General 2010 NBA Draft Discussion

[kbrury]

So kinda going off the the great game last night how do you feel about Jacob pullen or Denis Clemente as a possible 3rd PG? Well Pullen will most likely stay for his Senior season but the spurs could maybe invite Clemente to camp after the draft because he probably won't be drafted.

[Bruno]

A little look at where Spurs pick will be:

17th pick: Milwaukee 41-34
18th pick: Miami 42-34
19th pick: Portland 46-30
20th pick: San Antonio 46-29
21st pick: Oklahoma City 46-28
22nd pick: Boston 47-28
23rd pick: Atlanta 48-27
24th pick: Denver 49-27
25th pick: Utah 50-27
26th pick: Dallas 50-26

Milawaukee and Miami are likely too far to catch up Spurs. On the other side, there are 5 teams with only 1 or 2 more losses than SA. If Spurs end well the season, they could catch up some of these teams.

Spurs will at best get the 19th pick. On the other side, catching up Atlanta, Denver or Utah won't be easy so Spurs realistic worst case for the pick is 22nd.

[lurker23]

A little look at where Spurs pick will be:

17th pick: Milwaukee 41-34
18th pick: Miami 42-34
19th pick: Portland 46-30
20th pick: San Antonio 46-29
21st pick: Oklahoma City 46-28
22nd pick: Boston 47-28
23rd pick: Atlanta 48-27
24th pick: Denver 49-27
25th pick: Utah 50-27
26th pick: Dallas 50-26

Milawaukee and Miami are likely too far to catch up Spurs. On the other side, there are 5 teams with only 1 or 2 more losses than SA. If Spurs end well the season, they could catch up some of these teams.

Spurs will at best get the 19th pick. On the other side, catching up Atlanta, Denver or Utah won't be easy so Spurs realistic worst case for the pick is 22nd.

Thanks Bruno! It'll be somewhat odd (and exciting) to have a pick in the high teens or low 20s. Just goes to show how spoiled Spurs fans have been that we just assume our pick will be somewhere around 26-30.

[AFBlue]

In and out so far according to ESPN Insider...

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft...age=InOut-2010

In the draft
Players who officially have declared for the 2010 NBA draft

* To preserve eligibility, player has not hired an agent

Cole Aldrich, C, Kansas
Al-Farouq Aminu, F, Wake Forest
James Anderson, G, Oklahoma State
Eric Bledsoe, PG, Kentucky*
Craig Brackins, F, Iowa State
Avery Bradley, G, Texas*
DeMarcus Cousins, F/C, Kentucky
Jordan Crawford, SG, Xavier*
Kenneth Faried, PF, Morehead State*
Jimmer Fredette, PG, BYU*
Charles Garcia, F, Seattle
Paul George, F, Fresno State
Manny Harris, G, Michigan
Jeremy Hazell, SG, Seton Hall*
Xavier Henry, G, Kansas
Dominique Jones, SG, South Florida
Sylven Landesberg, SG, Virginia
Gani Lawal, F, Georgia Tech*
Tommy Mason-Griffin, PG, Oklahoma
A.J. Ogilvy, C, Vanderbilt*
Daniel Orton, C, Kentucky*
Patrick Patterson, PF, Kentucky
Herb Pope, PF, Seton Hall*
Lance Stephenson, G/F, Cincinnati
Evan Turner, G/F, Ohio State
Alex Tyus, PF, Florida*
John Wall, PG, Kentucky
Hassan Whiteside, F/C, Marshall
Chris Wright, SF, Dayton*
Willie Warren, G, Oklahoma
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International
International players under 22 years old who have declared or are likely to declare

Robin Benzing, F, Germany
Mario Delas, F, Croatia
Donatas Motiejunas, F, Lithuania
Kevin Seraphin, PF, France
Jan Vesely, F/C, Czech Republic
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Out
Players who have officially announced they will return to college next year

Elias Harris, F, Gonzaga
John Henson, F, North Carolina
Nolan Smith, G, Duke
Jeff Taylor, F, Vanderbilt
Wesley Witherspoon, F, Memphis

This isn't the complete article as I've left out the blurbs on each player that has entered and didn't include the "50/50" and "Foot in the door" sections because they're speculative.

It's shaping up to be a nice, deep draft.

[Bruno]

^ Yes, a lot of players have enter in the draft. I guess it's because they feared the new CBA.
I use the nbadraft early entry list to add profiles:
http://www.nbadraft.net/2010earlyentry

With Manu extension and Splitter being the first priority for this season, SF seems to be the position where there is the biggest need for Spurs.
If the best SF available is or is close to the best player available, Spurs should go with the SF.

[AFBlue]

^ Yes, a lot of players have enter in the draft. I guess it's because they feared the new CBA.
I use the nbadraft early entry list to add profiles:
http://www.nbadraft.net/2010earlyentry

With Manu extension and Splitter being the first priority for this season, SF seems to be the position where there is the biggest need for Spurs.
If the best SF available is or is close to the best player available, Spurs should go with the SF.

Thanks for that link.

