WOJ: Spurs draft Rob Dillingham 8th, then trade him to the TWolves for an unprotected 2031 first

[G R E Y]

Since picks have been addressed ad nauseum, and some still don't get we don't need to wait 7 years down the line to use these assets (though they could prove useful then, too), let's pivot to cap space. Hands up, who here understands the value of extra around $8M cap available to us NOW?

...

[tcheco]

Since picks have been addressed ad nauseum, and some still don't get we don't need to wait 7 years down the line to use these assets (though they could prove useful then, too), let's pivot to cap space. Hands up, who here understands the value of extra around $8M cap available to us NOW?

...

I do wonder whom they are targeting with the cap. Free agency doesn't have many players worth. Tyus Jones is the best PG available, but he is just slightly better version of his brother? or look to get 2 decent players? Derrick Jones Jr. or Caleb Martin can contribute. Or make a trade taking more money than sending out.

[GameChannel]

Right!

And we have stunk for the past 5 seasons.

How many more future "assets" do we need??

Getting a point guard prospect like Nikola Topic on rookie-scale and long-term team control is a good move no matter what stage of development you're at, but especially for the Spurs. An ambiguous future pick 6 or 7 years out isn't as good an asset to put in a trade package either if that's your goal.

Agreed.

And we passed up on Topic ( a big target of ours... we need better guards) for this??

Aah yes! The can't miss generational prospect, Nicola Topic that got drafted at 12. The one with one of the worst combine measurements of all time. The one with no defensive prowess. The one with an ACL injury so he wouldn't be playing the 24-25 season anyway so defeats the argument of getting better now.

The overreaction here is hilarious!!

[Hornet Mania]

I always trade any extra lotto picks for future 1sts 5+ years down the road when playing NBA2K, so obviously the Spurs made the right decision

[NoDopeOnSundays]

Think they wanted Salun and the Hornets spoiled that party. They have a ton of assets to make a trade if they want to.

[Chuck Everett]

I'm not sure that's what he did exactly. Instead of taking the risk and selecting someone that may not pan out, he punted 7 years down the line. But that's risky too because Wemby might not still be there in 7 years.

Well, that's the only argument I've seen you make, although it's a big thread.

What's the smart move? Adding a 160lb 18yo microwave scorer who couldn't even start on his team in college?

How many young players do you expect a team to be able to develop at the same time? There is only one ball. They just drafted Stephen Castle, who is a much better fit next to Wemby as he doesn't need the ball in his hands to impact a game.

They also still have Tre Jones, Vassel, Keldon, and Sochan, so whose minutes are you taking away to give to an 18yo PG that you expect will make the team better any time soon?

"Punting," the pick down the road as you put it lets them retain the value that the asset had before it turned into Rob Dillingham. The Spurs decided they'd rather have extra ammo to trade for pieces later down the road when Wembenyama is in his prime than get stuck extending a mediocre talent.

The Spurs can't develop 2 rookie lottery picks in one year? Are you serious? This is the time to do that! The best way to develop young players is to play them, and you can do that when you are bad. You can give them a ton of minutes and attention. When you're good, you get a high pick then bury them on your bench because they can't help you win. The Spurs have all those Hawks picks coming up, if they can't develop two lottery picks in one year, give Portland a call, we'll take one off their hands!

The Spurs have Sochan, Branham, Wesley, Barlow, Champagnie, Sissoko and now Castle on rookie/young vet minimum contracts (outside of Victor). 8 guys in total. They don't really need more younger players. They need cohesion and internal development. And with the cap room, maybe they make a move like absorbing Chris Paul for a year to help with that. 2025 is the draft to look out for.

And the Spurs could have several picks in that draft as well:
2025 Spurs pick
2025 Atlanta pick (unprotected)
2025 Chicago pick (protected 1-10)
2025 Charlotte pick (protected 1-14)

The guys I've got my eyes on are French sensation PG Nolan Traore and Georgia SF Asa Newell. The fact that San Antonio could have three lottery picks in 2025 is ridiculous. Their asset management now that they have a centerpiece in Wemby is top tier.

