Pick #14 - Strategies

[Atl Spur]

Take Fleming if he’s available; a new age siakam type that we need!

[scott]

I felt this way if we got Flagg, but landing Harper at 2 is kind of a similar proposition…

With Flagg or Harper at the top of the draft, I feel it really opens up the possibility for drafting someone like Maluach if you feel he can be a long-term starter at C. Not because we are in need of a long-term center, but as insurance for Wemby. If you have someone like Maluach who can fill right in in the short-term or the long-term, you can still be a high end team now that you’ve added talent like Fox, Castle and Harper. Everyone here says Harper is a franchise player… well, let’s build the team like he’s a franchise player. Wemby’s DVT showed us anything can happen. Landing Harper at 2 gives us the flexibility of making a luxury pick like Maluach at 14 (if he’s there).

With all that said… I still like Coward at 14, but I think the rationale behind taking Maluach makes a ton of sense if he’s there (which he probably won’t be). It doesn’t make sense to draft a 15 MPG backup C at #14… but we need to look at this as more than that. It’s a backup C and an insurance plan for our superstar.

[SpursFan86]

Welp, now that KD is out of the picture let’s see what we do outside of #2. Just really hope we don’t trade 14 for future draft capital.

[Ice009]

Welp, now that KD is out of the picture let’s see what we do outside of #2. Just really hope we don’t trade 14 for future draft capital.

What about trying to trade up with the #14 and either player/s or picks if there is someone there that the Spurs like enough to move up?

[SpursFan86]

What about trying to trade up with the #14 and either player/s or picks if there is someone there that the Spurs like enough to move up?

I’m fine with that if there’s a player they really like.

I just want to see us make 1-2 clear moves that signal they’re ready to try and take a leap forward this year as opposed to giving pretty much the same core another year of seeing if they can do something worthwhile. I get that we didn’t really get to see Fox and they likely expect that to give us a big boost but still.

If we just trade 14 for future draft capital and then sign a couple of mid-level vets in the offseason while keeping most/all of Vassell/Keldon/Branham/Wesley/Mamu/Bassey…that’s what will piss me off.

[Ice009]

I’m fine with that if there’s a player they really like.

I just want to see us make 1-2 clear moves that signal they’re ready to try and take a leap forward this year as opposed to giving pretty much the same core another year of seeing if they can do something worthwhile. I get that we didn’t really get to see Fox and they likely expect that to give us a big boost but still.

If we just trade 14 for future draft capital and then sign a couple of mid-level vets in the offseason while keeping most/all of Vassell/Keldon/Branham/Wesley/Mamu/Bassey…that’s what will piss me off.

I agree with you. I want to see they make some decisive moves geared towards winning. This friendship crew hasn't really done anything. There is no real reason to keep them together at this point IMO. Really disappointed in how this turned out (mostly because we're still stuck with all these guys).

[cd98]

Spurs need a legit 3 and D wing that is 6'7 or taller or they need a legit big man prospect. Hopefully they can one of those two, though they may have to try a trade to move up.

[exstatic]

Sorber is my guy here. Good size, massive wingspan, 4 stocks/36, right side up asst/TO ratio. Kinda gives me Bam vibes.

[Mr. Body]

Spurs need a legit 3 and D wing that is 6'7 or taller or they need a legit big man prospect. Hopefully they can one of those two, though they may have to try a trade to move up.

I'd go hard for a big, even trading up, although I'm not in love with any of them. But I think the best ones may be gone.

[Dejounte]

Sorber or Powell come on down

[scott]

I’m fine with that if there’s a player they really like.

I just want to see us make 1-2 clear moves that signal they’re ready to try and take a leap forward this year as opposed to giving pretty much the same core another year of seeing if they can do something worthwhile. I get that we didn’t really get to see Fox and they likely expect that to give us a big boost but still.

If we just trade 14 for future draft capital and then sign a couple of mid-level vets in the offseason while keeping most/all of Vassell/Keldon/Branham/Wesley/Mamu/Bassey…that’s what will piss me off.

I thought I would have hated this approach... but I'm not sure I will.

Trading #14 for future capital can be useful. We've stripped the war chest of all the additional first round capital we had... it wouldn't hurt to stock it back up. (And I say this as someone who actually likes the guys in the #14 range).

I think we can make some real improvements to the team with the BAE and the MLE. While I am definitely not a fan of the Power of Friendship, I wouldn't hate seeing what we have with them and the infusion of talent. If nothing else it will highlight the huge gap between them and real NBA talent (Wemby/Fox/Castle/Harper) and the team will realize we can't keep overpaying our scrubs because they are fun guys.

I'm holding out for a more minor trade, like John Collins or a S&T for Santi.

[SpursFan86]

Sorber is my guy here. Good size, massive wingspan, 4 stocks/36, right side up asst/TO ratio. Kinda gives me Bam vibes.

Yeah, the more that time goes by the more I’m into Sorber. I had been leaning towards a wing like Bryant/Coward/Clifford but I don’t know…if the Spurs would rather Wemby not spend all of his time at the 5 (which I don’t necessarily agree with fwiw) then maybe Sorber is the move.

[SpursFan86]

I thought I would have hated this approach... but I'm not sure I will.

Trading #14 for future capital can be useful. We've stripped the war chest of all the additional first round capital we had... it wouldn't hurt to stock it back up. (And I say this as someone who actually likes the guys in the #14 range).

I think we can make some real improvements to the team with the BAE and the MLE. While I am definitely not a fan of the Power of Friendship, I wouldn't hate seeing what we have with them and the infusion of talent. If nothing else it will highlight the huge gap between them and real NBA talent (Wemby/Fox/Castle/Harper) and the team will realize we can't keep overpaying our scrubs because they are fun guys.

