Spurs' future draft picks

[mountainballer]

Getting into the top 10 is likely impossible, which is where Brewer will be. But the Spurs' first, their Milwaukee pick, plus Scola, might be able to get them into the late teens.

some weeks ago I mentioend that I think the best chance to trade up might be a trade with the Bobcats for the Raptor's 1st rounder. (currently no.22).
they don't have a 2nd rounder, so for them the Buck's pick might be intriguing, because they might want to get a Euro and be able to decide if they bring him during the summer, when they have learned how all their other contracts have turned out.
(Wallace, Brezec have player options, 5 contracts expire and Knight has a team option the Bobcats likely won't use)
if they pick 22 or 28 in the first round doesn't make much difference for them, but adding another option with a 2nd rounder helps them regarding all the repleacements.

the other scenario is Philly and the Denver pick (currently no.18).
Philly might be quite interested in the Scola rights, since a PF is their major need. of course, at no.6 they will find still lot's of PF talent (at least one out of the group Wright, Horford, Noah and Jianlian will be there), but that doesn't say they didn't need another PF. (Smith contract expires and Randolph isn't really a great option). if they pick let's say Jianlian, a PF with a different skill set like Scola, would make sense.
this would be a scenario all should like.
Philly get's a top prospect with their own pick + Scola and still has two more picks in the 1st round to work with (back-up PG, long SF).
Spurs will find a very good player at 18 (Byars will be there, but maybe also Nick Young or Rudy Fernandez) and still keep the Buck's 2nd rounder.

[AFBlue]

^^ MB, if the Spurs manage to trade up to the late teens or early 20s and don't pick up more than a guy who could be had at 33 (Byars), I'll be disappointed. I like the other suggestions of Fernandez or Young....also throw in Belinelli, Rush, and Thaddeus Young if they declare.


On Byars, he certainly helped himself out in the draft, but according to Chad Ford, he's not the first-round pick the most in this forum think...even with the strong tourney showing. NBAdraft.net is the only mock that shows him in the lottery and I believe the only one that shows him in the first round at all. He could be had with the Milwakee pick if the Spurs really wanted to get him.

Below is the quote from Chad's latest article...

Derrick Byars, Vanderbilt
The senior swingman shot the lights out from the 3-point line in an upset against Washington State. However, he couldn't duplicate the performance against a more athletic team such as Georgetown.

Scouts like Byars' size and shooting ability, but short of a great run at the predraft camps and NBA workouts, he looks like a second-round pick on most NBA boards right now.

[mountainballer]

^^ MB, if the Spurs manage to trade up to the late teens or early 20s and don't pick up more than a guy who could be had at 33 (Byars), I'll be disappointed. I like the other suggestions of Fernandez or Young....also throw in Belinelli, Rush, and Thaddeus Young if they declare.

it's what I tried to point, few other players are ranked so different like he is. maybe the scenario to trade up to get him is a reach, maybe he would fall to our 1st rounder. I tried to point, that Spurs might like him more, than other teams, because he meets so many of the Spurs team policies.
but I really don't think that he will fall to 2nd round. IMO that's underrating him.
(agree that nbadraft.net is overrating him. I would see him around 25)

[mardigan]

it's what I tried to point, few other players are ranked so different like he is. maybe the scenario to trade up to get him is a reach, maybe he would fall to our 1st rounder. I tried to point, that Spurs might like him more, than other teams, because he meets so many of the Spurs team policies.
but I really don't think that he will fall to 2nd round. IMO that's underrating him.
(agree that nbadraft.net is overrating him. I would see him around 25)

I couldnt agree with you more, its the Josh Howard thing all over a again. A senior, that was the player of the year in his conference, and now teams wonder if he was so good why he stayed and all of that. And I really dont know where he got his un athletic rep, he is very athletic, especially on the defensive side. He has a great finisher, good shooter, he is a great defender, his teamates love him, great leader, decent ball handling skills, and wouldnt let his team lose when he had the oppurtunity. Remember, they probably should have beat the Hoyas, and a good reason why was Byars d and clutch shooting down the stretch. I wouldnt ever disagree with the all-knowing Forde, but I dont really like his scouting on this one. If he is there, we will take him and he will be able to contribute next year. He is very smart and comes from a smart system, he would be able to pick up Pops system quicker than most rooks I think

[AFBlue]

it's what I tried to point, few other players are ranked so different like he is. maybe the scenario to trade up to get him is a reach, maybe he would fall to our 1st rounder. I tried to point, that Spurs might like him more, than other teams, because he meets so many of the Spurs team policies.
but I really don't think that he will fall to 2nd round. IMO that's underrating him.
(agree that nbadraft.net is overrating him. I would see him around 25)

On Byars, both DX and ESPN say it will take some good performances at pre-draft camps/workouts to solidify him in the first round....so it doesn't sound to me like 2nd round is underrating him.

I see your point, though, that he's got the intangibles and the all-around game to be a "glue guy" on a championship calibur team picking in the late first round. Alando Tucker is in that same "glue guy" mold. Either would be nice, but both should be available in the late first, early second.

