The 2009 NBA Draft.

[Bruno]

Spurs' 09 draft picks :
Spurs have the 37th, 51st and 53rd picks.


Player available for the 09 draft :
International players born in 1987 and college senior are automatically eligible.
College underclassmen and international players born in 88, 89 or 90 can enter in the draft.


Key dates :
April 7 : Teams can start workouts with automatically eligible players.
April 8 - April 11 : Portsmouth invitational tournament
April 26 : Early entry eligibility deadline, teams can start workouts with them.
May 19 : Draft Lottery.
May 27 - May 31 : Draft combine in Chicago.
June 6 - June 8 : Reebok Eurocamp in Treviso.
June 15 : Early entry withdrawal deadline.
June 25 : NBA Draft in NY.


Links :
Draftexpress
Nbadraft
A blog on European prospects
Espn draft page
Wiki on the lottery
Future draft picks
NCAA players stats
Euroleague players stats
CBA faq

[tp2021]

I love these threads Bruno.

[Biggems]

Bruno, I have been looking at the prospects....and man do I wish we had a 1st.....the 2nd round is going to be very slim pickins for a Big.....

We should have drafted Marc Gasol in 07, instead of Marcus Williams.

I wish we had that #37 last year, we could have potentially gotten DeAndre Jordan.

With those two, I think we would be pretty darn set at the Big slot.....we could then possibly package all 3 2nds we have in this draft, to try and get a G/F prospect drafted in the 1st round.

[coyotes_geek]

With this year's 1st round picks set to get contracts that will end up on team's 2010 cap, we could see more teams than usual willing to sell off their 1st rounders. If the Spurs see someone they like being able to buy their way into the 1st round might not be all that hard.

[tp2021]

We should have drafted Marc Gasol in 07, instead of Marcus Williams.

Prepare to have Austin_Toros on your ass.

[Bruno]

thx, tp2021.

Some notes :

- The draft process has changed. Teams can start to work out players way sooner than before. The draft camp format has changed with the suppression of games. It is now only a combine. More about that : http://www.draftexpress.com/article/...-Process-3049/

- The financial aspect should be a big aspect of this draft. Some teams could sold their first round pick because of a low luxury tax Level and/or to get some money. Some teams could sold their first round pick to not hurt their 2010 cap space.

- I haven't followed a lot European basketball this year so I don't really know who is really interesting. Among french players born in 87, Nando De Colo seems to be the only interesting name. He is having a so-so year and shouldn't be picked high in this draft.

[mathbzh]

I don' t know if he will enter the draft.
But in the late second round Ludovic Vaty would be an intriguing prospect.

He is a 6'9 245 lbs Center born in 1988.
He was once called the best french prospect but did not developed has some would have expected. Two years ago he had some Euroleague experience, including a decent game against Scola.
This season his team sucks, but individually he made a huge step forward.
His stats:
28 mpg / 12 ppg (56%, FT 82%) / 8 rpg / 1 apg / 1 bpg / 1 spg / 2 TO / 3 PF

He is not playing in the Euroleague (or any European cup) this season so he is a bit overlooked. But despite being undersized for a C (I don't know if he can really evolve into a full time PF) I think he is an interesting young player.

[mathbzh]

I think De Colo will never be able to really play in the NBA.
He already struggle when players goes physical against him.
In the NBA it would be worse... and his poor defense would be exposed

[Bartleby]

With this year's 1st round picks set to get contracts that will end up on team's 2010 cap, we could see more teams than usual willing to sell off their 1st rounders. If the Spurs see someone they like being able to buy their way into the 1st round might not be all that hard.

That may be something the Spurs had in mind when they gave up their first rounder for KT. This draft looks to be loaded with big men, so hopefully they can buy their way into the first round.

[mountainballer]

I can better tell about the Euro prospects, than about the college kids.
I have seen some games from Sergio Llull this season and I'm totally sold on him. DX has him in the 30s (in the area of the Warriors pick), nbadraft in the 50s (which is ridiculous IMO).
if he goes on to deliver those performances, he might move into the 1st round. if we can get him with the Warriors pick, I call this a huge steal.

next on my list is Vladimir Dasic, if he in fact joins the draft this year. (born 1988). DX has him listed 2009, so maybe there are informations that he joins the 2009 draft. (nbadraft has him as a late 1st rounder 2010).
I have atched some Eurocup re runs, where he displayed some very nice moments, but the major impression was an Adriatic league game I watched, when he was absolutely terrific.
he is a Radmanovic type player, not as good as a shooter, but other than Radman he plays good defense with great intensity. the kid is also an impressive athlete for a 20 years old white Euro guy and has good size for a combo forward.

third on my list would be Milenko Tepic. he isn't impressive in any aspect, but a super versatile smart Jaric-type big guard. this season he really started to play with more consistency (his major problem the last seasons).

