Spurs Draft Discussion: 2019 NBA Draft

[ZeusWillJudge]

Nah, Thybulle isn't a good offensive player in any way while Clarke is one of the best in the nation. It's not a case where Clarke is an okay scorer who hasn't been able to expand his game. There just hasn't been a need for him to do so given how uber he is at the college level.

In his three years in college, Clarke shot 24 three pointers and made 6. There hasn't been a need for him to shoot them because he plays PF/C, against college kids. He won't be doing that in the NBA, because there will be other, bigger athletic players meeting him in the paint. He's going to have to function as a SF, and they need to shoot 3-pointers in today's NBA. He'll need to re-make his game AND his shot.

You've described him like the next Draymond Green. Green benefitted from having the best-shooting backcourt in NBA history, so get gets to play around the rim selectively. But even his value has gone way down because he's not making his 3-pointers.

The Spurs need 3-andD, AND they need length. Clarke can't shoot the 3 for . Thybulle doesn't have the length (even though he does have a greater wingspan than Clarke.) Both are good players. Neither are what the Spurs need. If they're ready to finally embrace a serious rebuild, bring him on and work him into the plan.

[TD 21]

It doesn't have to be Portland. All that has to happen is Aldridge has to tell Pop it's time for a trade. Pop was willing to fight it when the Spurs were contenders. I doubt he would be now.



The Spurs are pretty meh on re-signing their RFAs. I'm sure they like Poe and intend to keep him. But I also think it'd be easy to see a scenario where he doesn't come back. He should get a decent contract, and the Spurs may well want to prioritize adding someone to the Murray/DeRozan/Aldridge trio. I also don't think Murray is a lock to come back for similar reasons. Having Milutinov or another rotation-caliber C on the team already would only reduce the chances of Jakob being a Spurs past next season.



The Spurs need Gay, but I also think they have a limit on what they're willing to pay him next season. He's shown his limits in the Spurs' system, and he seems on the edge of even more decline. They may want him on a one-year deal, but they've structured their contracts so that they can have a window for cap space coming up, and I don't think they'll let Gay disrupt that. For Rudy's part, he has to think if winning a le is important to him. If it is, I think he'll have suitors who are stronger contenders. He's already shown he can be a valuable role-player. If the Spurs don't back up the truck for Rudy, I think it's even odds that he's in GS or Houston next year.



I agree it's not hard to find a rotation-caliber center. But that doesn't make drafting one a bad idea. I also think Pop is hesitating on playing more two-big lineups because he lacks another legit big (Motiejunas doesn't count). While I think he would always like the ability to run units with LMA at the five for a change of pace and to match up when necessary, I also think he likes the defensive potential of two-big units. Getting a mobile big like Clarke or bigs with range like Goga or Bol help make that work. Those are guys who should be able to play with Aldridge, Poeltl, Milutinov, Gay or whomever if given some time to develop. Not every NBA team is committed to playing small. If anything, I'd say that the league has started to trend back toward sanity this season.



I don't see why he can't play with a big like Aldridge. He is a rim-runner/shot-blocker like Poeltl. If Jakob and LMA can play together then it's not too hard to imagine Clarke getting minutes in a similar role. It takes chemistry more than anything. Yes, the Spurs would have to be confident in Clarke's potential to shoot from distance. But if they are, then they are drafting a combo-forward, not a center. That position is not remotely easy to fill nowadays. Physically, Clarke can play that role. Skill-wise he can do it on defense. Getting the offense to catch up would make him easily BPA at 18-20. Dude was a top-five player this year. No one projected outside the top-10 can say that.

Aldridge thinking of finishing his career as a Trail Blazer shouldn't be construed with his wanting a trade in general.

Sure, in general. In this specific instance, there's no reason to expect him to break the bank (relatively speaking, of course). There's also the PR aspect of him being a piece of the trade. Milutinov has nothing to do with Poeltl. Murray, I agree.

Cap space for what? No one of significance is coming here and since they refuse to re-build, it's safe to rule out them being a dumping ground for dead money and stocking up on picks for their trouble. Besides, Gay on something like a 2 year (maybe partial guaranteed 3rd) for something like $12M per or slightly more, should be movable if need be.

