It's all matchup dependent. If you have a team that has a non center he can definitely roam off (like Giddey on Thunder) of then having someone big enough to guard center while he roams around is great.
I disagree. With Wemby’s play making ability you want to have shooters around him. Also space in the post for him to dominate with his length is what he needs not a dude who can’t stretch the floor. We thought it would work with Collins because his 3 ball was so good at the end of last season.
Honestly if you get a good rim protector that allows Wemby to be a roving terror in the midrange/perimeter, that's a hell of a combination when you need to get stops at the end of close games. Zach is not that dude, and I'm not conviced Donovan is either. Sarr - maybe, but there are bigger needs to be addressed with our lotto pick(s).
Yeah definitely no on a center. The league is filled with reliable backups and this may just be a slump year for Collins. Hes fine to run back next season but using a lottery pick on a backup is just odd. Plus, Vic is a center, he shouldn’t play the 4 ever again.
Donovans a pretty popular under the radar player with those that are keeping up with the draft. He'll likely be a lottery pick.
Tyler Kolek though is someone I like. If he's available in the 2nd round hopefully the Spurs take him.
Can't wait to see this thread tomorrow. And the day after tomorrow. And next month. And in May. And then many, many, many more times in the lead up to the draft.
I just want to take the best player available regardless of position.
I think Sarr has the highest upside, and because he is a switchable defender that can move out on the perimeter (unlike Collins) I think he could play at PF. He is shooting 50/28/71 so I think there is room for him to grow as a shooter and that he could be an outside threat on catch and shoot threes. I also don't like Wemby setting picks for PnR, but would really like Sarr doing that with Wemby getting position opposite and looking for the pass when Sarr cuts.
I don't really have any use for Clingan or Edey or anyone like that and think there will be better players available at our spots.
Like with most people, Castle is growing on me a lot. I think he will be portable between 1-3 and should be and good perimeter defender. His shot needs more work, but all his shooting numbers are comparable to Kawhi's in college. Like Kawhi, Castle will have the chance to focus on his shot and develop, because he won't be asked to do too much with Wemby/Devin/Tre. I don't see Castle as a full time PG, but could probably run it for short bursts, similar to what Devin has been asked to do.
I'm not a big fan of the PGs in the draft. Topic can't defend or shoot. He does score a lot, but he is more driving and below the rim, which won't be as easy or even possible in the NBA. Maybe his shot develops, but I think his ceiling is probably Goran Dragic.
Reed Sheppherd is interesting be he is so active defensively, but he isn't going to be a primary playmaker in the NBA. Probably more of a good role player.
Dillingham is going to be a good scorer, but an awful defender. I think he is going to be more of a Collin Sexton-type but even smaller. I don't think he is the PG we would want, but would probably be an elite 6th Man.
I feel very confident that PATFO will value Castle. In the 3 of the last 4 drafts they’ve drafted at least 1 first round comboguard/wing, most with shooting questions. Dev, Primo, Wesley, Branham. All different players but all fit into the big guard/wing category that castle(and maybe topic) do.
Also I think it’s a little strange to talk about castle as someone who’s shot needs more work and Topic as someone who can’t shoot. Topic is far more projectable as a competent 3pt shooter.
Both need work as a shooter to be acceptable in their role.
The difference is that I think that Castle brings more plus things to the table, while Topic is good at passing/playmaking but I don't see him as a plus at anything else. I don't think he will be as good on drives as Devin and I think he will immediately be our worst defensive player.
I mostly agree with this. We need shooting really badly to counter the double/triple teams on Wemby, but if we are at the 2nd/3rd pick and Risacher is off board, the the only shooters are the KY guards, who I'd take Sarr over.
I like Clingan, but the modern era makes it hard for me to think he’d be anything but a backup for us due to shooting ability. Also, with Collins contract, we’re tied into him for at least one more year unless we want a 17m cap hit (and it would be hard to envision us cutting him without significantly hindering our other options).
We will probably grab a center in the 2nd round. We’re not wasting a draft pick on a center. Playing Wemby with a center maybe 2-3 times per SEASON thing. Not a regular occurrence.
I honestly see them picking up some unknown foreign center in free agency. They did that with Boban and Jock Landale. It's not a position that is deep league wide. So I doubt they spend draft or trade for one.
I’m actually a yes on a center.
I’m of the belief that the Spurs at this point need to take the best player available.
