Monster draft's home run prospects elevate Spurs' future at 8th spot in NBA draft

The NBA draft lottery can't get here soon enough for San Antonio Spurs fans who are eager to see where they will pick in this year's draft. They are currently projected to select eighth and 13th or 14th, giving them the perfect opportunity to help fill some roster flaws ahead of free agency.

The eighth pick in particular could prove huge, allowing the Spurs to add a talented young player on a cheap contract that could help them get back into contention. But who should they take with the eighth pick? Here are three perfect options.

Potential Spurs draft pick: Tre Johnson

Texas guard Tre Johnson is arguably the best scorer in this draft, but could just as easily fall to eighth in the draft order. That is mainly due to him being seen as just a scorer, one who is more reliant on jumpers than getting to the rim.

For the Spurs' purposes, that probably wouldn't be a major deterrent, with Johnson being one of the best shooters in this year's class. Especially when factoring in his shot selection. He drilled 38.5% of his 6.8 threes per game—a stellar number—given his volume and him often shooting off-the-dribble.

It's not difficult to imagine him playing a role on offense similar to that of Devin Vassell, though Johnson is a bit underrated as a playmaker. Having a scorer of his caliber coming off the bench would be a terrific get and give them options if they decide that Vassell isn't a part of their long-term plans.

Potential Spurs draft pick: Kon Knueppel

Duke wing Kon Knueppel is generally seen as the best shooter in this class, having knocked down 40.3% on 5.3 3-point attempts per game as well as 91.4% from the line. That, and him being 6-7, is likely music to the ears of Spurs fans. There's more to like, however.

Knueppel can attack the paint and use his big frame to keep from being knocked off balance. He also created separation by bumping his defender back to get off a high-percentage middy.

He doesn't have flashy handles but was often able to get where he wanted with the ball in his hands without losing control. Knueppel proved more than effective as a passer in the pick and roll. He consistently found teammates for open threes in the half-court or in transition, or found big men such as fellow potential lottery pick Khaman Maluach for alley-oops.

That is something he could easily do playing alongside Wembanyama. Defensively, Duke thrived when he was on the floor. That was more due to Cooper Flagg and Maluach, but he was able to hold his own and had active hands, allowing him to generate turnovers. All told, Knueppel might be the safest pick at eight and would best fill a role on the wing with his shooting, size, and playmaking.

Potential Spurs draft pick: Jeremiah Fears

Oklahoma guard Jeremiah Fears has managed to increase his draft stock, with him being a potential top-10 pick. Fears has some of the best handles in the draft and is terrific at using screens to get into the paint and draw in defenses.

Once there, he can finish with jumpers, floaters, and clever maneuvers at the rim. He also lived at the free throw line, drawing an eye-popping 6.3 free throw attempts per game in just over 30 minutes a night. That almost always translates to the NBA, and the Spurs could use a player who gets easy points from the line.

Having another player who can attack the paint and get easy shots for himself and others would be useful, giving the Spurs three players who'd be able to do that, including Stephon Castle and De'Aaron Fox.

Still, Fears might not address an immediate need. He isn't a particularly good 3-point shooter statistically, but that could change. After all, he shot an impressive 85.1% from the line on plenty of attempts, showing that he has good touch.

That may still give Spurs fans pause, given the team's need for more shooters, as would his size at 6-4. Nevertheless, Fears could form a nice 3-man guard rotation with Fox and Castle starting, and him being able to come in and play beside either. He might not be my first choice, but Fears isn't a bad pick at eight, not by a long shot.