He might be the safe pick as a three-and-d wing who may be able to do more with the ball in his hands than given credit for. Him actually already being a good shooter definitely helps his case.
I've been really impressed by what I've seen from Sorber. Looks really good on both sides of the ball. Great finisher around the rim on offense. On defense, terrific defensive metrics and seems to use his length to force turnovers and force players to shoot over him in the paint.
Doesn't project to be a stretch five but I think he could absolutely contribute next season.
Who Else Measured Up (Or Didn’t)?
There were some question marks from the first group. Maluach’s footspeed got the best of him in the pro lane drill where he had to restart and go through it six different times due to hitting the cones on the corner.
The biggest surprise was Queen’s shooting mechanics. His shot looks altered from the season and a bit more like a hitch or slingshot. He takes a while to gather and get in his shooting pocket and it doesn’t look fluid. One of the coaches at his basket was even trying to give him some last minute tips before he started his drills.
What Big-Name Freshmen Are Staying in the Draft?
Arizona’s Carter Bryant and North Carolina’s Drake Powell said they were definitely staying in the draft last week despite mediocre freshmen seasons. Bryant passes the eye test with great size and length at 6-foot-8 and a promising jumper that extends past the three-point line. The feedback from around the league is that he interviewed very well over the course of three days and is a player teams feel like they can bring in and mold under their coaching staff and system and build off the tools he already has. Bryant only averaged 6.5 points and 4.1 rebounds in 19.3 minutes at Arizona.
Powell is another player a team might take a swing on in the back half of the first round. His athleticism is off the charts and what he showed as a defender in high school still sticks with scouts even after his quiet year at North Carolina. Each year we see players picked on potential and upside alone. Carter and Powell could be those two prospects this year.
This is the case of Essengue tbh
I love this guy’s videos and he just dropped a Fleming one, post-combine.
7’5” wingspan would put him at the 25th largest wingspan in the NBA, all true Centers in front of him.
I still have Fleming and Bryant as my top choices at 14, would be extremely happy with either.
Flemings reminds me a lot of Precious Achiuwa
Jumper looks smooth... but he looks a bit stiff to me?
Fleming is my dream pick at #14. I cannot get enough of him.
He checks so many boxes: defend post; defend perimeter; rebound; Shoot 3s; attach close-outs; run fast-break with our guards; can play 4 and 5 and some 3.
He is a role player in college; Will be used a role player in NBA. Easier transition.
I especially like this quiet, down-to-earth manner, and yet compe ive nature.
Yes he lacks facilitating. But I don't see why we need that thing since we have so many facilitators.
There are so many players if SA sticks at 14 that I would be happy with on paper. Legit on paper seems like a deep draft.
I would still love SA to move up and get Harper + Kon
I have my hopes set on Carter/Essengue/Coward @ #14
I love Carter’s athleticism and his shot is pure. I think his comp is Trever Ariza the perfect champanionship role player.
Essengue I think has the most potential of all but is raw. If we decide we want our iden y to be a transition focused team, imagine our three guard lineup of fox, Harper and castle racing out to lob to our finishers Wemby & Essengue.
Coward is that empanada that looks delicious but you have no idea what meat is inside it. Why not try it and find out?
As my old man used to tell my mom “You can’t make everyone Happy your Not a Empanada”. Lol
Kon and Harper out of this draft would be awesome. Kon would be excellent as 6th man of the future with his shooting and his ability to run an offense.
Kind of curious what trade up opportunities from the 14 might exist. Sure we can throw in Vassell, but I sense demand is not high.
What are the expectations from Atlanta in 2026? Wondering is they'd give us this years 13 pick in exchange for removing swap rights on 2026, but really only if the 13 could be packaged with the 14 to move up. ...think of it as a gateway drug to tanking. We give them back control of their 2026 draft, and maybe the sweet taste of tanking overwhelms their senses and we strike gold in 2027.
I doubt there are any trade up scenarios using just Devin + 14, but if there are id say the best chance is picks 7,8,9, and 11..
Bingo. We have so much facilitating between Wemby, Fox, Castle and (hopefully) Harper that we don’t need a whole lot of creation. We seriously could use a long 4 who can knock down shots and defend at a high level. I don’t know if Fleming’s three ball is legit, but if they believe in it, he’s a no-brainer at 14.
In an ideal world, we’d try to build a defensive monster with Wemby as the ultimate eraser. Fleming certainly has the chops. Sochan has the ability. Castle should be pretty good without having to waste energy dominating the ball on offense. That got me thinking that maybe Fox and Harper can find another level defensively since they won’t be expected to carry the offensive burden (once everyone has found their footing).
spurs center draft strategy discussed at 45:47
Last edited by spurraider21; 05-20-2025 at 08:14 PM.
What you described could all happen because of the reasons you mentioned.
Gooding thing of Fleming is, even if his 3-point shot doesn't transfer, he can still be a valuable role player. Picking him at #14 is not a reach even if he is out #7 or #8 man.
But his 3-point shot has as good a chance as transferring to NBA as anyone, because his releasing point is so high.
Plus, he made many 3s with a hand on his face, reminding me of Kobe.
NOP at 7 and HOU at 10 seem like the only spots for even an outside realistic shot to move up with Vassell
NOP should be targeting Fears or Jaku, IMO, but they've been rumored to be interested in Kon. Maybe there is an outside shot NOP wants to push for the playoffs (they've got the talent, don't need to tank) and they'd be interested in a "proven" NBA shooter in Vassell (if we could call him that) and would do 7 and 14 for Devin... but I really highly doubt it. They'd probably rather just have the cheaper Kon at 7.
Houston likewise could likely use Jaku but they need shooting too. But I don't see a trade between us and Houston materializing.
I can't really see any other team in the lotto that would even have an interest in Devin, aside from ATL, who isn't taking our calls anyway.
I’d be open to using 14 + a future first IF Spurs value Kon that highly. So doesnt have to be Dev. I just like Kon a lot personally
Honestly if Harpers catch and shoot 3 point shooting of 38% is legit, and the spurs draft Fleming as their 4, you could almost start Sochan at the 3 for his defense and bring Castle off the bench. That team would be a defensive monster with Wemby-Fleming-Sochan.
Imagine a Wemby-Fleming-Sochan-Castle-Harper/Fox lineup defensively. Would wreak havoc.
There’s something I don’t like about Fleming. Seems too stiff or something in his gait. Too limited offensively. Def not a dribble pass shoot kind of guy. Slow processor. Jump shot doesn’t seem legit to me either. Don’t think he’ll pan out. Not worth the risk at #14 to me.
Fleming fever fading fersure.
That could be. Like I said, I doubt there are any trades like that out there, but these are the only ones I see as having a slight chance depending on what these teams' timelines are. I discounted Houston because I just don't think we'd deal with them. The teams I listed have one thing in common, they may be ready to shorten their timelines and starting playing to compete for a play-in or playoff spot now.
Glorious
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote