FanPost

2020 NBA Draft - 2nd Rd Big Board


So it might look like the 2020 NBA Draft isn't going to happen until October - that just gives crazy fans like me more time to talk about potential picks for the Spurs. What might throw some interesting ripples into the draft process is if they actually go ahead and put Free Agency ahead of the Draft, as more trades and roster adjustments might happen before teams take their picks in the Draft - this means the Spurs might get a chance to add picks for the 2020 Draft or get future picks in 2021 or 2022. Even with the added time, the 2nd Rd picks of this year's draft are probably one of the most consistently stacked groups compared to other years. This draft is said to be a weak draft because there aren't a sizeable group of franchise, All-Star type players in the 1st Rd, but what this draft is strong in - role-players and solid rotation pieces.

So let's have a look at a few that fit the Spurs needs (which we all know are a SFs and bigs).

Firstly, the Wings/SF's...

Cassius Stanley - 6'6 - Duke

Stats: 27min - 12.6pts, 4.9reb, 1.0ast, 0.7blks, 0.7 stls, 1.9tov - shooting at 47%FG, 36%3PT, 73%FT

Highlights:

2019-20 Duke Highlights

Big game vs Georgetown

Fit with Spurs: Stanley is an athletic wing, who has a similar skill set to Keldon Johnson, so he wouldn't immediately fit with the current roster. But if he falls to the 2nd Rd, he might be a good candidate for a 2-way contract and some time in Austin.

Desmond Bane - 6'5 - TCU

Stats: 36min - 16.6pts, 6.3reb, 3.9ast, 0.5blks, 1.5stls, 2.2 tov - shooting at 45%FG, 44%3PT, 79%FT.

Highlights:

2019-20 Highlights

Huge game vs George Mason

Fit with the Spurs: At 6'5 he is more of a 2-Guard, and well the Spurs currently have a load of guards - but if Forbes and Belinelli both leave, the Spurs need outside shooting and Bane can bring that to the court. He also has solid defensive numbers and probably wouldn't be the defensive liability that Forbes and Belinelli are.

Jordan Nwora - 6'7.5 - Louisville

Stats: 33 min - 18pts, 7.7reb, 1.3ast, 0.3blks, 0.7stls, 2.1tov - shooting at 44%FG, 40%3PT, 81%FT

Highlights:

2019-20 Highlights

Big game vs Florida State Univ

Fit with the Spurs: Nwora is definitely a solid two-way prospect, and would fit in well with the Danny Green type of mould. His good shooting from deep would be much appreciated on the Spurs roster, and he would also be a solid perimeter defender. And his size puts him into that SF position the Spurs are in need of. If he is still available by the 41st pick, then he could be a legit target for the Spurs, and would also make a legitimate case for a 2-way contract.

Elijah Hughes - 6'6 - Syracuse

Stats: 37min - 19pts, 4.9reb, 3.4ast, 0.8blks, 1.2stls, 2.3tov - shooting at 43%FG, 34%3PT, 81%FT.

Highlights:

2019-20 Highlights

28pt game vs Boston College

Fit with the Spurs: Hughes also fits the two-way wing role. While his shooting from deep is only at 34%, his FT % is much higher and that could help with developing his perimeter shot into being more consistent and at a higher rate. He is also solid defensively. But he is also similar to Johnson, and would probably end up in Austin for a year or two to see how he shapes up. He could end up as a second unit spot up shooter from the deep.

Corey Kispert - 6'7 - Gonzaga

Stats: 33min - 13.9pts, 4reb, 2.1ast, 0.4blks, 0.9stls, 1.4tov - shooting at 47%FG, 44%3PT, 81%FT.

Highlights:

2019-20 Highlights

Big game vs North Carolina

Fit with the Spurs: Kyle Korver/JJ Reddick type of player. Not horrid on defence, as he hustles out on the perimeter - but is a real threat from deep - and this is much needed on the Spurs. If he got picked in the 2nd Rd, Kispert could see himself with a contract with the main team, similar to Metu's (who I don't see hanging around for much longer) due to his shooting alone.

Now for the bigs...

Paul Reed - 6'9 - DePaul

Stats: 32min - 15.1pts, 10.7reb, 1.6ast, 2.6blks, 1.9stls, 2.3tov - shooting at 52%FG, 31%3PT, 74%FT

Highlights:

2019-20 Highlights

Double-Double vs Iowa

Fit with the Spurs: I think Reed would be a welcome addition to the Spurs due to his level of hustle, and his ability to work hard in the paint getting rebounds and blocks. His ability to stretch it out to the perimeter a little helps too. I had Reed going in the late 1st Rd in my Mock Draft that I posted - so I doubt that he falls to the 41st spot - but that said IF he does, the Spurs would be quite silly not to grab him. After the compulsory year in Austin, I could see Reed as being a solid role-player on the 2nd Unit, and spot starting. He is a little like Trey Lyles and could work as his replacement - maybe with a bit more defensively.

Xavier Tillman - 6'9 - MSU

Stats: 32min - 13.7pts, 10.3reb, 3.0ast, 2.1blks, 1.2stls, 2.0tov - shooting at 55%FG, 25%3PT, 67%FT

Highlights:

2019-20 Highlights

All-round game vs Illinois

Fit with the Spurs: Tillman is a hardworking forward who can play small ball centre. He uses size and strength down low, and would provide the Spurs with another interior presence. Tillman would be a solid role-player who comes in does the dirty work for a few minutes a game. He could play the baby Shaq role quite well.

Daniel Oturu - 6'10 - Minnesota

Stats: 33.9min, 20.1pts, 11.3reb, 1.1ast, 2.5blks, 0.5stls, 2.8tov - shooting at 56%FG, 37%3PT, 71%FT.

