4 Prospects that could help the Spurs build around Wembanyama in the NBA Draft

The 2023 NBA Draft is fast approaching, and while the San Antonio Spurs are a virtual lock to choose Victor Wembanyama with the first overall pick, their front office has several decisions on their plate as they build a roster that best suits their future superstar. Trades and free agents could bolster their rebuild, but that isn't their only pathway to long-term success.

Perhaps no team has a more illustrious resume of drafting and developing unrefined prospects than the Silver and Black, and general manager Brian Wright will have two second-rounders he could use in numerous ways. He could invest in multiple upside swings or package the picks, and this class has plenty of talent that complements Wembanyama on both ends.

Jordan Hawkins experienced a drastic rise in his draft stock after a fruitful sophomore season where he helped lead UConn to their first national title since 2014. While San Antonio would probably have to trade back into the mid-first round to secure his services, the 6-foot-5 swingman could be an ideal fit as the front office builds a roster around Wembanyama.

The 21-year-old guard is a phenomenal floor spacer with a lightning-quick release, pristine mechanics, excellent footwork, and outstanding balance. He has the shot versatility to drain threes coming off dribble handoffs and screens or relocating in the half-court and transition, and his gravity as an elite off-ball shooter bends defenses as he stays in constant motion.

Although Hawkins is not a lockdown defender, he has the tools to develop into a net positive on that end of the court. He can cover either backcourt position, disturbs drives with his length, and navigates screens well in the pick-and-roll and when pursuing movement shooters. Even when his man beats him off the bounce, he can recover for solid rearview contests.

Unlike the previous prospect we detailed, Terquavion Smith failed to raise his value by returning for another season at North Carolina State, with the 20-year-old combo guard being a virtual lock to come off the board in the second round. San Antonio could use the 33rd or 44th pick to make him a long-term project player who might someday complement Wemby.

Smith is a creative ballhandler with a sharp first step, unlimited range, and above-average court vision. Though he must rein in his shot selection, the thrilling sophomore has three-level scoring upside thanks to his shiftiness and silky-smooth dribble jumper. He is also a dangerous catch-and-shoot threat who will make defenders pay for leaving him unattended.

Weighing in at 163 pounds at the NBA Draft Combine, Smith would be the lightest player in the league. He is engaged at the point of attack and has the footspeed to slide with anyone, but he must add muscle onto his rail-thin frame to avoid becoming a liability at the next level. Nonetheless, his instincts in the passing lanes help him turn steals into fastbreak offense.

No prospect has soaked up more of the spotlight than Wembanyama this season, but his fellow teenage teammate Bilal Coulibaly has given scouts another reason to tune into the Metropolitans 92. San Antonio is a lock to select the generational center with the number one pick, and they should consider trading up to add the talented wing to their rebuilding roster.

Coulibaly is an explosive downhill athlete who loves to attack the rim with aggressive straight-line drives, crash the glass for second-chance points, and sprint in transition for easy buckets. Despite his prowess as a slasher, his loose handle and inconsistent jumper limit his scoring repertoire. But if the Spurs can fill in the gaps, he might become the steal of the draft.

Defense is where the 18-year-old makes his bread, and his potential as an impactful multipositional defender with ample switchability is what has so many teams interested in taking him in the first round. Coulibaly is 6-foot-6 with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, and he possesses the strength, mobility, and instincts to compete for an All-Defense nod if he reaches his ceiling.

Kris Murray isn't as heralded of a prospect as his twin brother Keegan was in the 2022 NBA Draft, but he has cemented his status as a potential first-round candidate after a breakout season for Iowa. Unless the 22-year-old slides on draft night, San Antonio would have to package assets to have a chance of landing him, and he might be worth that sort of investment.

As one of the older and more seasoned players in this class, Murray has a well-defined role heading into the league. He is a reliable spot-up shooter and timely cutter who scores within the natural rhythm of the offense and doesn't command touches. The 6-foot-8 forward can also attack careless closeouts and finish at the rim using methodical north-south drives.

The former Hawkeye should also supply a steady source of event creation thanks to his superb timing in the passing lanes and innate feel for making punctual weakside rotations to furnish ancillary rim protection. Murray is a physical defender who covers threes and fours, and his remarkable length helps him contain dribble penetration and switch onto guards.