San Antonio Spurs: NBA Draft 2017 Results and Highlights

Follow along with our live coverage of the 2017 NBA Draft, along with everything the San Antonio Spurs do on Thursday night?

On Thursday night, the San Antonio Spurs will take to the 2017 NBA Draft. They’ll look to select players that can impact the team next season or in a future year, such as if they use the draft-and-stash technique.

The Spurs own the No. 29 overall pick in the Draft. It’s the second consecutive year they’ve owned this selection, with the 2016 pick being used on point guard Dejounte Murray. The Washington product played a backup role for the 2016-17 season, including seeing his minutes increase in the NBA Playoffs.

The No. 59 pick also belongs to San Antonio. The last time this franchise had this selection, they used it on Marcus Denmon, who never suited up in the NBA.

However, the end of Round 2 has given the NBA gems before, including Manu Ginobili in 1999 (No. 57) and Isaiah Thomas in 2011 (No. 60). Will the Spurs strike gold again?

As for the rest of the 2017 NBA Draft, it will kick off with the Philadelphia 76ers at No. 1 overall. They acquired this pick from the Boston Celtics days before the show and could select Washington guard Markelle Fultz.

The Los Angeles Lakers will follow at No. 2. It’s the organization’s third straight year of drafting in the first three picks (D’Angelo Russell in 2015, Brandon Ingram in 2016). Who will they take in Magic Johnson’s first draft as President of Basketball Operations?

Rounding out the top three will be the Celtics. This is the second straight year of them picking this high, due to the 2013 trade that sent Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to the Brooklyn Nets. Last year, it was Jaylen Brown, so who will it be in 2017?

The 2017 NBA Draft will begin at 7:00 p.m. ET. Follow along here, as the Spurs and 29 other teams make their selections.

