Spurs Draft Discussion: 2019 NBA Draft

[Drom John]

Spurs vs. Kevin Pelton
I'm a Pelton fan. Generally I believe Pelton has done better than the NBA at slotting draft players. Pelton has a better record for predicting busts (Austin Rivers, Andrew Wiggins). Not who is not listed below: Rui Hachimura. One of the keys to Pelton is that he only projects to the end of first round contract (5 years) which values immediate contribution and devalues career with team.
So, year after year, I keep wanting players on the Pelton list.
The Spurs have done better versus Pelton than the league, with a few direct hits, Blair, Leonard and Denmon, which influenced my pro-Pelton stance.

Year Spurs pick | Pelton highest rated at time of pick
2006 Damir Markota | all 30 Pelton picks gone by 59
2007 Tiago Splitter | Nick Fazekas
2008 George Hill | Mario Chalmers
2009 DeJuan Blair | DeJuan Blair (overall Pelton #1)
2010 James Anderson | Hassan Whiteside
2011 Kawhi Leonard | Kawhi Leonard; Cory Joseph | Shelvin Mack
2012 Marcus Denmon | Marcus Denmon
2013 Livio Jean-Charles | Jeff Withey
2014 Kyle Anderson | Nikola Jokic (Pelton #4)
2015 Nikola Milutinov | R.J. Hunter
2016 Dejounte Murray | Zhou Qi (or Fred Van Vleet if you doubted Zhou's age)
2017 Derrick White | Monte Morris
2018 Lonnie Walker IV | Dzana Musa

So this year, these are the Pelton picks for those in Ford's top 60.

1) Zion Williamson
2) Tyrese Haliburton [did not declare]
3) Dedric Lawson
4) Bol Bol
5) Shamorie Ponds
6) Ja Morant
7) John Konchar
8) Markus Howard [did not declare]
9) Sam Hauser [did not declare]
10) Chuma Okeke
11) Matisse Thybulle
12) Talen Horton-Tucker
13) Cassius Wilson [did not declare]
14) Cam Reddish
15) Dyland Windler

17) Brandon Clarke
18) Nickell Alexander-Walker

21) Ty Jerome

23) Jontay Porter
24) Coby White
25) Darius Garland
26) Kevin Porter, Jr.

33) R.J. Barrett
34) Jaxson Hayes

37) Jarrett Culver

39) Tre Jones [did not declare]

42) Grant Williams

47) Nassir Little

59) Romeo Langford
60) De'Andre Hunter

[ZeusWillJudge]

Drew Maresca
19. Talen Horton-Tucker SF|Iowa State
29. Keldon Johnson SG/SF|Kentucky

I actually like Talen Horton-Tucker a LOT for the NBA. But I don't understand listing him as a SF. He's 6'4". But he's a strong, explosive sonofa . I look at him and see a Baron Davis kind of player. You never know how a player is going to adapt to the NBA, but he's built for contact - , he encourages it. I think he's going to be able to post up players up to SF size, and get around bigs.

His freshman numbers weren't overwhelming, but I compared them to Baron Davis a while back and they were pretty comparable. Davis was probably a better passer. Like so many college players, if he can improve from 3P it would make him a lot better. If he can freeze defenders out at the arc, he'll be getting to the rim a lot.

I don't know if he's a fit for Pop and "The System", but he's one guy who could be a real home run in the draft. If the Spurs were to draft him, they really have a logjam in that end of the roster. But I honestly think he could be better than Murray and LWIV, if he takes to the NBA the way I think he will. I haven't talked about him much because I keep looking for SF's. If the Spurs were to draft him, I think one of the young guys has to get traded - if not this offseason, then the next.

[ZeusWillJudge]

I hate highlight videos, because they're... you know... highlight videos. But here's one of Horton-Tucker. I think he has to be in the running as a BPA player, if he's still ont he board.

[Strategic]

I hate highlight videos, because they're... you know... highlight videos. But here's one of Horton-Tucker. I think he has to be in the running as a BPA player, if he's still ont he board.

What, no vids of him tripping and kicking the ball out of bounds?

[palangi]

Didn't McDaniels withdraw his name from this year draft?

Nope he is still in it

[palangi]

Haven't looked at McDaniels yet, but it probably doesn't make sense to take 2 SFs unless one is a 3/4. DeRozan is the starting 3 for the duration his time here.

https://youtu.be/7Yi80cDr6m4

[bluebellmaniac]

Spurs vs. Kevin Pelton
I'm a Pelton fan. Generally I believe Pelton has done better than the NBA at slotting draft players. Pelton has a better record for predicting busts (Austin Rivers, Andrew Wiggins). Not who is not listed below: Rui Hachimura. One of the keys to Pelton is that he only projects to the end of first round contract (5 years) which values immediate contribution and devalues career with team.
So, year after year, I keep wanting players on the Pelton list.
The Spurs have done better versus Pelton than the league, with a few direct hits, Blair, Leonard and Denmon, which influenced my pro-Pelton stance.

