Draft Prospect: Ante Tomic

[timvp]

Using the draft to nab some starting/rotation worthy bigs is a good use of lower 1st round picks, IMO. Once similiar talent hits free agency it will be out of the Spurs' price range.

True. And drafting a rookie project big makes more sense than signing a project big that has already played in the NBA (like Patrick O'Bryant) because of the two-year D-League window.

If the Spurs draft a project big in the first round, that'd also tell me that the Spurs are confident that Mahinmi will be elevated from project big to perhaps rotational big. I think the Spurs would be hesitant to draft a project big if Mahinmi is going to continue to need to develop in Austin. The Spurs couldn't really afford to have 2 out of 6 bigs that aren't ready to play.

[Marcus Bryant]

True. And drafting a rookie project big makes more sense than signing a project big that has already played in the NBA (like Patrick O'Bryant) because of the two-year D-League window.

If the Spurs draft a project big in the first round, that'd also tell me that the Spurs are confident that Mahinmi will be elevated from project big to perhaps rotational big. I think the Spurs would be hesitant to draft a project big if Mahinmi is going to continue to need to develop in Austin. The Spurs couldn't really afford to have 2 out of 6 bigs that aren't ready to play.

Was that not basically the plan with Splitter? Now that Splitter is out of the picture until 2010, if ever, it would make sense that the Spurs bring someone new into the rotation and send someone to Austin.

[Marcus Bryant]

Ante Tomic conducted a workout in New York City on Saturday in front of 10 interested teams alongside Peja Samardziski, Damjan Rudez and Vladimir Golubovic. Two General Managers—New York’s Donnie Walsh and Boston’s Danny Ainge, were present, as were team representatives such as Scott Layden (Utah Jazz), Tim Connelley (Washington Wizards), Kenny Williamson (Charlotte Bobcats) and George Felton (San Antonio Spurs). Tomic reportedly had just a “so-so” workout, while it was Damjan Rudez actually that may have been the most impressive. Tomic likely gets drafted somewhere in the top 10-15 spots of the second round, and is rumored to be a strong candidate for Euroleague outfit Maccabi Tel Aviv. He currently has a contract with KK Zagreb that lasts until 2011, and has no NBA escape clause to work with.

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[Marcus Bryant]

I’m 100% sure I’m not going to sign up this year, I have no chances for entering the first round. I’m not even thinking about the draft, although I have to admit it would be flattering to be chosen one day. By who? If I could choose it would be by the Spurs.

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[angelbelow]

draft him with the 45th, and lets keep him with the toros.

[timvp]

How high (or low) will the top prospects go?

Ante Tomic: Jazz at 23, Sonics at 24, Spurs at 26, Blazers at 27, Celtics at 30, Wolves at 31, Blazers at 33. Tomic has lottery talent, but he's too skinny and teams are concerned he might make too much money in Europe to head over to the NBA.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft...f ch-080625

Using a first round pick on a foreign big would make this forum melt down.

[T Park]

I would almost hope it happens, just to see the record use of the and the

[Marcus Bryant]

Isn't Tomic under contract until 2011?