San Antonio Spurs: 5 options for pick No. 59 in 2017 NBA Draft
NBA Draft
Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Overlooking the value of a second-round pick is never a wise decision for an NBA front office. This is particularly true in the 2017 NBA Draft with so much talent leaking beyond the first round. Here are 5 options for pick No. 59 for the San Antonio Spurs.
The San Antonio Spurs are about due for a second-round gem. Davis Bertans, who played his first NBA minutes this season after being drafted in 2011, was their last second round pick (via trade with the Indiana Pacers) to become a contributor for the team.
The Spurs are ready for a little second-round magic too. With so many key players entering free agency and not a lot of money to spend, this late pick could wind up playing meaningful minutes right off the bat.
San Antonio's greatest position of need is at center, even if Pau Gasol and Dewayne Dedmon both come back to the team. Therefore, they should look to select one of the many talented centers with their first round pick, leaving their second selection of the night for another need.
With Manu Ginobili possibly retiring, and Patty Mills and Jonathon Simmons entering free agency, the San Antonio Spurs could need help on the perimeter for 2017-18. This player should be able to defend multiple positions and hit the three in order to contribute right away. With Danny Green having a player option for 2018-19, a player in his mold may be a necessity.
Keeping those thoughts in mind, here are five players the San Antonio Spurs could look at with the 59th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.
Dec 3, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes guard Davon Reed (5) celebrates during the second half against Wofford Terriers at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
5. Davon Reed, SG, Miami
Davon Reed is a senior out of Miami who you will not see on your more popular mock drafts, as DraftExpress, Tankathon and NBADraft.net all currently have him not being selected on June 22. But with the 59th pick in the draft, the "potentially undrafted pool" is the exact place the San Antonio Spurs will be looking when they prepare to make this selection.
There is a lot to like about Reed considering today's style of play in the NBA. He has the right size (6'6″ 206 pounds) length (7'0″ wingspan) and skill-set (3-and-D) to be a wing on a winning team.
Unfortunately for Reed, he has a few red flags that keep good players like him from having high draft stock. First, he was a senior this year, making him 3-4 years older than most of the top prospects. Second, he doesn't have quite the athleticism or ball-handling skills to make him a natural shot creator.
These facts shouldn't deter San Antonio though. Reed is a competitor on defense and a guy who can hit a spot up three on offense, just the type of player the Spurs like. He could fit in right away on the roster with all of their potential departures over the next couple of years, and slowly build his game under Gregg Popovich & co.
Mar 18, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Florida Gators forward Devin Robinson (1) looks on against the Virginia Cavaliers during the second half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
4. Devin Robinson, SF/PF, Florida
Devin Robinson out of of Florida could be an intriguing pick for the San Antonio Spurs. While I mentioned this pick should lean toward a wing or shooting guard, Robinson's versatility, coupled with that of another Spurs player, could fill the role.
With Kyle Anderson seeing minutes for the Spurs at the 2, 3 and 4 this year, we could see him move permanently to the backcourt in the near future, opening up a spot for Robinson as a combo forward.
Robinson's size (6'8″ with a 7'1″ wingspan) and athleticism (41.5″ max vertical) are terrific for a versatile defender, and he began improving his three-pointer this year at Florida. He has the potential to defend the rim and play out on the perimeter defensively, a unique aspect for a second-round forward.
DraftExpress and Tankathon have Robinson going 51 and 53 respectively, so there's a chance he's available at 59. A potential wing combination of Anderson-Robinson-Kawhi Leonard would be monstrous defensive unit with offensive versatility.
Apr 1, 2017; Glendale, AZ, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks guard Sindarius Thornwell (0) reacts after making a basket against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the second half in the semifinals of the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
3. Sindarius Thornwell, SG, South Carolina
While it is unlikely, with such a deep draft class there is a slight chance Sindarius Thronwell could fall to the Spurs here. DraftExpress currently has him at 57 to the Brooklyn Nets, while other sites have him in the top-40.
Thornwell is ready for the NBA from a defensive standpoint, standing 6'5″ at about 215 pounds with a 6'10" wingspan. He is a tough defender who has shown the ability to rebound (7.2 per game last year) and should adjust well to the NBA game.
It is the offensive end where Thornwell is most intriguing. Not a knock-down jump shooter, the SEC Player of the Year finds ways to score at all levels, including from behind the arc. He has the ball handling and IQ to get the shot he wants at the rim or in the midrange.
With his toughness and ability to score inside the arc, with potential from three, Thornwell could fill a void left by Jonathon Simmons. Though he's not as great an athlete as Simmons, his ball handling and strength helps him get where he wants on the court.
November 19, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Jonah Bolden (43) moves the ball against Pepperdine Waves forward Kameron Edwards (13) during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
2. Jonah Bolden, PF, International
Jonah Bolden is a combo forward who played in the Adriatic League this past year after leaving UCLA. Drafting him would follow the same path as Devin Robinson, with Kyle Anderson making a more permanent switch to the backcourt.
Bolden has shown a lot of versatility as a combo forward this year, particularly on offense. He averaged 12.9 points per game, including nearly two threes a night. He also has the ability to go coast-to-coast after grabbing a rebound and creating a bucket in transition.
Bolden's draft stock varies depending on where you look. On The Ringer's 2017 NBA Draft Guide he is slotted at going 27th to the Brooklyn Nets. On DraftExpress he goes 46 to the Philadelphia 76ers, and he drops to the 50s on both Tankathon (54) and NBADraft.net (59 — whoa).
Bolden's road to the NBA has been unique after playing both college and overseas before declaring for the draft. But with his dynamic offensive game, size and defensive potential, he could be a steal for the Spurs at No. 59.
Feb 9, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs guard Sterling Brown (3) dribbles against the Temple Owls during the second half at Liacouras Center. Southern Methodist Mustangs won 66-50. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
1. Sterling Brown, SG, SMU
Sterling Brown out of SMU has the optimal amount of skill, fit and likely availability to top this list. As a knockdown three-point shooter with a big strong body (6'5″, 225 pounds, 6'9.5″ wingspan) who plays hard on D, Brown has the skills the Spurs should be looking for on offense and defense.
Brown has the shooting ability to contribute right away, comfortable as a spot-up shooter or off the bounce. He is not the most gifted ball handler or best athlete, but can be effective off the ball. This year at SMU he shot nearly 45 percent from three, going 1.7-of-3.9 on average each night.
Defensively he uses his strength and IQ to make up for his lack of quickness, tools imperative for a San Antonio Spurs defender. With his size and willingness to work on that end of the court, he can excel guarding most forwards. Eventually, as he works to make up for the lack of speed, he should be able to cover most wings around the three-point line as well.
Sterling falls in the late 40s-late 50s on most mock drafts, meaning he could be available for the San Antonio Spurs at 59. With a little more talent than Reed, more shooting/fit than Robinson and Bolden, and a higher likeliness of being available than Thornwell, Sterling Brown could be a top option for the Spurs with this pick.
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