Nah, he's hesitating because two big lineups are just not feasible most of the time in today's NBA. Two bigs is the change of pace. Bol and Bitanze could almost never play with Aldridge, never mind Poeltl or Milutinov. Drafting a C prospect the caliber of the aforementioned names at 19, would absolutely be a waste.

Yeah, he might be able to work some alongside Aldridge. Defensively, Clarke's role would definitely be defending big wings. With the dearth of them, more and more teams are throwing mobile PF's on them anyway.

[exstatic]

Thybulle has been pushed as Spur’s flavor of the day. As Viceine pointed out that two years ago when Oregon played man Thybulle was a pedestrian defender on an Oregon team that was terrible defensively. He’s a trap and doubt he’ll go in the first round. Don’t want. Spurs have perimeter defense and if going perimeter need a SF with offense player like Cameron Johnson or Dylan Windler.

It might help your argument if you at least knew what school Thybulle went to...

[BackHome]

Forget Bol Bol we got Nikola and Poodle don’t need to spend a draft pick on another one. I like Louis King from Oregon he is pretty athletic true SF who can shoot the 3 ball.

[Chinook]

In his three years in college, Clarke shot 24 three pointers and made 6. There hasn't been a need for him to shoot them because he plays PF/C, against college kids. He won't be doing that in the NBA, because there will be other, bigger athletic players meeting him in the paint. He's going to have to function as a SF, and they need to shoot 3-pointers in today's NBA. He'll need to re-make his game AND his shot.

You've described him like the next Draymond Green. Green benefitted from having the best-shooting backcourt in NBA history, so get gets to play around the rim selectively. But even his value has gone way down because he's not making his 3-pointers.

The Spurs need 3-andD, AND they need length. Clarke can't shoot the 3 for . Thybulle doesn't have the length (even though he does have a greater wingspan than Clarke.) Both are good players. Neither are what the Spurs need. If they're ready to finally embrace a serious rebuild, bring him on and work him into the plan.

Thybulle's issue isn't length; it's size. Dude isn't much different than Danny Green coming out of school. Yeah, having a Green would totally be awesome, even just defensively, but it's not the answer to the lack of forward depth. Clarke is that. There's little doubt in my mind he could platoon on almost any four out of the gate. That's one of the main reasons why it doesn't make sense to put Clarke and Thybulle in the same boat.

The other reason is that Thybulle sucks at offense. Just because Clarke hasn't shown good outside shooting doesn't mean he is a bad offensive player. He can come in and fill most of the same gaps Poeltl already fills. He doesn't seem to have Jakob's IQ, but he has a level of athleticism to make up for it. You're concerned that his post offense and energy won't translate to the NBA. What does Thybulle have right now that even has a hope of translating? The Spurs have plenty of shooters. They don't NEED Clarke to come in as a Danny Green clone. He can start out just getting points from his energy and athleticism until he gets a shot. The Spurs shouldn't be looking at 18-20 as a 2019 rotation player anyway.

[Chinook]

Aldridge thinking of finishing his career as a Trail Blazer shouldn't be construed with his wanting a trade in general.

Sure, in general. In this specific instance, there's no reason to expect him to break the bank (relatively speaking, of course). There's also the PR aspect of him being a piece of the trade. Milutinov has nothing to do with Poeltl. Murray, I agree.

Cap space for what? No one of significance is coming here and since they refuse to re-build, it's safe to rule out them being a dumping ground for dead money and stocking up on picks for their trouble. Besides, Gay on something like a 2 year (maybe partial guaranteed 3rd) for something like $12M per or slightly more, should be movable if need be.

Nah, he's hesitating because two big lineups are just not feasible most of the time in today's NBA. Two bigs is the change of pace. Bol and Bitanze could almost never play with Aldridge, never mind Poeltl or Milutinov. Drafting a C prospect the caliber of the aforementioned names at 19, would absolutely be a waste.

Yeah, he might be able to work some alongside Aldridge. Defensively, Clarke's role would definitely be defending big wings. With the dearth of them, more and more teams are throwing mobile PF's on them anyway.

I think Aldridge should be happy in SA. For some odd reason, though, he seems to view leaving Portland as a mistake. I'm just not as certain as you are that he won't want out, though I do agree he likely will play out both years.

I don't think the Spurs will let the Leonard trade stop them from letting Poeltl walk if the money doesn't make sense. Poe is a pretty prototypical modern big, so I see him getting way more interest than someone like Brook Lopez did. It's just more of a timing issue than anything. The Spurs let go of legit rotation players in both of the previous years they used cap space. Even if they don't sink it all on a big fish, they aren't likely to return all of Bertans, Beli, Forbes, Murray, DeRozan and Poeltl in that off-season.

Again, I don't think Gay views SA as a necessary partner. He "gave up money" to go to a contender, and the Spurs don't look to be that right now. Sure, he seems to like it in SA, and he has friends on the team. But both sides had to agree to a one-year deal, and I think that lack of commitment is telling.

I know your views on the modern NBA. Pop doesn't seem to share them. He's not playing Poeltl and LMA together to change things up. He's doing it because he believes in the potential of that unit. Even though it's not hard to find a third center, it's not easy to find centers that can make a lineup with LMA work. Like Kanter may well be a good backup center next year, but if Poeltl gets hurt, he's not going to be able to start next to Aldridge. Pop COULD go small in response, but I don't think he'd want to (even though it's up in the air if Murray's return would even allow for two bigs). Getting a third center who could play with Aldridge and maybe Poeltl would be Pop's dream, and such a player isn't nearly as easy to find as the scrapheap centers. I get that you don't believe that Goga, Bol or Porter can play that sort of role. But PATFO might think differently, especially after a year of development.

[objective]

What is the point of arguing Clarke vs Thybulle when Clarke will likely be off the board anyway?

[ZeusWillJudge]

Thybulle's issue isn't length; it's size. Dude isn't much different than Danny Green coming out of school. Yeah, having a Green would totally be awesome, even just defensively, but it's not the answer to the lack of forward depth. Clarke is that. There's little doubt in my mind he could platoon on almost any four out of the gate. That's one of the main reasons why it doesn't make sense to put Clarke and Thybulle in the same boat.

The other reason is that Thybulle sucks at offense. Just because Clarke hasn't shown good outside shooting doesn't mean he is a bad offensive player. He can come in and fill most of the same gaps Poeltl already fills. He doesn't seem to have Jakob's IQ, but he has a level of athleticism to make up for it. You're concerned that his post offense and energy won't translate to the NBA. What does Thybulle have right now that even has a hope of translating? The Spurs have plenty of shooters. They don't NEED Clarke to come in as a Danny Green clone. He can start out just getting points from his energy and athleticism until he gets a shot. The Spurs shouldn't be looking at 18-20 as a 2019 rotation player anyway.

You've obviously thought about it. You really think Clarke's total lack of 3P isn't a deal breaker? It's just a stretch for me. You do know that before this season, Clarke's shooting stroke was like horror movie bad? Give him credit for really working on it and improving (some), but I just think he's a long way from tuning up to the point that he's an NBA shooter from outside the paint - much less the arc. I guess we'll see.

As for Thybulle - I liked the thought of him being a Spur for the last couple of years, well before much of anyone was talking about him. Back then, most of the reports said that they didn't even know if he would/could get drafted. I thought he was going to be a bargain late 2nd pick.

I already softened on him a lot this year, when it became clear that the Spurs have sort of a glut of 6'5" guys who are more than respectable defenders. Now that he's projected to possibly be a late 1st rounder, he really doesn't look attractive to me. I've been saying that for a while. I never even thought about putting him and Clarke in the same category.

I was pretty much all-in on Okeke, and I'd still like to see him land here and rehab. I think he's the whole package of what the Spurs really need, but his first year is pretty much out the window now. I guess he could get some time in Austin, and a number of Spurs players have done well going that route.

Right now, I think Cameron Johnson is probably a good value, for one of the Spurs' picks. If the Spurs could get him and Okeke, I'd call it a day. Except I think that Max Strus is a guy like Fred VanVleet that may go undrafted, but will make an NBA player. I don't think anyone else knows who the he is, but if he gets a shot I think he'll make it into someone's rotation.

I'd still like to see them bring him in for a look, even if it meant using the second round pick.

Carsen Edwards declared today. He'll be a good value pick, and I would really like to see the Spurs have one real PG on the roster. But I don't think PATFO even have a PG on their radar.

[Dejounte]

Grant Williams is another SF I think the SPURS have a chance at. He has good feel for the game.

[cd021]

Looks like Spurs, Indiana, and LAC may end up tied at 48-34, OKC possibly too. Could significantly affect the Spurs draft positioning (the tiebreakers are decided at random)

[D-Robinson 50 fan]

If he enters the draft a guy the Spurs might be able to get low in the 1st round is Mfiondu Kabengele. He is a 6'10 forward who can shoot and block shots pretty well.

[pad300]

I think that the people in this thread are mostly ignoring the internationals, and this is a mistake. The Spurs have 3 picks, and I doubt they want 3 rooks on the roster next year; thus, I expect at least one of the picks to be a stash. The Spurs generally work on a Best Player Available assessment, I don't think they put a lot of weight on position fit. Goga for example, is a C, but he 's demonstrating a lot in Euroleague, and may be available. Further, there are several internationals who might fit in that SF spot - off the top of my head: Doumboya, Sirvydis, Zoosman (and N'doye in the 2nd)...

[exstatic]

I think that the people in this thread are mostly ignoring the internationals, and this is a mistake. The Spurs have 3 picks, and I doubt they want 3 rooks on the roster next year; thus, I expect at least one of the picks to be a stash. The Spurs generally work on a Best Player Available assessment, I don't think they put a lot of weight on position fit. Goga for example, is a C, but he 's demonstrating a lot in Euroleague, and may be available. Further, there are several internationals who might fit in that SF spot - off the top of my head: Doumboya, Sirvydis, Zoosman (and N'doye in the 2nd)...

The problem with internationals is what I will refer to as the Milutinov dilemma. If they develop enough to be worthwhile to bring over, they usually cost a bunch. It seems that the shine has come off of the draft-n-stash strategy for SA. The last successful one who actually developed and came to the NBA was Bertans, and he was drafted in 2011. I'm not really factoring in the second rounder. They can be told that they need to sign a g-league contract, or a two way, or they get cut loose. Alternatively, the pick may be high enough to flip for a future pick, maybe something in 2021 when the one and done IS done? We should have enough roster space for two first rounders who will likely spend the year in Austin anyway.

[Dejounte]

Looks like Spurs, Indiana, and LAC may end up tied at 48-34, OKC possibly too. Could significantly affect the Spurs draft positioning (the tiebreakers are decided at random)

So the SPURS could end up with a worse pick? I hope they trade up. I was just watching KZ Okpala and man they should draft this kid. They need a forward who can play transition offense and can take it coast to coast. KZ can do that. He's like a faster Kyle Anderson. Would be a steal.

[cd021]

So the SPURS could end up with a worse pick? I hope they trade up. I was just watching KZ Okpala and man they should draft this kid. They need a forward who can play transition offense and can take it coast to coast. KZ can do that. He's like a faster Kyle Anderson. Would be a steal.

Almost certainly not going to be the 19th pick. If OKC wins out, the the Spurs will likely be tied with IND and LAC meaning that it is chosen at random by the league. Could be 18, 19 or 20 then, if OKC loses then it could be as worse as 21.

[cd021]

I think that the people in this thread are mostly ignoring the internationals, and this is a mistake. The Spurs have 3 picks, and I doubt they want 3 rooks on the roster next year; thus, I expect at least one of the picks to be a stash. The Spurs generally work on a Best Player Available assessment, I don't think they put a lot of weight on position fit. Goga for example, is a C, but he 's demonstrating a lot in Euroleague, and may be available. Further, there are several internationals who might fit in that SF spot - off the top of my head: Doumboya, Sirvydis, Zoosman (and N'doye in the 2nd)...

Doumboya and Goga are actually my favorite players for the Spurs to pick. But as estatic alluded , draft and stash has become increasingly less of viable.

Good teams used to save roster spots and salary but if the team leaves a player overseas for two seasons, then the player usually ends up staying for a 3rd so they won't be bound by rookie scale then the team will have to pay more- either dipping into an exception or using salary cap also having to wait three years for a first-round pick to even come over.

Draft and stashes; for the Spurs, lately, has become less popular because of Milutinov, who has already spent four seasons overseas and may end up taking half of the mid-level exception when and if he comes over next season plus he'll be going on 26.

Spurs may be out of Doumboya's range so they may end up going domestic and having him develop on the end of the bench, in Austin. Goga still makes sense at 28/29 but unless the Spurs bring him over after a season, then it may take 3 years for him to play for the Spurs.

[Drom John]

Bleacher Report: NBA Draft: 2019 NBA Mock Draft: Updated 1st-Round Predictions Before NCAA Championship
Rob Goldberg
April 6, 2019

18. San Antonio Spurs: Keldon Johnson, SG, Kentucky

29. San Antonio Spurs (via Raptors): KZ Okpala, PF, Stanford

[ZeusWillJudge]

Bleacher Report: NBA Draft: 2019 NBA Mock Draft: Updated 1st-Round Predictions Before NCAA Championship
Rob Goldberg
April 6, 2019

18. San Antonio Spurs: Keldon Johnson, SG, Kentucky

29. San Antonio Spurs (via Raptors): KZ Okpala, PF, Stanford

Well that's new. So Okpala is going to fall to 29 now?

Besides, the Spurs really need two more 6'5"-6'6" players, so they'll need another one to go with Keldon Johnson.

I wonder if these guys actually get paid to do these mock drafts? , I could put together random picks.

[duncan2150]

Doumboya and Goga are actually my favorite players for the Spurs to pick. But as estatic alluded , draft and stash has become increasingly less of viable.

Good teams used to save roster spots and salary but if the team leaves a player overseas for two seasons, then the player usually ends up staying for a 3rd so they won't be bound by rookie scale then the team will have to pay more- either dipping into an exception or using salary cap also having to wait three years for a first-round pick to even come over.

Draft and stashes; for the Spurs, lately, has become less popular because of Milutinov, who has already spent four seasons overseas and may end up taking half of the mid-level exception when and if he comes over next season plus he'll be going on 26.

Spurs may be out of Doumboya's range so they may end up going domestic and having him develop on the end of the bench, in Austin. Goga still makes sense at 28/29 but unless the Spurs bring him over after a season, then it may take 3 years for him to play for the Spurs.

both goga and doumbouya wants to come next year to the nba, I really think that goga will not be there at 29 and even at 18-20 i’m Not sure. He could be the best big in this draft.

Imo, we need another big, if milutinov is coming maybe the spurs will not draft another inside guy but passing on goga could be a mistake.

[Drom John]

Bleacher Report: NBA Draft: 2019 NBA Mock Draft: Latest Predictions for 1st-Round Prospects
Zach Buckley
April 8, 2019

20. San Antonio Spurs: PJ Washington, PF/C, Kentucky

29. San Antonio Spurs (via Toronto Raptors): Dylan Windler, SF, Belmont

[cd021]

both goga and doumbouya wants to come next year to the nba, I really think that goga will not be there at 29 and even at 18-20 i’m Not sure. He could be the best big in this draft.

Imo, we need another big, if milutinov is coming maybe the spurs will not draft another inside guy but passing on goga could be a mistake.

Goga has consistently been projected as a late first or second rounder so I have no reason to doubt that he'll be around there.
Spurs have already spent 3 firsts on guards in 2016, 2017 and 2018 don't see them using another on a guard.

With 2 picks, there is going to be some overlap. Taking a Center with Milutinov; possibly, finally, being in the fold, still makes sense. Still, expect them to take a wing at 18-21, though.

Goga and Doumboya both wanting to come over changes things , some what, given that if the Spurs took one then they'd be taking a roster spot but both are solid prospects.

[picnroll]

I like Spurs going for Windler. I think he could be a contributor sometime next year.

[duncan2150]

Goga has consistently been projected as a late first or second rounder so I have no reason to doubt that he'll be around there.
Spurs have already spent 3 firsts on guards in 2016, 2017 and 2018 don't see them using another on a guard.

With 2 picks, there is going to be some overlap. Taking a Center with Milutinov; possibly, finally, being in the fold, still makes sense. Still, expect them to take a wing at 18-21, though.

Goga andDoumboya both wanting to come over changes things , some what, given that if the Spurs took one then they'd be taking a roster spot but both are solid prospects.

i don't See one mock where bitadze is here with raptors pick ( except CBS one). I agrée with You they Will probably Target a wing but as they go with the BPA we Will See

[ace3g]

[Biggems]

A new mock after further research

1a G/F Matisse Thybulle - lockdown D, improving shooter, High IQ
1b G/F Dylan Windler - very good shooter, Windex, High IQ
2 PF Eric Paschall - versatile, High IQ, tough defender, Windex

3 mature, tough, intelligent, hard working, team-first guys who should easily buy into what Pop is selling. This draft will address our weak D and often poor rebounding.