[mardigan]

I like Byars more than Tucker a lot, he is 2 or 3 inches taller than Tucker, and can shoot outside and hit his free throws

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...cks/index.html
Article of players who most improved and hurt their stock from SI.com, Byars is like the 10th guy mentioned

[AFBlue]

Rodney Stuckey and Gabe Pruitt as combo guards are intriguing, would fit in immediately as backups to both positions and hedge any possible trades of Udrih or Barry....

[AFBlue]

Looks like Jason Smith, the F/C largely compared to Troy Murphy will evaluate his draft stock. Another prospect to make the draft deeper...nice!

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2...ory?id=2824121

Updated: April 3, 2007, 1:56 PM ET
Smith, 7-foot junior, declares for NBA draftAssociated Press

FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- Colorado State junior Jason Smith is going to test the NBA waters.


The 7-foot forward from Kersey, Colo., who averaged 16.8 points and 10.1 rebounds as a junior last season, will declare himself eligible for the NBA draft. Smith, however, won't sign with an agent, allowing him to return to school if he determines he won't go high enough in the June 28 draft.

He would have until June 18 to withdraw his name from consideration and retain his senior year of eligibility for the Rams, whom he's led in scoring and rebounding the last two seasons.

"I owe it to myself and my family to assess what my possibilities are related to the draft," Smith said. "I want to collect all of the information that I can and be able to make a good decision. I have had a great time at Colorado State, but I'm looking forward to this process. I feel I am prepared, and I am excited to go as hard as I can to pursue this opportunity."

Smith, a first-team All-Mountain West Conference selection the last two seasons, has the blessing of new Rams coach Tim Miles.

"We want to help Jason and his family explore all possible opportunities so that they can make the best decision for him," Miles said. "I support Jason and his family, and will do so in every way that I can."

I assume he's going to commit if he gets indications that he'd be a first round pick, because he doesn't have anything to prove by going back to Colorado State for one more year. He's an intriguing prospect because he has the range of guys like Nick Fazekas/Ryan Anderson, but is more athletic, taller, and has the ability to add more weight.

[wildbill2u]

I really was surprised by the play of Chris Richards from Florida. He's way down the DX draft list. He's only 6'8" and 255 PF but looks like he plays bigger. His shooting was great for a big man although a lot came from offensive rebounds (me likee offensive rebounder with good hands)

For some reason he reminded me of a shorter Moses Malone. The same relentless drive to rebound maybe. And I guess he sorta looks like him. I know this isn't a priority but somebody gonna get a good sleeper in Richards.

[AFBlue]

Update on Scola...8pts 9rebs in 20 minutes. Tau beat Olympiakos 84-59.

[Mr. Body]

Richards is a guy I also noticed. Udonis Haslem was a beefy Florida guy, too.

[wildbill2u]

After all the shuffling around and underclassmen entries, I notice that DX now has us passing on Fazekas, the 7' center from Nevada and going for Almond, the SG from Rice in the first round.

And they also have McGuire in the second round. Man if we went for a SG instead of McGuire, I think that would be a mistake.

[AFBlue]

Someone on this forum told me the projections were based on talent, not need.

[Mr. Body]

The other winner last night: Corey Brewer, who emerged this month as the most intriguing draft prospect other than Kevin Durant. My buddy House and I spent a few minutes on the phone last night trying to find the right comparison for a 6-foot-8, 190-pound guard who's unlike anyone in the NBA right now -- ultimately, we settled on a 6-foot-8 Ricky Davis, only if you surgically implanted Manu Ginobili's brain in Ricky's head. Why Manu? Because of his open-court play and penchant for sneaking away from his man to cause turnovers. Because of the way he rises to the occasion in bigger games. Because of the deadly three-point shooting. And especially, because of the unconventional angles that Brewer takes when he's driving to the basket.

If you want to get technical about it, he's the player we always wanted Todd Day to be. And since he's a better athlete and defender than Manu, and since he's a winner and all, the question remains ... why isn't Corey Brewer being considered for a top-five spot in this draft? Is there a chance he could make a Ben Gordon-type leap as we get closer and closer to end of June, and the lottery teams realize, "Wait, why are we killing ourselves trying to figure out who's better between Noah, Horford and Hibbert ... why don't we just take Corey Brewer?"

This was from Bill Simmons, who is giddy the Celtics have sucked long enough they might actually get Durant or Oden (I hope not, for those players' sakes). Some nice thoughts on Manu, whom the Sports Guy usually hates, although he has the strange idea Brewer will be a SG.

Meanwhile, I'll be eating my heart out knowing Brewer will never be a Spur. Not even our first round, the Milwaukee pick, Scola, the rest of the roster, and several future first round picks will get him.