Highlights:

2019-20 Highlights

Big game vs Michigan

Fit with the Spurs: Oturu has been getting a good look in with around 20 teams having contacted him already (sorry can't find link to story). He has the athleticism, rebounding, defence and ability to stretch the floor flash his ability to be a better Dedmon type player. He could possibly go in the late 1st Rd, but if he falls to the 41st spot, the Spurs would need to give him a really good look. He would be another I could see getting a 2-way contract.

Udoka Azubuike - 6'11 - Arizona

Stats: 27.7min - 13.7pts, 10.3reb, 0.9ast, 2.6blks, 0.5stls, 2.5tov - shooting at 75%FG, 0%3PT, 44%FT

Highlights:

2019-20 Highlights

Huge game over TCU

Fit with the Spurs: If the Spurs want a rim-running big who will soak up rebounds and protect the paint, then Azubuike is their guy. But he has no ability to shoot it from deep, and his FT% is terrible. He is also a senior which means the year or two he spends in Austin would make him in his mid-20's by the time he could possibly get a gig on the main team. But as they say 'You can't teach size' - and he has all the size and strength to be a solid back-up 5.

Zeke Nnaji - 6'11 - Arizona

Stats: 30.7min - 16.1pts, 8.6reb, 0.8ast, 0.9blks, 0.7stls, 2.2tov - shooting at 57%FG, 29%3PT and 76%FT.

Highlights:

2019-20 Highlights

Near double-double vs Utah

Fit with Spurs: He sort of is like Oturu, just without the more well-rounded game. His numbers are solid but not great either, so if he ended up as the Spurs pick you can bet he ends up in Austin for a couple of seasons to polish his game up. He is only a freshman, so he has a few years to spare to build on. He could potentially be a solid role-player big in the 4&5 spots, particularly with a second unit that has outside shooters.

Reggie Perry - 6'10 - Mississippi State

Stats: 31.1min - 17.4pts, 10.1reb, 2.3ast, 1.2blks, 0.8stls, 2.9tov - shooting at 50%FG, 32%3PT, 47%FT.

Highlights:

2019-20 Highlights

Big game vs Florida

Fit with Spurs: Perry is a hustling, bustling hardworking player who could fill both the 4&5 spots on court. It's kind of weird that he can shoot around 32% from deep but only 47% from the charity stripe. But I think that his hustle and interior defensive, and ability to provide some semblance of stretch capacity may put him on the Spurs radar.

Nick Richards - 6'11 - Kentucky

Stats: 29.6min - 14pts, 7.8reb, 0.2ast, 2.1blks, 0.1stls, 1.6tov - shooting 64%, 0%3PT, 75%FT

Highlights:

2019-20 Highlights

Double-double vs Mississippi State

Fit with the Spurs: Is another of the solid back-up bigs that are projecting to go in the 2nd Rd. He too would probably spend a year or two in Austin. If he develops an outside shot, and learns to really get in there and haul in more rebounds then he might have a shot at becoming a solid big who plays most of the time with the second unit of a team. Spurs probably would look at the other bigs of similar size and skill sets over Richards.

Paul Eboua - 6'8 - Pro in Italy

Stats: 21.6min - 7.4pts, 5.3reb, 0.8ast, 0.7blks, 0.7stls, 1.2tov - shooting at 46%FG, 26%3PT, 63%FT

Highlights:

Pro highlights from 2019-20

20pt game

Fit with the Spurs: Eboua is a 20yr old who has been playing in the Italian league - meaning he has played against men, and not just players of similar age. He is in every sense a project though, and it shows in his inconsistency on court. However, the skill set is there, and with some good coaching he could be a very useful player. He is athletic and uses it to attack the lane, and in getting rebounds. He does flash some defensive upside. Overall, he could be a player the Spurs either leave over in Europe to get more experience, or they could bring them in to get experience in Austin. The potential is there for the makings of a solid rotational player.

Killian Tillie - 6'10 - Gonzaga

Stats: 24.5min - 13.6pts, 5reb, 1.9ast, 0.8blks, 1stl, 1tov - shooting 54%FG, 40%3PT, 73%FT.

Highlights:

2019-20 Highlights

22pts vs BYU

Fit with the Spurs: Well he sure would provide the stretch big that the modern NBA covets so much these days. For a big his rebounding stats aren't great, but when he spends so much time on the perimeter on offence, it's hard to grab rebounds at that end of the court. His defensive numbers are quite solid - especially considering he was only playing around 25min per game. I could see the Spurs taking a serious look at him if he's available around the 41st pick. But he is a senior and that might work against him if he spends a year or two in Austin. But if he was drafted, and he does well in summer camp/league - then he could win a 2-way contract or take Metu's spot.

Makur Makur - 6'11 - After high school but not in college - not sure how that all works.

Stats (from high school): 9.5pts, 8.2reb, 0.6ast, 2.5blks, 0.4stls - shooting at 41%FG, 0%3PT. 60%FT (hard to find accurate stats for him too).

Highlights:

Highlights from Hillcrest

Random Highlights

Fit with the Spurs: I added Makur purely for his project status. I have read that he intends to declare for college if he isn't projected to go in the 1st Rd of this years draft. So, we'll probably see him in college next season. But if he does stay in the draft and he falls to the 2nd Rd - then he would be a great project for the Spurs to work on in Austin for a few years. He has some pretty good ball-handling skills for such a big guy. He would be an intriguing fit on the Spurs if he could add muscle, and get an outside shot.

So which of these do you think the Spurs could/should be looking at?

My favourites are mostly bigs, but include the likes of Kispert, Nwora, Reed, Oturu, Tillman, Perry and Eboua.

This is fan-created content on PoundingtheRock.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff at Pounding the Rock.