Spurs' future draft picks

[Darkwaters]

IMO,

Spurs are taking a combo guard and an international player....now whether those two are one in the same (Koponen) is yet to be seen.

Here's how I see it fleshing out...

If the Spurs take Koponen at #28, they go for Afflalo/Dudley/Visser at #33.

If the Spurs take Pruitt at #28, they go for Stanko/Fesenko at #33

If the Spurs take Fernandez/Belinelli at #28, they go for Dowdell at #33

What do you think about that logic?

Pruitt could still be around at 33 if we don't pick him up earlier. Hence, I'm all in favor of taking Fernandez/Belinelli with the first pick (since 1st round picks are usually better for draft n' stash anyways) and then just drafting the best available PG at 33...be it Pruitt or Dowdell or whomever.

[AFBlue]

Pruitt could still be around at 33 if we don't pick him up earlier. Hence, I'm all in favor of taking Fernandez/Belinelli with the first pick (since 1st round picks are usually better for draft n' stash anyways) and then just drafting the best available PG at 33...be it Pruitt or Dowdell or whomever.

Seems like different sites see Pruitt in different lights. But I'm in total agreement with you that Fernandez/Belinelli at #28 and then the best PG available (if Pruitt is still on the board, or Dowdell) would be optimal.

It would suck to miss out on Dudley and Afflalo because they would be good in this system, but with so little roster space, I can't see them being the guys unless Koponen is picked up at #28.

Either way, I'm excited about several prospects and would happy to see many of them on this Spurs team.

[MoSpur]

I think the Spurs will take a domestic SF/SG if someone like Byars or Dudley is available.

[Darkwaters]

I think the Spurs will take a domestic SF/SG if someone like Byars or Dudley is available.

If Finley opts out of his contract then I definitely see this happening. Otherwise, I wouldn't discount it as an impossibility, I just have to consider the inherent nature of the Spurs and their infatuation with foreigners.

[AFBlue]

If the Spurs do grab Almond/Byars/Dudley/Afflalo or one of the other domestic G/F, I would anticipate them playing in the Summer League along with James White.

Barring a trade of Barry or an opt-out by Fin, only one of the two would make the team next year....

[Streakyshooter08]

Well, since I don't have the opportunity to watch a lot of college bb: Who of the Spurs possible draft picks would be able to contribute right away? I'd love to hear your opinions. Thanks.

[Gros Membres!]

Umm...I've been looking for a while now for a post (possibly a thread, can't remember) about a guy whose game is close to Manu's and it wasn't Bellineli. Any help? Random, I know.

If I remember correctly, Mr. Body said this guy whould give Pop a heart attack.

[ThomasGranger]

Do you mean Fernandez?

[Mr. Body]

Umm...I've been looking for a while now for a post (possibly a thread, can't remember) about a guy whose game is close to Manu's and it wasn't Bellineli. Any help? Random, I know.

If I remember correctly, Mr. Body said this guy whould give Pop a heart attack.

I don't remember saying this, but maybe I did. If Manu hasn't given Pop a heart attack, I don't know if Fernandez will. He has a similar game, but tales are he doesn't have the same slashing game. I'm not sure if he's as questionably sane in choices on the defensive end, either.

[Darkwaters]

Rudy Fernandez = straight up pimp

[Bruno]

Thanks A.H 21-50 for the Ramon Sessions workout.

Morris Almond worked out with Spurs today :
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/...is-Almond.html

I just finished a workout and interview with the San Antonio Spurs. They are the ninth different team that I have visited and auditioned for as the upcoming NBA draft approaches. I have four more stops to make before I finish my draft "tour," as I like to call it.

[BeerIsGood!]

I don't remember saying this, but maybe I did. If Manu hasn't given Pop a heart attack, I don't know if Fernandez will. He has a similar game, but tales are he doesn't have the same slashing game. I'm not sure if he's as questionably sane in choices on the defensive end, either.

He's talking about the Greek - Papaloukas (sp?)

[Mr. Body]

Yes, then Papaloukas and Manu playing together would cause coronary seizures. Fun, fun.

[AFBlue]

A general comment....

While we can see where the Spurs FO is focusing on this draft (combo guard, college G/F types, etc.), I think it's probably safe to assume we have no idea who the picks will be for the Spurs, because I'm not sure the Spurs FO does either. And I think that's probably the best thing, because the decision-makers for most of the other clubs have had ample time to sort out the long list of prospects, whereas the Spurs' main guys (Buford/Pop) have had hardly any time.

I hope the Spurs FO takes all of the allowable time up to draft night evaluating the talent through workouts, interviews, tape reviews, etc....


Side Note: I wonder what they thought of Almond....

[Marcus Bryant]

If Finley opts out of his contract then I definitely see this happening. Otherwise, I wouldn't discount it as an impossibility, I just have to consider the inherent nature of the Spurs and their infatuation with foreigners.

I wouldn't be so sure. They do have James White after all. That's not to say if they feel the guy is a great pick at #33 they won't do it, but this team doesn't have that many spots available for rookies, which is why I expect them to deal #28 or use it on someone who will play in Europe for the next few seasons. This is still the Spurs and they can get a similar talent at #33 that they can get at #28 without the guaranteed contract at a set salary.

[AFBlue]

I wouldn't be so sure. They do have James White after all. That's not to say if they feel the guy is a great pick at #33 they won't do it, but this team doesn't have that many spots available for rookies, which is why I expect them to deal #28 or use it on someone who will play in Europe for the next few seasons. This is still the Spurs and they can get a similar talent at #33 that they can get at #28 without the guaranteed contract at a set salary.

