The Draft

[Nolan]

Well now that our season's over it's time to focus on the offseason. We only have one pick in this years draft and that'll be our first rounder which will be pick number 29. The draft's pretty deep this year so our chances of getting an impact player at 29 are actually pretty decent.

The candidates:

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/DeAndre-Bembry-71444/
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Prince-Ibeh-6449/
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Georgios-Papagiannis-42344/
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Paul-Zipser-7127/
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Isaia-Cordinier-68220/
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Chinanu-Onuaku-7254/
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Petr-Cornelie-61916/

Out of that the list the three guys that intrigue me the most are Onuaku (big physical athletic center), Cordinier (scrappy well rounded SG) and Cornelie (Smooth shooting high motor 4).

Who do you guys like in this draft?

[imagump1313]

Thon Maker is going to go right around there somewhere. I doubt with Boban around that we draft another project big man though.

I'm guessing we go for another draft and stash Frenchman in Cordinier. SG with some size.(Maybe he can hit an open three and dribble from time to time)

[Nolan]

Thon Maker is going to go right around there somewhere. I doubt with Boban around that we draft another project big man though.

I'm guessing we go for another draft and stash Frenchman in Cordinier. SG with some size.(Maybe he can hit an open three and dribble from time to time)

A two that can dribble is always nice

[Nolan]

So apparently we're interested in moving up. Anyone have any guess on who we're targeting?

[imagump1313]

That would be nice to move up. They must have someone in mind that they think could help right away. It must be a big man of some sort because I don't see any other positions in the draft where a player could come in and help immediately.

I am liking AJ Hammonds of Purdue. 7'0" Classic big man talents. Can score with his back to the basket, rebounds well, blocks shots. Had a tendency in college to disappear for stretches. But he was one of the best scorers in college last year. I'm also bias because Ive seen him play in person a couple times.

One thing though, he is projected late first to middle second round so I dont think we would have to trade up to get him so it must be someone else.

[Cycloneon]

I like me some Malcom Brogdon. Good defense and a good scorer. 4 years of College experience so his IQ wouldn't be worrisome. He just sounds like a prototypical Spur to me.

[Phreak50]

I don't get this team sometimes.

Obviously RC and Pop have an amazing track record but why move up? It's very very unlikely Pop will play a young guy unless there's something special there.

The last 10 years are a great example but you only have to look at the recent playoffs.. Martin getting minutes over Simmons, Miller forcing out Mccallum, Boban barely playing and Manu playing too much.

Pop simply doesn't trust young guys in 9/10 cases.

[jpengland]

So apparently we're interested in moving up. Anyone have any guess on who we're targeting?

My money would be Luwawu - has he worked out for you guys?

[Nolan]

So apparently we're interested in moving up. Anyone have any guess on who we're targeting?

My money would be Luwawu - has he worked out for you guys?

If we're moving up he's definitely high on my list. Him, Poeltl or Baldwin would all make a lot of sense for us.

[RollingWave]

Depends on how much up are they really talking about, there's a difference if they go up 1 spot or 10.

Anyway, Zhou Qi has actually been connected to the Spurs for awhile. he sort of fit the Spurs MO of being a low key guy who plays within himself. There's a chance teams take him earlier than 29 though. especially Phoneix / Celtics who need to take stash guys somewhere. (he has a buy out after next season.)

[babyjax13]

So apparently we're interested in moving up. Anyone have any guess on who we're targeting?

Our guess on the Jazz board is that you are targeting Skal.

[Nolan]

So apparently we're extremely interested in Tyler Ulis. His size is a concern but if he was six feet tall he'd be the best PG prospect in this draft.

[mo7888]

I think something is brewing for a significant move up the board. Chad Ford suggests a LMA move for Knight, Len, and the #4...now I don't think we move LMA but we've also been rumored to be after Utah's #12 pick and today there are reports that picks 4 through 8 are on the block because those GM's are in a win now mode and don't want a young player. My point is that there are many options opening up and I think we grab one of them...I'm not sure who we are targeting but, I think things are about to be shaken up..

[imagump1313]

Reddit is saying we might move Mills/Diaw and our pick to Phoenix for the 13th. pick and Tyson Chandler. Not sure I like that deal because of Chandler's age and cap hit but they say one of the reasons LMA considered the Suns was because he wanted to play with Chandler.

I've always liked Chandler but bringing him in would be a move to make if we are going all or nothing to win a championship next year which I dont think is the plan here. I thought our plan was to build a strong core around Kwahi and LMA and contend for multiple championships.

[pad300]

I actually kind of like this draft; while the top end is thin, there are all sorts of potentially useful players late.

Given
1) Many teams really have too many picks - eg. boston has 3 first and 5 seconds. - these teams need to consolidate their assets (trade for veterans/move up) or delay their assets. This may force these teams into less optimal trades...
2) (Assuming no major retirements) that the Spurs pick in 2017 will be pretty late (24+),

Is it worth considering a trade like the following: A future (2017) first (lottery protected) for say 35 and 45 (from Boston), or 39 and 40 from New Orleans.

From the current NBADRAFT.net mock, the Boston trade could give the Spurs Yabusele and Cordinier, the NO trade Qi and Payton II

From the current Draftexpress mock, the Boston trade could give the Spurs Thon Maker and Levert, the NO trade Hammonds and Levert.

This kind of return could be very valuable, especially if the Spurs are trying to make salary cap space for a Durant Max; 2nd rounders are the cheapest kind of contracts available (cheaper than empty slots, IIRC).

[Nolan]

Reddit is saying we might move Mills/Diaw and our pick to Phoenix for the 13th. pick and Tyson Chandler. Not sure I like that deal because of Chandler's age and cap hit but they say one of the reasons LMA considered the Suns was because he wanted to play with Chandler.

I've always liked Chandler but bringing him in would be a move to make if we are going all or nothing to win a championship next year which I dont think is the plan here. I thought our plan was to build a strong core around Kwahi and LMA and contend for multiple championships.

I actually wouldn't mind that deal especially if TD is coming back.

[Nolan]

I actually kind of like this draft; while the top end is thin, there are all sorts of potentially useful players late.

Given
1) Many teams really have too many picks - eg. boston has 3 first and 5 seconds. - these teams need to consolidate their assets (trade for veterans/move up) or delay their assets. This may force these teams into less optimal trades...
2) (Assuming no major retirements) that the Spurs pick in 2017 will be pretty late (24+),

Is it worth considering a trade like the following: A future (2017) first (lottery protected) for say 35 and 45 (from Boston), or 39 and 40 from New Orleans.

From the current NBADRAFT.net mock, the Boston trade could give the Spurs Yabusele and Cordinier, the NO trade Qi and Payton II

From the current Draftexpress mock, the Boston trade could give the Spurs Thon Maker and Levert, the NO trade Hammonds and Levert.

This kind of return could be very valuable, especially if the Spurs are trying to make salary cap space for a Durant Max; 2nd rounders are the cheapest kind of contracts available (cheaper than empty slots, IIRC).

I like this draft for the same reasons. I feel like it's going to be easier than it usually is to move up or down and I actually like a lot of the guys projected to go later in the 1st round and earlier in the 2nd round.

[UDRIH14]

spurs need bigs desperately if duncan is retiring, west opted out, spurs left with only 2 bigs roster

i think pop is going to draft a big or bring nik over

[imagump1313]

Hammonds still around and we are 2 picks away. Deyonta Davis of Michigan State is still on the board too.

[imagump1313]

Wow. Never saw that pick coming. Don't know a whole lot about Murray but thats because I really didn't think we would take a guard.