[pad300]

Anybody think it might be worthwhile to try trade up to get McRoberts? (especially if we traded Scola to do it). He's a skilled face-up PF, who's been decent defensively for Duke. Big time athlete. He's taken a stock hit, because he wasn't able to be the "MAN" for Duke this season & some mock drafts have him going late teens to early 20's. He looks like he might fit real well next to Duncan (good passer, decent Jumpshot, mobile, solid defender). While he might never be an all-star, we are really looking for a complementary guy/ some one who doesn't want to be the "MAN" anyway.

[mardigan]

Anybody think it might be worthwhile to try trade up to get McRoberts? (especially if we traded Scola to do it). He's a skilled face-up PF, who's been decent defensively for Duke. Big time athlete. He's taken a stock hit, because he wasn't able to be the "MAN" for Duke this season & some mock drafts have him going late teens to early 20's. He looks like he might fit real well next to Duncan (good passer, decent Jumpshot, mobile, solid defender). While he might never be an all-star, we are really looking for a complementary guy/ some one who doesn't want to be the "MAN" anyway.

The recent mocks I have seen have shown Josh slipping to anywhere from the 12th pick to the later teens. I think it would take to much to move up to take a guy that no one really seems high on. Maybe in a running teams offense, like the Suns or Warriors he would be the , but the Spurs bigs have to play d, rebound and block shots, 3 things I think he will have trouble with at the next level. Then again, if he really slipped, then, maybe

[AFBlue]

This was from Bill Simmons, who is giddy the Celtics have sucked long enough they might actually get Durant or Oden (I hope not, for those players' sakes). Some nice thoughts on Manu, whom the Sports Guy usually hates, although he has the strange idea Brewer will be a SG.

Meanwhile, I'll be eating my heart out knowing Brewer will never be a Spur. Not even our first round, the Milwaukee pick, Scola, the rest of the roster, and several future first round picks will get him.

Brewer will be a SG....AND a SF. He is versatile enough to play/guard both positions.

[AFBlue]

The recent mocks I have seen have shown Josh slipping to anywhere from the 12th pick to the later teens. I think it would take to much to move up to take a guy that no one really seems high on. Maybe in a running teams offense, like the Suns or Warriors he would be the , but the Spurs bigs have to play d, rebound and block shots, 3 things I think he will have trouble with at the next level. Then again, if he really slipped, then, maybe

Actually he plays pretty good d, rebounds fairly well (8rpg), and has the athleticism/timing to block shots (2.5bpg). Scouts are down on him because he hasn't shown the shooting ability that he posessed in HS, he lacks a decent offensive post game, and though he's big enough (240+) he often gets pushed around in the defensive post because he lacks strength (mostly lower body).

With his passing ability (3.5apg), he could be an asset, but I agree that trading up for him might not be the right move.

In fact, with so many PF prospects in this draft, I'm not sure the Spurs would have to trade up if they wanted to snag a good one....there should be enough to go around on draft day.

[wildbill2u]

The problem always seems to be that there aren't enough SFs with the qualifications and talents (length, rebounding, shooting) we need. Lots of PFs and Cs early in this draft.

[mardigan]

Actually he plays pretty good d, rebounds fairly well (8rpg), and has the athleticism/timing to block shots (2.5bpg). Scouts are down on him because he hasn't shown the shooting ability that he posessed in HS, he lacks a decent offensive post game, and though he's big enough (240+) he often gets pushed around in the defensive post because he lacks strength (mostly lower body).

With his passing ability (3.5apg), he could be an asset, but I agree that trading up for him might not be the right move.

In fact, with so many PF prospects in this draft, I'm not sure the Spurs would have to trade up if they wanted to snag a good one....there should be enough to go around on draft day.

Thats why I said at the next level

[AFBlue]

The problem always seems to be that there aren't enough SFs with the qualifications and talents (length, rebounding, shooting) we need. Lots of PFs and Cs early in this draft.

SF with all three of those characteristics go in the top 5. In order to get one of those types, the Spurs would have to trade WAY up or settle for a SF prospect with a game lacking in one of those areas.

My personal favorite is Dominic McGuire. He's a super athlete with great length, a great rebounder and shotblocker, and has the floor vision to be a good assist guy. BUT, he doesn't have the "shooting" your model requires (though mechanics are supposedly okay). IMO, he's the guy to get....

Also, I don't know if it happens like this every year, but the 2007 draft is just stocked with PF/C of every shape, size, and skill set.

Possible First Round PF/C include:

Greg Oden
Brendan Wright
Al Horford
Joakim Noah
Yi Jianlin'
Spencer Hawes
Roy Hibbert
Tiago Splitter
Josh McRoberts
Tyler Hansbrough
Herbert Hill
Jason Smith
"Big Baby" Davis
Nick Fazekas

DAMN!

[mardigan]

And you didnt even include Aaron Gray or Gasols brother

[ducks]

you forgot brewer

he is the one that the spurs need!

[AFBlue]

you forgot brewer

he is the one that the spurs need!

I listed F/C....not G/Fs

[AFBlue]

And you didnt even include Aaron Gray or Gasols brother

Whoops...damn, 16 prospective bigs in the first round.