If the Spurs do go domestic for the #28 pick and that pick is a player like Almond/Byars/Dudley/Afflalo, then I think it would be telling of what they feel they have in White, even if Barry is traded or Fin opts out.

Having said that, I think it's a longshot that they go domestic G/F with pick #28 when, like you said, there is equitable value likely to be there at #33 (Almond, Byars, Dudley, and Afflalo are fairly close in talent, IMO).

[mardigan]

Hey Tony, have you heard anything about this kid Shabalkin? I saw that the SPurs had worked him out and was just curious if you knew anything about him

[Darkwaters]

Hey Tony, have you heard anything about this kid Shabalkin? I saw that the SPurs had worked him out and was just curious if you knew anything about him

I believe he withdrew from the draft anyways.

[Darkwaters]

If we are going to draft a foreign kid with the 28 this year then what is your order that you'd prefer we take them in?

I imagine some of the possible choices that could be there would be: Rudy Fernandez, Marco Belinelli, Petteri Koponen, Tiago Splitter, Kyrylo Fesenko, Zoran Erceg and Marc Gasol.

Fernandez, Belinelli, Koponen and Splitter would not be a reach at all in the first. The kid from Dnepropetrovsk, Fesenko, might be a bit of a reach here and Erceg and Gasol both are probably borderlined early to mid second rounders.

[Gros Membres!]

Great idea. Too bad the Lakers would have absolutely ZERO interest in trading a potential lottery pick next year for two spares.

Oh yeah. How 'bout Cleveland? They need a PG and have no draft picks this year. Ferry and Mike Brown also have some knowledge of Udrih.

[Gros Membres!]

He's talking about the Greek - Papaloukas (sp?)

Thanks! That's him. What's his contract situation? I like the way this guy attacks.

[Marcus Bryant]

Oh yeah. How 'bout Cleveland? They need a PG and have no draft picks this year. Ferry and Mike Brown also have some knowledge of Udrih.

Things that make you go...

[picnroll]

Oh yeah. How 'bout Cleveland? They need a PG and have no draft picks this year. Ferry and Mike Brown also have some knowledge of Udrih.

Clevelenad is rumored to be going after Andray Blatche which if true and succcessful would eat up their MLE.

[AFBlue]

If we are going to draft a foreign kid with the 28 this year then what is your order that you'd prefer we take them in?

I imagine some of the possible choices that could be there would be: Rudy Fernandez, Marco Belinelli, Petteri Koponen, Tiago Splitter, Kyrylo Fesenko, Zoran Erceg and Marc Gasol.

Fernandez, Belinelli, Koponen and Splitter would not be a reach at all in the first. The kid from Dnepropetrovsk, Fesenko, might be a bit of a reach here and Erceg and Gasol both are probably borderlined early to mid second rounders.

1. Rudy first and foremost. I understand he's not perfect, but in any other draft he would be a lottery pick...which is why it's not too insane for him/his agent to be saying he better get picked in the lottery or he's not coming over at all.

If he falls to the Spurs at #28, I think he's such a value pick at that point that it outweighs the risk of his situation turning into one like the current Scola ordeal. I think the Spurs in 08 would/should make something happen to bring him here.

2. Next is Belinelli. He may fall in love with his jumpshot and he might be a little y (from what I read), but he has a beautiful stroke and can be a lights-out shooter...something that the Spurs always need. Best of all, he can stay overseas for a year and then be brought in when there is a presumed mass exodus of wing players (Fin, Barry, Bowen, etc.).

3. I put Tiago Splitter here because he would also be a great value pick at #28, but he isn't going higher because the Spurs have such depth at the F/C position in their "farm system", with guys like Butler, Mahinmi, Scola, etc. He's third on my list b/c of need, but he's second based on talent.

4. Koponen would be my fourth choice, but for me it's clearly top 3....then everyone else. I do think Koponen has talent and upside, but based on the Spurs rather immediate need for a legitimate backup PG (Though I like Vaughn, he played way over his head and likely would've regressed back to the mean...plus he's a FA), I can't see how drafting a 19yr old international kid and stashing him overseas for a year or two is going to fit that need.

I would much rather the Spurs grab a guy like Pruitt or Dowdell, even if they don't have the long-term upside/talent of a guy like Koponen, because they can presumably step in right away, learn the system, and compete for minutes alongside Vaughn (or other FA PG) in yr 1.

5. Fesenko, Barac, Gasol, etc....none of them have the talent or upside of Splitter, and I will revert back to the "need" excuse, because the Spurs have a number of candidates vying for the coveted "other big" alongside Duncan in the near future and have bigger, more immediate needs elsewhere.

[timvp]

5. Fesenko, Barac, Gasol, etc....none of them have the talent or upside of Splitter, and I will revert back to the "need" excuse, because the Spurs have a number of candidates vying for the coveted "other big" alongside Duncan in the near future and have bigger, more immediate needs elsewhere.

The only way I see the Spurs drafting one of those three or Splitter is if James White is regarded as a much better prospect than we all think. Assuming the Spurs will draft a point guard (Pruitt, Dowdell, Green, Sessions, etc.) and James White is going to get the bulk of the "new" minutes due to the aging of the swingmen, the only other place to draft is power forward/center.

And while it does seem like the Spurs are pretty stacked in those position, they have a lot of aging parts. Oberto, Elson and Horry probably aren't long-term solutions given their age. Out of Mahinmi and Butler, probably only one will become a rotational NBA player for the Spurs. Bonner is in the mix, but there might still be room for one more big to draft 'n stash overseas.

I guess all we can do is trust the Spurs judgment regarding James White when they skip over Fernandez, Almond and Byars to pick Stanko