San Antonio Spurs Draft: Saddiq Bey rising quickly up draft boards

The San Antonio Spurs should be watching Saddiq Bey as draft day approaches

One of the biggest and most often repeated criticisms of this year’s draft class is that there is a serious lack of star potential near the top of the board. Be that as it may, there are plenty of players in the mid to late lottery who project as above-average role players down the line. That should be music to the ears of San Antonio Spurs fans.

Picking 11th, the Spurs will have their best opportunity in over two decades to add a talented young player to their core. But there remains serious debate about the kind of player that San Antonio should take.

Many mock drafts have them picking Florida State’s Patrick Williams, a stretch forward with prototypical size and athleticism. But Williams is going to need a few years to develop into a meaningful contributor. He’s got all the physical gifts you could ask for but his game needs refining.

If the Spurs are targeting a pro-ready prospect they should be looking at Villiinova’s Saddiq Bey. Bey is projected by many to be a mid-round pick but his stock has been rising over the past few weeks.

Saddiq Bey is an excellent fit for the San Antonio Spurs with the 11th pick

What’s not to like about Bey’s game? Seriously, the “holes” that most people are poking in what he can do for a team are marginal at best and might not even matter at the next level.

He’s tough, competitive, and played for one of the best programs in the country. Jay Wright has been sending quality role players to the NBA for years now and Bey is next in line. He can guard almost every position on the court, can create for others on occasion, has excellent size for his position, and can smack from deep. Again, what’s not to like?

Critics of Bey will say that he’s not the most athletic wing and that could cost him in the NBA. Okay, fair enough. But I’d rather have a less athletic defender with Bey’s basketball IQ and excellent instincts than a world-class leaper who doesn’t know what the hell he’s doing on defense.

Evidentially other teams are taking note of Bey’s high floor and doing their due diligence.

Jay Wright says he’s talked to Steve Kerr about Saddiq Bey. The Warriors are reportedly interested even though they pick 2nd.

— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) October 21, 2020

Even though they’re picking well out of where Bey is projected to go, the Warriors are looking into Bey. There’s serious speculation that the Warriors could move back. They’re picking 2nd right now but would likely be interested in moving down if it means they can pick up a player who can help them right now.

Teams around the league surely took note of how effective players like Bey have been in the past few years. The Phoenix Suns deployed Cam Johnson as their power forward and the Miami Heat were similarly using Jae Crowder, both to great success. Bey could fill a similar role for whichever team selects him.

Adding Bey to their roster would give the Spurs a much need multi-positional defender and floor spacer. He doesn’t need the ball in his hands to be successful and would give them another weapon to use in an four out, one low offense similar to the one they were running in the bubble.

He might not have the high ceiling that someone like Patrick Williams does but Saddiq Bey is going to be an excellent player for a long time. The San Antonio Spurs should definitely be considering him with their pick.