RealGM

Well the season is over and now it's time to focus on the offseason and the draft. We have the 26th pick and 55th pick in this years draft. This year's draft looks like a pretty deep on so I think we have a good shot at landing an impact player with the 26th pick.

Some guys that I really like are:

Cedi Osman:
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Cedi-Osman-7133/
-6'8 guard with amazing ball skills that plays the game with a ton of grit and passion. His shooting mechanics are a mess and he tends to over dribble a lot but I really really like this kid.

Justin Anderson:
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Justin-Anderson-5676/
-Another swingman but a very different player. Anderson is a great defender who knows how to use his long arms and he's got legit range on his jumper. His offensive game off the dribble is pretty much non existent and he's a little small (6'6) for a SF but overall he's a solid 3 and D prospect.

George Lucas:
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/George-Lucas-80325/
-Raw athletic 6'6 Brazilian with massive hands, quick feet and a 6'11 wingspan. He's raw but he's got some serious potential.

RJ Hunter:
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/R.J.-Hunter-65208/
Not a great athlete and he doesn't exactly have a great NBA body (6'5 185) but he's got a crafty offensive game and a jumper with endless range.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson:
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Rondae-Hollis-Jefferson-6466/
One of the best if not the best perimeter defender in this draft. His jumper is ugly and his offensive game consists of catching lobs and garbage buckets but his defense is outstanding.

Micheal Qualls:
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Michael-Qualls-59353/
A pesky high energy 6'6 swingman with a developing jumper.

Thought? Who do you guys want us to draft?

I don't know anyone from the draft, but I will say that we really need to get a rookie big man. I remember RC once talking about what he sees in bigs and that was stuff about having touch around the rim and setting screens. So I'm thinking if there's a big there with good character and soft hands, we might take a chance on him.

Parker and Patty is locked up. We don't need to draft a PG.
Green is cemented as a starter. We don't need a SG.
Kawhi is too. And we also have Kyle Anderson. Seems to me like the FO looks at him as a SF.
We have no young PF or C. Baynes probably but he's not starting material. We really need to get something youthful in PF/C position.

co_laper wrote:I don't know anyone from the draft, but I will say that we really need to get a rookie big man. I remember RC once talking about what he sees in bigs and that was stuff about having touch around the rim and setting screens. So I'm thinking if there's a big there with good character and soft hands, we might take a chance on him.

Parker and Patty is locked up. We don't need to draft a PG.
Green is cemented as a starter. We don't need a SG.
Kawhi is too. And we also have Kyle Anderson. Seems to me like the FO looks at him as a SF.
We have no young PF or C. Baynes probably but he's not starting material. We really need to get something youthful in PF/C position.

I agree that we need a bigman but the problem is there really aren't any good ones available in our range. Montrezl Harrell might fall to us but he's nothing more than an energy guy and Alexander and Upshaw both have upside but both have issues off the court. Really the only big I like that might be around in our range is Christian Wood.

Christian Wood is a solid prospect to look into if you're the Spurs. He will have to gain some muscle and toughness on the defensive end.

No idea about guys in the draft. If they exist, I'd like to see a pure point guard or a defensive stopper/project (centre).

SD2042 wrote:Christian Wood is a solid prospect to look into if you're the Spurs. He will have to gain some muscle and toughness on the defensive end.

I like him but he's a long ways away. He probably should of stayed in school.

A big man would be nice, very nice infact. But i don't think any decent ones will drop to us

co_laper wrote:I don't know anyone from the draft, but I will say that we really need to get a rookie big man. I remember RC once talking about what he sees in bigs and that was stuff about having touch around the rim and setting screens. So I'm thinking if there's a big there with good character and soft hands, we might take a chance on him.

Parker and Patty is locked up. We don't need to draft a PG.
Green is cemented as a starter. We don't need a SG.
Kawhi is too. And we also have Kyle Anderson. Seems to me like the FO looks at him as a SF.
We have no young PF or C. Baynes probably but he's not starting material. We really need to get something youthful in PF/C position.