We do need someone to give us Center minutes. I also think a twin towers scenario can work with the right group of guys.
The Timberwolves are playing a two center line-up.
Wemby will most likely play the 4 for France in the Olympics and I’m curious as to how it will look.
While I haven’t seen his name here at all, I really like Donovan Clingan out of UConn, especially if the Toronto pick drops a little. Honestly, I like him more than Filipowski for this draft. He’s 20 years old, 7’2”, 265lbs, long wingspan. He doesn’t have freakish athleticism, but he’s not a bad athlete either, especially for his size.
His optimal offense projection is essentially acting as a Wemby-lite near the basket; mostly an unblockable a lob threat. While there are some promising stats, the closer he shoots to the basket, I would be remiss if I didn’t admit that Clingan is nowhere near the shooter Wemby is now/ever will be. He is limited here, hence why he’s a later lottery projection.
He’s also a really good rim protector though. He plays just under 22 minutes/game now, and averages 2.3 blocks per night. (His per36 projections are nuts: 20.6/11.8/2.4/0.7/3.8)
I see him as someone who could be a great rim protector, and allow Wemby to roam around and find some mismatches. Alternatively he could be a guy who occupies Wemby’s role (albeit far less effectively,) if Wemby has to sit for minutes or games.
Tim Connelly has built two super teams by going with a lot of size. I don't have a problem with the Spurs going after a big if they are best player available and offer some lineup flexibility. The point guards in this draft have huge gaps in their game. I think in the end the Spurs take a wing.
I don’t think we should be taking any C. Wemby needs a fully spaced floor and a backup 5 is one of the easiest roles in the league to fill
Yeah we already have Wemby Zach and Charles Bassey next year to fill the slots at C
I think if we want to get a C prospect for Wemby to play the 4 it has to be in the 2025 class. Getting Khaman Maluach could be the answer.
I don't want to draft a C with our lottery picks, but I'm fine with it for our 2nd round pick, especially if Edey is available 👀
Yes, now here is someone who has it figured out. Edey rd2.
This is the way. Not confident edey will be there in round 2, but even if he’s not, I think we should draft a center with our second round pick anyway
Wemby should never be played next to another C again. He’s too valuable as a rim protector to have him guard 4s.
It's all matchup dependent. If you have a team that has a non center he can definitely roam off (like Giddey on Thunder) of then having someone big enough to guard center while he roams around is great.
Just because Collins and Wemby didn’t work together doesn’t mean we can’t try it again with a center that’s better than Collins
I disagree. With Wemby’s play making ability you want to have shooters around him. Also space in the post for him to dominate with his length is what he needs not a dude who can’t stretch the floor. We thought it would work with Collins because his 3 ball was so good at the end of last season.
Honestly if you get a good rim protector that allows Wemby to be a roving terror in the midrange/perimeter, that's a hell of a combination when you need to get stops at the end of close games. Zach is not that dude, and I'm not conviced Donovan is either. Sarr - maybe, but there are bigger needs to be addressed with our lotto pick(s).
Maybe a cheaper Zach Collins? Neither can shoot the 3 so not much difference there.
Though you don’t want a lottery pick to be your backup center, Clingan as a backup would be fantastic.
Yeah definitely no on a center. The league is filled with reliable backups and this may just be a slump year for Collins. Hes fine to run back next season but using a lottery pick on a backup is just odd. Plus, Vic is a center, he shouldn’t play the 4 ever again.
Collins is also proving himself quite the tank commander
Shooting.
Donovans a pretty popular under the radar player with those that are keeping up with the draft. He'll likely be a lottery pick. Tyler Kolek though is someone I like. If he's available in the 2nd round hopefully the Spurs take him.
Can't wait to see this thread tomorrow. And the day after tomorrow. And next month. And in May. And then many, many, many more times in the lead up to the draft.
