Solid points. I guess “backup big” could be replaced with “complimentary big” or someone to pair with Wemby. Thought that was a point of emphasis or whatever for the squad most of last season, and I gotta assume Bismack was just a…placeholder.
Don't Harp On The Fact That Chances of Getting 2 The Greek Are Slim - The Official 2025 San Antonio Spurs Offseason Thread
- Thread starter VBM
- Start date
Spurs ' draft day decision at 14 is more complicated than you think
With the second overall pick seemingly a given, the San Antonio Spurs' 14th pick could be just as important, if not more.
airalamo.com
The San Antonio Spurs are the only team in the 2025 NBA Draft with two lottery picks. They join the Utah Jazz, Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks, and Washington Wizards as the five teams that hold multiple picks in the first round. This presents a significant opportunity for some of the league's worst teams in recent years to change the trajectory of their franchises.
As they have for over two months, all signs point to the Spurs taking guard Dylan Harper with the second overall pick. Now all eyes are on what the Spurs will and can do with their second first-round pick at 14th overall. The options sure are endless.
Pick number 14 opens up a wide range of possibilities
Stay at 14 and run with it
If the Spurs decide to do the most typical Spurs thing imaginable and keep both of their first-round picks while playing the field, it would not be a surprise. Let’s assume that Harper is the pick for San Antonio with the second overall selection, the 14th pick could be used to add another project player. Luckily, 2025's class is loaded with talent.The Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Derik Queen of Maryland, would be an excellent choice due to his polished offensive game, reminiscent of former Portland Trailblazer and Memphis Grizzly Zach Randolph. The 6'9 forward possesses a great touch around the rim, a variety of post moves, strong passing ability, and effective rebounding techniques. Queen would make a fantastic counterpart for Victor.
Another strong candidate for the Spurs is the 18-year-old forward Noa Essengue, who could be the ideal "stretch-four" that the team has sought for years. Essengue will not turn 19 until December, but his scoring ability is comparable to that of Lauri Markkanen, who has been linked to the Spurs since 2020.
Trade down to gain further assets
With a draft class full of promising prospects, the Spurs have a valuable opportunity with the 14th pick. They could consider trading down to partner with a team looking to make a significant move. The Brooklyn Nets might be the ideal trade partner in this scenario.With four picks on the first night of the draft, the Nets could trade one of their late first-round picks and a future draft choice to the Spurs in return for the 14th pick.
Cedric Coward from Washington State has been rising on draft boards recently, and his skill set would be a good fit for Brooklyn. For the Spurs, obtaining either the 19th, 26th, or 27th pick, along with additional future draft capital, would be a beneficial deal for them. This situation is reminiscent of the move made in the 2024 draft involving Rob Dillingham and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Teams like the Miami Heat and Utah Jazz need to make significant changes and could also be potential trade partners with the Spurs if they consider moving down in the draft.
It is widely recognized that after missing out on the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes, Harper might be their only significant target in this entire draft, allowing them the flexibility to trade the 14th pick without any regrets. The players they are interested in at the 14th pick could still be available later in the night, so it makes sense for them to pick a swap with another team and stockpile more capital.
Deal away pick 14 to pursue an All-Star who can come in right away and contribute
As mentioned earlier, Durant will be someone else's responsibility in the upcoming season, which is great news for the Spurs. At this stage in his career, Durant's style does not align well with the current Spurs team, and it’s clear even to those who aren’t part of the franchise.With the 14th pick, the Spurs can take a gamble on a win-now player. One name that stands out is Jaren Jackson Jr. from the Memphis Grizzlies. After trading Desmond Bane last week, the Grizzlies might be open to further significant changes and could consider trading another star to initiate a massive rebuild.
If that happens, Jackson Jr. would be an ideal fit for the Spurs, especially alongside Victor Wembanyama, as their skill sets would complement eachother.
The only downside, if there is one, is that attracting talent like Jackson Jr. or other intriguing players around the league would likely require much more than just the 14th overall pick. It’s possible that fan-favorites Jeremy Sochan and Keldon Johnson would need to be included in any trade package, which could be tough for fans to accept. However, the current NBA trade market demands more than ever before.
Ultimately, the Spurs must ask themselves a challenging question: Do they want to remain in the realm of mediocrity in the NBA, or do they genuinely yearn to contend for a championship? For the past three to four years, the team has been labeled as "young and promising," even before Wembanyama arrived. But soon enough, that label has to either change, or they would have to blow up the ship again.
San Antonio is still one of the five youngest teams in the league, and has given Mitch Johnson the full-time coaching position, proving that there is a new era of Spurs basketball is beginning. However, this transition should not distract them from their primary focus. Regardless of their current team situation, the clock is still ticking for them to effectively navigate what feels like a multi-year rebuild.
The trade for De'Aaron Fox last season was impressive and not typically a move the Spurs would make, and they must make a similar and franchise-altering deal for their future during draft night, especially with pick 14.
San Antonio needs to take steps to maximize Victor's potential and surround him with quality and reliable talent (currently, Stephon Castle is the only true counterpart) if they want to hang with some of the league's best. Winning during the draft and, in this case, with the 14th pick, is a must.
duckbutta
eienaar van mans
Hopefully we package 14 with something to move up and draft Maluach. Since we don't seem to be using that pick in a trade might as well use it to get a big with upside in the draft.So, it’s draft week. Any fukkin chance in hell we package #14 with players/future assets to grab a quality backup big by Wed night?
I'd settle for Beringer though if he is there at 14
Beringer will almost definitely be there at #14. But do the Spurs really want to take a backup center that’s probably gonna take 3 years to develop? I feel like that’s a lot of investment for a backup when you’re realistically trying to make the play-in this year…and probably a strong run in 2027.
Maluach doesn’t make it to #14 so you’re right…they would have to trade to move up to get him. But since Phoenix didn’t get a center in their Durant trade, they gotta be eyeing Maluach pretty hard at #10.
Motherfukkin LOVE Maluach. It’s a pipe dream without a move-up like you said but that’d def be an exciting draft night.
duckbutta
eienaar van mans
What team is living and dying by their backup center? I can't think of one? I haven't looked at one team this year and thought "man if they backup center was better they would be the 3 seed instead of a play in team"
Be tall, grab rebounds, don't have stone hands like bassey, and don't make 17 million a year like Collins. If you can do that then the Spurs should have 15 to 18 minutes for you.
Getting a backup center in free agency is going to cost you way more in salary than getting one in the draft.
I understand.
I just think even at #14 you ought to set your sights on a player with a higher ceiling than that.
AlbertPullhoez
The Takeover
We should run Bismack as our backup C. He played well last season
This is weird. All mocks have Sorber going in the late teens or early 20s.
I’m not sure what the hell it means for his value to rise exponentially after the combine.
He’s not cracking the top 10. So maybe they think skyrocket means go from #19 to #15?
I will say that for Spurs fans who want to address the backup center position: here it is.
