Spurs Draft Discussion: 2019 NBA Draft

[longhornjosh21]

Damn. I wonder if next year's draft class is supposed to be better. Would be interesting if spurs got a pick next year for their picks this year. Might be wishful thinking.

[kobyz]

I really hope spurs very active in this draft trying to get another all star/very good established player or the opposite go for rebuild, my rebuild ideah:
Trade LMA for the fourth pick
Trade DeMar DeRozan to Miami for Whiteside and #13, trade #13 and #29 to Washington for #9
With picks #4, #9, #19 draft DeAndre Hunter, Sekou and Kabengele
Trade Jacob and Patty Mills in a salary dump to Atlanta
With the cap space go after Brogdon, offer him at least 20million
Spurs rotation next season:
Brogdon/Murray
White/Walker
Hunter/Sekou
Kabengele/Sekou
Whiteside/Kabengele

[Uriel]

At this point, I'm almost certain the Spurs will select Samanic at 29 if he's still available. Feels too much like Bertans back in 2011.

[Chinook]

From Amico Hoops, “Of the three, Smith is generating the most interest. The Boston Celtics don’t want all three of their picks (Nos. 14, 20 and 22). The Miami Heat may not want theirs (No. 13) and have actually spoken with the Cavs about Smith. The Trail Blazers, Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs and Milwaukee Bucks are also said to be dangling their first-rounders.”

Amico sucks. Dude's just hoping to play the odds by putting the Spurs there with the others. The Spurs may well trade their pick, but they aren't looking to get rid of it after they went through so much effort to get it in the first place.

[exstatic]

Amico sucks. Dude's just hoping to play the odds by putting the Spurs there with the others. The Spurs may well trade their pick, but they aren't looking to get rid of it after they went through so much effort to get it in the first place.

Sam Amico has made hay by having a name that is very similar to veteran NBA scribe Sam Amick.

[Drom John]

Sports Illustrated: 2019 NBA Mock Draft 11.0: Latest Intel, Rumors on All 30 Teams
By Jeremy Woo
June 19, 2019

19
Keldon Johnson
G/F | Kentucky | Freshman


San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs

Johnson's draft stock has been stabilized by his intangibles, and teams think his compe ive makeup bodes well, giving him a good chance to find a useful role somewhere and add value. Johnson isn't a great off-dribble creator, but he's strong, can score at all three levels, and defends willingly. He won't be a sexy pick, but he might be a pro for a long time. His no-frills approach would fit well in San Antonio.

It's worth noting two names that come up frequently in connection with the Spurs are Nassir Little and Luka Samanic—they might have to move up a bit from here to grab Little, and Samanic could be available at No. 29.

29
Luka Samanic
F | Olimpija | International
San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs (via Raptors)

Per sources, the Spurs are among the teams who have shown real interest in Samanic, and while he could feasibly be in play for them at No. 19, if he falls this far in the first round, this spot could be a match. His mixture of skill level and size at his age help set him apart from the pack, the hope being that he develops into a useful stretch big who can play a variety of roles, and even playmake a little bit on the perimeter.

Samanic has to keep getting stronger to handle the physicality of the NBA, and he probably needs a year to get up to speed, but his talent level is certainly evident. I'm told he intends to come over and be a roster player next season, as opposed to being stashed in Europe for another year. He fits the Spurs to a T.

49. San Antonio - Tremont Waters, PG, LSU

Waters's impressive basketball IQ and overall chops that belie his small stature make him an interesting fit if he slips to the Spurs here—it's possible he goes in the 30s. Second-round ranges tend to skew wide. This would still be a nice fit.

[Drom John]

USA Today: NBA mock draft: Predicting entire first round before Thursday
Jeff Zillgitt and AJ Neuharth-Keusch, USA TODAY Published 11:58 a.m. ET June 18, 2019 | Updated 7:15 a.m. ET June 19, 2019

19. San Antonio: Goga Bitadze • Georgia (country) • Center • 6-11 • 250

29. San Antonio: Dylan Windler • Belmont • Senior • Forward • 6-8 • 196

[Drom John]

CBS NBA:
2019 NBA Mock Draft: Cavaliers take a risk and snatch Duke's Cam Reddish at No. 5
There are plenty of players with star potential outside of the top three selections
Reid Forgrave
17 hrs ago [AKA 18 June 2019]

Round 1 Pick 19

Goga Bitadze C
Georgia • 6'11" / 245 lbs
Projected Team
San Antonio
PROSPECT RNK
11th
POSITION RNK
2nd
There hasn't been another player in NBA history quite like Nikola Jokic. But the big, long Bitadze has some of the same characteristics. The teenager has also shown a budding ability to shoot the 3-pointer (31.3% last season in EuroLeague).