[DwayneSchintzus]

Yes, the Spurs traded Dillingham for a kid who is currently in the 7th grade, but that 7th grader is probably bigger than Dilly RIGHT NOW

[G R E Y]

Since picks have been addressed ad nauseum, and some still don't get we don't need to wait 7 years down the line to use these assets (though they could prove useful then, too), let's pivot to cap space. Hands up, who here understands the value of extra around $8M cap available to us NOW?

...

I do wonder whom they are targeting with the cap. Free agency doesn't have many players worth. Tyus Jones is the best PG available, but he is just slightly better version of his brother? or look to get 2 decent players? Derrick Jones Jr. or Caleb Martin can contribute. Or make a trade taking more money than sending out.

Tyus would be great.

Also,

Read on Twitter

[Chuck Everett]

Since picks have been addressed ad nauseum, and some still don't get we don't need to wait 7 years down the line to use these assets (though they could prove useful then, too), let's pivot to cap space. Hands up, who here understands the value of extra around $8M cap available to us NOW?

...

I do wonder whom they are targeting with the cap. Free agency doesn't have many players worth. Tyus Jones is the best PG available, but he is just slightly better version of his brother? or look to get 2 decent players? Derrick Jones Jr. or Caleb Martin can contribute. Or make a trade taking more money than sending out.

Tyus would be great.

Also,

Read on Twitter

Naji had somewhat of a down year in New Orleans during the regular season (primarily due to injury), but in the playoffs, he was awesome on both ends of the floor. He was making SGA work in that Thunder series. He'd be a solid pickup.

[bigboi]

Rob plays exactly like Lou Will tbh. Should be great to take offensive load off Ant. He should be a 20 ppg player

[Hornet Mania]

Rob plays exactly like Lou Will tbh. Should be great to take offensive load off Ant. He should be a 20 ppg player

I liked him a lot too. He looked like the prototypical UK player who blows up in the NBA because the pace and space are more suited to his game. I won't be surprised if he ends up somewhere between Maxey and Quickley.

[tcheco]

I do wonder whom they are targeting with the cap. Free agency doesn't have many players worth. Tyus Jones is the best PG available, but he is just slightly better version of his brother? or look to get 2 decent players? Derrick Jones Jr. or Caleb Martin can contribute. Or make a trade taking more money than sending out.

Tyus would be great.

Also,

Read on Twitter

Naji had somewhat of a down year in New Orleans during the regular season (primarily due to injury), but in the playoffs, he was awesome on both ends of the floor. He was making SGA work in that Thunder series. He'd be a solid pickup.

didn't watch the Thunder and Pelicans series, wasn't really aware of Naji, but a good defender is always good to add, specially if Spurs do go after Tyus who is not the best defender in the league.

Rotation of Tyus, Tre, Castle, Naji and Vassel for the 1 and 2 would be decent for this first year while Castle develops.

Can Vassel play the 3 for 10 minutes a game?

[Slim Tubby]

A discussion on value is nearly impossible. We have no idea what becomes of the pick seven (7) years down the road. We also don't know if Dillingham will be the next Johnny Flynn or De'Aaron Fox.

For the Wolves, no team improved their current status more yesterday than MIN by adding Dillingham and Shannon. It doesn't get much better than Tim Connelly IMO.

For the Spurs, they have Wemby and Vassell to build around with a lot of future assets. The nightmare scenario...what if Castle turns out to be the bust and RD (or other players that were available) turn into stars?

That's not a possible scenario that Spurs fans can rule out completely and would be devastating for the build around Wemby. I would've taken the best talent on their board if I was the Spurs. Their time to start winning is now IMO.

Sent from my N152DL using RealGM mobile app

[CS707]

A discussion on value is nearly impossible. We have no idea what becomes of the pick seven (7) years down the road.

