**The Official 2025 NBA Draft Day Thread**

[Ariel]

Maluach is the only player that really excites me when it comes to the possibility of getting him. I would trade up for him honestly. Spurs would have the best interior defensive tandem in the NBA. I feel like his intensity would rub off on the players around him as well. Every second he is on the floor he's playing with bad intentions on both ends and in transition.

I wouldn't be crazy shocked if the Spurs were willing to use one of the Atlanta picks to move up, they seem to be losing value as they've hit on some trades (Dyson Daniels, Porzingis, Levert) and picks (Risacher) which, barring injury, likely gives them an easy path to the playoffs in the disgusting landscape of the East. If Maluach isn't taken top 6, I wouldn't be shocked if a team like New Orleans or someone in that range (except for Brooklyn) moves back for 14 plus one of those picks.

[SpursFan86]

Really don't understand the Sorber hype at all. Seems like a slightly more mobile Roy Hibbert. Doesn't address the need for shooting - which will become more acute once we get Harper. If Coward is there and they take Beringer or, even worse, Sorber, it won't be good.

You don’t see why getting a slightly more mobile Hibbert would be exciting at 14? Hibbert was a top 3-5 rim protector in the league for a few years and was a 2-time all-star (albeit definitely more on the borderline status then some slam dunk lol).

I think people vastly overestimate the average value of a 14th pick. Let’s say Sorber ends up becoming either a top 3 backup big in the league, or an above average starting center with the Spurs moving Wemby to the 4. You’d have to be thrilled with either of those outcomes. Also don’t necessarily think those are Sorber’s ceiling, but the point remains.

If someone thinks the Spurs should prioritize a wing that is a solid shooter that’s fine, but if a player like Sorber hits his median or above average outcome it would definitely be a great pick.

[vy65]

You don’t see why getting a slightly more mobile Hibbert would be exciting at 14? Hibbert was a top 3-5 rim protector in the league for a few years and was a 2-time all-star (albeit definitely more on the borderline status then some slam dunk lol).

I think people vastly overestimate the average value of a 14th pick. Let’s say Sorber ends up becoming either a top 3 backup big in the league, or an above average starting center with the Spurs moving Wemby to the 4. You’d have to be thrilled with either of those outcomes. Also don’t necessarily think those are Sorber’s ceiling, but the point remains.

No, not if there's a prospect like Coward there at 14. Shooting is much more of a need for the team than rim protection since we have this guy named Wembanyama

[Ariel]

My sleepers are Demin, Queen, and Jakucionis. I think Queen and Jaku go much earlier but Demin is my sneaky pick. No, I don't think they are perfect fits.

All on ball players with questionable defense and, most of them, also shooting (except for Jakucionis). Not saying they won't pan out, but it will make for a very difficult development process. Spurs need to balance their desire to get another high upside prospect with the reality of developing those already on the roster (Wemby, Castle and, hopefully, Harper).

[SpursFan86]

No, not if there's a prospect like Coward there at 14. Shooting is much more of a need for the team than rim protection since we have this guy named Wembanyama

Yeah and we watched our defense utterly crumble every time he went off the floor last year. I’m not denying we desperately need shooting. But another legitimate center who can take some of the load off Wemby is absolutely another big need. Especially if these rumors that Wemby and/or the Spurs would rather not put him at center are true…not sure I believe them but yeah.

[Mr. Body]

All on ball players with questionable defense and, most of them, also shooting (except for Jakucionis). Not saying they won't pan out, but it will make for a very difficult development process. Spurs need to balance their desire to get another high upside prospect with the reality of developing those already on the roster (Wemby, Castle and, hopefully, Harper).

Sure, but they're all multi-skill, high-IQ players. I get the point about having enough high upside guys, definitely, but I'd have trouble holding off if they appear with the last lotto pick we may get for a long time.

Also, disagree that they are on-ball. Each has great secondary playmaking characteristics, which are a Spurs staple.