Not sure I agree with your analysis. Split the roster into bigs and smalls, and again into creators and finishers/shooters.

Big Creator - TD?, Diaw
Big Finisher/Shooter - Baynes, Bonner, Ayres, Splitter (Of these, only Splitter is guaranteed to be back next year)
Small Creator - Parker, Manu, ?Anderson?, Joseph
Small Finishers - Green, Mills, Belinelli, Kawhi, (Again, of these only Mills is guaranteed to be back next year, although I think that Green and Kawhi will be.)

The straws that stir the team's offense are Parker and Manu; both of them have looked to have problems this year. We can hope for Parker to return to health, but Manu is just old. Joseph could easily leave. Mills really is a shooting guard A creative small could be quite welcome, especially if Anderson can't step up - remember it took Joseph 3 or 4 years to really get out of the D-league.

So I see 2 needs, 1) A Big, preferably with big time potential, and 2) A creative small.
Although I tend to believe in Best Player Available, the following are some player's I'd be paying attention to in these categories. (note, I think that the draft is unpredictable, so some of these guys may be predicted to go much higher, but could fall).

First Round
Delon Wright
George Lucas (I can see him withdrawing. I can also see him freefalling in the second round...)
Cameron Payne
Frank Kaminsky (he's going to drop unless he has a really surprising combine)
Turner/Portis/Woods (if any of them fall far enough, they will get a long look)

Second Round
Cedi Osman
Andrew Harrison
Richuan Holmes
Jaiteh
Guillermo Hernangomez

If Kaminski starts to slip in the 20's I would like to see them trade up a little and take him. I think he would be a great Spurs player. He has a great attitude, and a good all around game. Not a flashy player, but gets it done.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson - He has elite defense, good attitude, and very good athleticism. If you can improve his offense you have something pretty special in a couple years.

RJ Hunnter- Best pure shooter in college. Spurs like to spread the floor, this guy can knock down 3's. The 2G situation is uncertain, would fill a need. He's a real skinny guy, needs to work at getting stronger.

Jarell Martin I think this guy is flying a little under the radar -6'9" 240 (Soph) Had some monster games- against Auburn 18pts/16 reb against Arkannsas 27pts/8reb against Florida 28pts/13reb against Kentucky 21pts/11 reb against West Virginia 18pts/14 reb. That's all on over 50%FG. I just listed the better teams - The fact he did that against Kentucky's monster front line says something. The reason he is downgraded is because at the Lebron skills academy he measured closer to 6'7 1/2" he has a 6'10" wingspan.

SpursNBucks wrote:If Kaminski starts to slip in the 20's I would like to see them trade up a little and take him. I think he would be a great Spurs player. He has a great attitude, and a good all around game. Not a flashy player, but gets it done.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson - He has elite defense, good attitude, and very good athleticism. If you can improve his offense you have something pretty special in a couple years.

RJ Hunnter- Best pure shooter in college. Spurs like to spread the floor, this guy can knock down 3's. The 2G situation is uncertain, would fill a need. He's a real skinny guy, needs to work at getting stronger.

Jarell Martin I think this guy is flying a little under the radar -6'9" 240 (Soph) Had some monster games- against Auburn 18pts/16 reb against Arkannsas 27pts/8reb against Florida 28pts/13reb against Kentucky 21pts/11 reb against West Virginia 18pts/14 reb. That's all on over 50%FG. I just listed the better teams - The fact he did that against Kentucky's monster front line says something. The reason he is downgraded is because at the Lebron skills academy he measured closer to 6'7 1/2" he has a 6'10" wingspan.

I really really really like RHJ, his jumper is fixable. I doubt he falls to us though but who knows.

