Spurs select Nikola Milutinov, Disappoint Everyone

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The San Antonio Spurs could’ve added some young depth to next year’s roster, but instead opted to maximize their cap space and drafted Serbian center Nikola Milutinov with the 26th pick in the draft. He currently plays for Partizan Belgrade, Davis Bertans’ old team. He’s just 2o and according to DraftExpress’ scouting report, a mobile big who finishes around the rim and shows some promise as a jump shooter. He won’t be here for a while, meaning the Spurs did not use this pick to add some young depth to their roster. Guys like R.J. Hunter, Montrezl Harrell and Kevon Looney were still available.

Make no mistake, this pick isn’t about Milutinov, though 48 Minutes of Hell’s Matthew Tynan tells us this was the Spurs’ guy all along. No, this was about the Spurs pursuit of LaMarcus Aldridge. They have to clear as much cap space as possible. The part I don’t like about this is the Spurs have shown in recent years how crucial depth is to them. The combination or Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green’s expected raises will eat up a sizable chunk of cap space, not to mention the aforementioned pursuit of Aldridge (or Marc Gasol, or maybe even Kevin Love). With as many as 10 free agents, the Spurs won’t have a whole lot left over to rebuild that depth, especially on the wings. If you took someone like Hunter, you realistically could’ve replaced a lot of what Marco Belinelli does at like 25% of the price. Below is Milutinov’s scouting video from DraftExpress’ Mike Schmitz.

With the 55th pick, the Spurs took Cady Lalanne from University of Massachusets. According to ESPN’s scouting report, Lalanne is an athlete through and through. Great shot blocker and a good rebounder. Both Chad Ford and Schmitz liked the pick. R.C. Buford told reporters Thursday night Lalanne would be with the Spurs for Summer League while Milutinov will be with the Serbian national team.

Now we wait for the free agent period to start July 1, where the Spurs will, for once, be a team to watch.

  • Ryan McShane

    He was born in 1994 but is still 20.

  • Governmentname

    It’s still June

  • TD BestEVER

    We could have and should have traded the pick to another team and just stocked up on 2nd rd picks either this year or in other years to come.

  • Tyler

    Interesting. Maybe it’s the shaved head, but reminds me of a poor man’s Marcin Gortat. Good size and length, good hands, tough and he’s playing for a pretty good Euroleague team? You could do worse.

  • td4life

    I’m not all that disappointed by the selection, but he is a either a backup center, or mediocre starter at best. Passing on Looney could haunt us, in a league leaning towards small ball. Same goes for Rakeem Christmas or Jordan Mickey. All could be rotation bigs more suited to the modern league. Decent chance that Looney’s production matches Kaminsky’s, Lyles’, or Portis in years to come.

  • DorieStreet

    How about someone getting a response /interview from Milutino (and other D&S guys) about the Spurs drafting him (them)?

  • DorieStreet

    Nikola Milutinov: Born December 30th, 1994.
    So as of today - June 26th- that makes him 20 years, 5 months, and 27 days.

  • fkj74

    I am not disappointed. Looks like he could replace Splitter in 2 years or so. Also to me it is starting to look as if this Aldrige thing is not happening. We would not have depth and a strong starting 5 will only get you so far in the west. The plan bring back Timmy and Manu for one more run. This means keeping the team intact. Why would they come back to rebuild.? We will keep the young core of KL,DG,Cojo, and see what Anderson can do. Anyway I think it is leaning that way. Go Spurs!

  • Graham

    That implies that someone was willing to make that trade with us. Late first round isn’t going to fetch much, and may as well take a flier on a guy who could possibly turn out to be a better Tiago in the future. Not like it costs us much.

  • TD BestEVER

    Several teams wanted our pick including Houston. I’m not sure what they offered but there was at least a small market for the pick.

  • Graham

    Oh I’m sure there was a market, I’m simply saying that what was offered in return may not have been worth it.

  • Philip Fletcher

    Already as good as Splitter offensively, when he is 22 will probably be as quick and strong, already better than Bonner anyway. At 22 he will be the same age as Duncan was when he joined the Spurs. Don’t confuse this with having the same abilities, but could be very useful by then.

  • DorieStreet

    With the Spurs’ latest draft completed, here is a summary of the players they have rights over: http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2015/06/27/draft-and-stash/

  • TD BestEVER

    I really don’t see why Thomas can’t get a camp invite. I mean if he is too slow what is Kyle Anderson???

  • Tyler

    “Already as good as Splitter offensively, when he is 22 will probably be as quick and strong, already better than Bonner anyway.”

    And you came to that conclusion after what, a ten minute clip??

  • Philip Fletcher

    Splitters numbers are menial at best, he can’t seem to hold onto the ball, his hands are either to small or too weak. I know his defense is very good, but I am sorry his 9 points a game is not much. Can he do more, I hope so. But based on that, I believe Nik. can be as good if not better, by the time he is 22.

  • Tim in Surrey

    Sorry, but, R.J. Hunter? Really? He shot all of 39.5% from the field and 30.5% from three-point range… in the SUN BELT Conference. I’ve read what everybody says, too: He was double-covered every time he touched the ball, his FT% is very good, he shot it better the previous year, etc. But you know what, ALL the mid-major guys who are NBA prospects get triple-teamed like that. But Curry, Lillard, et al still managed to make over 40% of their shots. He did get a lot of steals, had a decent Ast/TO ratio, and got to the line at a good rate. But I hardly think he’s the second coming of Walter Davis. Last time I checked, the Spurs tend to know what they’re doing when they scout players. 100% success? No. But far better than most.

  • Ryan McShane

    Good job! You should keep this up to date. 20 years, 6 months, and 1 day today.

  • Ryan McShane

    Yep. Article originally said 21.