Year Spurs pick | Pelton highest rated at time of pick
2006 Damir Markota | all 30 Pelton picks gone by 59
2007 Tiago Splitter | Nick Fazekas
2008 George Hill | Mario Chalmers
2009 DeJuan Blair | DeJuan Blair (overall Pelton #1)
2010 James Anderson | Hassan Whiteside
2011 Kawhi Leonard | Kawhi Leonard; Cory Joseph | Shelvin Mack
2012 Marcus Denmon | Marcus Denmon
2013 Livio Jean-Charles | Jeff Withey
2014 Kyle Anderson | Nikola Jokic (Pelton #4)
2015 Nikola Milutinov | R.J. Hunter
2016 Dejounte Murray | Zhou Qi (or Fred Van Vleet if you doubted Zhou's age)
2017 Derrick White | Monte Morris
2018 Lonnie Walker IV | Dzana Musa

So this year, these are the Pelton picks for those in Ford's top 60.

1) Zion Williamson
2) Tyrese Haliburton [did not declare]
3) Dedric Lawson
4) Bol Bol
5) Shamorie Ponds
6) Ja Morant
7) John Konchar
8) Markus Howard [did not declare]
9) Sam Hauser [did not declare]
10) Chuma Okeke
11) Matisse Thybulle
12) Talen Horton-Tucker
13) Cassius Wilson [did not declare]
14) Cam Reddish
15) Dyland Windler

17) Brandon Clarke
18) Nickell Alexander-Walker

21) Ty Jerome

23) Jontay Porter
24) Coby White
25) Darius Garland
26) Kevin Porter, Jr.

33) R.J. Barrett
34) Jaxson Hayes

37) Jarrett Culver

39) Tre Jones [did not declare]

42) Grant Williams

47) Nassir Little

59) Romeo Langford
60) De'Andre Hunter

Things like this that make this such a great forum.

[duncan2150]

I actually like Talen Horton-Tucker a LOT for the NBA. But I don't understand listing him as a SF. He's 6'4". But he's a strong, explosive sonofa . I look at him and see a Baron Davis kind of player. You never know how a player is going to adapt to the NBA, but he's built for contact - , he encourages it. I think he's going to be able to post up players up to SF size, and get around bigs.

His freshman numbers weren't overwhelming, but I compared them to Baron Davis a while back and they were pretty comparable. Davis was probably a better passer. Like so many college players, if he can improve from 3P it would make him a lot better. If he can freeze defenders out at the arc, he'll be getting to the rim a lot.

I don't know if he's a fit for Pop and "The System", but he's one guy who could be a real home run in the draft. If the Spurs were to draft him, they really have a logjam in that end of the roster. But I honestly think he could be better than Murray and LWIV, if he takes to the NBA the way I think he will. I haven't talked about him much because I keep looking for SF's. If the Spurs were to draft him, I think one of the young guys has to get traded - if not this offseason, then the next.

he is intriguing for sure, not an ideal size but a huge wingspan. Looks strong and can ball but he also looks a little bit chubby and not that speed ( tough the scouting report says he is athletic) so i don't know. He is more of a project with the 29 th pick imo.

[NickiRasgo]

This draft supposed to be looking for additional support for Kawhi but here we are, hoping to find another gem or not wasting that 19th and 29th pick.
Wished the Kings traded that 2nd pick for Kawhi then drafting Doncic.

[Dejounte]

Spurs vs. Kevin Pelton
I'm a Pelton fan. Generally I believe Pelton has done better than the NBA at slotting draft players. Pelton has a better record for predicting busts (Austin Rivers, Andrew Wiggins). Not who is not listed below: Rui Hachimura. One of the keys to Pelton is that he only projects to the end of first round contract (5 years) which values immediate contribution and devalues career with team.
So, year after year, I keep wanting players on the Pelton list.
The Spurs have done better versus Pelton than the league, with a few direct hits, Blair, Leonard and Denmon, which influenced my pro-Pelton stance.