We also don't know what, if any, other offers there may have been. It's hard to believe that they couldn't land something with a more reasonable return timeline but that may in fact have been the case. Who knows.

[Wingy]

I haven’t watched him play, so need to reserve all real judgements.

However, I absolutely hate his lower body on his shot. I shouldn’t, but I’m judging. Effectiveness is more important, but yeah…can’t stand the crazy flailing and inconsistency.

[Chuck Everett]

Tyus would be great.

Also,

Read on Twitter

Naji had somewhat of a down year in New Orleans during the regular season (primarily due to injury), but in the playoffs, he was awesome on both ends of the floor. He was making SGA work in that Thunder series. He'd be a solid pickup.

didn't watch the Thunder and Pelicans series, wasn't really aware of Naji, but a good defender is always good to add, specially if Spurs do go after Tyus who is not the best defender in the league.

Rotation of Tyus, Tre, Castle, Naji and Vassel for the 1 and 2 would be decent for this first year while Castle develops.

Can Vassel play the 3 for 10 minutes a game?

Naji is strictly a SF I'd say or small ball 4, but he is also a legit POA defender. The issue is in New Orleans, they have Herb Jones and Dyson Daniels, so he was only the third best wing defender of the bunch, but this isn't a diss. I see the Spurs getting another wing before they get another PG personally.

PG - Tre/Castle/Wesley
SG - Vassell/Branham
SF - Champagnie/Keldon/Sissoko
PF - Sochan/Barlow
C - Wemby/Collins

Sandro M. has to be re-signed and the Spurs have to improve that SF slot (that is where they are weakest). Backup SG is their next weakest spot. In Castle and Wesley, the Spurs have two guys who get after it on the defensive end, but I think Wesley is beginning to realize his future is as a backup in this league, if he can commit to being a 3/D guard. He can make plays, but he just doesn't have the offensive instincts to be a starter on a team IMO.

Keldon has stagnated, but perhaps the full-time move to the bench from day one will unlock his play. Sochan is poised to be much better this year. I like Vassell, but he really needs to come into the season ready to play big minutes and be more consistent. His offensive improvement has been noticeable, but his defensive slippage has been notable as well. Also too many injuries with him for my tastes. This is also a big summer for Sissoko. He has to improve his three point shot and work on not fouling. He's got everything else.

If the Hawks wanted to salary dump DeAndre Hunter, if I was San Antonio, I would take him. I would also consider bringing Derozan back to start as a stopgap. He loves Pop and Demar's improved playmaking would definitely help Wemby.

[Chuck Everett]

A discussion on value is nearly impossible. We have no idea what becomes of the pick seven (7) years down the road. We also don't know if Dillingham will be the next Johnny Flynn or De'Aaron Fox.

For the Wolves, no team improved their current status more yesterday than MIN by adding Dillingham and Shannon. It doesn't get much better than Tim Connelly IMO.

For the Spurs, they have Wemby and Vassell to build around with a lot of future assets. The nightmare scenario...what if Castle turns out to be the bust and RD (or other players that were available) turn into stars?

That's not a possible scenario that Spurs fans can rule out completely and would be devastating for the build around Wemby. I would've taken the best talent on their board if I was the Spurs. Their time to start winning is now IMO.

Sent from my N152DL using RealGM mobile app

Not really. Castle won't bust. His defense alone is NBA quality. This guy is gonna be a 10 year pro at a minimum.

[G R E Y]

A discussion on value is nearly impossible. We have no idea what becomes of the pick seven (7) years down the road. We also don't know if Dillingham will be the next Johnny Flynn or De'Aaron Fox.

For the Wolves, no team improved their current status more yesterday than MIN by adding Dillingham and Shannon. It doesn't get much better than Tim Connelly IMO.

For the Spurs, they have Wemby and Vassell to build around with a lot of future assets. The nightmare scenario...what if Castle turns out to be the bust and RD (or other players that were available) turn into stars?