Chuma Okeke PF
Auburn • Soph • 6'8" / 230 lbs
Projected Team
San Antonio
PROSPECT RNK
36th
POSITION RNK
10th
PPG
12.0
RPG
6.8
APG
1.9
3P%
38.7%
Okeke was tearing up the NCAA Tournament as Auburn's best player before he tore his ACL in the Sweet Sixteen. He's a versatile athlete and an excellent shooter who, if his knee holds up in time, ought to be the type of player who can contribute to any NBA team.

[Drom John]

Los Angeles Times: NBA mock draft 2019 results: Reporters make their first-round picks
By Dan Woike
Jun 18, 2019 | 10:55 AM

With the NBA draft on Thursday at Barclays Center in New York, reporters who cover their teams on a daily basis take their turn at predicting how the first round will unfold in the Los Angeles Times’ annual beat writers’ mock draft.

Each reporter makes a pick and gives a rationale for that selection.

No. 19 San Antonio Spurs | Kevin Porter Jr., SG, USC, 6-6, 218

“Porter has lottery talent and elite athleticism, but off-court issues during one rocky season at USC has him sliding down draft boards. His upside is definitely worth the dice roll if he drops to 19.” — Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News

No. 29 San Antonio Spurs | Terance Mann, SG/SF, Florida State, 6-7, 215

“I could see the Spurs going with a draft-and-stash Euro here, but failing that, Mann would be a good choice. The Spurs were relatively atrocious on D last season, and the FSU wingman would fill a void on that end of the floor.” — Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News

[Drom John]

SB Nation: NBA:
NBA mock draft: Zion Williamson and Ja Morant know where they’re going. Then it gets interesting
This is our NBA final mock draft for 2019.
By Ricky O'Donnell Jun 19, 2019, 7:00am EDT

19. San Antonio Spurs - Keldon Johnson, G, Kentucky

Johnson is a jack of all trades and a master of none. Kentucky’s freshman wing has good size at 6’6, shot 38 percent from three, and has enough athleticism to hold his own as a defender and half-court scorer. He’d give the Spurs a young wing to develop with their first of two first round picks.

29. San Antonio Spurs - Darius Bazley, F

Related
Darius Bazley’s bizarre path to the 2019 NBA Draft is about to be tested

Bazley was a McDonald’s All-American out of high school who chose to sit out the season and train for the draft rather than honor his commitment to Syracuse. The lack of information available makes him one of the hardest players to evaluate in this draft. He has great size for a combo forward at 6’9 with a 7-foot wingspan and a reputation for being able to shoot the ball. The need for big wings who can potentially defend a variety of positions and stretch the floor on offense might be enough to push Bazley into round one.

[Drom John]

nj.com: NBA Mock Draft 2019: Celtics make blockbuster trade-up with Pelicans? Knicks pick RJ Barrett or Darius Garland? Sixers add second 1st-round pick? Full projection
Updated 6:49 AM; Today 6:30 AM [AKA 19 June 2019]
By Zack Rosenblatt

19. San Antonio Spurs: F Rui Hachimura, Gonzaga. The Spurs need some frontcourt depth and to start developing young players there. Hachimura is a veteran college player who can help right away while developing to eventually replace LaMarcus Aldridge down the line.

29. San Antonio Spurs: C Luka Samancic, Croatia. He’s a high-IQ international player who can help right away. Sounds like a Spurs draft pick.

[Drom John]

Newsday: NBA mock draft 2019
By Steve Popper
Updated June 18, 2019 11:07 PM

19. San Antonio Spurs: P.J. Washington, Kentucky

Strong and skilled, versatile power forward.

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

Lights-out shooter will fit well in Spurs system.

