Ranking each prospect mocked to the Spurs by fit: from awkward to awesome

The San Antonio Spurs may have not one but two lottery picks in the 2024 NBA Draft and have plenty of options, but which prospects fit the best?
Rob Dillingham, and Reed Sheppard
Rob Dillingham, and Reed Sheppard / Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next Slide

3) Matas Buzelis

Forward Matas Buzelis ranks as one of the more intriguing prospects in this year's draft. At 6'10 in shoes, he has plenty of size for a wing and possesses impressive playmaking chops, though his shooting is questionable. In 24 games with the G-League Ignite, Buzelis is shooting only 28.6% from three on 3.2 attempts and only 68.6% from the line.

As a result, his projected NBA 3-point percentage is just 33.4%, according to Tankathon, which would be slightly below average. That is a concern, but his being able to play with the ball in his hands and attack the rim should help alleviate those concerns. With the Spurs needing a long-term option starting at small forward, Buzelis would be able to slot in.

His ball-handling and passing would certainly be welcome, giving San Antonio another playmaker, though Buzelis wouldn't be the team's primary shot-creator. If the Spurs were to take a point guard in addition to Buzelis or go out and get one in free agency or through trade, then he would fit even better.

Defensively, his size should help him defend on the wing, and he is a good rim protector, averaging 2 blocks per game and ranking seventh in the G-League. He's even a good rebounder, and the Spurs would have a big frontcourt with him, Sochan, and Wembanyama. Ultimately, there is a lot to like about Buzelis and he'd definitely fit the Spurs.