Year Spurs pick | Pelton highest rated at time of pick
2006 Damir Markota | all 30 Pelton picks gone by 59
2007 Tiago Splitter | Nick Fazekas
2008 George Hill | Mario Chalmers
2009 DeJuan Blair | DeJuan Blair (overall Pelton #1)
2010 James Anderson | Hassan Whiteside
2011 Kawhi Leonard | Kawhi Leonard; Cory Joseph | Shelvin Mack
2012 Marcus Denmon | Marcus Denmon
2013 Livio Jean-Charles | Jeff Withey
2014 Kyle Anderson | Nikola Jokic (Pelton #4)
2015 Nikola Milutinov | R.J. Hunter
2016 Dejounte Murray | Zhou Qi (or Fred Van Vleet if you doubted Zhou's age)
2017 Derrick White | Monte Morris
2018 Lonnie Walker IV | Dzana Musa

So this year, these are the Pelton picks for those in Ford's top 60.

1) Zion Williamson
2) Tyrese Haliburton [did not declare]
3) Dedric Lawson
4) Bol Bol
5) Shamorie Ponds
6) Ja Morant
7) John Konchar
8) Markus Howard [did not declare]
9) Sam Hauser [did not declare]
10) Chuma Okeke
11) Matisse Thybulle
12) Talen Horton-Tucker
13) Cassius Wilson [did not declare]
14) Cam Reddish
15) Dyland Windler

17) Brandon Clarke
18) Nickell Alexander-Walker

21) Ty Jerome

23) Jontay Porter
24) Coby White
25) Darius Garland
26) Kevin Porter, Jr.

33) R.J. Barrett
34) Jaxson Hayes

37) Jarrett Culver

39) Tre Jones [did not declare]

42) Grant Williams

47) Nassir Little

59) Romeo Langford
60) De'Andre Hunter

Why are there missing numbers on your list? So if theyre not on this list, Pelton thinks they will bust? Im confused

[cutewizard]

Arya rules boys

[exstatic]

Spurs vs. Kevin Pelton
I'm a Pelton fan. Generally I believe Pelton has done better than the NBA at slotting draft players. Pelton has a better record for predicting busts (Austin Rivers, Andrew Wiggins). Not who is not listed below: Rui Hachimura. One of the keys to Pelton is that he only projects to the end of first round contract (5 years) which values immediate contribution and devalues career with team.
So, year after year, I keep wanting players on the Pelton list.
The Spurs have done better versus Pelton than the league, with a few direct hits, Blair, Leonard and Denmon, which influenced my pro-Pelton stance.

Year Spurs pick | Pelton highest rated at time of pick
2006 Damir Markota | all 30 Pelton picks gone by 59
2007 Tiago Splitter | Nick Fazekas
2008 George Hill | Mario Chalmers
2009 DeJuan Blair | DeJuan Blair (overall Pelton #1)
2010 James Anderson | Hassan Whiteside
2011 Kawhi Leonard | Kawhi Leonard; Cory Joseph | Shelvin Mack
2012 Marcus Denmon | Marcus Denmon
2013 Livio Jean-Charles | Jeff Withey
2014 Kyle Anderson | Nikola Jokic (Pelton #4)
2015 Nikola Milutinov | R.J. Hunter
2016 Dejounte Murray | Zhou Qi (or Fred Van Vleet if you doubted Zhou's age)
2017 Derrick White | Monte Morris
2018 Lonnie Walker IV | Dzana Musa

So this year, these are the Pelton picks for those in Ford's top 60.

1) Zion Williamson
2) Tyrese Haliburton [did not declare]
3) Dedric Lawson
4) Bol Bol
5) Shamorie Ponds
6) Ja Morant
7) John Konchar
8) Markus Howard [did not declare]
9) Sam Hauser [did not declare]
10) Chuma Okeke
11) Matisse Thybulle
12) Talen Horton-Tucker
13) Cassius Wilson [did not declare]
14) Cam Reddish
15) Dyland Windler

17) Brandon Clarke
18) Nickell Alexander-Walker

21) Ty Jerome

23) Jontay Porter
24) Coby White
25) Darius Garland
26) Kevin Porter, Jr.

33) R.J. Barrett
34) Jaxson Hayes

37) Jarrett Culver

39) Tre Jones [did not declare]

42) Grant Williams

47) Nassir Little

59) Romeo Langford
60) De'Andre Hunter

My question for Mr. Pelton would be to ask why he compiles his list before early entry declarations. It seems a waste to have a big clump of players near the top that CAN’T be drafted. Or, alternatively, update the list to reflect declarations.

[Drom John]

Why are there missing numbers on your list? So if theyre not on this list, Pelton thinks they will bust? Im confused

The missing numbers are for players Pelton likes but Ford does not rate as a top 60. As a non-Insider, I haven't seen those names. I imagine them to be of the ilk of Forbes, Arcidiacono and Garino.