[EricB]

draft and stash will be the motto this year and with this economy i gaurantee it.

[coyotes_geek]

That may be something the Spurs had in mind when they gave up their first rounder for KT. This draft looks to be loaded with big men, so hopefully they can buy their way into the first round.

Certainly possible. Having that Golden State 2nd rounder sure helps. Makes it a lot easier for a team with a 1st in the 20s to move back into the 2nd.

[urunobili]

Matias Nocedal please...

[AA2120]

justin mason g/f Texas


the next bruce bowen!

haha..i hope

[Solid D]

The 2009 draft class is supposed to be one of the weakest talent pools in several years. That is possibly one of things that factored into the Spurs being willing to give up their 1st round pick for Thomas.

[EricB]

The 2009 draft class is supposed to be one of the weakest talent pools in several years. That is possibly one of things that factored into the Spurs being willing to give up their 1st round pick for Thomas.

That and not wanting the gauranteed contract on the books for 2010.

[Solid D]

That and not wanting the gauranteed contract on the books for 2010.

Perhaps, but the Rookie scale for 1st rounders, from the 22nd pick on down to 30th is under $1M.

[EricB]

That didn't stop em in 2003 in giving up and passing on Josh Howard for "cap space"

Wouldn't shock me if they did it again.

[coyotes_geek]

Perhaps, but the Rookie scale for 1st rounders, from the 22nd pick on down to 30th is under $1M.

True, but then the Spurs did put the screws to George Hill to force him into taking only 80% of rookie scale amount on the 3rd year of his deal. All that just to save about $400k on the Spurs 2010 cap.

[Solid D]

There is a chance that James Gist will have better ability than a 24th pick in this year's draft.

[EricB]

That tells you how bad this draft class is

[pad300]

Some slightly more off the radar names

Jonas Jerebko
Henk Norel

Both Euros, possible draft and stash. I am also of the opinion that it might be practical to trade into the late 1st round, with the warriors pick and another 2nd round pick...

[TheProfessor]

I can better tell about the Euro prospects, than about the college kids.
I have seen some games from Sergio Llull this season and I'm totally sold on him. DX has him in the 30s (in the area of the Warriors pick), nbadraft in the 50s (which is ridiculous IMO).
if he goes on to deliver those performances, he might move into the 1st round. if we can get him with the Warriors pick, I call this a huge steal.

next on my list is Vladimir Dasic, if he in fact joins the draft this year. (born 1988). DX has him listed 2009, so maybe there are informations that he joins the 2009 draft. (nbadraft has him as a late 1st rounder 2010).
I have atched some Eurocup re runs, where he displayed some very nice moments, but the major impression was an Adriatic league game I watched, when he was absolutely terrific.
he is a Radmanovic type player, not as good as a shooter, but other than Radman he plays good defense with great intensity. the kid is also an impressive athlete for a 20 years old white Euro guy and has good size for a combo forward.

third on my list would be Milenko Tepic. he isn't impressive in any aspect, but a super versatile smart Jaric-type big guard. this season he really started to play with more consistency (his major problem the last seasons).

I'd like tout mountainballer's instincts on players, he was a big Hairston advocate. Couple of other foreign guys who dropped out previously should merit consideration, Omri Casspi and Nando de Colo, particularly Casspi, who the Spurs supposedly scouted last year.

[mountainballer]

I'd like tout mountainballer's instincts on players, he was a big Hairston advocate. Couple of other foreign guys who dropped out previously should merit consideration, Omri Casspi and Nando de Colo, particularly Casspi, who the Spurs supposedly scouted last year.

ah yeah, Casspi. you might remember that I absolutely don't like him, maybe that's why I tend to ignore him. but yes, if he stays in this year and he in fact drops to the Warriors pick (which I doubt), Spurs will have him on their list. in terms of talent they need to. he would also fill more needs than Llull. but still, if both are there, I would hate to see the Spurs pick Casspi over Llull.

[TheProfessor]

ah yeah, Casspi. you might remember that I absolutely don't like him, maybe that's why I tend to ignore him. but yes, if he stays in this year and he in fact drops to the Warriors pick (which I doubt), Spurs will have him on their list. in terms of talent they need to. he would also fill more needs than Llull. but still, if both are there, I would hate to see the Spurs pick Casspi over Llull.

I had totally forgotten your dislike of Casspi. Something to consider - if the Spurs are sufficiently impressed with Gist's progress, he may fill that combo-forward/rookie role. I would also imagine Casspi wants to come to the states sooner rather than later (that was the indication last year). The Spurs would be looking to leave their pick/s overseas for some time, as Hill, Hairston, Gist, and Mahinmi provide a young yet inexperienced core already.