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Good article. I agree about Austin providing another option for developing players, but I don't think they represent a significant change in the draft and stash mindset. There is a huge difference in the situations the mentioned players were drafted in and some of them don't even qualify for the draft and stash idea at all - Manu, Scola, Javtokas ( remember him? ) were just wild end of the 2nd round reaches at a time when 2nd round picks who wouldn't make the roster were just waived regularly. Also, there was a time when the Spurs scouting was way ahead of the league when it comes to european and south american players. Not anymore.
Some of the other stashed players were during a time the Spurs needed, or thought they'd need, to save money for other contracts or free agents at a time when they were perennial contenders and obviously late 1st round picks were rarely that important or impactful. Another difference nowadays is that more european players are eager to sign with NBA teams right away, and more importantly they care to negotiate contracts that would allow that, which wasn't nearly as easy in the past - see Tiago. He's also not exactly a draft and stash player - he wanted to come, the Spurs wanted him immediately, but he had issues with his sister's health on top of the contractual situation that prevented him to join immediately.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that I don't think they've stopped using the draft and stash idea, they'd choose whoever they think would be the best pick regardless and still would in this upcoming draft.
