Draft or Pass: 4 Rumored Spurs Targets for 2022

2. Max Christie, Michigan State

Max Christie is a lanky 18-year-old guard who’s projected by Sports Illustrated to go 33rd overall to the Spurs. That makes sense considering he's a smooth offensive player who moves well off the ball, can hit spot-up threes, and puts the ball on the floor well on attacks. He's also capable of knocking down pull-up jumpers or using advanced dribble moves to get to the rim, making him a useful offensive player.

Defensively, at 6'6 with a 6'9 wingspan, he has good size for a two-guard and could develop into a capable player on that end as well. In fact, he sort of reminds me of Derrick White, which is a good thing, but the Spurs already have White, as well as his potential replacement in Joshua Primo. Therefore, they should pass on Christie.

3. Khalifa Diop, Gran Canaria

Khalifa Diop is a 20-year-old center playing in the Spanish ACB League and is projected to be taken in the second round by the Spurs. That said, I can see his stock rising closer to the NBA Draft. After all, in addition to being 6’11, and a good athlete, he has a freakish 7’9 wingspan.

Those physical tools alone could eventually help him develop into a talented rim protector, however, he also shows a lot of promise on the offensive end. For instance, he's a lob threat, has decent post moves, and has enough shooting touch to evolve into a 3-point shooter.

In regards to possible fit, while the Spurs already have Jakob Poeltl, Drew Eubanks, and Jock Landale at center, both Eubanks and Landale have team options for next season. That means there's a possibility that only one of them (or neither) could be back next season.

Diop would take some time to develop, but he'd make a lot of sense as a long-term project at center, given his potentially high ceiling as a player. As a result, the Spurs should draft him, especially if available in the second round.