Spurs' future draft picks

[pad300]

I recognize he's from your Alma Mater, but Derrick Byars is currently ranked #39 on draft express. I'm pretty sure McGuire is flat out better than Byars, and he fits the Spurs better too, being able to play small-ball PF, as well as SF & SG. He's a better rebounder, and is a potential shut-down defender, with length, lateral quickness, and he LIKES playing D. He's unselfish and a good passer. Finally, there's the dreade P-Word. He's only 21, and his frame appears capable of adding significant strength. This will translate into much better ability to score when absorbing contact in the painted area when slashing.

[pad300]

Fazekas was decent statistically against Memphis this year, which was comprised of NBA-type athletes. I wonder how Faze compares to Duncan in the athletics department. Maybe we could get Dudley, too, and have a glacial front line.

PAD - I'd be somewhat intrigued by McRoberts, but I'm surprised at the idea to trade up for him. I'd have to think about the option, but what I do like is the idea of using Scola to move up with the #33 pick. Perhaps it won't go far enough.

Yeah, it's weird, but 1st round contracts these days are practically better than 2nd rounders. If you pick the right guy (and there is always a right guy available, it's just identifying him). You get a player locked in at below market value for 4 years. And then you can trade him if you can't afford to keep him. From the Spurs perspective, a couple of good 1st round picks from this draft would be gigantic, securing the roleplayers for the next 4 years, until even Duncan's contract comes off the books (as well as Parker's and Manu's).

[A.H 21-50]

I recognize he's from your Alma Mater, but Derrick Byars is currently ranked #39 on draft express. I'm pretty sure McGuire is flat out better than Byars, and he fits the Spurs better too, being able to play small-ball PF, as well as SF & SG. He's a better rebounder, and is a potential shut-down defender, with length, lateral quickness, and he LIKES playing D. He's unselfish and a good passer. Finally, there's the dreade P-Word. He's only 21, and his frame appears capable of adding significant strength. This will translate into much better ability to score when absorbing contact in the painted area when slashing.

it's strange because he's ranked no.15 on nbadraft.net so i don't think he will end up to the spurs maybe before........

[Mr. Body]

Derrick Byars is all over the place on mock drafts. It's impossible to know where players will fall before workouts happen.

[A.H 21-50]

Derrick Byars is all over the place on mock drafts. It's impossible to know where players will fall before workouts happen.

Yes it's what i want to say
it will be very difficult to know who can be availble with the no.28 pick for the spurs and with the no.33
maybe there will be some suprises ........

[Mr. Body]

This draft could be the most fun of all time. I'm hoping to go see it in person.

[Mr. Body]

Trying to keep this thread alive as much as anything.

Anyway...

With Law, Conley, Crittendon, Pruitt all in the draft (I believe), with Bobby Brown, Aaron Brooks and Dominic James also in there, I can't see how the Spurs won't have a good stab at getting a backup point guard with the #33.

[pad300]

Trying to keep this thread alive as much as anything.

Anyway...

With Law, Conley, Crittendon, Pruitt all in the draft (I believe), with Bobby Brown, Aaron Brooks and Dominic James also in there, I can't see how the Spurs won't have a good stab at getting a backup point guard with the #33.

1) Don't forget Kopponen (Finland) as well

2) I rather doubt that we will draft a PG. Rookies are gambles. We can't afford a gamble at the back up PG spot. If he succeeds, he's only trade bait anyways, as Tony has the starter spot locked up for the next 5+ years. Finally, after the Vaugh and Udrih experience this year, I suspect Pop will want a veteran in that spot...

[Mr. Body]

I can see them draft a back-up point. Vaughn can hold it down for one more year. Nothing's cheaper than a second round rookie.

[pad300]

I can see them draft a back-up point. Vaughn can hold it down for one more year. Nothing's cheaper than a second round rookie.

Vet Min contracts are cheap too. And I am pretty sure that this is a spot where they want to minimize uncertainty. Finally, none of the prospects who are likely to be available in the 2nd are definately better than some of the top D-league guys. There are however, some strong possibilities of getting some steals at 33 for the wing spots. At 58, all the guys mentioned should be gone. The only gamble that I might see paying off is Sun Yue.

http://www.nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/sunyue.html
http://www.draftexpress.com/viewprofile.php?p=1024

Even then, I think he is a pretty big gamble.

[AFBlue]

I can see them draft a back-up point. Vaughn can hold it down for one more year. Nothing's cheaper than a second round rookie.

I think if one blows their skirts up in workouts they'll target a PG, because it's one of the issues.

Personally, I would love to see the Spurs go after a big PG who could contribut at both guard positions in the future. Filling two holes with one guy could be useful for the future (backup PG/SG).

I would definitely love to see guys like Crittendon or Pruitt fall to 28 <<salivating at the thought>>.

[Mr. Body]

Crittendon or Pruitt at 28 would be very nice, even if I wouldn't naturally want to draft a PG there. They have too much to offer. Even an Aaron Brooks of Koponen with the 33 is a great risk and IMO much better in potential than any of the NBDL guys.

Thing is, we already have the vet min guy in Jacque Vaughn. He's okay, but nothing special, and in ways severely limited. They could do well to draft a young guy with potential and bring him around in a year or two to see what he's got. I'd go 28 for SF, 33 for PG, barring trades.

[pad300]

Crittendon or Pruitt at 28 would be very nice, even if I wouldn't naturally want to draft a PG there. They have too much to offer. Even an Aaron Brooks of Koponen with the 33 is a great risk and IMO much better in potential than any of the NBDL guys.