[Drom John]

the big lead: NBA: 2019 NBA Mock Draft: Suns and Wolves Both Find Point Guards, Celtics Get a Defensive Stalwart
By: Liam McKeone | 20 hours ago [AKA 18 June 2019]

19. San Antonio Spurs: Goga Bitadze, C, KK Mega Bemax (Georgia)

This year’s mystery foreign big man goes to, you guessed it, the Spurs. Bitadze is a talented offensive big man with a soft touch, with a variety of ways to score down low. He’s also the best screener of all big men in this class, exhibiting a talent for positioning and dribble hand-off moves that younger players at his position tend to struggle with.

He has a long way to go on defense, and likely won’t ever be an elite rim protector or quick enough to switch onto guards. One need to look no further than Denver or Portland, though, to find examples of teams successful with a talented offensive big man doing just enough to stay in the game on defense. The Spurs will need a long-term option in the front court to match their exciting core in the backcourt, and Bitadze should be a great PnR option in San Antonio in short order.

29. San Antonio Spurs: Dylan Windler, F, Belmont

The Spurs double down on their front court influx of youth, nabbing a potentially elite shooter in Windler with the second-to-last pick of the draft. Windler shot 42% from deep on seven attempts per game at Belmont, and his knockdown shooting should translate at the next level.

He’ll never be an elite offensive threat, but he showed flashes of solid attacking off the dribble and passing. Windler will need to put a lock of work in on defense to stay in Coach Pop’s rotation, but he could be a great frontcourt partner and much-needed spacer for LaMarcus Aldridge.

[Drom John]

Yahoo! Sports: 2019 NBA Mock Draft: Pels land Zion, Culver
Jun 18, 2019, 7:37 PM--By Jeff Reynolds, Field Level Media

19. San Antonio Spurs: Brandon Clarke, PF, Gonzaga

There's a lot to like about Clarke, including his size and defensive potential, but Gregg Popovich will most value his versatility.

29. San Antonio Spurs: Dylan Windler, SF, Belmont

With the selection shipped from Toronto via the Kawhi Leonard trade, Windler brings a deep shooter who doesn't shy away from any compe ion, He could be the perfect fit for the Spurs.

[Drom John]

Watch Stadium: College Basketball, NBA June 18,2019
NBA Mock Draft 3.0: Pelicans Load Up on Talent After Trade With Lakers
Jeff Goodman, Stadium Basketball Insider by Jeff Goodman, Stadium Basketball Insider

19. San Antonio Spurs – Goga Bitadze, 6-11, 251, C, Georgia

Bitadze is a skilled big man who can help the Spurs up front — which is important considering they don’t have much beyond LaMarcus Aldridge and Jakob Poeltl. Bitadze averaged 12.1 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.1 blocks in the Euroleague and has shown the ability to knock down mid-range jumpers with ease.

29. San Antonio Spurs (via Toronto) – Ty Jerome, 6-5, 195, G, Jr., Virginia

The Spurs could use some help at the point, and Jerome is a guy who can run a team, make shots from all over the court and also bring toughness to the table. Jerome may never be a star, but will be consistent in his production and effort.

[Dverde]

Spurs picked the wrong draft to try to move up. I doubt combining our picks will give Spurs traction. Teams want an asset not more picks. Boston, Atlanta have muddied the waters. I doubt the Spurs will include Forbes, Marco, Bertrans to move up. Gutless front office going to play it safe.

[Drom John]

The Philadelphia Inquirer:
NBA mock draft 2019: Sixers get pure shooter in Cam Johnson
by Keith Pompey, Updated: June 19, 2019- 5:22 AM

19. San Antonio

Rui Hachimura

6-8, 230, PF, Gonzaga

With LaMarcus Aldridge turning 34 next month, this move was about finding a player that will ultimately be his replacement.

29. San Antonio

Bruno Fernando

6-10, 237, C, Maryland

He addresses a need for the Spurs and could have an instant impact.

[exstatic]

Spurs picked the wrong draft to try to move up. I doubt combining our picks will give Spurs traction. Teams want an asset not more picks. Boston, Atlanta have muddied the waters. I doubt the Spurs will include Forbes, Marco, Bertrans to move up. Gutless front office going to play it safe.

Teams wouldn't necessarily want Beli, unless they were trying for an ending contract to cut long term payroll, but both Bertans and Forbes could be moved, depending on who they might want to move up for. They have enough guards, so Forbes is an asset that could be traded, and you just don't see a lot of 6'10" guys with buttery smooth jumpers like Bertans.

