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Spurs Big Board - 2020 NBA Draft

For the first time since the last century, the Spurs are in the lottery (and rapidly heading for a top 10 spot). With that fact comes a great deal of pressure. Why? Not because they could possibly be picking in the top 3-4 if the ping-pong balls fall their way -but because this isn't the future star laden draft that years prior, or possibly 2021 is shaping up to become - and the players who are most likely to get picked in the first four spots are not as polished, and have significant holes in their skill set.

So, what are the Spurs to do? Well for one - If I was part of PATFO, I would trade down. Trading down would remove the stigma of the player being so highly drafted, and the requisite expectation of stardom, enabling the Spurs to focus on that players development rather than having to fight a media war about having picked a player so high that might be an ill-fitting piece to the rotation puzzle. By trading down the Spurs could pick a player they want, who fits their needs, and who is still a high value pick, they could also end up getting a future 1st Rd pick in the deal, setting them up for a great 2021 or 2022 Draft.

Spurs Needs:

It's quite evident to me that the Spurs have three glaring holes in their current roster. These are:
A) A 3&D wing - preferably in the 6'7"-6'9" range. The Spurs need a perimeter defender to play alongside the likes of Forbes and Mills when they are on the court. Murray, White, Walker are turning into great defenders and Johnson looks like he will get there too, but all of them are 6'6" or shorter. There is a clear need for a taller, stronger perimeter defender who can move up into the 4-spot when needed. Perimeter shooting is a huge need, especially when inconsistent deep shooters are on the court, or the team is playing big.
B) A stretch 4/5 - Samanic fits into this category, and to a point so does Lyles (who I hope sticks around for the Spurs). But they need the stretch 4/5 to be able to rebound and defend the paint on the other end of the court. The stretch capacity comes into play when they are in a rotation with Poeltl, Aldridge or even Lyles.
C) A defensive/rebounding minded 4/5 - because as good as Poeltl is getting on that end (and I hope he stays a Spurs for a long time too), and Lyles work on the boards has been great at times this season - the Spurs really need a banger/bulldog type of interior player that makes defences collapse on them, opening up the perimeter for the shooters and slashers on the team. They also need more rebounds, and additional layers of interior defence, because if the stretch 4 is out on the perimeter with a couple of other players, there won't be enough Spurs players to pull in offensive rebounds.


The 2020 Draft

The 2020 Draft is not one with a plethora of high end taller, strong combo guards that can play both ways. There are, however, some solid combo-forwards, and bigs in the draft. In all likelihood, the Spurs are not going to find the next superstar in this draft, no matter how high they pick - they could, however, find a very good starting/rotation level player who balances out the skill set the current crop of youngsters have.

Bigboard:

It won't be until mid-late May, when the Lottery draw happens, that the Spurs, and us as fans find out where the SA pick resides. That may give us a clearer picture of who the Spurs 'MAY' choose with that pick. In the 1st Rd, there are a few solid combo forwards, as well as a couple bigs and wings who I think could fit the Spurs. In the 2nd Rd, there are a number of bigs who could end up decent role-players in the Spurs system.

So here's my attempt at having a look that who the Spurs may have a look at in both the 1stand 2nd Rounds of this year's NBA Draft. Note - the players in italics are who I think the Spurs will have a good close look for their 1st Rd pick...


Wings:
Devin Vassell (6'7" Late Lottery -€” Late 1st Rd) Tyler Bey (6'7" Mid-Late 1st Rd)
Jordan Nwora (6'7" Late 1st -€” 2nd Rd) Elijah Hughes (6'6" 2nd Rd)
Tres Tinkle (6'7" 2nd Rd) Kenyon Martin Jr (6'7" 2nd Rd)


Combo Forwards:
Deni Avdija (6'9" High Lottery) Jaden McDaniels (6'10" Mid Lottery -€” Mid 1st Rd)
Prescious Achiuwa (6'9" Mid-Late 1st Rd) Paul Reed (6'9" Mid-Late 1st Rd)
Saddiq Bey (6'8" Mid-Late 1st Rd) Patrick Williams (6'8" Late 1st- 2nd Rd)
Trendon Watford (6'8" 2nd Rd) Lamar Stevens (6'8" 2nd Rd)


Bigs:
Onyeka Okongwu (6'9" Lottery- Mid 1st Rd) Obi Toppin (6'9" Mid -€” Late Lottery)
Jalen Smith (6'10" Mid-Late 1st Rd) Isaiah Stewart (6'9" Mid-Late 1st Rd)
Vernon Carey Jr (6'10" Mid-Late 1st Rd) Daniel Oturu (6'10" Late 1st- 2nd Rd)
Zeke Nnaji (6'11" late 1st- 2nd Rd) Aleksej Pokusevski (7'0" Late 1st -€” 2nd Rd)
Xavier Tillman (6'9" 2nd Rd) Neemias Queta (7'0" 2nd Rd)
Nick Richards (6'11" 2nd Rd) Reggie Perry (6'10" 2nd Rd)
Nathan Knight (6'10" 2nd Rd) Mamadi Diakite (6'9" 2nd Rd)


There are some interesting players in this list, in both rounds. Will try to get some Draft Profiles done on as many as I can between now and the Draft which is on 25th June.

If you have a player that intrigues you, and isn't mentioned here, post them in the comments and I might have a look at them too.

My way too early prediction:

1st Rd - Devin Vassell

2nd Rd - Nathan Knight

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