Thing is, we already have the vet min guy in Jacque Vaughn. He's okay, but nothing special, and in ways severely limited. They could do well to draft a young guy with potential and bring him around in a year or two to see what he's got. I'd go 28 for SF, 33 for PG, barring trades.

I'm expecting the usual some talent falls; therefore, I'd most likely be picking best available talent at 28 and 33 (barring trades). Unless we pick 2 bigs or 2 PGs we have room anywhere on our roster.
Projected Next Years Roster
Under Contract and Kept
Bigs - TD, Elson, Oberto, Butler, Horry (he might retire, but has a spot if he wants one)
Wings - Bowen, Finley, Barry, Ginobili, White,
PG's - Tony
Under Contract and Dumped (Somehow)
Udrih
Out of Contract
Ely, Vaughn, Bonner

For a 15 Man roster - 3 PGs, 6 Bigs, 6 Wings

Needs - 2 PG's, 1 Wing, 1 Big.

I do not expect to sign an FA to a contract of more than 1 year (Yes, a HUGE assumption, but it does fit with the mythical 2008 plan). Vaughn we can probably resign for 1 year. We are not bringing Scola over with a 1 year offer. We might also leave a spot open to save some money and have the option of grabbing someone promising from the D-league (like Justin Williams for the Kings this year).
That leaves us needing all 3 core spots (Big, Wing, PG). Therefore, draft based on talent. We currently have 28 and 33. We have some tradeable assets. There are a lot of decent Wing and Big prospects in the draft, and rather less PG's that I actually like. If I saw a good opportunity, I might try and trade up, if I had a specific player in mind.

[Bruno]

Only four players will be picked between Spurs first round pick and Bucks second round pick. If a player is available at 28, he will likely be available at 33. Discussing if Spurs should draft a PG at 28 and a SF at 33 or the opposite is kinda moot.

About the PG situation :
Spurs won't have next season two non reliable backup PGs. The only way that a drafted PG plays with Spurs next year is if Beno is traded.
Most of these PGs are underclassmen and are testing the waters : I can see a lot of them going back to school/Europe if they aren't projected in the first round.
Spurs trading Beno isn't a sure thing at all. In beno isn't traded, drafting an euro to let him in europe is a good solution : at 28/33 with kopponen or at 58 with Bokolo who has a good end of the season.

[picnroll]

Has Bokolo improved his playmaking, PG skills or just decision making in general? Somebody at LG who's hot on him put together some youtube. I'm sure they're highly culled highlights but he looks quite the athlete.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbofUPZLlwg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhkB3JVVG7o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGPzh5AZAIg

http://youtube.com/watch?v=fcK2qTGZ2gE

http://youtube.com/watch?v=CtrjCEX3dls

[Mr. Body]

There does seem to be a conceptual gulf between the 28 and 33 picks that doesn't actually include that many picked players. The key would be to figure what players those teams might nab. And I agree wholly that Dominic James, Pruitt, Crittendon, etc., will pull out of the draft if they seem to be dropping into the second round - but often these guys get lousy advice, so we'll see.

That said, I don't see Udrih on this roster in any form next year. His days as a Spur number as long as the playoffs will take and that's it. He's deadweight if they keep him; they'll trade him first, second simply cut him, since his roster space could be used for someone else. But I do think they'll trade him, with a shot that they'll keep him to trade halfway through the season to an ailing team. But I think he's done.

[Bruno]

Bokolo plays now PG full time. He still isn't a good playmaker and never will be but he is improving. Let him one more year in europe and he can maybe become a solid backup PG in nba. He is a great pickup at 58.

[picnroll]

Bokolo plays now PG full time. He still isn't a good playmaker and never will be but he is improving. Let him one more year in europe and he can maybe become a solid backup PG in nba. He is a great pickup at 58.

How's his outside shot? Does he have possible Barbosa-type talent but maybe a better defender?

[Mr. Body]

Bokolo at 58 could be a steal, but I hope the Spurs don't think they'll find their answer there. He'd be gravy, if anything.

[yavozerb]

I would be exstatic with Rush at #28 and Mcguire at #33. Only other SG I like better than rush at in mid to late 1st would be Byars which would probably require the psurs to trade into the middle 1st round. Wouldn't mind drafting PG James from marq. late in the 2nd (this guy is fun to watch)

[Bruno]

That said, I don't see Udrih on this roster in any form next year. His days as a Spur number as long as the playoffs will take and that's it. He's deadweight if they keep him; they'll trade him first, second simply cut him, since his roster space could be used for someone else. But I do think they'll trade him, with a shot that they'll keep him to trade halfway through the season to an ailing team. But I think he's done.

If they don't find a trade for him, I doubt they will cut him. If they have kept Eric Williams, who was more a deadweight than Beno, this year; they will keep Beno next year.
The other solution is a buy out but Beno seems happy on the bench in SA.

[Mr. Body]

Rush + McGuire would be a sick draft and considering team need and draft position one of the best in the league.

Can you imagine this Spurs team right now with these two guys on it? timvp and others keep insisting the Spurs won't draft two rookies for next year, but I don't see how they cannot.

[yavozerb]

At #28 Rush would only get 750K yearly (which in my opinion I would much rather have him over white) and mcguire would get even less. To make your team younger, more athletic, and save $ would be in my opinion how to have a good offseason for the spurs. 2 rookies on a roster of 13 vets I think is good ratio!!

[Mr. Body]

but you hit on an important point... 2 rookies + white + butler?

[Bruno]

How's his outside shot? Does he have possible Barbosa-type talent but maybe a better defender?

His outside shot sucks. Barbosa isn't a good comparaison because he isn't at all a good scorer.
He is more a poor man Devin Harris.