[LeBowen]

No, not if there's a prospect like Coward there at 14. Shooting is much more of a need for the team than rim protection since we have this guy named Wembanyama

We got that guy for ~33mpg, the damage other teams do in 15mpg without him is worse than anything another good shooter could make up for.

[John B]

Players I want to be drafted before our #14 pick:

Beringer
Dairy Queen
Essengue
Fears
Richardson
Wolf
CMB

I like your take. Any of those would send Sorber or Bryant to Spurs lap.

[vy65]

Yeah and we watched our defense utterly crumble every time he went off the floor last year. I’m not denying we desperately need shooting. But another legitimate center who can take some of the load off Wemby is absolutely another big need. Especially if these rumors that Wemby and/or the Spurs would rather not put him at center are true…not sure I believe them but yeah.

I get it. I'm not saying that a backup big isn't a need. But, shooting is a bigger concern considering that Fox/Castle/Harper rely so much on penetration. Without bona fide shooters, defenses will pack the paint and contest what should be one of our strengths. I have no faith at all in Vassell/Johnson/Sochan being better than average shooters on a consistent basis. That leaves Wemby and JC.

We already have the league's best rim protector in Wemby. Offenses lean more towards shooting than finishing at the rim. The utility of a shot-contesting big at the rim - who's going to be a rookie and not likely to be all that effective - is just outweighed by the need for shooting. Plus, I struggle to doubt that we can't find a stop-gap big in FA/trade market. Think another Biyombo - who'd be much better suited at ~15 minutes a game as the backup.

[vy65]

We got that guy for ~33mpg, the damage other teams do in 15mpg without him is worse than anything another good shooter could make up for.

I don't see it. More shooting opens up the offense, which would be much more of a driver for wins than 15 minutes of average or sub-average rim protection.

[John B]

I wouldn't be crazy shocked if the Spurs were willing to use one of the Atlanta picks to move up, they seem to be losing value as they've hit on some trades (Dyson Daniels, Porzingis, Levert) and picks (Risacher) which, barring injury, likely gives them an easy path to the playoffs in the disgusting landscape of the East. If Maluach isn't taken top 6, I wouldn't be shocked if a team like New Orleans or someone in that range (except for Brooklyn) moves back for 14 plus one of those picks.

Would you give either ATL pick back for their #13?

[Leetonidas]

So if the Spurs are going to trade up for Maluach who will probably be gone by 10 and is likely to be drafted in the 6-10 range, who can we trade with? I don't see much that WAS, NOP, BKN, or TOR would be interested from us unless you want to cough up future picks. Phoenix needs a big badly so I imagine if he's there at 10 they'll take him

[LeBowen]

Plus, I struggle to doubt that we can't find a stop-gap big in FA/trade market. Think another Biyombo - who'd be much better suited at ~15 minutes a game as the backup.

Lopez, Capela, Horford, Looney, Drummond, Plumlee, Kornet, Bryant, Hayes are the FA options. I'd say that's pretty ing awful, with Kornet/Horford probably staying in Boston.
We're obviously gearing towards playing a high tempo game, we can't expect a veteran like Lopez to run up and down the floor.
There aren't many trade targets, either.
Poeltl, Gafford or Claxton would definitely cost #14 pick, Kessler even more.

Aldama S&T is our best bet, but he's more of a PF/C.

[Ariel]

Would you give either ATL pick back for their #13?

26 is a swap, so I don't think doing away for the swap gets you 13. Atlanta's 27 could be interesting, but to be honest I don't see a prospect there that I'm crazy about, so unless the board shakes up in a certain way or it helps you get something else accomplished (say, you give back Atlanta their 27 in in exchange for some other team's future unprotected pick, like Sacramento's) I don't think I would right now (but, again, I could if a specific scenario presents itself).

[Pauleta14]

Still hoping PATFO finds a way to trade up to get Maluach

I'll own it if I'm wrong but he's the most exciting prospect after the 2nd pick to me

His pairing with Wemby could be amazing

[LeBowen]

I don't see it. More shooting opens up the offense, which would be much more of a driver for wins than 15 minutes of average or sub-average rim protection.

