There are a number of teams that will have multiple first-round picks in the 2019 NBA Draft. The Atlanta Hawks have picks No. 8 and No. 10, while the Celtics have three first rounders (No. 14, No. 20 and No. 22). The Cavaliers have both the No. 5 pick and the No. 26 pick.
But none of those organizations have proven that they have the same kind of acumen as the San Antonio Spurs, who have the No. 19 and No. 29 picks in the draft. Coach Gregg Popovich and his staff are some of the best in the league at evaluating talent. They are so good, in fact, that someone like Dejounte Murray — who missed all of last season with a torn right ACL — still looks like he could be a premium starting point guard and potential building block.
Thus, having multiple picks in the first round is an enviable asset for a team as historically successful as the Spurs. Given that this draft could be as volatile as any in history in terms of which players climb up the board or fall towards the end of the first round, San Antonio has the chance to select a pair of potential difference-makers who can help restore them as a contender in the Western Conference.
The Spurs also have options in terms of adding both shooting and frontcourt depth, two areas they need help in.
With all of this in mind, here are three ideal options for the Spurs with the No. 29 pick.
1. Grant Williams
Williams is one of those guys who could go in the lottery or fall all the way to the second round. Part of that has to do with his age (he will be 21 in November) relative to some of the other prospects, and the other part has to do with his frame.
Although he checks in at around 240 pounds and is one of the more physical presences in this draft, at just 6-foot-7 he is slightly undersized at the power forward position. Still, his skill set and strength could make him a perfect frontcourt partner for LaMarcus Aldridge.
San Antonio's bigs are somewhat lacking in post scoring ability. Of course, Aldridge is excellent in pick-and-pop situations and can definitely bang down low. But Jakob Poeltl is more of a defensive presence, and Davis Bertans is at his best when he extends opponents and plays from the perimeter.
Williams offers tremendous versatility at the 4. He averaged more than a block and a steal per game while adding close to 19 points and eight rebounds. Williams can knock down midrange jumpers while also carving out space for himself on the block.
Most importantly, he shot over 56 percent from the field in his junior year at Tennessee, and even has some potential to extend his game to the 3-point line as well.
The Spurs need some efficient scorers down low to take the pressure off DeRozan and Aldridge. And given that Popovich routinely churns out solid defenders in his system, Williams could be the steal of the draft should he fall to the end of the first round.
2. Matisse Thybulle
Thybulle would be a quintessential Spurs pick: an incredibly versatile and rangy defender with room to grow on the offensive side of the ball.
The University of Washington product was excellent in the Huskies' first-round win over Utah State in the NCAA Tournament, and although he struggled to score the ball against North Carolina in the second round, he still posted four steals and a pair of blocks.
For someone with his size (6-foot-5 and 195 pounds), Thybulle actually plays like a bigger wing with excellent defensive instincts. The Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year has a 7-foot wingspan, and he is deceptively long and nimble. In his senior season, he averaged an astounding 3.5 steals and 2.3 blocks per game.
Of course, he is not exactly a transformational player offensively. Thybulle shot just over 40 percent from the field and barely over 30 percent from beyond the arc. However, he shot 40 percent from 3 as a sophomore and close to 37 percent as a junior, so he is certainly capable of knocking down shots from the outside.
Depending on who the Spurs decide to take at No. 19, Thybulle could be the perfect selection as a potential 3-and-D guy who can contribute in the paint and on the perimeter. The Spurs ranked dead last in the NBA in forcing turnovers, and they desperately need a defensive playmaker. Thybulle fits that mold, and pairing him with Murray at times would be deadly defensively.
3. Dylan Windler
Windler has steadily climbed up draft boards in recent weeks, and with good reason. The former Belmont standout has size (6-foot-8, 200 pounds) and can shoot the lights out from beyond the arc. Windler averaged 21.3 points and shot close to 43 percent from deep in his senior season.
In the NCAA Tournament, Windler lit up the Maryland Terrapins for 35 points and shot 7-of-14 from deep while also grabbing 11 rebounds despite Maryland's massive frontcourt that included fellow draft prospect Bruno Fernando.
Windler would almost immediately be able to step in and produce in this Spurs system. As a forward who can stretch the floor, Windler can also get in the paint and battle for rebounds. He is not the most athletic guy on the board, but Windler has excellent length and should certainly benefit from the added spacing of the NBA game.
If the Spurs miss out on some of their other targets, Windler would be more than a consolation prize at the No. 29 spot.
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