The NBA Draft lottery is a foreign place for the San Antonio Spurs but this is exactly where they found themselves this season. After 22-straight seasons of making the playoffs, the Spurs found themselves looking on for the third year in a row. The Spurs entered the lottery with the 9th best odds at the top pick after their 34-48 record.

The Spurs have clearly made it a point to target tall athletic wings in recent years. Devin Vassell and Josh Primo are set to be a part of the team’s long-term future and Dejounte Murray is quickly establishing himself as one of the faces of the franchise. Despite being knocked out of the play-in tournament by the New Orleans Pelicans, the future is bright for San Antonio. Their focus will shift toward adding another key piece in this year’s draft. With the ninth pick officially secured, here are three players the Spurs should be looking to target in the draft.

Spurs Best Options With 9th Pick In 2022 NBA Draft

AJ Griffin- SF Duke

With their eye on lengthy wings, AJ Griffin would be a seamless fit on the Spurs. The Duke product plays within his role and makes the smart basketball play on an every-play basis. Griffin shot an impressive 44.7% on three-point attempts in his lone college season. This ability as a deep threat will allow him to space the floor immediately and makes him a weapon in today’s game.

One of the criticisms of Griffin has been his lack of assertiveness on the offensive end. He was oftentimes overshadowed by Paolo Banchero and other talented members of the Duke team this season. The 6’6” forward is unselfish to a fault but this is something he will learn the more he plays. The 18-year-old averaged 10.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.0 assists. He has an NBA-ready body and a style of play that will translate better at the next level. AJ Griffin has the feel of a Spurs player and would be an excellent pick if he is on the board at the ninth pick.

Shaedon Sharpe- SG Kentucky

The biggest mystery man in this year’s draft is Shaedon Sharpe.  The 18-year-old did not play a minute of college basketball after reclassifying and joining Kentucky midseason. He has the frame and skill set that will appear to flourish at the next level but has such a small sample size to analyze. Sharpe rocketed up recruiting rankings after his strong performance in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League and has capitalized on this.

His 6’6” frame and 7-foot wingspan paired with his eye-popping athleticism make him tough to pass on. Sharpe possesses impressive finishing ability and a good-looking jump shot. His shot selection could use some work but he shows promise as an off-ball cutter. Under more normal circumstances there is a real chance he could be in the running for a top pick. This potential makes him tough to pass up on if he is on the board for the ninth pick.

Tari Eason- SF/PF LSU

The Cincinnati transfer is another player who fits the mold of what the Spurs are attempting to build. In his lone season at LSU, he averaged 16.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.9 steals, and 1.1 blocks. His 7-foot wingspan and impressive defensive instincts make him incredibly impactful defensively. Eason is capable of guarding positions 1-4 and excels when getting out in transition. He has impressive athleticism and a solid handle for his size.

The forward’s shooting mechanics need to be brushed up and he at times makes mental errors. He is overly reliant on his athleticism and attempts to make passes he is not capable of at times. Eason turned the ball over 2.2 times per game while only averaging 1.0 assist. He did take a notable step forward as a three-point shooter in his season at LSU as he raised his percentage from 24.1% to 35.9% this season. The 21-year-old has exciting potential and the leap forward he took this season gives hope that he can reach it. The Spurs would have to be patient in his development, but his ceiling may be worth it.