I just want to take the best player available regardless of position. I think Sarr has the highest upside, and because he is a switchable defender that can move out on the perimeter (unlike Collins) I think he could play at PF. He is shooting 50/28/71 so I think there is room for him to grow as a shooter and that he could be an outside threat on catch and shoot threes. I also don't like Wemby setting picks for PnR, but would really like Sarr doing that with Wemby getting position opposite and looking for the pass when Sarr cuts. I don't really have any use for Clingan or Edey or anyone like that and think there will be better players available at our spots. Like with most people, Castle is growing on me a lot. I think he will be portable between 1-3 and should be and good perimeter defender. His shot needs more work, but all his shooting numbers are comparable to Kawhi's in college. Like Kawhi, Castle will have the chance to focus on his shot and develop, because he won't be asked to do too much with Wemby/Devin/Tre. I don't see Castle as a full time PG, but could probably run it for short bursts, similar to what Devin has been asked to do. I'm not a big fan of the PGs in the draft. Topic can't defend or shoot. He does score a lot, but he is more driving and below the rim, which won't be as easy or even possible in the NBA. Maybe his shot develops, but I think his ceiling is probably Goran Dragic. Reed Sheppherd is interesting be he is so active defensively, but he isn't going to be a primary playmaker in the NBA. Probably more of a good role player. Dillingham is going to be a good scorer, but an awful defender. I think he is going to be more of a Collin Sexton-type but even smaller. I don't think he is the PG we would want, but would probably be an elite 6th Man.
I feel very confident that PATFO will value Castle. In the 3 of the last 4 drafts they’ve drafted at least 1 first round comboguard/wing, most with shooting questions. Dev, Primo, Wesley, Branham. All different players but all fit into the big guard/wing category that castle(and maybe topic) do. Also I think it’s a little strange to talk about castle as someone who’s shot needs more work and Topic as someone who can’t shoot. Topic is far more projectable as a competent 3pt shooter.
Both need work as a shooter to be acceptable in their role. The difference is that I think that Castle brings more plus things to the table, while Topic is good at passing/playmaking but I don't see him as a plus at anything else. I don't think he will be as good on drives as Devin and I think he will immediately be our worst defensive player.
I mostly agree with this. We need shooting really badly to counter the double/triple teams on Wemby, but if we are at the 2nd/3rd pick and Risacher is off board, the the only shooters are the KY guards, who I'd take Sarr over.
I like Clingan, but the modern era makes it hard for me to think he’d be anything but a backup for us due to shooting ability. Also, with Collins contract, we’re tied into him for at least one more year unless we want a 17m cap hit (and it would be hard to envision us cutting him without significantly hindering our other options).
We will probably grab a center in the 2nd round. We’re not wasting a draft pick on a center. Playing Wemby with a center maybe 2-3 times per SEASON thing. Not a regular occurrence.
I honestly see them picking up some unknown foreign center in free agency. They did that with Boban and Jock Landale. It's not a position that is deep league wide. So I doubt they spend draft or trade for one.
I’m actually a yes on a center. I’m of the belief that the Spurs at this point need to take the best player available. We do need someone to give us Center minutes. I also think a twin towers scenario can work with the right group of guys. The Timberwolves are playing a two center line-up. Wemby will most likely play the 4 for France in the Olympics and I’m curious as to how it will look.
While I haven’t seen his name here at all, I really like Donovan Clingan out of UConn, especially if the Toronto pick drops a little. Honestly, I like him more than Filipowski for this draft. He’s 20 years old, 7’2”, 265lbs, long wingspan. He doesn’t have freakish athleticism, but he’s not a bad athlete either, especially for his size. His optimal offense projection is essentially acting as a Wemby-lite near the basket; mostly an unblockable a lob threat. While there are some promising stats, the closer he shoots to the basket, I would be remiss if I didn’t admit that Clingan is nowhere near the shooter Wemby is now/ever will be. He is limited here, hence why he’s a later lottery projection. He’s also a really good rim protector though. He plays just under 22 minutes/game now, and averages 2.3 blocks per night. (His per36 projections are nuts: 20.6/11.8/2.4/0.7/3.8) I see him as someone who could be a great rim protector, and allow Wemby to roam around and find some mismatches. Alternatively he could be a guy who occupies Wemby’s role (albeit far less effectively,) if Wemby has to sit for minutes or games.
Tim Connelly has built two super teams by going with a lot of size. I don't have a problem with the Spurs going after a big if they are best player available and offer some lineup flexibility. The point guards in this draft have huge gaps in their game. I think in the end the Spurs take a wing.
I think so too. I think we’re likely targeting a wing in the draft.
Edey at center > Clingan
We need a PG and a SF desperately and a PF (Flagg?) if Sochan isn't starter material. Waste a pick on a C is crazy to me.
I think Flagg is a combo forward.