That's not a possible scenario that Spurs fans can rule out completely and would be devastating for the build around Wemby. I would've taken the best talent on their board if I was the Spurs. Their time to start winning is now IMO.

Sent from my N152DL using RealGM mobile app

Why would it be devastating even if it worked out just this way? It's one player in one draft. We have tons of assets and good cap management. We have overlap and variance built in to absorb a dud here and there and pivot.

[tcheco]

Naji had somewhat of a down year in New Orleans during the regular season (primarily due to injury), but in the playoffs, he was awesome on both ends of the floor. He was making SGA work in that Thunder series. He'd be a solid pickup.

didn't watch the Thunder and Pelicans series, wasn't really aware of Naji, but a good defender is always good to add, specially if Spurs do go after Tyus who is not the best defender in the league.

Rotation of Tyus, Tre, Castle, Naji and Vassel for the 1 and 2 would be decent for this first year while Castle develops.

Can Vassel play the 3 for 10 minutes a game?

Naji is strictly a SF I'd say or small ball 4, but he is also a legit POA defender. The issue is in New Orleans, they have Herb Jones and Dyson Daniels, so he was only the third best wing defender of the bunch, but this isn't a diss. I see the Spurs getting another wing before they get another PG personally.

PG - Tre/Castle/Wesley
SG - Vassell/Branham
SF - Champagnie/Keldon/Sissoko
PF - Sochan/Barlow
C - Wemby/Collins

Sandro M. has to be re-signed and the Spurs have to improve that SF slot (that is where they are weakest). Backup SG is their next weakest spot. In Castle and Wesley, the Spurs have two guys who get after it on the defensive end, but I think Wesley is beginning to realize his future is as a backup in this league, if he can commit to being a 3/D guard. He can make plays, but he just doesn't have the offensive instincts to be a starter on a team IMO.

Keldon has stagnated, but perhaps the full-time move to the bench from day one will unlock his play. Sochan is poised to be much better this year. I like Vassell, but he really needs to come into the season ready to play big minutes and be more consistent. His offensive improvement has been noticeable, but his defensive slippage has been notable as well. Also too many injuries with him for my tastes. This is also a big summer for Sissoko. He has to improve his three point shot and work on not fouling. He's got everything else.

If the Hawks wanted to salary dump DeAndre Hunter, if I was San Antonio, I would take him. I would also consider bringing Derozan back to start as a stopgap. He loves Pop and Demar's improved playmaking would definitely help Wemby.

I mentione the 2 as I saw his major minutes were played with Alvarado/CJ and Trey Murphy/ingram, but I guess Ingram played as a SG sometimes too, but I'd guess he could play more 3.

I'm a DD fan, not gonna lie, if Spurs are looking to put more veterans as Wemby, Castle and Sochan Keep developing, he could be worth it, as this roster can make up for his defensive shortcomings. That being said, I'd also like to see the Spurs sign/trade for a PG or SG, I have zero trust on Branham and Wesley ever ammounting to anything.

Tre/Castle
Vassel/Hield?
DD/Keldon/Champagnie
Sochan/DD
Wemby/Collins(hate him, get Jonas, don't care lol)

[jkvonny]

Getting a point guard prospect like Nikola Topic on rookie-scale and long-term team control is a good move no matter what stage of development you're at, but especially for the Spurs. An ambiguous future pick 6 or 7 years out isn't as good an asset to put in a trade package either if that's your goal.

Agreed.

And we passed up on Topic ( a big target of ours... we need better guards) for this??

Aah yes! The can't miss generational prospect, Nicola Topic that got drafted at 12. The one with one of the worst combine measurements of all time. The one with no defensive prowess. The one with an ACL injury so he wouldn't be playing the 24-25 season anyway so defeats the argument of getting better now.

The overreaction here is hilarious!!

We shall see.

Have to wait and see.