It’s going to be a weird summer for the San Antonio Spurs. After the team’s worst on-court season in more than 20 years, Gregg Popovich and company have to make significant decisions with regard to Kawhi Leonard and his future. Frankly, that is the headliner by which everything revolves in Spurs-land over the next few weeks but, aside from that, San Antonio holds its highest draft pick since 1997 when the team selected Tim Duncan at No. 1 overall.
Of course, the Spurs won’t have the benefit of a sure-fire Hall of Famer when they come on the clock at No. 18 and No. 49 overall but, in this class, there is a great deal of talent available in the teens and twenties, leaving plenty to choose from for San Antonio. It is, at least in some ways, difficult to discern what the Spurs may be looking for, though, as they have taken backcourt options in back-to-back drafts (Derrick White, Dejounte Murray) but still face considerable questions almost everywhere on the roster outside of Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge.
More than anything, the Spurs simply need an infusion of athleticism and talent and they can certainly add that with the No. 18 pick. It will be difficult to project San Antonio, more so than most teams, in advance of June 21 but here are a few pieces that could make sense at one of the team’s two draft slots.
- Troy Brown – SF/SG, Oregon – In the eyes of some, Brown was a slight disappointment during his one college season but the former five-star prospect has pedigree and talent. More than that, though, he is an incredible Spurs-y prospect, with a high basketball IQ, a ton of versatility and questions about his jump shot. He would make a ton of sense at No. 18 overall.
- Kevin Hervey – SF, UT-Arlington – Hervey would only be a target at No. 49 and he may not last that long. Still, he’s been routinely mocked in that range and, even if Leonard returns to San Antonio, the Spurs have a need for long, talented wings and forwards.
- Kevin Huerter – SG/SF, Maryland – Everybody needs shooting and that is why Huerter is skyrocketing in advance of the draft. It may feel high to take him at No. 18 (because it probably is) but the Spurs can aid in his defensive development and perhaps guide the Maryland product to his best eventual outcome.
- Elie Okobo – PG/SG, France – Murray is part of the backcourt of the future but there are questions about whether he can (or should) be a full-time offensive initiator moving forward. In adding Okobo, the Spurs would have a fun mix of size and talent. There are defensive and athletic concerns with Okobo but he knows how to play and has a ton of offensive upside.
- Zhaire Smith – SG/SF, Texas Tech – Smith may be the best athlete in the draft. That would be the basis of this selection and the Spurs could maximize his considerable defensive gifts while providing the avenue toward his development as a terrifying two-way force.
- Omari Spellman – C/PF, Villanova – It is impossible to gauge the market for Spellman. He may be off the board before the Spurs can take him in round two or he could find a comfortable landing spot here. What we know is that he’s a very intriguing offensive prospect as a stretch-5 with shooting range but he’ll need defensive seasoning. He can find that under Popovich’s wing.