Nolan wrote:

SpursNBucks wrote:If Kaminski starts to slip in the 20's I would like to see them trade up a little and take him. I think he would be a great Spurs player. He has a great attitude, and a good all around game. Not a flashy player, but gets it done.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson - He has elite defense, good attitude, and very good athleticism. If you can improve his offense you have something pretty special in a couple years.

Jarell Martin I think this guy is flying a little under the radar -6'9" 240 (Soph) Had some monster games- against Auburn 18pts/16 reb against Arkannsas 27pts/8reb against Florida 28pts/13reb against Kentucky 21pts/11 reb against West Virginia 18pts/14 reb. That's all on over 50%FG. I just listed the better teams - The fact he did that against Kentucky's monster front line says something. The reason he is downgraded is because at the Lebron skills academy he measured closer to 6'7 1/2" he has a 6'10" wingspan.

I really really really like RHJ, his jumper is fixable. I doubt he falls to us though but who knows.

I agree RHJ would probably be the most perfect fit of that group- your right it's doubtful he makes it to the Spurs pick. I dropped Rj off that group, after looking more at the situation. No way Kaminski makes it to the Spurs. He probably doesn't make it to the Bucks at #17. Things will change as they get tested and go on team visits after that so you never know - a little early still.

Robert Upshaw

If you don't know his story - he is a physical - 7' 265 (7'4" wingspan). He's strong, long, and athletic. He is an absolute blocking machine = led the nation with 4.5/game (he played in 19 games - 7 games with 6 or more). He rebounds well double digits in 6/19 and avg 8.2. He is very good/efficient around the rim averaged 11 on 60% shooting.

The problem with Upshaw? Was kicked off Fresno State team - then sat out a year and was kicked off Washington after 19 games. Was most likely a lottery pick had he played the whole year.

If he can clean up his act a team could be getting the steal of the Draft. Arguably the best defender in college ball before he got kicked off the team. Opposing teams shot 38.5% with him on the floor and 49.7% when he was off. Draft Express rated his rebounding as 5th best in their top 100 ranked players.

Pretty hard to find out why he was kicked off both teams. It had to be bad - one of Fresno States best recruits. Having a lottery pick season at Washington - leading them to a decent 14-5 record. Even the year he sat out they wouldn't let him practice because off court issues. He went to the John Lucas treatment center - so probability is drugs.

I wouldn't risk a 1st, but trade up in the 2nd to get lottery talent seems worth the risk. Kidd would be a good mentor-if it doesn't work out your out a 2nd.

SpursNBucks wrote:Robert Upshaw

If you don't know his story - he is a physical - 7' 265 (7'4" wingspan). He's strong, long, and athletic. He is an absolute blocking machine = led the nation with 4.5/game (he played in 19 games - 7 games with 6 or more). He rebounds well double digits in 6/19 and avg 8.2. He is very good/efficient around the rim averaged 11 on 60% shooting.

The problem with Upshaw? Was kicked off Fresno State team - then sat out a year and was kicked off Washington after 19 games. Was most likely a lottery pick had he played the whole year.

If he can clean up his act a team could be getting the steal of the Draft. Arguably the best defender in college ball before he got kicked off the team. Opposing teams shot 38.5% with him on the floor and 49.7% when he was off. Draft Express rated his rebounding as 5th best in their top 100 ranked players.

Pretty hard to find out why he was kicked off both teams. It had to be bad - one of Fresno States best recruits. Having a lottery pick season at Washington - leading them to a decent 14-5 record. Even the year he sat out they wouldn't let him practice because off court issues. He went to the John Lucas treatment center - so probability is drugs.

I wouldn't risk a 1st, but trade up in the 2nd to get lottery talent seems worth the risk. Kidd would be a good mentor-if it doesn't work out your out a 2nd.

He go booted out of Fresno State for multiple failed drug tests and he must of done something really dumb or fallen completely off the wagon for Lorenzo Romar to kick him out of Washington. Romar is the same coach that stood by Venoy Overton, a guy who did some pretty terrible things.

