San Antonio Spurs Mock Draft 2024: Projected picks and more
The San Antonio Spurs already acquired the cornerstone piece that they dreamt of when they drafted Victor Wembanyama last year. The basketball gods continued to smile upon them when they were given the fourth and the eighth picks in this year's draft.
Aside from the two lottery picks on Wednesday, the Spurs also have the 35th and the 48th picks on Thursday. This franchise has shown that it has a fantastic eye for talent and that it has what it takes to develop players taken late in the draft.
Finding pieces that they can pair with Wemby and help propel them into contender status is a priority for the Spurs this summer. Here are some prospects whom they can take with their lottery picks who can help them climb back to the top of the NBA.
Also read: "I love coach" - Projected lottery pick Rob Dillingham says he talked to only one coach in the NBA, the oldest one
San Antonio Spurs 2024 Mock Draft
#1, Stephon Castle | Guard | Connecticut
Before the San Antonio Spurs could return to being one of the NBA's best teams, they'll need a reliable backcourt. At 6-foot-6, Stephon Castle could be an oversized point guard who facilitates and directs traffic in the open court.
He isn't a great 3-point shooter, but he is switchable and can fill different roles or different positions. This upside outweighs his lack of a reliable shooting touch. Additionally, the Spurs have already shown that they can take a nonshooter, place him in the backcourt and then make it work. Just look at how well Tony Parker and Avery Johnson worked out for them.
#2, Rob Dillingham | Guard | Kentucky
The San Antonio Spurs can take two backcourt players in the lottery, and if they take a nonshooter in Stephon Castle with the fourth pick, taking a primary ball-handler with deep range like Rob Dillingham with the eighth pick is a prudent choice. After all, Dillingham already had dealings with Gregg Popovich.
Dillingham looks like he can immediately be the starting point guard for Gregg Popovich or he can be an off-the-bench sparkplug. His ability to stretch the floor and create plays will complement what the Spurs already have and if he reaches his ceiling, could be a foundational piece next to Wemby.
#3, Donovan Clingan | Center | Connecticut
Gregg Popovich can easily make two 7-footers work together, just ask Tim Duncan and David Robinson. If the San Antonio Spurs end up trading for a starting point guard like Trae Young or even Darius Garland, taking another big man could be beneficial.
While Alex Sarr or Zaccharie Risacher are intriguing prospects to pair with Wemby, they are unlikely to be available unless the Spurs trade up in the draft. Enter Donovan Clingan. Clingan is a strong rim defender who could come in and keep the defensive pace up when Wemby sits or he can share the court with Wemby and ensure that scoring on the inside is no easy task.
#4, Nikola Topic | Point Guard | Serbia
Nikola Topic is still recovering from a partially torn ACL, so drafting him will carry some risks. By looking at how well he scores and facilitates plus by taking into account his age, that risk might well be worth it.
Topic can run an offense and his 6-6 frame can make him a tough matchup for smaller guards. He will need to work on his 3-point-shooting, but his ability to attack the rim paired with his playmaking and IQ means he is one of the best prospects for the San Antonio Spurs.
#5, Reed Sheppard | Shooting Guard | Kentucky
If Reed Sheppard is still available when the San Antonio Spurs are on the clock, taking him with the fourth pick could prove to be a prudent move. He can shoot, and he can force turnovers.
Sheppard is more suited to a combo guard role than a lead guard at this stage but he does not need to become a primary ball-handler especially if the Spurs trade for a star point guard.