NBA Turn Up: San Antonio Spurs
The other night I was asked a question by a friend who is a casual NBA fan. He asked, “Do you think the Spurs are losing on purpose”. I went on to explain that tanking is real and some teams do tank (Rockets) but I feel like the Spurs actually play hard every night. Sometimes they sit more players than necessary but when everyone suits up they play hard. San Antonio is one of the youngest teams in the league that play absolutely no defense, which is its downfall. The Spurs have only drafted at the #1 overall slot twice before and drafted: David Robinson & Tim Duncan. At least they didn’t screw it up, right? Let’s jump into where they stand with a very high possibility of pulling a top 3 draft pick.
The Spurs’ best players are Keldon Johnson (SF, 23 yrs old), Devin Vassell (SG, 22), Tre Jones (PG, 23) and Jeremy Sochan (PF, 19). Very young core that has plenty of experience in their young age. They also have some even younger prospects that I believe will eventually flourish and that is: Malaki Branham (SF. 19), Blake Wesley (PG, 19) and newly signed Charles Bassey (PF, 22). The Spurs have tons of athletic wings. Tre Jones is a solid point guard but would he be better off the bench? Branham is a star in the making but plays the same position as Keldon and Vassell. Sochan has been great in the post as a hustle and rebound first player. I’m looking forward to seeing what Bassey can do because he was a beast in college until he blew out his knee but looks to be back in his old form. Wesley has a ton of potential but is still very young and hasn’t really gotten very much playing time because of that. So, which direction should the Spurs go in the draft?
In my opinion, the Spurs need a point guard first and then a center. San Antonio has some great young wings that I feel will be ready to full flourish after this season. They will need a point guard to facilitate. Yes, Tre Jones can do that but he is not Scoot Henderson (projected top 2 pick). Charles Bassey is a strong 6’9” but he is not Victor Wembanyama at 7’5” with skills like Giannis who can shoot from range. These two positions are priority. The plan obviously depends on where their draft selection is.
If the Spurs win the lottery and have the #1 overall pick they should draft Wembanyama and I think they will. Like I said, he has the body frame like Giannis and if he can fill out like Giannis did AND stay healthy then it is a franchise changer. If the Spurs get the #2 pick and VW is gone then they should draft Scoot Henderson to run point guard and that will still be huge for the offense. If the Spurs are out of the top 2 that is when it gets tricky especially because they have so many wings already and this is a wing heavy draft. Would they trade the pick for more draft stock? It’s possible because I have no idea who they love at the top of the draft. You have to love the player if you are drafting in the top 5 or else it’s just not going to end well. Last years draft was stacked and I gave the Spurs an A grade with how they finished. I genuinely feel the Spurs will trade back and scalp the highest bidder if they have a top 5 pick. Unless they like Vassell running point and draft a wing but they still have Malaki Branham. There is Jarace Walker from Houston but you just signed Charles Bassey and they are basically the same player almost. Maybe, Anthony Black (Arkansas) or Cason Wallace (Kentucky) to run point guard? But they have Blake Wesley who is one of the youngest players in the league. Or, trade back and grab Kel’el Ware the 7’ freshman from Oregon? So many options.
This is such an intriguing draft because of the top 2 franchise altering prospects in Victor Wembanyama and Scoot Henderson. There are also tons of talented wing players in the draft. The San Antonio Spurs will have some interesting decisions to make if its ping pong balls don’t hop in those last two spots. I’m also a firm believer that teams that blatantly tank do not get rewarded so if these young Spurs keep playing hard it’ll all work out.
Thanks to those that took the time to read. Follow along on our socials and good luck to us!
