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I think I'd rather keep 14 and trade up from 38 with Brooklyn to take Raynaud. I know it's 3 rookies and they probably won't do that, but I believe I would.
I call it the "Batum effect". A long, long time ago, it was almost certain that Batum (drafted 25) would go to Spurs to join his compatriot TP. It was already the time when, thanks to TP and Manu, in particular, the Spurs were considered geniuses in the draft. It was before Kawhi too (drafted 15). Portland then agreed with Houston to go ahead, and the Spurs finally had George Hill at pick 26 instead of Batum.
This is undoubtedly what happened last year with Salaün. Bad students, when they want to be sure of the right answer, look at the Spurs copy. Even probably still today. In 4, last year, Salaün would have been high, especially if they had confidence in Castle. Result, Charlotte chooses Salaün in 6... so as not to play him for the year (his clean criminal record should not plead in his favor).
The question is perhaps not to take Raynaud at pick 14. But to take a Kawhi at this stage if he exists. Given the supposed level of this draft, there is indeed a Kawhi hiding in this draft. Let's let the Spurs do the work, we'll judge them next year.
As for Raynaud, it's fair game if the Spurs take advantage of the Batum's effect by making it appear that they are very interested. Spurs like to play chess too... They distract attention while they look elsewhere (and in five years, Raynaud will come to Spurs like Diaw was able to do in place of Batum).
I think I'd rather keep 14 and trade up from 38 with Brooklyn to take Raynaud. I know it's 3 rookies and they probably won't do that, but I believe I would.
That's incredible! I'm all in!
That’s the intriguing part. That French Connection is real. And Spurs would do good to please its young franchise. Reynaud is a reach at 14 but checks off a lot of boxes. He can be Spurs future 4 or at worst backup big.
Last edited by John B; 05-22-2025 at 10:53 AM.
Broome and Raynaud are the way. Whichever order you want.
Trade 14 & 38 + maybe another future 2nd (or two) for Brooklyn's 2 firsts.
Underwhelming but good combination and I could see the Spurs taking that at #14 and #38. I doubt Broome is available at #38.
I really like Goldin at #38. I watched a lot of Michigan basketball last season and enjoyed the Twin Towers and ball movement, really reminded me of Spurs basketball. Goldin is 7 footer barefoot with 9’3 standing reach. He’s already 24 but should contribute from day 1. Reynaud could be that over-the-fence at #14.
Who cares what we think, but what we suspect the FO will do. Reynaud checks off a lot of boxes, mobile big, 7 1/4 barefoot, 9’2 standing reach, great rebounder which Spurs was terrible last season, can block, and shoot outside. He can play both 4 and 5, and on top of that, Wemby’s chess-pal. Personally I want Fleming. I think he can be molded into Naz Reid. I would be thrilled with what a big man like Sorber could bring. And I also like Danny Wolf as I see a lot of Diaw in him. But again, if I were to guess what the FO would do, they will take Reynaud at #14. Primo always comes to mind when FO like a player even when Primo was mocked at mid-twenties and they could’ve traded down.
Signing/drafting a player partially because he is friend with Wembanayama would be opening a can of worm for Spurs. They haven't done it so far and I hope they won't do it.
If Spurs draft Raynaud, it should be only because of his level and not at all because of his link with Wembanyama.
if the spurs draft Reyaud, it would be reminiscent of signing Oberto and drafting the never-was-a Spur Scola. yes, they were friends with Manu but they had coveted skill sets and Pop was enamored with the Argentinian national team.
My guess is Raynaud's draft trajectory will go somewhere along the lines of Jaime Jaquez Jr and Podziemski, the whole time projected to go in the early 2nd round but jumping into the teens late in the process. I like Raynaud, but I'm not sold on him being the best option at 14. Plus like it was pointed a few posts above, it would seem odd that such a tight lipped, poker faced organization would help their true targets raise their profiles like it happened with Salaun last year and now Raynaud. Not ruling it out, they drafted Primo after all so they proved they can do dumb every now and then, but I'd lean towards trying to help his draft stock rather than actually going after him.
What would be the plan for Raynaud in our rotation? Is he just a Backup C playing 12 minutes a night backing up Wemby? Or would he play next to Wemby for significant minutes? Have they ever played together in a game? French Youth or Olympics program? Anyone got any intel if there is some actual chemistry on the court, or are they just chess buddies?
They played together at times for Nanterre. In the classic video of a 16 year old Wemby scoring on Rudy Gobert, Raynaud is Wemby's partner in the 2v2.
Yeah, it's a double-edged sword.
You draft him to curry favor with your star.
But then what happens when you need to get rid of him?
I think it really comes down to does he help us in a position of need and is he the best player for that position of need when his draft pick is up. If the answer is yes, then draft him.
If he somehow falls to 38 you pretty much have to take him.
(Unless you can find a stud like Sidy Cissoko or Harrison Ingram.)
Sold! He’s the guy.
Wonder if Spurs play the bluff to see if Raynaud falls to #38 in a steal for them. At that pick SA could afford to swing on him and as a 2RP he would know his place/role level on the team and expendableness.
With CHA jumping for Salaun on that Spurs scouting trust and then even knowing he was going to be a long project still not really looking super worth it at least for now maybe it takes the wind out of the sails on copying San Antonio's homework right when we need it to most. I like Raynaud but I think it would be best if he somehow fell to #38 inexplicably vs. getting reached on at #14 and am seeking for factors that may lead to this. I fear Raynaud will impress in workouts and rise. I like other prospects more at #14, Sorber, Bryant perhaps. But Raynaud is intriguing draft selection reach notwithstanding.
Shoooot… I’d take 4 rookies this year. We need to cut out a bunch of dead weight. I’d call Brooklyn and see if they’d take Vassell and his contract (and #38) into their cap space for #19 & #26.
I’d take McNeeley, Fleming, and Reynaud.
PG/SG - Fox / Castle / Harper
SF - Sochan / McNeeley / Johnson
PF - Barnes / Fleming
C - Wemby / Reynaud
I think that adds so much BBIQ, Shooting, Defense, and Rebounding (everything we are missing while removing a negative player).
I really like this idea, but I'm taking Yaxel, Coward or Penda and Powell. Penda offers me more size than Coward and maybe the possibility to flex to be a situational 4... but Coward is probably going to be a better 3. Unfortunately I don't end up with a center, but then I'm offering Adams as much as the MLE I need and trying to see if I can get a 3rd C with the BAE
^Raynaud says in this interview that the Stanford walk-on story is false.
Which of those are you taking over Harper at #2?
SMH ..
We're talking about 14, 19 and 26. If you can't keep up with the conversation, maybe you shouldn't inject yourself into it.
Wut?!!!
They were talking about trading Devin Vassell and 38 for 19 and 16 with Brooklyn (not sure if Brooklyn goes for it).
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