[Drom John]

SB Nation: Blazer’s Edge 2019 NBA Mock Draft: Part Two
We bring you a pick-by-pick mock of the 2019 NBA Draft with opinions, predictions surrounding all the top prospects.
By Steve Dewald@SteveDHoops Jun 19, 2019, 5:46am PDT

No. 19 | San Antonio Spurs
Brandon Clarke | F | Gonzaga

Regardless of his size limitations, Clarke is primed to be a difference maker in the paint. His instincts as a shot blocker and rebounder are undeniable. Clarke’s energetic legs should take some of the burden off LaMarcus Aldridge.

No. 29 | San Antonio Spurs (via Raptors)
Matisse Thybulle | G/F | Washington

The Spurs turn to the defensive side of the ball for the second time in the first round. Thybulle will give opposing wings fits from the first time he steps on the floor. However, his lack of scoring could hinder his value in today’s NBA.

[Drom John]

Sporting News: NBA Mock Draft 2019: Pelicans go forward with Lakers' pick; Celtics stay busy in first round
Written By Chris Stone
45m ago [AKA 19 June 2019]

19. Spurs - Nic Claxton, Big, Georgia

Height: 6-11 | Weight: 217 | Age: 20.2

With Dejounte Murray, Derrick White and Lonnie Walker on the roster already, the Spurs have allocated plenty of their recent assets toward improving their backcourt. It will likely make sense for them to go in a different direction in 2019.

Claxton would be one such option, and given how much his draft stock has improved during the pre-draft process, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him in the teens here. He has real defensive versatility at the center spot, which is a prized trait, plus the potential to do some ball handling in transition in time.

Claxton's a unique big man, and winning teams benefit from having those types of players on the roster.

29. Spurs - Luka Samanic, Big, Olimpija Ljubljana

Height: 6-10 | Weight: 210 | Age: 19.5

As mentioned previously, the Spurs are seemingly set in the backcourt having made a number of selections to bolster their forces there in the past few drafts. Samanic provides another skilled frontcourt option for them.

He impressed during the lone scrimmage he played at the NBA Draft Combine, should be able to provide some creation on the offensive end and possesses the tools to be a capable defender.

[Drom John]

Fansided: FanSided NBA Network Expert Mock Draft
by FanSided Staff

19. San Antonio Spurs — Goga Bitadze, Center, Mega Bemax

Selected by Dylan Carter of Air Alamo

Bitadze is an intriguing big man prospect who should fit well in the Spurs system. On offense, he shows potential as a pick-and-pop threat potentially stretching out to the 3-point line, with excellent touch on vision on his passes to also make a difference as a hub around the elbows to hit cutters and dribble hand-offs. On defense, he’ll struggle in space because of his footwork and lack of athleticism but he uses his enormous wingspan well and should be an effective rim protector. The combination of strengths and weaknesses may keep him from being an NBA star but the Spurs have a history of recognizing what a young player does well and putting them in a position to succeed.

29. San Antonio Spurs — Louis King, Wing, Oregon

Selected by Dylan Carter of Air Alamo

The Spurs have the luxury of staying focused on potential here at the end of the draft and King certainly represents that. He started slowly in his one season with the Ducks because of recovery from a knee injury but King showed a strong shooting stroke of flashes of potential as a secondary-creator. While he has excellent size and length and could become a solid defensive player, a lack of effort and focus at that end hampered his effectiveness. The Spurs have plenty of young depth on the wing but King makes plenty of sense as a player to be patient with, who could pay huge dividends down the road.

[Drom John]

Fansided: Beal Street Bears: NBA Draft 2019: Mock Draft 3.0
by Christian Dudley 4 hours ago [AKA 19 June 2019]

29
Luka Samanic
Forward Olimpija Ljubljana
San Antonio Spurs

Gregg Popovich and R.C. Buford got to watch gleefully this past week as their former apprentice led another franchise to an NBA le. In what may not amount to much consolation, the Spurs will get the Toronto Raptors’ first-round pick via the Kawhi Leonard trade.