I'm holding out for a more minor trade, like John Collins or a S&T for Santi.

Ehh everything you’re saying is reasonable, I think I’d just really prefer we shake things up more. But for example trading for Collins would absolutely fall into that category for me. I’m not saying we need to make a massive blockbuster…I just don’t want to see the vast majority of our same core back next year.

[HankChinaski]

Sorber, Fleming, Coward at 14 would be good at 14
Raynaud, Kalkbrenner with 2nd round pick

Trade for John Collins on a sign and trade

Would be happy with that off season.

[scott]

Ehh everything you’re saying is reasonable, I think I’d just really prefer we shake things up more. But for example trading for Collins would absolutely fall into that category for me. I’m not saying we need to make a massive blockbuster…I just don’t want to see the vast majority of our same core back next year.

Honestly, I'm totally with you... I'm just trying to levelset expectations for myself and honestly I don't think it will be too bad if we just "stand pat". Adding Fox, Harper, someone at the top of the MLE market and a BAE guy within the span of 6 months is a pretty big shakeup by any standards, and especially for the Spurs. Yeah, I'd like to see a little more... but I don't think it will be the worst thing.

[Bruno]

Biggest need(s) for teams picking before #14:
#9(Raptors): PG and C
#10(Suns): C
#11(Blazers): not sure
#12(Bulls): C and SF/PF
#13(Hawks): C

It seems unlikely that a C like Queen will slide to Spurs pick. Carter Bryant or Noa Essengue could be available at #14 for Spurs. If Demin or Jakucionis are still there at #14, Spurs could get quite a lot for them in a trade.

[spurraider21]

With suns replacing rockets at 10…

Rockets seemed to be a team that would have wanted a Bryant/Coward type while the suns seem like the floor for Maluach or a likely Sorber landing spot

[spurraider21]

Biggest need(s) for teams picking before #14:
#9(Raptors): PG and C
#10(Suns): C
#11(Blazers): not sure
#12(Bulls): C and SF/PF
#13(Hawks): C

It seems unlikely that a C like Queen will slide to Spurs pick. Carter Bryant or Noa Essengue could be available at #14 for Spurs. If Demin or Jakucionis are still there at #14, Spurs could get quite a lot for them in a trade.

I can’t think of 2 nba skills that essengue currently projects at being above average at in the nba. Just seems like a lump of clay with nice physical traits

[TD 21]

^ The Suns lack a starting C, but at least have rotation filler Richards/Ighodaro; they have a gaping hole at PF.

I’m fine with that if there’s a player they really like.

I just want to see us make 1-2 clear moves that signal they’re ready to try and take a leap forward this year as opposed to giving pretty much the same core another year of seeing if they can do something worthwhile. I get that we didn’t really get to see Fox and they likely expect that to give us a big boost but still.

If we just trade 14 for future draft capital and then sign a couple of mid-level vets in the offseason while keeping most/all of Vassell/Keldon/Branham/Wesley/Mamu/Bassey…that’s what will piss me off.

This being the Spurs, they'll probably more or less run it back.

No matter the outcome, the Thunder should emerge from this experience better, but it's also the latest sign of this being the parity era and the game being so physically demanding (in a different way from decades ago) that no one should be assuming/conceding that they'll run off a string of finals/championships.

Beyond them, it's as open as this league gets and it's also a time where teams can rapidly progress from bottom feeder to contender, as witnessed by the Thunder and Rockets.

If the Spurs do their jobs, there's no reason they can't join them.

[Bruno]

I can’t think of 2 nba skills that essengue currently projects at being above average at in the nba. Just seems like a lump of clay with nice physical traits

I'm not that high personally on Essengue too but I can definitively see Spurs liking him a lot and be thrilled if he falls to #14.

[LeBowen]

Since someone mentioned we're a Klutch team now: Maluach, Fleming and Will Riley are Klutch clients in the draft we might have interest in.

[DAF86]

Sorber is my guy here. Good size, massive wingspan, 4 stocks/36, right side up asst/TO ratio. Kinda gives me Bam vibes.

Sorber or Powell come on down

Yeah, the more that time goes by the more I’m into Sorber. I had been leaning towards a wing like Bryant/Coward/Clifford but I don’t know…if the Spurs would rather Wemby not spend all of his time at the 5 (which I don’t necessarily agree with fwiw) then maybe Sorber is the move.

Sorber, Fleming, Coward at 14 would be good at 14
Raynaud, Kalkbrenner with 2nd round pick

Trade for John Collins on a sign and trade

Would be happy with that off season.

Stop trying to pair Wemby next to a non-shooting big. We already have enough non shooters as it is, don't add another brick layer to the equation, tbh.

14 should be Bryant, Coward, Fleming or Maluach, if he ever slips that low.

[DPG21920]

I'm not that high personally on Essengue too but I can definitively see Spurs liking him a lot and be thrilled if he falls to #14.

I would be happy with him. I think he can be a solid role player but you know better than I do on him Im sure. But maybe another team is very high on him and Spurs can use 14 + Keldon for a player and/or pick(s)

[LeBowen]

Stop trying to pair Wemby next to a non-shooting big. We already have enough non shooters as it is, don't add another brick layer to the equation, tbh.

Who said anything about pairing? We're not a functional team whenever Wemby sits, we need a legit backup big.
Sorber wouldn't be the backup.



And 73% from the line, so he's at least got something to work with.
He could potentially develop a jumpshot over 3 to 4 years.
If he doesn't, we got a solid backup.

[Mr. Body]

Since someone mentioned we're a Klutch team now: Maluach, Fleming and Will Riley are Klutch clients in the draft we might have interest in.

I've kind of thought it was Riley. We'll see