Also, I agree on your assessment of the Spurs' greatest position of need going into the draft. While I still think there's a chance they go with a long, athletic shot-blocker (Udoh, Whiteside, Sanders), I think it's much more likely they look to the wing (Pondexter, George, Ebanks, Hayward, Anderson).

[pad300]

While SF does seem to be the priority position, the spurs do seem to be in a position to draft best player available. Next year, we can put together a pretty solid 8 man rotation without drafting anyone
PG - Parker, Hill
Wing - Manu, Jefferson, Hill
Big - Duncan, Splitter, Blair, McDyess
Although the wing spot is a little thin, we have 3 prospects for it in system already - Gee, Hairston, Temple... If Bogans is back at the vet min (which given Pops affection, "centerpiece", seem likely. Goddamnit!)...

I am personally hoping that Vesely falls due to being a Euro under contract without a buyout...

[mountainballer]

I still think that one of the many lottery projected big men might fall and that then the Spurs just react and pick him. (some mocks currently see Motiejunas drop)
however, one thing can be taken for fact, there will be at least 5 intriguing SFs or combo forwards on the board when Spurs pick.

[AFBlue]

While SF does seem to be the priority position, the spurs do seem to be in a position to draft best player available. Next year, we can put together a pretty solid 8 man rotation without drafting anyone
PG - Parker, Hill
Wing - Manu, Jefferson, Hill
Big - Duncan, Splitter, Blair, McDyess
Although the wing spot is a little thin, we have 3 prospects for it in system already - Gee, Hairston, Temple... If Bogans is back at the vet min (which given Pops affection, "centerpiece", seem likely. Goddamnit!)...

I am personally hoping that Vesely falls due to being a Euro under contract without a buyout...

Not only is the wing position already the weakest, I would say that RJs spot on this team is the most tenuous (likely gone after next season if not sooner). Whereas other positions have significant long-term options (PG/SG Hill, PF Blair, C Splitter?), SF has a gaping hole.

And while Hairston and Gee show some promise, a mid-first draft pick in this potentially deep draft likely exceeds their talent and upside.

Still, with so many long athletic power forwards available there just may be a legit lottery talent that falls in their lap.

[AFBlue]

I still think that one of the many lottery projected big men might fall and that then the Spurs just react and pick him. (some mocks currently see Motiejunas drop)
however, one thing can be taken for fact, there will be at least 5 intriguing SFs or combo forwards on the board when Spurs pick.

This is what I'm hoping for...

It starts with Pondexter, but the list runs deep...Ebanks, George, Robinson, Hayward, James, Anderson. Each has somewhat of a different skill set, but all of them have legit starting potential long-term, IMO.

[tothrowed]

take crawford, or avery bradley

[mountainballer]

I think the re signing of Manu might have (better: will have) a big effect on who the Spurs draft.
by signing Manu for three years and paying him big money the Spurs committed them self to at least two more seasons of trying to win it all before the re building process is started.
and the Spurs have only 7 players under (guaranteed) contracts for next season and only the MLE and BAE available. assuming most of the MLE goes to Splitter, they can almost only fill the roster with minimum players.
so it makes more sense to go for a NBA ready player and to go for a player, who fills the more urgent need. big man isn't urgent with Tim, Dice, Splitter and Blair and guard also isn't that urgent with Tony, Hill and Manu.
this brings it down again to the athletic SF, who can also play some PF.
considering that "NBA ready" in Pop terms means "able to defend" in the first place, it would come down to 3 logical candidates (in that order):
Pondexter
James
Robinson
in the current situation this 3 could have the edge over George and Ebanks, who might have more upside in the long run and also over Singler and Hayward, who look like good fits, but likely lack the athleticism and defensive potential to compete in the role the Spurs would need them right away.

[Bruno]

IMO, if Spurs draft a SF, it will be with 2011-2012 as goal and the idea of not re-signing RJ in 2011

For next year, RJ will be the stating SF. I can see Spurs signing a cheap vet FA (Bogans?) and let him fight with the 1st round pick, Hairston and Gee for the backup SF spot.

[mountainballer]

the RJ announcement, that he thinks about opting out, (plus his comments about not fitting with the Spurs) even more pushes the Spurs to draft a SF. and the "NBA ready" criteria might become even more substantial.
draft will be on June 24th and the opt out deadline is June 30th. Spurs can't know 100% what will be going on with RJ, when they draft.

btw. who do you guys think is the most NBA ready SF in this draft?
probably Damion James. maybe this would also be a point for Singler. (on the other hand, if Spurs lose their best athlete in RJ, they would also need to look for a compareable athlete and that again would be James, Robinson or Pondexter)

[hsxvvd]

Singler would be a good fit. He can shoot as good as any prospect in the draft, and the most impressive part of the NCAA Tournament was his defence. He shut down Dunn, Butler and Mack in consecutive games they combined shot 15-40 and all three where major scoring SHOOTING GUARDS, which also say something about his mobility.