And yes, each blank spot has as corresponding Ford top 60 that Pelton might consider to be not worthy a draft pick. I don't see Hachimura, Bidatzke and others. As to Bidatzke, Semanic not on the list, note that Pelton has been a leading advocate for foreigners, Doncic #1, Capela #2, Jokic #4, Porzingas, Mirotic and others very high.

[Drom John]

Fansided: Sir Charles in Charge: NBA Mock Draft 4.0: Knicks fall out of top 3; Bol jumps into top 10
by Michael Saenz 6 hours ago [AKA 10 May 2019]

19
Cameron Johnson
F North Carolina
San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs are another team that is heading into somewhat of an unknown this summer. They impressed in the playoffs and nearly knocked off the second-seeded Nuggets, but still, have not proved that they have a core that should be built around.

Perhaps the best news that they learned this season is that Gregg Popovich is working on an extension with the team. Which means that they should be in good hands for the foreseeable future. With that said, at 19, taking a player like Cameron Johnson could be an interesting move for a team that needs contributors.

Johnson’s statistics this past season were absolutely absurd. During his senior season at North Carolina, he averaged 17 points and six rebounds on 51 percent shooting from the field and 46 percent from 3-point range (on six attempts per contest).

29
Ty Jerome
G Virginia
San Antonio Spurs

At this point in the draft, the Spurs will be drafting for depth and potential. There’s no looking for franchise players or real rotation players. It’s not fair to have those types of expectations on any prospect being taken at 29.

Nevertheless, the Spurs could find real value by taking Ty Jerome, who more than impressed during his time at Virginia. Jerome improved in each of his three seasons with the Cavaliers and averaged 14 points, six assists and four rebounds on 40 percent from 3-point range during his junior season.

Jerome has good size (6-foot-5) for his position and while he might not be a starting-caliber point guard right now, there’s no question that he’ll be able to find a role in the league one day.

[Drom John]

Yahoo Sports!: 2019 NBA mock draft 2.0: How much did national le game help De'Andre Hunter?
[Yahoo Sports]
Krysten Peek
Yahoo Sports May 10, 2019, 11:12 AM

19. San Antonio Spurs

PF Grant Williams, Tennessee, 6-7, 220

29. San Antonio Spurs

G Ty Jerome, Virginia, 6-5, 200

[Drom John]

66 NBA Prospects Accept Invite To The 2019 NBA Draft Combine

Player Name (College/Club)
Alexander-Walker, Nickeil (Virginia Tech)
Barrett, RJ (Duke)
Bassey, Charles (Western Kentucky)
Bazley, Darius (Princeton HS (OH))
Bol, Bol (Oregon)
Bone, Jordan (Tennessee)
Bowen, Brian (Sydney Kings (Australia))
Bowman, Ky (Boston College)
Brazdeikis, Ignas (Michigan)
Brown, Moses (UCLA)
Clarke, Brandon (Gonzaga)
Claxton, Nicolas (Georgia)
Culver, Jarrett (Texas Tech)
Dort, Luguentz (Arizona State)
Dotson, Devon (Kansas)
Edwards, Carsen (Purdue)
Fernando, Bruno (Maryland)
Gafford, Daniel (Arkansas)
Garland, Darius (Vanderbilt)
Grimes, Quentin (Kansas)
Guy, Kyle (Virginia)
Hands, Jaylen (UCLA)
Hayes, Jaxson (Texas)
Herro, Tyler (Kentucky)
Hoard, Jaylen (Wake Forest)
Horton-Tucker, Talen (Iowa State)
Hunter, De’Andre (Virginia)
Jerome, Ty (Virginia)
Johnson, Cameron (North Carolina)
Johnson, Keldon (Kentucky)
Kabengele, Mfiondu (Florida State)
King, Louis (Oregon)
Langford, Romeo (Indiana)
Lawson, Dedric (Kansas)
Lecque, Jalen (Brewster Academy (NH))
Little, Nassir (North Carolina)
Matthews, Charles (Michigan)
McDaniels, Jalen (San Diego State)
Morant, Ja (Murray State)
Norvell Jr., Zach (Gonzaga)
Nowell, Jaylen (Washington)
Nwora, Jordan (Louisville)
Okeke, Chuma (Auburn)
Okpala, KZ (Stanford)
Oni, Miye (Yale)
Paschall, Eric (Villanova)
Ponds, Shamorie (St. John’s)
Poole, Jordan (Michigan)
Porter Jr., Kevin (USC)
Porter, Jontay (Missouri)
Queta, Neemias (Utah State)
Reddish, Cam(Duke)
Reid, Naz (LSU)
Roby, Isaiah (Nebraska)
Samanic, Luka (Olimpija (Slovenia))
Schofield, Admiral (Tennessee)
tu, Simisola (Vanderbilt)
Tillie, Killian (Gonzaga)
Washington Jr., PJ (Kentucky)
Waters, Tremont (LSU)
Weatherspoon, Quinndary (Mississippi State)
White, Coby (North Carolina)
Wilkes, Kris (UCLA)
Williams, Grant (Tennessee)
Williamson, Zion (Duke)
Windler, Dylan (Belmont)

[BWS-1994]

Looking forward to Okeke’s result, especially coming from an injury.

