Mock Draft 1.0 – What Will the Spurs Do in the 2024 NBA Draft?
Could Stephon Castle be bound for San Antonio? (Photo via Twitter)
The San Antonio Spurs have the fourth and eighth overall selections in the 2024 NBA Draft. In this mock draft, we’ll take a look at what the Spurs may do with their two picks in the lottery.
1. Atlanta Hawks – Alex Sarr
Sarr is the early favorite to be the No. 1 pick in this draft. The Frenchman played this season in Australia and the seven-footer looks like an outstanding defensive prospect. Sarr will likely begin his career as a center but should eventually be able to transition to a forward spot as his offensive game evolves. There isn’t a sure thing in this draft but Sarr’s combination of size, athleticism, motor and defensive instincts helps him stand out.
2. Washington Wizards – Donovan Clingan
The perpetually rebuilding Wizards basically need everything. My early guess is that Washington goes with Clingan. The Wizards want to win and Clingan captured back-to-back championships in his two seasons at UConn. A giant center who should be a stout defender on Day 1, he’ll provide a foundation for his new team to build upon. Not only can Clingan block shots, he can move his feet, pass the ball and consistently make the smart plays.
3. Houston Rockets – Zaccharie Risacher
Ime Udoka and the Rockets are looking to build a defensive identity. Risacher will help with that. He’s a tall, long wing who can defend out on the perimeter. Offensively, Risacher exhibited signs as a three-point shooter at various points in the last year. Another native of France, he should be able to play a role for Houston early in his career.
4. San Antonio Spurs – Stephon Castle
If Sarr, Clingan and Risacher are the top three picks, the drafting strategy would become interesting for the Spurs. The following three teams don’t really need point guards and the top three point guards are still on the board in Robert Dillingham, Reed Sheppard and Nikola Topic. While San Antonio could go with a point guard here, it probably makes more sense to draft a swingman and bank on a point guard dropping to No. 8.
With that strategy in mind, my guess is that the Spurs pick Castle at No. 4. At 19 years old, the 6-foot-6 freshman out of UConn has a very diverse skill set. Offensively, he drives to the hoop with power, he passes the ball really well, and plays an unselfish, winning brand of basketball. Defensively, Castle is really good at the point of attack and remains attentive away from the ball.
The worry with Castle is that he has never been much of a three-point shooter at any level. Picking an iffy shooter is a risky move for San Antonio but my guess is that he’d be the pick here due to his array of abilities and his high basketball IQ at a young age.
5. Detroit Pistons – Matas Buzelis
Buzelis appears to be a clean fit for what the Pistons are trying to build. Detroit could really use a tall wing who can shoot and finish plays with athleticism. Buzelis fits the bill. It’s unlikely that he’ll ever become a go-to offensive weapon — but the Pistons don’t need him to be that in order for him to be a successful draft pick.
6. Charlotte Hornets – Reed Sheppard
The Hornets need a complementary player to fit between LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. If the draft breaks like this, Sheppard will likely be too tempting to pass up. He gives Charlotte another shooter and could serve as injury insurance for Ball if he continues to struggle to recover from his ankle issues.
7. Portland Trail Blazers – Dalton Knecht
A mature, scoring option out on the wing sounds just like what the doctor ordered for the Trail Blazers. Knecht is 23 but he’s a fierce competitor who shoots with confidence and has more than enough athletic pop to get to the rim.
8. San Antonio Spurs – Robert Dillingham
The aforementioned strategy pays off for the Spurs in this simulation. With Castle already in hand, the Spurs go with a point guard and can pick between Dillingham and Topic. Considering that Dillingham was atop the first Spurs Big Board, this is a no-brainer of a selection. Although he’s small, the point guard out of Kentucky is extremely talented on offense. He can score using elite quickness, his three-point shooting projects to be very good and he’s a better playmaker than advertised.
Dillingham is unlikely to be a starter to begin his rookie campaign but his scoring acumen should mesh really well with Victor Wembanyama. The Spurs need perimeter threats and Dillingham’s dynamic ways should instantly make San Antonio more difficult to guard.
9. Memphis Grizzlies – Nikola Topic
The Grizzlies go with the best player available and draft Topic. After injuring his knee recently, the Serbian point guard could slide a little bit. However, he’s too talented with the ball in his hands to slip too far.
10. Utah Jazz – Ron Holland
The Jazz take an upside swing and go with Holland. He struggled with efficiency and basic basketball knowledge while playing with the G League Ignite but Holland is clearly an NBA level athlete who has a high ceiling on both ends of the court.
11. Chicago Bulls – Tidjane Salaun
Salaun is starting to rise on draft boards. The Frenchman has a big body and he’s blessed with powerful athleticism. If he keeps thriving in the French league, Salaun could soon crack the top ten.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder – Cody Williams
OKC has to draft Jalen Williams’ little brother, right? Cody’s combine measurements were a bit of a letdown but he has an enviable frame and enough potential to justify picking him in the lottery.
13. Sacramento Kings – Devin Carter
Carter is a combo guard who measured as a big-time athlete at the combine. Anthony Carter’s son appears to be ready to help a team win early in his career, which will likely match what the Kings will be looking for in this draft.
14. Portland Trail Blazers – Tristan da Silva
Da Silva can do a little bit of everything. Another 23-year-old, he’d bring more maturity to the table for the Blazers. While his ceiling isn’t high, he should be able to be a useful role player early in his career.