[AFBlue]

the RJ announcement, that he thinks about opting out, (plus his comments about not fitting with the Spurs) even more pushes the Spurs to draft a SF. and the "NBA ready" criteria might become even more substantial.
draft will be on June 24th and the opt out deadline is June 30th. Spurs can't know 100% what will be going on with RJ, when they draft.

btw. who do you guys think is the most NBA ready SF in this draft?
probably Damion James. maybe this would also be a point for Singler. (on the other hand, if Spurs lose their best athlete in RJ, they would also need to look for a compareable athlete and that again would be James, Robinson or Pondexter)

Outside of Wes Johnson, I don't really think there are any SFs that have NBA-ready games. Most of the guys you mentioned (James, Robinson, Pondexter) and a couple you didn't (Ebanks, George) spent significant time at the 4 for their teams, so their development as perimeter players has been hindered.

Singler and Hayward probably have the most all-around skill of the SFs available, and I'd give the edge to Hayward because of his sneaky athleticism.

One guy that seems to have a completely different skill set from the others is James Anderson. He is a natural SG, but looks to have the size and length to play SF as well. I don't think you'll find as NBA-ready a scorer as Anderson, when comparing him to the group above. But, he doesn't come without questions either (i.e. ball-handling and defense).

I don't pretend to know where the Spurs will go on draft night ("George who? What is IUPUI?"), but if I were drafting in the mid-first I'd say...

1. Pondexter - Energetic high-flyer with developing perimeter skills
2. Hayward - Gamer with good inside-out skill and sneaky athleticism
3. Anderson - Top notch scorer and shooter

The rest...known quan ies (James, Singler, Robinson) and unknown quan ies (George, Ebanks).

Honestly though, I wouldn't be displeased with any of these guys.

[Bruno]

Spurs, Celtics, Blazers and Thunder all end the season with a 50-32 record.
These teams will get picks between 19th and 22nd.

Ties will be broken with coin flips. If it's like in previous years, it will be this Friday.

[Thompson]

Spurs, Celtics, Blazers and Thunder all end the season with a 50-32 record.
These teams will get picks between 19th and 22nd.

Ties will be broken with coin flips. If it's like in previous years, it will be this Friday.

Hopefully we get 19th, but anything before the freakin' Blazers is a plus. Until they buy the pick right before ours and take who we want anyway.

[Bruno]

http://www.nba.com/2010/news/04/16/d...der/index.html

Spurs have been lucky with coin flips and get the 20th and 49th picks. They are in a good position for the draft. Even their second round pick could fetch something interesting.

The maximum salary the 20th pick can get in his first year is $1.36M. It's still reasonable and it won't hurt too much Spurs financially wise.

[AFBlue]

Thanks Bruno...we knew that they would be in this draft range, but having both Presti and Pritchard drafting behind them instead of in front of them is a god send!

[jesterbobman]

20 and 49 is pretty good. I'd guess that the Blazers and OKC are looking for a Big with their picks(With Oden Pryzbilla injuries, and having Kopponen stashed as a PG project and OKC being fairly set in the backcourt). Boston, probably a 2/3 who can shoot, depending on what they do with Nate.

Anyway there should still be a number of SF's available when we pick.

[Mark in Austin]

Thanks Bruno...we knew that they would be in this draft range, but having both Presti and Pritchard drafting behind them instead of in front of them is a god send!

I wouldn't be surprised to see Pritchard trying like crazy to move ahead of San Antonio.

[Bruno]

Spurs have so much players in the pipeline that I can see them going with an international player with the 49th pick. The problem is that the 88 class looked like crap.

Maybe Spurs have found some hidden international gem but it looked like the best option will be to trade the 49th pick. Teams with cap space usually have very few players under contracts and they could be interested in that pick.

[mountainballer]

Celtics pick ahead of us isn't that ideal, their needs are pretty similar and I think they will see similar players as a good fit for their team. of course, a lot will depend on Ray Allen, Tony Allen, Robinson and Daniels, if they are already re signed on draft night. but whatever happen with them, the Celtics could use an atheltic long SF as well as the Spurs. so my guess is, they draft the player who is the closest to a 2nd James Posey. (Damion James?)

agree that Pritchard once more will be very active to move up. and I think there is a realistic chance he gets the #16 pick from the Wolves. (or they swap with Allen shipping a ton of money to Minny).
however, I don't see the Blazers focus on the same players this time. Roy-Fernandez and Batum-Webster give them a great solution for SG and SF for years to come. I rather see them reach for Bledsoe.

[jesterbobman]

I think that the Celtics will be looking for either a Posey like guy for small ball type situations and defending big SFs, or a shooter(To replace the Eddy House type role). The SF look may take away the guy we want.

Also, of note(Though, this far out, no way to know if it's true) DX now has Daniel Orton going 14th in their mock. If he moves up, there is a higher chance someone falls to us, as I think mostly we've been thinking he'd go well after that.

Another thing to consider when looking at Mocks, is that generally team need are not used. While it probably doesn't make that much of a difference(Wall is going at the top just about regardless of team), but if we're looking at who we could possibly get, It may affect who we think of(slightly).