[SpurPadre]

Yahoo Sports!: 2019 NBA mock draft 2.0: How much did national le game help De'Andre Hunter?
[Yahoo Sports]
Krysten Peek
Yahoo Sports May 10, 2019, 11:12 AM

Ugh...no thanks. Williams rates as 6 in athleticism in NBA Draft Net and is undersized at his position. We need athletes. I know we can't simply get athletes for the sake of athletes but we do need athletes to keep up with the rest of the league.

[SpurPadre]

Ugh...no thanks. Williams rates as 6 in athleticism in NBA Draft Net and is undersized at his position. We need athletes. I know we can't simply get athletes for the sake of athletes but we do need athletes to keep up with the rest of the league. Jerome is also athletically deficient.

[pad300]

Looking forward to Okeke’s result, especially coming from an injury.

He's just doing interviews, not testing & playing...

[Marco]

Disappointed Tyler Cook is not in that list

[K...]

Samanic, Luka (Olimpija (Slovenia))..... Long trip there buddy, did you get a promise?

[exstatic]

Looking forward to Okeke’s result, especially coming from an injury.

Yeah, he tore his ACL during the Sweet sixteen game in March. Not only will he not work out, he'll likely miss most or even all of next season.

[duncan2150]

Having announced last month his plans to test the NBA Draft waters, Isaiah Roby has been on the move ever since. He’s already worked out for three teams — the San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves and Milwaukee Bucks — and has a fourth workout this weekend with the Chicago Bulls.

roby could be a nice target with late pick or secound round one.

[R. DeMurre]

Spurs vs. Kevin Pelton
I'm a Pelton fan. Generally I believe Pelton has done better than the NBA at slotting draft players. Pelton has a better record for predicting busts (Austin Rivers, Andrew Wiggins). Not who is not listed below: Rui Hachimura. One of the keys to Pelton is that he only projects to the end of first round contract (5 years) which values immediate contribution and devalues career with team.
So, year after year, I keep wanting players on the Pelton list.
The Spurs have done better versus Pelton than the league, with a few direct hits, Blair, Leonard and Denmon, which influenced my pro-Pelton stance.

Year Spurs pick | Pelton highest rated at time of pick
2006 Damir Markota | all 30 Pelton picks gone by 59
2007 Tiago Splitter | Nick Fazekas
2008 George Hill | Mario Chalmers
2009 DeJuan Blair | DeJuan Blair (overall Pelton #1)
2010 James Anderson | Hassan Whiteside
2011 Kawhi Leonard | Kawhi Leonard; Cory Joseph | Shelvin Mack
2012 Marcus Denmon | Marcus Denmon
2013 Livio Jean-Charles | Jeff Withey
2014 Kyle Anderson | Nikola Jokic (Pelton #4)
2015 Nikola Milutinov | R.J. Hunter
2016 Dejounte Murray | Zhou Qi (or Fred Van Vleet if you doubted Zhou's age)
2017 Derrick White | Monte Morris
2018 Lonnie Walker IV | Dzana Musa

So this year, these are the Pelton picks for those in Ford's top 60.

1) Zion Williamson
2) Tyrese Haliburton [did not declare]
3) Dedric Lawson
4) Bol Bol
5) Shamorie Ponds
6) Ja Morant
7) John Konchar
8) Markus Howard [did not declare]
9) Sam Hauser [did not declare]
10) Chuma Okeke
11) Matisse Thybulle
12) Talen Horton-Tucker
13) Cassius Wilson [did not declare]
14) Cam Reddish
15) Dyland Windler

17) Brandon Clarke
18) Nickell Alexander-Walker

21) Ty Jerome

23) Jontay Porter
24) Coby White
25) Darius Garland
26) Kevin Porter, Jr.

33) R.J. Barrett
34) Jaxson Hayes

37) Jarrett Culver

39) Tre Jones [did not declare]

42) Grant Williams

47) Nassir Little

59) Romeo Langford
60) De'Andre Hunter

He sure called it in 2014 with Jokic. Interesting that he has Thybulle ranked ahead of Brandon Clarke. I wonder what his reasoning is there...