As a two-way contributor who won't need on-ball usage to add value, Bryant can slide neatly into the long-term plans for most any team, which could put him in play for teams higher than this. -- Woo

[scott]

I wonder why the potenial #14 pick is often discussed, as if only a plug in starter would justify using the pick.
if they use the pick at all, whoever will be draftet, he will be drafted based on his potenial and a role he might get in three years.
Vassell and Primo were 20 MPG players and the only reason, why Sochan became a starter immediately, was the fact that it was the worst Spurs roster ever.

so, he will be a project anyway, the fit with the current roster is more or less irrelevant, when talking about depth charts. even if it means, that the player won't see many minutes.
so it's less about fit regarding positions, it will me more about fit regarding abilities. shooting, defense, BBIQ, intangibles.
btw. there will be minutes to get, even if the player is a SF.
Keldon, Champagnie, Harrison and Sochan, that's 100 minutes, we don't know if either will be on the roster and if so, how many minutes the player will get next season.

considering the status as a project, Bryant makes the most sense. Coward checks the most boxes, but Bryant might offer more upside in the long run. McNeeley is the fall back option, if both guys are gone.

Nice dose of sanity. Our pick could be #30, and some people would automatically plug them into the starting lineup... they just like shiny new things.

#14 is likely to get the Lonnie/Keldon treatment in year 1 if we actually take someone.

[Mr. Body]

I'd still be disappointed in Carter. Not that it matters if we get Harper. But Carter projects to someday be a project. I just can't get excited over a guy who was trusted to do so little in college.