A year removed from selecting Victor Wembanyama with the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft, the Spurs will now boast two draft selections in the top eight of the impending 2024 draft.
San Antonio’s own first-round pick moved up a spot to No. 4, while the team also secured the top-six protected 2024 first-rounder acquired from the Raptors as part of the trade for center Jakob Poeltl during the 2022/23 season, when that pick tumbled to No. 8 overall.
The Spurs have a real opportunity for some cost-effective team-building here. But, in a draft that isn’t particularly well regarded, will San Antonio team president R.C. Buford really want to retain both his team’s picks? Alternately, perhaps he sees something in a prospect others don’t, and could package the two selections together to move up even further in the draft.
Two French frontcourt prospects, Perth Wildcats center Alexandre Sarr and JL Bourg forward Zaccharie Risacher, are among the top players in this year’s class, and could fit well alongside their countryman, San Antonio’s freshly minted Rookie of the Year Wembanyama.
Crvena Zvezda guard Nikola Topic, G League Ignite swingman Ron Holland, Connecticut big man Donovan Clingan and Kentucky guard Rob Dillingham are a few more of this year’s top prospects.
If they don’t love the players at the top of this year’s draft class, the Spurs could look to add veteran talent alongside Wembanyama, who also finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting, in more of a win-now approach.
San Antonio struggled for much of the season to pair him with a proper point guard, with head coach Gregg Popovich curiously opting to start power forward Jeremy Sochan at the point for a while. The team could try to package the contract of a young talent like Devin Vassell or Keldon Johnson, or perhaps oft-injured big man Zach Collins, plus one or both of this year’s picks and some other future draft equity, to acquire a star-level lead play-maker in a trade.
We want to know what you think. Should San Antonio stand pat, pivot to a win-now approach, or wind up somewhere in between?
Head to the comment section below to weigh in!
Sankara mock draft, mother’s day edition..
1. Atl- Isaiah Collier USC pg
2. DC- Rob Dillingham UK guard
3. Hou- Alex Sarr NBL big
4. SA- Zaccharie Risacher LNB Pro A wing
5. Det- Matas Buzelis G-League forward
6. Cha- Ron Holland G-League wing
7. Por- Cody Williams Colorado wing
8. SA- Reed Sheppard UK guard
9. Mem- Tidjane Salaun LNB Pro A big
10.Uta- Nikola Topic EuroLeague pg
11.Chi- Dalton Knecht UT wing
12.OKC- Ulrich Chomche BAL big
13.Sac- Stephon Castle UConn guard
14.Por- Terrence Shannon Jr Illinois guard
15.Mia- Jared McCain Duke pg
16.Phi- Ja’Kobe Walter Baylor guard
17.NO- Kyle Filipowski Duke big
18.Orl- Donovan Clingan UConn big
19.Tor- Tyler Smith G-League big
20.Cle- Kel’El Ware IU big
21.NO- Pacome Dadiet LNB Pro A wing
22.Phx- Devin Carter Providence pg
23.Mil- Bub Carrington Pitt pg
24.NY- Jaylen Tyson Cal wing
25.NY- Dillon Jones Weber St forward
26.DC- Hansen Yang CBA big
27.Min- Tristan da Silva Colorado forward
28.Den- Ryan Dunn UVA forward
29.Uta- Ky’Shawn George Miami wing
30.Bos- Da’Ron Holmes Dayton big
There is no way Clingan falls to 18. Shannon going 14 might not happen with him being charged with rape. I also don’t think the Thunder draft Ulrich Chomche. He’s too big of a prospect. I believe they would want a big who can help their roster now & not someone as raw as Chomche.
Clingan could fall past 18. I got 2 bigs going directly after him. Orlando could choose either one of those guys instead. Also Hansen Yang could go before Clingan. Other than rim protection what are you expecting him to give you?.. smh at u using the word raw to describe a human being but Chomche is perfect for OKC imo. He’s the exact type of mobile 5 that they seem to love. He’s 1 of the younger guys in the draft & has to get stronger, similar to Ousmane Dieng when they took him, but he projects to be a great defender from the perimeter to the rim & he’s already extremely skilled offensively. OKC don’t need whoever they draft at 12 to contribute right away tho. They obv have a great team alr & they’ll have cap space to add a vet.. As far as Shannon his trial will most likely be over by the draft & if he’s acquitted he’s definitely getting drafted. A team with scoring/toughness issues like Portland would benefit from adding Shannon
Yes, the Thunder would need Chomche to contribute right away. Their time line has changed. They need a big to help right now. They’d be better off trading the pick for immediate help than drafting a raw player like Chomche. Clingan will go high. Team’s are obsessed with size. Clingan has some offensive ability and I don’t see him falling past Charlotte at 6. He’ll go top 10.
I’ll give it to you for jumping out there but no way this happens. Collier at #1!? Just add to the clusterf**k in the backcourt. And as a DC fan they are going big or wing. They are not ready for another guard with Couli waiting to be developed.
