The San Antonio Spurs Should Draft…
Well we’re not going to reveal that just yet. First you look at the team’s needs. In past years, we’ve been able to pinpoint something San Antonio is looking for. It can be a backup point guard (George Hill), a dynamic wing (Kawhi Leonard) or a big man they can wait on (Tiago Splitter). Additionally, draft needs and free agency needs often don’t intertwine. This year is different though. With as many as 10 free agents this summer, the Spurs may see a need to draft someone that can contribute sooner than later.
That’s why I don’t think their primary target is an international prospect. It could be, there’s a ton of Nikola Milutinov buzz right now, but I’m skeptical. In past years, they’ve had only a few roster spots available and want to make roster improvements with a veteran. Nine or 10 free agents changes the math. Making a run at Marc Gasol or LaMarcus Aldridge, which eats up a large amount of cap space, changes the math. Big pay raises for Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green, assuming you can get them both signed, changes the math. So what’s the cheapest way to upgrade your roster? Draft the right person.
Drafting the right person is incredibly tough because it’s impossible to project how these guys will develop. Fortunately the Spurs have shown they have a good eye for what fits the system. Assistant coaches Chad Forcier and Chip Engelland have also done an incredible job helping guys like Leonard, Green and to a lesser extent, Cory Joseph reach their potential.
So what do the Spurs need? First, depth across the board. Their back up point guard, all of their shooting guards and half their front court are all free agents. Let’s just assume half of those guys aren’t back. A point guard or wing player feels like more of a priority than a big man. Tim Duncan is likely back and there’s that rumored pursuit of Aldridge or Gasol. So the question is point guard or wing?
At first glance wing would make the most sense because they could literally lose Green, Manu Ginobili and Marco Belinelli. As I covered last week, Georgia State’s RJ Hunter could slide into reserve minutes thanks to his shooting acumen and overall intelligent play. Arizona’s Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is one of my favorite players in the draft and is a defensive monster in the making. Offensively he’s the giant block of clay waiting to be molded. His shot needs to be re-tooled, but that feels like less of a concern with the Spurs than other teams. Both Hunter and RHJ likely won’t fall to the Spurs, but trading up even three or four spots could get them in business. Keep an eye on guys like Justin Anderson, Jonathan Holmes and Anthony Brown. Anderson and Brown fit that 3 & D mold. Holmes, the San Antonio native, is a little bigger and stronger, but is a little more raw offensively.
To me, back up point guard is the bigger need. I’m not saying Tony Parker needs to be replaced, but it might be time for a lessened work load to help lengthen his career. Plus, if Manu does retire the Spurs are losing another ball handler. Joseph, a restricted free agent, seems ready for a larger role and but there’s no guarantee he can get that in San Antonio. It’s also unclear if he has the ability to consistently break down an opponent’s defense. Patty Mills is a shooting guard in a point guard’s body. He’s not running an offense. That leads me to two prospects, one is just outside of their range, the other right smack dab in their range. Notre Dame’s Jerian Grant and Utah’s Delon Wright.
Jerian Grant
Grant is my favorite player in the draft and would be an ideal fit for the Spurs next season. He’s primarily a point, but played off the ball quite a bit with the Irish. Head Coach Mike Brey runs a motion offense where once you pass the ball, you move. No standing around. As Bullets Forever’s Umair Khan points out, the Irish even ran HORNS, a favorite play of Gregg Popovich. He played next to Demetrius Jackson, who also may have been a late first round pick had he declared this year. This means he could play next to Tony Parker or spell him. At 6’5″, he’s able to defend point guards and shooting guards. Oh, and he did this last season which was fun.
What are the knocks? He’s 22 now and will be 23 when the season starts so it’s unclear how much upside he has left. Even if he doesn’t improve much, I think he currently projects as a really good third guard for a team. The other knock is a lack of a consistent jump shot. Not a broken jumper, just not consistent. Shot Doctor Engelland can fix that, right? The big problem is the Spurs would almost certainly have to trade up for him. How isn’t clear, but getting to 17 would get them ahead of teams with a point guard need like Houston and Dallas. Moving up nine spots isn’t impossible, but it could cost a key role player like Tiago Splitter, Patty Mills or Boris Diaw. Maybe you give up pick 26 and a future pick to move up. I think Grant’s worth moving up. He could be a very productive Spur the way George Hill was. And as Matthew Tynan astutely pointed out, the Spurs might have to trade Splitter just to keep the perimeter duo of Leonard & Green together. Want to learn more about Grant? Check out DraftExpress’ video breakdown of his game.
Delon Wright
If a trade up for Grant can’t be swung, Wright would be a great back up option. He and Grant have similar measurements and do a lot of the same things well. Wright is a year older but is certainly polished enough to play. His jumper is a little shakier but over time that could improve. The part that really concerns me is he didn’t play off the ball a ton in college. That would take some getting used to. I think he could do it eventually, he’s a really smart and tough player. He reminds me of what Shaun Livingston was to the Golden State Warriors this season. Capable of creating his own offense, but better at getting get others involved and becoming a really good perimeter defender. Again, here’s DraftExpress on Wright.
Power forward is the deepest position in this draft. Guys like Montrezl Harrell, who we’ve covered before, could very easily fall to 26 and would be a big get. Also, keep an eye on Corey Hawkins from UC Davis with the Spurs’ second round pick. A lot of Patty Mills in his game and maybe the best shooter in the draft.
There’s so many more names. We’ve thrown a ton at you and there could be a name we haven’t scouted that gets picked. Always a fun night across the league. We’ll bring you a full breakdown Thursday night.