This is the Spurs, however, and late-round home runs are very much their thing. San Antonio’s current roster is relatively deep and balanced, however they are short on high-ceiling talent. Taking a flyer on Luka Samanic with this pick could be a long-term gain for a team looking for its next-generation star.

Samanic — at 6’11” — has flashed glimpses of being a rangy stretch big. He has fluid movement for a player of his size; runs well in transition, and can put the ball on the floor in halfcourt sets.

But much about Samanic is unknown. Freshly 19, he is both raw and scrawny; he often has difficulty stringing his talents together.

Strength and agility training would appear to do wonders for Samanic; as would being implanted in the Spurs’ culture of seemingly innate success. They have taken a plethora of no-name Euros and turned them in serviceable-to-great NBA players.

San Antonio will likely continue its streak of playoff appearances with (presumably) both their point guards healthy this year. As such, they will be a low-pressure system in which Samanic can be brought along slowly, and learn from a great coaching staff.

He will be of little impact for several years, but the Spurs know that this pick is for the future, not the present, and drafting a high-upside Euro would be so San Antonio.

19
Jaxson Hayes
Forward Texas
San Antonio Spurs

Jaxson Hayes has been trending up in mocks, cracking the top ten of most popular mock drafts. It is somewhat shocking to see him still available, but leave it to the Spurs to mine value from a late first-rounder.

Hayes is very much a project, but the potential results are tantalizing. The son of a former NFL player and college basketball standout, Hayes is an elite athletic specimen. He also grew almost a foot in high school. Not only was he a multi-sport athlete before his growth forced him to commit to basketball, he is still getting used to life in that body.

NBA scouts are banking that Hayes’ skills will continue to grow into his massive upside. With a singular focus and improved coordination, he could become a true two-way threat.

Hayes’ impressive physique and athleticism allow him to be both an excellent floor-runner and physical finisher. His massive 7’3.5” wingspan and high-primacy defense suggest potentially elite shot-swatting.

He is still very raw, and in addition to developing his newly-grown frame, can also polish his fundamentals on both sides of the floor. He may also be limited in terms of shot range and playmaking ability, but his ceiling as a neo-DeAndre Jordan has to intrigue GMs.

Despite his roughness around the edges, there is still so much potential for Hayes. He just turned 19 last month, and has just a couple years of basketball-only training under his belt. Combine that learning curve with his apex DNA, and this pick has all the makings of a post-lottery steal.

[Drom John]

Star Tribune: 'And the Timberwolves pick . . .' Our NBA mock draft from Zion to ???
By Marcus Fuller Star Tribune
June 19, 2019 — 6:44am

19. San Antonio

Goga Bitadze, Republic of Georgia, C,

6-11, 250 pounds

The Spurs have a history of doing well with international prospects like Bitadze, who is ready to join them now.

29. San Antonio

Luka Samanic, Croatia, PF,

6-11, 230 pounds

MVP of this year’s NBA combine, Samanic dominated on the first day and shut it down after teams were enamored.

[Drom John]

South Florida: Ira Winderman’s NBA mock draft: Who will Heat pick at No. 13?
16 hours ago [AKA 18 June 2019]

19. Spurs: Goga Bitadze, 7-foot international center, Republic of Georgia

Has been likened to Marc Gasol, which should be a comfortable fit for international development program of Gregg Popovich and the Spurs.

29. Spurs (from Raptors): Matisse Thybulle, 6-5 senior guard, Washington

Thybulle (4) is arguably the best pure wing defender in the draft, with upside as a 3-point shooter, as well as maturity to suit a Popovich roster.

[Drom John]

Yahoo! Sports: 2019 NBA mock draft 5.0: What will the Pelicans do with the No. 4 overall pick?
Krysten Peek
Yahoo SportsJun 19, 2019, 9:52 AM

19. San Antonio Spurs

PF Brandon Clarke, Gonzaga, 6-8, 215

From an unranked high school prospect to San Jose State to Gonzaga to the draft, Clarke’s transformation to an NBA prospect has been impressive. A solid forward in the pick-and-roll, he could be a complementary addition to the Spurs.

29. San Antonio Spurs (from Toronto)

PF Grant Williams, Tennessee, 6-7, 220

An undersized power forward, Williams is a beast on the block with a solid midrange game. He’ll need to work on taking defenders off the dribble and defending the perimeter, but who better to learn from than coach Gregg Popovich?