As a DC fan I strongly advise you to take a long look at Rob Dillingham, both this yr at UK & last yr at OTE. Then look at Alex Sarr, both this yr in Sydney & last yr at OTE. Check both their games & specifically their strengths & think about which guy would prob be more impactful in the NBA. I love Sarr & think he’s gonna be a really good NBA player but the boy Rob is gonna be a star or at least has strong potential to do so. Especially if he’s on a team where he can be the lead guard. Rob & Couli are a perfect match as far as backcourt mates. They can develop together. I can’t really imagine them considering any of the wings at #2 tho… As far as Collier at 1. Umm yes lol definitely. When you watch the kid play it’s sorta obv why he’d be in consideration for the #1 pick. He’s clearly that guy. Trae is getting moved out shortly. Hopefully that happens on draft day as well tbh. But yea I gotta admit it’s weird to me that people are sleeping on Collier. Going out to the West Coast made people forget about Shareef & Jaylen Brown too lol but they both still went top5. Isaiah Collier is better than both of those guys.
Perth* not Sydney
So to answer your question, Risacher & Sheppard would be a really nice haul from this draft for SAS. If they trade for Trae Young (as they should try to do) then maybe Topic would be a better choice for their #8 pick. The choice bw Risacher & Ron Holland is a tough one too. Id sorta rather pair Risacher with Keldon Johnson and Holland with Devin Vassell. So if/who they trade for Trae will factor into who they pick in the draft. Everything being equal I’d take Risacher & Sheppard tho
A—your mock draft seems absurd. Clingan will go inside of the top 7, you somehow have him at #18. Collier at #1 is never going to happen, he’s probably the 4th ranked PG who will go around #8-10. Topic goes top 3, not #10
B—The Spurs should not trade for Trae Young unless they want to waste the assets they have acquired the past 4 years. Expect them to go after Tyus Jones and keep their picks
Who in the top10 should/would draft Clingan?
Any of: Washington #2, Houston #3, Portland #7 or Memphis #9.
A 0.00% chance he falls out of the top 10.
What SAS “should” do is sort of off point. What is clear is that the league shouldn’t tolerate anything short of SAS going to a win-now window (if that’s what non-tanking is now being called). They have a generational player that the league hasn’t been able to showcase in important games because SAS decided to be the first team in that position to continue to tank. Those $$ are lost forever. It’s a cancer in the NBA that trying to win is now something that at least certain teams have to pivot to.
Fans adore tanking more than teams tho
Gonna be a tough cookie to crack when they are getting the backing from them
How does using their draft picks constitute tanking?
Makes sense to me to add talent the same age as Wemby.
spurs package #4 & #8 for #1 or #2 and draft another frenchie or get bcoul from washington.
Spurs and PATFO definitely will not go the win now route. That’s never been their style. They are going to slow build this team and maybe make a savy under appreciated veteran signing here and there.
They’ll definitely use both of these picks in the upcoming draft. If Sarr or Risacher are there at 4, they’ll take either one of them and then grab a PG at 8. If they are both gone by then they’ll take Dillingham at 4 and a wing at 8.
I would love to see them get a bonafide PF to help Wemby and a solid PG.
I don’t see why this is a question. Shoot your shot with the 1sts. This seems like draft where the first several picks are very much in the same tier. Use both, and hopefully one can be at least a 3 in the future and the other is a viable rotation member. Maybe not crazy outcomes for two top 8 picks, but where SA is, they might not need high-end outcomes from both picks. Then see where you are after next year and try and add in FA.
What does “win now” even mean? Who are you pairing with Wemby that makes spurs better than wolves, okc, or Denver? Have to he patient even if people seem to have none these days.
The Suns went “win now”. How’s that working out for them? But at least they’re on TV a lot, right?
Spurs and Hawks hook up on a deal.
#1 and Murray for #4, #8, both Hawks picks back (2025, 2027) and Keldon
Why give 4 picks and a young player for 1 pick and an older, average player? With the 2024 draft not being top heavy, they could easily get the best player for their program/roster at #4 without leveraging assets they have collected in the past 4 years. Just a bad trade construct.
Everyone hating on this years draft but it’s actually perfect for the Spurs.
There’s plenty of options at both point guard and small forward that would be good for them.
Dillingham, Collier, Topic, Sheppard, Risacher, Buzelis, Holland, Williams, Salaun and Knecht.
In a perfect world I think they get Risacher and Topic but not sure if they will both be available. Buzelis would be interesting in Pops offence which is about passing and creating good looks. Williams on the other hand could be a real good project to develop into the next Kawhi Leonard.
I’d stay away from Holland personally just don’t think that’s a great match
Spurs have solid picks. Knecht at #4 and Dillingham at #8. This would be a very good draft…..
Like Dillingham as a new version of Tyrese Maxey. That said, I’d prefer they offer a max to Tyrese and bring him back to Texas this offseason.
One thing guaranteed – the Spurs won’t rush – no big moves until Victor is ready to win a championship.
Sign Chris Paul, draft Stephon Castle, compete for a playoff spot
This would not bring them a bit closer to a playoff spot than 2023. Paul needs to retire and the Spurs need young players to build a roster.
Topic and Knecht
Spurs are a smart franchise, they are keeping #4/8. Very valuable picks and could set them up for an incredible future with Wemby. They have tons of trade chips on the roster to add more picks as well.
How many Hawks fans got drunk and thought the Spurs forgot how to win?