Nolan wrote:
He go booted out of Fresno State for multiple failed drug tests and he must of done something really dumb or fallen completely off the wagon for Lorenzo Romar to kick him out of Washington. Romar is the same coach that stood by Venoy Overton, a guy who did some pretty terrible things.

Well here's the good and bad of that = If he stays in school a draft site I was looking at had spoken to a GM and he said Upshaw would have been a lottery pick. So there would have been no chance the Spurs could have drafted him. If you can get his head right - and maybe small market Spurs - with "good guys" on team could help him realize his potential.

OR

It could be throwing away a late 1st. Ideally you would like to get him in the 2nd, but I don't know if that will happen.

He just had the longest wingspan at tested at the combine- can only help his Draft stock.

With the draft nearly a month away, I am starting to get excited about the off season. It's been tough to watch these playoffs unfold because outside of Golden State, injuries have really depleted teams. At any rate, time to look forward. Two players I like that will hopefully be available to us will be Terry Rozier III (first round) and Pat Connaughton (second round, though his athleticism probably will push him mid 2nd round).

Terry is similar in size and weight to Tony and can flat out score. Both are competitors and that can't be taught. Pat can shoot, defend, and rebound at 6'5. Obviously these guys aren't as sexy as Frank Kaminsky or Jerian Grant, but they should be gettable at the Spurs draft positions.

SPURt wrote:With the draft nearly a month away, I am starting to get excited about the off season. It's been tough to watch these playoffs unfold because outside of Golden State, injuries have really depleted teams. At any rate, time to look forward. Two players I like that will hopefully be available to us will be Terry Rozier III (first round) and Pat Connaughton (second round, though his athleticism probably will push him mid 2nd round).

Terry is similar in size and weight to Tony and can flat out score. Both are competitors and that can't be taught. Pat can shoot, defend, and rebound at 6'5. Obviously these guys aren't as sexy as Frank Kaminsky or Jerian Grant, but they should be gettable at the Spurs draft positions.

Rozier is just not the most efficient scorer- he's a volume shooter. Also at the combine he was 6' and 6'2" with shoes.

SpursNBucks wrote:Robert Upshaw

If you don't know his story - he is a physical - 7' 265 (7'4" wingspan). He's strong, long, and athletic. He is an absolute blocking machine = led the nation with 4.5/game (he played in 19 games - 7 games with 6 or more). He rebounds well double digits in 6/19 and avg 8.2. He is very good/efficient around the rim averaged 11 on 60% shooting.

The problem with Upshaw? Was kicked off Fresno State team - then sat out a year and was kicked off Washington after 19 games. Was most likely a lottery pick had he played the whole year.

If he can clean up his act a team could be getting the steal of the Draft. Arguably the best defender in college ball before he got kicked off the team. Opposing teams shot 38.5% with him on the floor and 49.7% when he was off. Draft Express rated his rebounding as 5th best in their top 100 ranked players.

Pretty hard to find out why he was kicked off both teams. It had to be bad - one of Fresno States best recruits. Having a lottery pick season at Washington - leading them to a decent 14-5 record. Even the year he sat out they wouldn't let him practice because off court issues. He went to the John Lucas treatment center - so probability is drugs.

I wouldn't risk a 1st, but trade up in the 2nd to get lottery talent seems worth the risk. Kidd would be a good mentor-if it doesn't work out your out a 2nd.

Just reading what you wrote here, I can say that he's not likely to be drafted by the Spurs.

I know a lot of fans wish we would get these troubled but high potential/skilled young guys and hope that being in our culture and environment that they'll thrive. I was on that boat too hoping for Beasley really.. But this is a pipe dream. After Rodman.. and Stephen Jackson as the last time, the days where we bring in a questionable character to the team is over. Spurs FO already slated that they view character first before anything else. I don't think they'll make an exception for a late draft pick. If we were picking number one in the draft and we're looking at a Tim Duncan with some character issues, perhaps we'd make an exception. But for a late first round pick? No way it's gonna happen.

