Spurs' future draft picks

[Mr. Body]

If Law and Fernandez are both there you take Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!

Rudy has bigger upside and as the Mini Manu, it's a no-brainer. He has a better chance of slipping, too.

[AFBlue]

If Law and Fernandez are both there you take Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!

Rudy has bigger upside and as the Mini Manu, it's a no-brainer. He has a better chance of slipping, too.

Agreed....Fernandez all the way. I know backup PG is the bigger short-term need, but after '07 the Spurs lose both of their SGs (Fin & Barry) and Manu will be 32 with them already monitoring his minutes. Also, the backup PG brought in would only be playing 12 - 15 MPG...probably not enough to take a first rounder on him.

Caveat: If a combo guard like Gabe Pruitt or Rodney Stuckey is available, I think the coaching staff would have to consider it...they could slot in time behind Tony next year, make Beno tradeable/releasable, and be available to play some SG in the future.

[Rynospursfan]

I am really starting to like Dominic McGuire. Is there anywhere in this thread that people speak in more detail about him?

I haven't read all 28 pages, yet.

[Mr. Body]

I am really starting to like Dominic McGuire. Is there anywhere in this thread that people speak in more detail about him?

I haven't read all 28 pages, yet.

Yes. Somewhere.

Great physical tools. Played a lot of positions with a lot required of him. Rebounded the out of the ball (nearly 10 rpg in the WAC). Team wasn't that great. Horrible free throw shooter for position, not a great outside shooter. Possible character issue.

[AFBlue]

I am really starting to like Dominic McGuire. Is there anywhere in this thread that people speak in more detail about him?

I haven't read all 28 pages, yet.

He would be a great project as the athletic, long 3 and small-ball 4. He has great defensive potential with the quickness to guard on the perimeter and the shot-blocking to be a force inside. Offensively, he's raw. He displays good passing ability and good court vision. He's a slasher that can really get to the basket. But....like Body said, he's underdeveloped on his shot and has no range from 3pt land. I would say....

Best Case Scenario: Josh Smith

Worst Case Scenario: Travis Outlaw

He should be there at 33, and the Spurs with that hole would be hard-pressed not to go for him...

[Mr. Body]

I wouldn't say McGuire has no range on his shot, but that it's erratic. As far as I know, he can definitely develop one. This character issue thing is glancingly mentioned on a DX report from his Cal days but may be absolutely nothing. I, too, think he would be a great pickup at 33, but the roster will not have much space to put people.

[AFBlue]

I wouldn't say McGuire has no range on his shot, but that it's erratic. As far as I know, he can definitely develop one. This character issue thing is glancingly mentioned on a DX report from his Cal days but may be absolutely nothing. I, too, think he would be a great pickup at 33, but the roster will not have much space to put people.

Yeah, that's what I meant by "no shot". Remember, Josh Smith also had "no shot" when he came into the league, but he had the athleticism and shot-blocking....that's why my "Best Case" was Smith, I see the similarities.

I know the roster crunch will be a big deal in decision-making, so we'll see....but IMO he'd be a worthy investment.

[Mr. Body]

I agree. As I've said, I really hope the Spurs get two rookies out of this draft.

[mardigan]

Agreed....Fernandez all the way. I know backup PG is the bigger short-term need, but after '07 the Spurs lose both of their SGs (Fin & Barry) and Manu will be 32 with them already monitoring his minutes. Also, the backup PG brought in would only be playing 12 - 15 MPG...probably not enough to take a first rounder on him.

Caveat: If a combo guard like Gabe Pruitt or Rodney Stuckey is available, I think the coaching staff would have to consider it...they could slot in time behind Tony next year, make Beno tradeable/releasable, and be available to play some SG in the future.

I would definately rather have Bellineli than Fernandez, but thats just me. I hope one of them slides to us. Byars>Fernandez and Bellineli

[AFBlue]

Byars>Fernandez and Bellineli

In your mind and no one else's.

Forgetting the fact that they play different positions and perform different roles, I'd take a future Manu Ginobili over a future Josh Howard anyday.

[Darkwaters]

I agree. As I've said, I really hope the Spurs get two rookies out of this draft.

I think they'll have to. They're getting too old too quick.

[AFBlue]

I agree. As I've said, I really hope the Spurs get two rookies out of this draft.

Two rooks at a minimum. I hope the Spurs get an international with the last pick that can help in the future. A big PG like Koponen or Ponkrashov would be nice...

[Mr. Body]

Well, I had initially thought Butler and especially White would be gone, but White has for all intents and purposes already played himself onto next year's team. But at the very least I can see the Spurs getting a player who can contribute right away (Alando Tucker) and a good prospect almost immediately.

Those late pick(s) will be punted, traded up, or used on someone like Teletovic.