Round 1

Philadelphia 76ers – Markelle Fultz, PG, Washington – No surprise here. The Sixers traded up, with the intent of selecting Fultz at No. 1 and did so. The next big-time team in the Eastern Conference is on the horizon.
Los Angeles Lakers – Lonzo Ball, PG, UCLA – Well, LaVar Ball got his wish, as he so eloquently stated in an interview during the draft. Lonzo steps in as the starting point guard for the Lakers, especially with D’Angelo Russell on his way out to the Brooklyn Nets.
Boston Celtics – Jayson Tatum, SF, Duke – A somewhat curious pick here, as Tatum projects as somewhat of a tweener at 6-foot-8. He doesn’t do anything great or bad and doesn’t have a great outside shot. The fit is also interesting, as the Celtics took Jaylen Brown at No. 3 in 2016.
Phoenix Suns – Josh Jackson, SF, Kansas – Jackson doesn’t everything great except shooting, but that’s okay, with Devin Booker already in town. The former Kansas star will play a great compliment to Booker and have the opportunity to play with a handful of younger stars in the NBA.
Sacramento Kings – De’Aaron Fox, PG, Kentucky – Point guard was somewhat of a desperate need for Sacramento, who had Darren Collison starting. Fox steps in with new energy on the defensive end and the ability to make everyone around him better.
Orlando Magic – Jonathan Isaac, SF, Florida State – Isaac has a skillset that could blossom at any point, with length, athleticism, shot-blocking ability and a developing shot. However, he’s ridiculously thin at 6-foot-10, 210 pounds. Despite this, the Magic are getting someone who should fit in as at least a defensive force that gives the team somewhat of an identity.
Chicago Bulls (via MIN) – Lauri Markkanen, PF, Arizona – This pick comes via the Minnesota Timberwolves, which is outlined below. Markkanen is a terrific shooter that gives the Bulls something they badly needed last season. He’ll stretch the floor for the aging Dwyane Wade and whoever else surrounds them next season.
New York Knicks – Frank Ntilikina, PG, France – Ntilikina will join a turbulent Knicks team that’s shopping Kristaps Porzingis in trade talks, so who knows what New York’s newest player is in for. However, this Frenchman will step in as a top-notch defender, has great athleticism and a solid shooter. It’s an intriguing package, and he could start right away.
Dallas Mavericks – Dennis Smith Jr., PG, North Carolina State – Smith Jr. should become a fantastic offensive player in the NBA. He was explosive in college and should be a consistent high-point man in the NBA. The defense will hopefully come along, potentially making Smith an all-around player.
Portland Trail Blazers – Zach Collins, C, Gonzaga – Collins played in limited minutes with Gonzaga, but flashed plenty of potential in his one season. He’s a potential double-double machine that should start within the next few years.
Charlotte Hornets – Malik Monk, SG, Kentucky – Monk’s talent should have landed him in the top-10. He’s a terrific shooter that will give the Hornets instant offense — at least off the bench — for the time being. Monk is undersized at 6-foot-3, but others like Ben Gordon and Eric Gordon, have succeeded like this before.
Detroit Pistons – Luke Kennard, SG, Duke – Kennard developed into a terrific scorer in his sophomore year at Duke. He can shoot from anywhere and should survive in the NBA based off that, despite deficiencies in other parts of his game.
Utah Jazz (via DEN) – Donovan Mitchell, SG, Louisville – This comes via trade with the Denver Nuggets. Mitchell is undersized at 6-foot-2, but has a freakish 6-foot-10 wingspan that could cover up other flaws in his game. His athleticism is also eye-popping and should make him a top defensive guard.
Miami Heat – Bam Adebayo, PF, Kentucky – Adebayo going this high in surprising. He’ll rebound and block shots, but has a long way to go on offense. At worst, however, Adebayo will be a backup for the Heat and provide about 15-20 quality minutes.
Sacramento Kings (via POR) – Justin Jackson, SF, North Carolina – This comes via trade from the Blazers. Jackson has a tempting 6-foot-11 wingspan and should last in the NBA as a scoring wing. He’s also a quality defender that will get extra minutes off the bench because of that, if he doesn’t start right away.
Minnesota Timberwolves (via CHI) – Justin Patton, C, Creighton – This comes via trade with the Chicago Bulls. Patton is an interesting pick for the Timberwolves. He obviously won’t start since Karl-Anthony Towns is there, but could spell with a handful of minutes off the bench. Patton’s one of the most athletic big men in the draft, but doesn’t grab a ton of rebounds and is thin for his position at 210 pounds.
Milwaukee Bucks – DJ Wilson, PF, Michigan – It’s been a draft of wingspan, folks. Wilson has a 7-foot-3 wingspan, which should make him a solid shot blocker for the Bucks. He’ll hit a few shots and potentially slide in as a backup at the four and five spots.
Indiana Pacers – TJ Leaf, PF, UCLA – Though Paul George is still a Pacer, this is pretty much the first pick of the after-era. Leaf will be a solid stretch for, something every NBA team craves. It may make him a designated shooter, though, unless he bulks up to battle against the bigger players at his position.
Atlanta Hawks – John Collins, PF, Wake Forest – Collins is an active player and will grab plenty of rebounds. His offensive game can also work around the basket, but in a league that keeps on shooting, this may deter him from seeing the court more often. However, Collins has the athleticism to stick and could work into a decent role player.
Sacramento Kings (via POR) – Harry Giles, PF, Duke – This comes via trade with Portland. Giles was once a top recruit, but continuous knee injuries pushed him down to No. 20. If he can stay healthy, he’ll be a tremendous power forward, but how much have the ailments hurt his athleticism?
Oklahoma City Thunder – Terrance Ferguson, SG, USA – No college designation for Ferguson, who skipped out to play professionally in Australia. He has the athleticism and size (6-foot-7) for the shooting guard position to succeed. A lack of strength is an issue, but the tools are there for him to initially come off the bench. Otherwise, the G-League will be Ferguson’s destination.
Brooklyn Nets – Jarrett Allen, C, Texas – A solid value pick for the Nets, who get a potential starter in Allen. He has an NBA body and elite wingspan (7-foot-5). There’s quality rebounding ability there, which should make Allen at least a backup. However, there should be every chance for him to start, with Brook Lopez out of town.
Toronto Raptors – OG Anunoby, SF, Indiana – Anunoby was coming along well in Indiana, until he suffered a knee injury that cut his season — and stock — down. If Anunoby can get healthy, there’s every chance for him to be a terrific defender.
Denver Nuggets (via UTA) – Tyler Lydon, PF, Syracuse – Lydon is your quintessential stretch four. He has a nice shot from the perimeter and can hit one or two from mid range. Defense is also a question mark for Lydon, along with his strength. He likely projects as a shooter off the bench, that at least needs time in the G-League.
Philadelphia 76ers (via ORL) – Anzejs Pasecniks, C, Latvia – The Spurs worked Pasecniks out, but the Sixers snagged him at No. 25. He has the ability to be a backup, given his lack of a quality post game and solid athleticism.
Portland Trail Blazers – Caleb Swanigan, PF, Purdue – Swanigan has a big body for being 6-foot-8, and should fit in as a solid rebounder. The ability is also there to pick and pop, but defensive questions will linger.
Los Angeles Lakers (via BRK) – Kyle Kuzma, PF, Utah – This pick comes via trade with the Nets. Kuzma is an athletic power forward with a solid shot from the outside. Not only that, but he can battle under the boards and is a good defender.
Utah Jazz (via LAL) – Tony Bradley, C, North Carolina – Bradley flashed upside in limited minutes with the Tar Heels. He’s a quality rebounder, but needs work on the defensive end and doesn’t possess much athleticism.
San Antonio Spurs – Derrick White, PG, Colorado – The long wait led to the selection of White. He profiles as a combo guard in the NBA, with an ability to shoot from distance and distribute well. A 6-foot-8 wingspan will potentially make White a quality defender, too.
Los Angeles Lakers (via UTA) – Josh Hart, SG, Villanova – Hart projects to be a three-point shooter, with an ability to be an on-ball defender. He should fit into the Laker bench next season.

Trades

Well, we already have a trade. According to Adrian Wojnarowski reported Jimmy Butler and the No. 16 pick going to the Minnesota Timberwolves. In return, the Chicago Bulls will get Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn and the No. 7 pick.

Chicago is finalizing a deal to send Jimmy Butler to Minnesota for Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn and No. 7 pick, league source says.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) June 22, 2017

This blockbuster came only three picks in. A wild start to the night, to say the least.

The second deal of the night will involve the Kings. They will send the No. 10 pick to the Portland Trail Blazers for No. 15 and 20. That obviously takes the Spurs out of play.

Sacramento is trading the No. 10 pick to Portland for Nos. 15 and 20 in draft, league sources tell @TheVertical.