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The San Antonio Spurs are reportedly interested in trading their two Top 10 picks in this year's draft for the top overall pick later this month, according to NBA Draft insider Jonathan Givony.
“You hear teams like San Antonio possibly exploring the idea of packaging the fourth and eighth pick. Maybe to move up to number one,” Givony, who serves as an NBA Draft analyst for ESPN, said as much on the national network.
The 2024 draft is widely considered weak, especially when it comes to potentially producing franchise players. In fact, there's thought that not a single guy taken will turn into the kind of cornerstone that teams covet when picking very high.
On the “Lowe Post” podcast, Givony said the Spurs' patience on bettering their roster does come with limits.
“There's also a sentiment that they might want to accelerate this process and try and be competitive sooner rather than later if they can, if there are good trade opportunities out there for them to add veteran pieces that can help them make a playoff run as soon as next year. I was told that they would look at that,” Givony shared.
“I've been told that they don't want to be bad (next season).”
The benefits of picking at 4 and 8
Since the Spurs aren't looking for a centerpiece with superstar Victor Wembanyama already in the fold, two lottery selections generally presents a dream scenario for building around their generational talent. Picking fourth overall and going again at eight gives San Antonio two big swings at prospects that might wreak havoc with Wemby.
The Spurs are exploring the idea of potentially packaging Nos. 4 and 8 overall to move up with the Hawks to No. 1, per @DraftExpress.
Hawks head coach Quin Snyder is reportedly a fan of Donovan Clingan, who Atlanta could secure in a trade-back scenario with San Antonio. pic.twitter.com/sssDUjMUDi
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) June 4, 2024
Because of the perceived parity of the players available in the draft, several names have been linked to the Silver and Black. Reed Sheppard and Dalton Knecht are notable shooters. Stephon Castle and Ron Holland have the kind of bodies and athleticism that translate well to the NBA game, while Nikola Topic and Rob Dillingham are projected playmakers–Topic as a creator and facilitator, Dillingham as a slasher and scorer.
The possibility of the Spurs drafting Matas Buzelis
Another option for San Antonio could be Matas Buzelis. At 6-foot-9, 212 pounds, the forward showed versatility on defense and moved well off the ball offensively during his one year with the G League Ignite. If paired with Wembanyama, another of his strengths may shine for the Spurs. His decisions in pick-and-roll situations were often good ones because he often put defenses in tough situations.
Buzelis' three-3shooting needs some work and though the Spurs lost the services of shot guru Chip Engelland several years ago, Jimmy Barron has proven to be a capable shooting coach. He's worked with young forward Jeremy Sochan and 24-year-old Keldon Johnson on improving their shooting forms over the last couple of seasons.
Whomever the Spurs pair with Wemby, Jonathan Givony emphasized the reality.
“Victor Wembanyama, he's a very competitive guy and he's not used to losing very much in his career. They understand the urgency of having a generational player like him and to try and tank next year to try to get a Cooper Flagg is not attractive option for them at this point,” Givony said referring to next year's slam dunk prospect.
There may not be such a thing this year. The again, the Spurs don't need one.