Koponen would be cool. Perfect Udrih replacement in every way.

I'll amend to say: the Spurs should add two 'rookies' this offseason, one of which could be Luis Scola.

[AFBlue]

Well, I had initially thought Butler and especially White would be gone, but White has for all intents and purposes already played himself onto next year's team. But at the very least I can see the Spurs getting a player who can contribute right away (Alando Tucker) and a good prospect almost immediately.

Those late pick(s) will be punted, traded up, or used on someone like Teletovic.

Koponen would be cool. Perfect Udrih replacement in every way.

I'll amend to say: the Spurs should add two 'rookies' this offseason, one of which could be Luis Scola.

IMO, the Spurs have to solve the long 3/small-ball 4 question this upcoming off-season. Whether it's getting Nocioni in an S&T involving Barry + Scola, or if it's drafting a guy like McGuire, or signing a guy like Outlaw....I think it should be a priority this off-season.

IMO, the direction that the Spurs go will depend on the draft.

For example, if they draft McGuire they might keep Scola and decide against the S&T for Nocioni or to sign Outlaw...but if they draft a guy like Almond, they may feel that Barry is expendable and look to trade him for that long 3/small-ball 4 option (Nocioni).

[mardigan]

In your mind and no one else's.

Forgetting the fact that they play different positions and perform different roles, I'd take a future Manu Ginobili over a future Josh Howard anyday.

Well, thats al that matters on an opinion board. And I would take the Ginobili over howard as well, as long as the Manu option wasnt as old as the one we have when we got him. But I also think that Rudy is no Manu, not even close. Bellenili is closer to manu than Rudy

[DON VITO]

DJ White is staying in school for another year. I think he would be perfect for the Spurs. Similar to Malik Rose but better shot blocker.

[mardigan]

DJ White is staying in school for another year. I think he would be perfect for the Spurs. Similar to Malik Rose but better shot blocker.

Yea, I like White a lot, he should have come out, but I guess its the smart thing to do to wait for next years draft that wont be as deep

[AFBlue]

Well, thats al that matters on an opinion board.

Point taken...

And I would take the Ginobili over howard as well, as long as the Manu option wasnt as old as the one we have when we got him.

If the Spurs take Rudy or Belinelli I think they sit overseas for a max of one year, because '08 is when the bench clears and either would have a great opportunity to come stateside. That would put Rudy at 23yrs old in the NBA and Marco at 22yrs old.

But I also think that Rudy is no Manu, not even close. Belenilli is closer to manu than Rudy

In truth, neither is a Manu-clone. Both are better shooters than Manu was when he came into the league and neither has his ability to contort the defense with his change-of-direction moves.

The reason that Rudy is compared to Manu is his slight frame, slashing/finishing ability, and his intensity. I don't see the comparison with Marco, who is a much better pure shooter, which he relies on quite a bit.

In the end, neither may match up to Manu, but both have the ability to stick in this league for a long time....I'd rather have Rudy (love the slash/shoot combination), but I would be extremely happy with either.

[Mr. Body]

Why couldn't Rudy or Marco come over this year? If Scola's not coming, there's money to buy them out.

[Darkwaters]

Why couldn't Rudy or Marco come over this year? If Scola's not coming, there's money to buy them out.

NBA teams can only contribute 500k to a player's buyout. The rest has to be paid by the player himself.

I'm not sure about Marco, but everything I've heard about Rudy says that his buyout is not reasonable this next season. But with a year in Europe he would be ripe for a modest buyout.

[Mr. Body]

I honestly don't think the team can afford to wait to bring players over. They need them next year.

[AFBlue]

I know I posted a story earlier about Nick Young, but the update is that he has officially declared, AND will hire an agent...thus officially ending his college career.

Thoughts?

[exstatic]

How many realistic roster spots will open up? I mean FAs. If we don't like our players, chances are that other GMs won't either....

[Mr. Body]

At minimum I think 2 spots open -- Ely, Horry retires.

I think Barry is traded.

I think Udrih is traded.

I think Bonner and Vaughn stay.

All told that isn't a whole lot of room for improvement.

[wildbill2u]

It doesn't have anything to do with the Milwaukee pick. There's simply confusion about whether it is top 51 or top 54 protected. Different sites have different information, with the SA paper saying it is top 54. I am not absolutely sure they are correct; they can get their information from any online source as well as us.

I picked this up off the Draft Express page on Draft Transactions:

San Antonio acquired the better of Milwaukee's two 2007 2nd round draft picks (Milwaukee's or Houston's) in exchange for trading the draft rights to Damir Markota.
• San Antonio will receive Chicago's 2007 2nd round pick, if it falls within the first 21 picks of the 2nd round. Otherwise, Chicago owes nothing to San Antonio this year or beyond.