The issue is that even if we don't get a shooter one of Vassell/Champ/Keldon/Barnes/Sochan won't get enough minutes and I'd get rid of one of them except Champ because of his great contract.
Add a rookie wing into the mix who's expected to play right away and we need to get rid of two players.

[Ariel]

Lopez, Capela, Horford, Looney, Drummond, Plumlee, Kornet, Bryant, Hayes are the FA options. I'd say that's pretty ing awful, with Kornet/Horford probably staying in Boston.
We're obviously gearing towards playing a high tempo game, we can't expect a veteran like Lopez to run up and down the floor.
There aren't many trade targets, either.
Poeltl, Gafford or Claxton would definitely cost #14 pick, Kessler even more.

Aldama S&T is our best bet, but he's more of a PF/C.

Please not Drummond, Hayes or Plumlee. I was for Plumlee last year to play some minutes and help Wemby, but at this stage Spurs can do much better. The rest I'm definitely interested in as cheap stop gap center, if we don't land a better option through other means. Also, Aldama is not a center.

[R. DeMurre]

I think people vastly overestimate the average value of a 14th pick. Let’s say Sorber ends up becoming either a top 3 backup big in the league, or an above average starting center with the Spurs moving Wemby to the 4. You’d have to be thrilled with either of those outcomes. Also don’t necessarily think those are Sorber’s ceiling, but the point remains.

If someone thinks the Spurs should prioritize a wing that is a solid shooter that’s fine, but if a player like Sorber hits his median or above average outcome it would definitely be a great pick.

Totally agree... i think people naturally dream of a hitting on a future Giannis or Kawhi, but those outcomes are incredibly rare. If Sorber becomes capable of leveraging the positive impact of a guy like Bitadze or Kornet, he'll be a very worthwhile (and likely inexpensive) asset.

[Ice009]

It's going to cost a lot to get Maluach.

How high up would the Spurs trade/do they think Maluach is worth picking at what number? For example, would they take him at 3rd if trading with Philadelphia and taking PG13's contract (not saying they should do this, though)? They may prefer a different player if they trade up that high.

Then which teams/waht are the highest spots other teams are willing to take him at? I have no idea what the earliest spot he'll go at. Anyone could take him.

[Russ]

No, not if there's a prospect like Coward there at 14. Shooting is much more of a need for the team than rim protection since we have this guy named Wembanyama

Rim protection comes in twos.

[vy65]

The issue is that even if we don't get a shooter one of Vassell/Champ/Keldon/Barnes/Sochan won't get enough minutes and I'd get rid of one of them except Champ because of his great contract.
Add a rookie wing into the mix who's expected to play right away and we need to get rid of two players.

If you're consolidating 2+ of those on your list for a shooter, then I feel less strongly about Coward > Sorber. But as for minutes

Wemby: 28
Fox: 28
Castle: 28
Sochan: 25
Vassell: 25
Johnson: 25
Barnes: 25
Harper: 20
Champegnie: 20

Still have 16 minutes left for a rookie and that's with some of these being overstated - I don't think JC will get 20 minutes a night for example.

[LeBowen]

If you're consolidating 2+ of those on your list for a shooter, then I feel less strongly about Coward > Sorber. But as for minutes

Wemby: 28
Fox: 28
Castle: 28
Sochan: 25
Vassell: 25
Johnson: 25
Barnes: 25
Harper: 20
Champegnie: 20

Still have 16 minutes left for a rookie and that's with some of these being overstated - I don't think JC will get 20 minutes a night for example.

Sorry, but Wemby and Fox aren't playing less than 32-34mpg.
You can't reduce #2 pick to 20mpg.

[Mr. Body]

Castle played 26 minutes last year. Harper won't get less than that.

[LeBowen]

Windhorst is saying that multiple teams with a top10 pick in the draft are making offers for White and Brown.
I just don't want to see our boy Derrick on a team I hate.

[baseline bum]

I just don't want to see our boy Derrick on a team I hate.

Was too late for me