On the topic of drafting though.. I'd like to say that I think the league is changing in terms of what kind of players succeed in this league.

For instance, as a big, I think the days of an undersized PF with no shooting range is over. The best we still have in this league is probably Kenneth Faried, and he's been playing as a 6'8'' Center in Denver. The league is changing and if you're gonna be a Center, it's best that you're an athletic tall freak. If you're gonna be a PF shorter than 6'10'', then you better have some perimeter skills whether that be shooting or ballhandling. Example, I don't want anymore Dejuan Blairs. I don't mind a Center project like Ian Mahinmi again. And a short PF with some perimeter skills I think is what we got with Kyle Anderson.

A PG needs to be quick and has the dribbling ability. Modern era PGs has to be able to get to the rim. You don't need to be Steph Curry out there shooting 3s, but you gotta be able to get to the rim even if you can't finish there yet as a young guy. And to be able to get to the rim, you gotta be quick and has a good enough dribbling ability. Penetration is the number one key for any PG in the Spurs system. Example would be when we drafted Tony Parker.

Hopefully whoever we get and whether that's a PG, PF, or Center, it fits into the above criteria.

SpursNBucks wrote:

SPURt wrote:With the draft nearly a month away, I am starting to get excited about the off season. It's been tough to watch these playoffs unfold because outside of Golden State, injuries have really depleted teams. At any rate, time to look forward. Two players I like that will hopefully be available to us will be Terry Rozier III (first round) and Pat Connaughton (second round, though his athleticism probably will push him mid 2nd round).

Terry is similar in size and weight to Tony and can flat out score. Both are competitors and that can't be taught. Pat can shoot, defend, and rebound at 6'5. Obviously these guys aren't as sexy as Frank Kaminsky or Jerian Grant, but they should be gettable at the Spurs draft positions.

Rozier is just not the most efficient scorer- he's a volume shooter. Also at the combine he was 6' and 6'2" with shoes.

Which is still bigger than Patty. Though Rozier takes bad shots, when I watched Louisville, he was trying to do too much because he wasn't on a great team. When he is feeling it, he's pretty great. I expect his quickness, ability to create his own shot, and his handles to translate. If any team can install patience and shot selection it's the Spurs.

The sad reality is we are going to get a flawed player in our draft spot as currently constituted. With Manu fading or possibly not coming back, I think the Spurs need to focus on finding a ball handler that is capable of creating for themselves and others. Even if that means hiding them on defense.

If a big that can contribute this season slides, then that always takes priority, but I highly doubt that happens this season. Plus, I expect a free agent to shake up the big rotation.

co_laper wrote:On the topic of drafting though.. I'd like to say that I think the league is changing in terms of what kind of players succeed in this league.

For instance, as a big, I think the days of an undersized PF with no shooting range is over. The best we still have in this league is probably Kenneth Faried, and he's been playing as a 6'8'' Center in Denver. The league is changing and if you're gonna be a Center, it's best that you're an athletic tall freak. If you're gonna be a PF shorter than 6'10'', then you better have some perimeter skills whether that be shooting or ballhandling. Example, I don't want anymore Dejuan Blairs. I don't mind a Center project like Ian Mahinmi again. And a short PF with some perimeter skills I think is what we got with Kyle Anderson.

A PG needs to be quick and has the dribbling ability. Modern era PGs has to be able to get to the rim. You don't need to be Steph Curry out there shooting 3s, but you gotta be able to get to the rim even if you can't finish there yet as a young guy. And to be able to get to the rim, you gotta be quick and has a good enough dribbling ability. Penetration is the number one key for any PG in the Spurs system. Example would be when we drafted Tony Parker.

Hopefully whoever we get and whether that's a PG, PF, or Center, it fits into the above criteria.

On the Bucks board some people like Harrell as a Faried type who could play C. He is expected to go in the 20's Tyus Jones would fit your want at PG, but almost surely wont fall to Spurs.